AlumniACTIVITIES

SUMMER 2015A QuArterly updAte for

dues-pAying MeMbers of

the uM AluMni AssociAtion

Montana Homecoming Celebration Fall 2015 marks the 20th anniversary of the Montana Grizzlies’ first-ever NCAA Division 1-AA national football championship. To celebrate, the traditional colors of copper, silver and gold are making a one-year comeback and the 2015 Homecoming theme is “A Tradition of Champions.” This year’s theme honors the successes of UM students, alumni and the campus community throughout the years.

We hope you’ll join us Sept. 20-26 for the full schedule of Homecoming activities, including the annual Kickoff Celebration, Hello Walk painting, Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony, Yell Night Pep Rally, Homecoming Parade and Alumni Tailgate before the Grizzlies face off against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks.

HOMECOMING SCHEDULE Sunday, Sept. 201-2 p.m. – Homecoming Kickoff Celebration, Southgate Mall – Clock Court

Wednesday, Sept. 232:30-5 p.m. – Campus Decorating Contests TBA – Greek House Decorating Contest

Thursday, Sept. 249 a.m.-6 p.m. – Homecoming Art Fair, University Center AtriumTBA – House of Delegates annual meeting (continues on Fri.), location TBA 5 p.m. – Homecoming Buffet Dinner, Food Zoo in the Lommasson Center (public welcome)

Friday, Sept. 25TBA – House of Delegates annual meeting, location TBA 9 a.m.-6 p.m. – Homecoming Art Fair, University Center Atrium1 p.m. – Hello Walk painting, sidewalk in front of Turner Hall 2-5:30 p.m. – Department open houses and receptions 5:30 p.m. – Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony and reception, University Center Ballroom 8 p.m. – Yell Night Pep Rally on the Oval, Singing on the Steps, and lighting of the M7 p.m.-12 a.m. – All-Alumni Social and Dance with UM Marching Band, Holiday Inn Downtown

Saturday, Sept. 269:55 a.m. – Eighth annual Homecoming Hustle, start at Higgins and Broadway10 a.m. – Homecoming Parade, along Higgins and University avenues10 a.m.-4 p.m. – Homecoming Art Fair, University Center Atrium11 a.m. – Greek alumni tailgate, location TBANoon-2 p.m. – Alumni Homecoming Tailgate, outdoors in the River Bowl 2 p.m. – Homecoming Football Game: Montana Grizzlies vs. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks

PARADE APPLICATIONSUMAA will soon begin accepting applications for entry into the University of Montana Homecoming Parade. This year’s theme – A Tradition of Champions – celebrates all the successes of the UM family. Start designing your floats and check back to www.grizalum.com for a link to the parade application and information about this year’s parade route.

Lead the 2015 Homecoming ParadeDo you know a student who would be a great representative of the University of Montana? Encourage them to apply to be a 2015 Homecoming Ambassador! As reincarnations of Homecoming royalty, Ambassadors represent UM students at Homecoming events and serve as honorary liaisons to visiting alumni and friends. Deadline is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9.

The Aber Day Reunion Concert will take place noon-5 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, at Philipsburg’s Outdoor Amphitheater Winninghoff Park. Featuring Aber Day favorites Mission Mountain Wood Band, Wiley and the Wild West, and Shane Clouse and Stomping Ground, the event promises to be a perfect summer day of music, refreshments and memories. The non-profit Philipsburg Rotary has teamed up with Missoula Liquid Assets Corporation for this exciting benefit to raise money for the Philipsburg Community Library and other community projects. Purchase your tickets at www.grizalum.com.

UM OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

Bill Johnston, DirectorSusan Cuff, Associate DirectorJodi Johnson Moreau, Outreach Coordinator/Board Liaison Angela Weisenburger, On-Campus Events Coordinator Lexy Fisher, Membership/Marketing Coordinator Molly Fishburn-Matthew, Database ManagerCarrie Enyeart, Database Support SpecialistTyson Parman, Interactive Media Coordinator

Neal Wiegert, Newsletter DesignPrinted by UM Printing and Graphic Services

Alternative accessible formats of information produced by the Office of Alumni Relations available upon request. Comments or questions? Please call 1-877-UM-ALUMS or visit www.grizalum.com.

Alumni summer events

The Alumni Association will host its 11th annual UM Night with the Missoula Osprey on Thursday, July 30, at Ogren Park Allegiance Field. Join alumni and friends for a barbecue and beverages while cheering on the Osprey against the Billings Mustangs. Game time is 7:05 p.m. Tickets will be available in advance for $20 through the Alumni office. For those who have season tickets, tickets for barbecue only are $12/person. Bring your family and be sure to wear your Griz gear!

UMAA’s annual Gathering on Flathead Lake will take place 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, at Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork. This event features hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar; tickets are $25 per guest. This event is co-sponsored by the UM Alumni Association and the UM Foundation. Please RSVP by Tuesday, July 21 at www.grizalum.com.

Alumni Insurance ProgramThe Montana Alumni Insurance Program is a convenient source for health, life and travel insurance for alumni and their family members. There are a variety of plans available to meet your needs, including short-term medical, renewable major medical, dental and even pet health insurance.

