Board of Regents Meeting
March 20-21, 2003

Helena, Montana

Montana Tech of The University of Montana
Chancellor Frank Gilmore, Ph. D.

         Montana Tech hosted the 21st annual Expanding Your Horizons conference on February 1. One hundred and nineteen 6th-8th grade students from all over Southwest Montana attended the conference to learn more about careers in science and math. Twenty-four professionals from campus and the community hosted hands-on activities for the students in the morning and undergraduate volunteers from the Montana Tech Metallurgy department conducted an afternoon "chemistry show" for them. During the conference, two students were awarded $500 savings bonds for their responses to a "How does science and technology serve our country?" essay contest.

         Drs. Rick Douglass & Amy Kuenzi, Biological Sciences, have a paper coming out in the March issue of Emerging and Infectious Diseases. The title is Removing deer mice from buildings: Potential effects on risk of human exposure to Sin Nombre virus.

         The Mine Waste Technology Program has recently funded 6 research projects at $50,000 each, and contracted with the EPA/DOE/MSE-TA, Inc. for the educational, minority, and tech transfer tasks at $250,000.

         The Program currently has 9 research projects and 11 Graduate Students. Over 50 Mine Waste Emphasis Graduate students are now out cleaning up the environment. Many still reside in Montana.

         MWTP also recently received year two funding at $150,000 of a five-year effort of Hazardous Waste Outreach with the EPA funded Hazardous Substance Research Center at Colorado State University. Partners also include the Colorado School of Mines.

         Under this program MWTP works with the Crow Nation of Indians, Rocky Boy Reservation and the Fort Belknap Reservation in Montana. They also have sites in Colorado, and North and South Dakota.

         The Mine Operations, Design, and Closure Conference will be held in Polson, Montana on the Flathead Indian Reservation on April 27 to May 1. This conference is in its 11th year and includes the USFS, US BLM, and Montana Dept. of Environmental Quality. A two-day short course will be held prior to the conference on the Land Application of Mine Waste Waters, a major issue in Montana.

         Students and faculty representing the Geological, Geophysical and Mining Engineering Departments will attend the 38th Annual Symposium on Engineering Geology and Geotechnical Engineering hosted by the University of Nevada at Reno in March to present three papers and two posters.

         Two undergraduate researchers in Geological Engineering were accepted to present at the National Collegiate Undergraduate Research (NCUR) meeting in Salt Lake City in March. There were 2,300 abstracts sent in and only a couple hundred participants were accepted.

         Dr. Pat Munday, Professional & Technical Communication Department, worked as Co-Principal Investigator and grant writer on the Office of the Commissioner for Higher Education's proposal, "Montana Math-Science Cultural Partnership." This innovative 5-year, $1.7 million per year project would provide post-baccalaureate field and laboratory science coursework to middle and high school science teachers, establish a science museum in Anaconda, and create a network of science trailers for use by middle and high school science teachers throughout Montana. Dr. Munday is also a part of The American History Teachers: A New Corps of Discovery. Beginning in summer 2003, this project has received $757,000 in funding from the US Dept. of Education. It is administered by the Anaconda School District, and is a 3-year summer program for Montana K-12 history teachers. Dr. Munday is also active with non-profit groups and, along with Professional & Technical Communication Department colleague Dr. Pete Praetorius, wrote a successful $42,000 grant funded by Montana's Natural Resource Damage Program to develop a major restoration project for German Gulch Creek. This creek is a tributary of Silver Bow Creek in the upper Clark Fork River watershed, and is home to a threatened population of Montana's native westslope cutthroat trout.

         Dr. Diane Wolfgram, Geological Engineering, was requested to edit/revise the ABET Criteria for Geological Engineering Programs and will be presenting it to the SME Accreditation & Curricular Issues Subcommittee on February 24 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The University of Montana-Western
Stephen T. Hulbert, Chancellor

 

Faculty Accomplishments

         Ms. Eva Mastandrea has been elected Montana's Art Educator of the Year for 2002-2003 by the Montana Art Educator Association, an affiliate of the National Art Education Association. Professor Mastandrea will be honored at the national Art Convention in Minneapolis on April 4-8, 2003.

         Dr. Rita Moore has had several recent publications as follows: Moore, R. A., & Brantingham, K. (Jan./Feb., 2003). Nathan: A case study in Retrospective Miscue Analysis. Reading Teacher. Moore, R. A., & Zhang, Y. (Spring, 2003). Literacy and learning in Kansas and the Peoples Republic of China. Kansas Journal of Reading. Moore, R. A. (2002). Re-examining the role of practica in preservice teacher education. Journal of Teacher Education.

         ProfessorsEva Mastandrea and John Xanthopoulos have received from the Remembrance and Hope organization a monetary contribution of 4,000 dollars towards the possible participation of four UM-W/SKC students in the March of Remembrance and Hope this May in Poland. This program remembers the Holocaust and seeks to develop mutual understanding and respect.

         Dr. Michael Francisconi will be included in the 57th Edition of Who's Who in America for his work in Economic Anthropology.

         Dr. John Xanthopoulos was invited and participated in the evaluation of proposals for improving undergraduate education from Greek institutions of higher education to the Directorate of Community Support Framework at the Ministry of Education in Greece. Grants were funded by the European Union and the Greek Government after the review that occurred in Athens, Greece last November.