Get more information on any or all of these sponsored insurance plans by visiting www.AlumniInsuranceProgram.com/montana, or call American Insurance Administrators at 1-800-922-1245 weekdays, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. EST

Regional groups take off

UMAA Regional Groups are increasingly active this summer with four events in Southern California, Whatcom County, Seattle and Billings. The regional group leaders are alumni volunteers who are working hard to keep you connected to your Montana family, wherever you are. To start or participate in a regional group in your area, visit the UMAA Regional Groups and Events page!

Seattle alumni at the Mariners game

Griz alumni and friends including Mark Cenis (left) and Chad Williams (right)

Southern California alumni gathering at Angel City Brewery in downtown Los Angeles

“We had a great turnout of more than 65 attendees, including more than 40 alums at the Mariners game on May 31. Old friends were reacquainted and new friends were made.” – Kris Kloser ’89, Seattle regional group coordinator

“Last Sunday was almost perfect (except of course for the final score)…” – Carol Richards

“…enjoyed it and looking forward to the next one.” – Tim Wynne ’85

“…what a turnout!” – Karin Larson-Pollock ’93

“…My wife and I enjoyed it. We look forward to the next event.” – Dave Ward ’76

“…was a lot of fun and great to see you guys!” – Mark Cenis ’89

“…the experience was fun…a great time overall.” – Chad Williams ’13

“There were some Montana residents who attended as they were in town for the LA Film Festival. A lot of networking and really good energy. Everyone really seems to appreciate the events and it feels like interest is growing.”

– Nikki Gabriel ’99, Southern California regional group coordinator

Whatcom County alumni happy hour at Bellingham Golf and Country Club

Back Row (L to R): Christopher Santini, Kim Larsen-Santini, unnamed guest, John McKee, Alex Wigger, Emily Cross, Sara Bazant, Rick Bazant, Sara Stucky, and Karen Jean Olds. Sitting (L to R): Cassandra Sunnell, Nikki Gabriel, Deny Staggs

From Griz alum Mike Larson - A small but enthusiastic group of Griz alumni got together at Zoo Montana Saturday, June 13, for the first Griz workday. The weather was perfect and we spent the morning working in the Sensory Gardens, planting, weeding and doing general clean-up. Zoo Executive Director Jeff Ewelt spent some time in the morning discussing the progress the zoo has made and some possible projects that may be coming up for future volunteer opportunities. One of particular interest involves identifying the tree species represented on zoo grounds in an effort to gain the designation as an Arboretum. With the assistance of Lexy Fisher at the Alumni office we were able to pass on a contact with the UM College of Forestry and Conservation to lend some expertise in that area. At the end of the day, the group gathered together in the shade to discuss some ideas on how to better get the word out on these events and to increase participation. If anyone out there has any thoughts on that, please feel free to email comments to me, Mike Larson, at mylarson@yahoo.com.

Griz Day at Zoo Montana

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For more information, call the Office of Alumni Relations,

1-877-UM-ALUMS (1-877-862-5867), or visit www.grizalum.com.

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GET CONNECTED...STAY CONNECTED

HOMECOMINGSeptember 20-26

Come home for a week of exciting events, from kicking off Homecoming to painting the Hello Walk, honoring UM’s Distinguished Alumni to celebrating at the Parade, and tailgating with fellow alums to cheering on the Griz at the Homecoming Football Game.

BRAWL OF THE WILDNovember 21

Bozeman will host the 115th annual Griz/Cat football game, and alums around the world will gather in their home cities to cheer on the Griz!

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23 Gathering on Flathead Lake, Bigfork30 11th annual UM Night with the Missoula Osprey, Ogren Park

Allegiance Field

22 Aber Day Reunion Concert, noon-5 p.m., Philipsburg, Mont.

20-26 Homecoming 201527-28 UMAA Board of Directors meeting, Missoula

22-30 European Hideaways luxury cruise with GOnext

2-10 Discover Galapagos and the Enchanted Islands of Ecuador with Adventure Life

21 115th annual Griz/Cat football game, Bozeman

SAVE THE DATES!

All-Alumni Reunion at CommencementThe annual Alumni Celebration at Commencement is growing steadily each year! This May, about 100 alumni, family and members of the campus community participated in three days of events honoring UM graduates, old and new. Commencement attendees enjoyed prime seats in the Canyon Club and visited with Ambassador Max Baucus after he delivered the Commencement address.

Alumni Director Bill Johnston (left), Mary Engstrom, and President Royce Engstrom listen as the Ambassador to China, Max Baucus, speaks to the reunion attendees, including Renee Valley ’86 (in white) and George McRae ’60 (in gold gown).

l-r: Susie Cole ‘65, Bonnie Bowler ’65, Charles ’66 and Marcia (Dion) Knell ‘65

l-r: Karen Woodgerd ‘66, Bonny Rieckmann ‘65, Jeanne Matthews Bender ’65, Carl Rieckmann ‘65, Gary Woodgerd ‘63

Alumni staff Angie Weisenburger (left) and Jodi Moreau celebrate with graduate and Alumni intern, Cassie Flynn.