         Dr. Michael Morrow has received a $10,000 grant to continue his research related to cloning and characterization of the KAR2 gene from the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans. Dr. Morrow's research is funded by the Montana Network for Biomedical Research with support from the National Institute of Health-Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network. The goal of these research efforts is to increase Montana's biomedical research capacity and to support training opportunities for undergraduates.

         Dr. Craig Zaspel has received news that his article: "Quasi-Stable Microwave Envelope Pulse Propagation in Ferrite Films" has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Applied Physics.

         Dr. Alan Weltzien has an article titled "Fathers and Sons, Trails and Mountains," forthcoming in a book edited by Professor Mark Allister for University of Virginia Press. Dr. Weltzien also has a second article titled "Homophobia and Constructions of Male Identity in Thomas Savage and Annie Proulx" forthcoming in a new anthology devoted to Montana literature, "West of Here," co-edited by David Moore and Brady Harrison, UM-Missoula.

         Professors Alan Weltzien and Gary Lundy read from their own work at the 3rd Montana Festival of the Book, 27-28 September, Missoula. In addition to reading from his memoir manuscript, Professor Weltzien moderated a panel of memoirists, and participated in a panel devoted to Thomas Savage in Montana literature.

The University of Montana-Missoula
G. M. Dennison, President

         College of Technology student Dawn Payne received the Outstanding Student Leader Award for Fall 2002. The award, given to a student who exhibits ethical, creative leadership and outstanding service to the University community while promoting a positive campus climate, includes a tuition waiver for the following semester.

         The CASE District VIII Board of Directors has selected William Johnston, Executive Director of the Alumni Association and Executive Assistant for State Legislative Affairs, to receive the CASE District VIII Distinguished Service Award. Sharen Peters, President and CEO, UM Foundation and Office of Development, will receive the CASE District VIII Retirement Recognition Award.

        The CASE District VIII Awards Competition selected UM-M's University Relations for several awards, including a grand gold award for "Missoula: Now and Then" that appeared in the Fall 2002 issue of the Montanan, and two silver awards for the President's Annual Report 2001-02, one for design and one for the cover photo. University Relations staff writer Cary Shimek won a bronze award in feature writing for "Priming the Pump," the cover story for Vision 2002. History Professor Harry Fritz received a bronze in the same category for his feature, "The Core of Discovery," which appeared in the Winter 2002 Montanan.

         UM-M senior Jessie Childress earned a 15th place tie during the latest round of the Hearst Journalism Awards Program. Childress, who placed in the college editorial/columns of opinion category, will receive a certificate of merit for her achievement.

         Cathy Bartels and Tim Stratton, Associate Professors in the Department of Pharmacy Practice, have received $482,500 through the Federal Office for the Advancement of Telehealth to launch the IPHARM (ImProving Health Among Rural Montanans) Project.

         The Pharmacy Program ranks 4th in the nation for direct costs per Ph.D. faculty member, according to the FY 2002 NIH funding rankings.

         UM-M's Department of Social Work has landed a $60,000 grant from the John A. Hartford Foundation that will prepare students to work with the elderly. The grant is dedicated to providing effective and affordable care to the nation's rapidly increasing older population.

         The Montana Committee for the Humanities awarded an $8,000 grant to the O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West to once again produce Speaking of That, a State-wide public radio program hosted by former Montana Congressman Pat Williams. Pat Williams serves as a senior fellow at the OConnor Center for the Rocky Mountain West.

         UM-M School of Law faculty members William Corbett and Arthur Lusse recently returned from Uruguay, where they taught dispute resolution as Fulbright Senior Specialists.

         UM-M's debate team earned several awards at the University of Utah's Great Salt Lake Invitational in late January. Six UM-M students--Lacy Chaffin, Rob Killian, Jen Kirby, Stephen Sandford, Ryan Stavnes, and Blake Zollar --placed in competition against students from over 30 colleges and universities nationwide.

         The Montana World Trade Center has been selected as a partner for the Global Trade and Technology Network (GTN). The GTN program, funded by the United States Agency for International Development, works with select local trade specialists to reach potential exporters.

         UM-M will host the first major Montana event commemorating the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition on 28-30 May. The three-day symposium, "A Confluence of Cultures: Native Americans and the Expedition of Lewis and Clark," will offer a uniquely Indian perspective on the Corps of Discovery and its pivotal impact on American history.

Montana State University-Billings
Chancellor Ronald P. Sexton, Ph. D.

         The College of Technology (COT) received a gift from a donor in the amount of nearly $80,000 to establish a student scholarship endowment for the COT. 

         In January, the College of Technology launched a newly revised Computer Desktop and Networking Support (AAS and Certificate) program and a new Human Resources (AS and Certificate) program.  The Human Resources AS degree was articulated with the MSU-B College of Business. 

         MSU-Billings student, Mindy Jo Mendenhall, has been selected to receive a full-year Space Grant Scholarship. This honor reflects her past achievements as well as her present and future commitment to the aerospace sciences and engineering. Ms. Mendenhall joins an elite group of approximately 1,900 Space Grant Scholars and Fellows nationwide.

         The Art Department and the Northcutt-Steele Gallery has returned to the newly renovated first floor of the Liberal Arts Building.  Next week the final phase of the $3.22M renovation will be completed with the turnover of the three new elevators.

         The Montana State University-Billings, College of Technology, has received a $1,000,000 in Federal Appropriations for the renovation and creation of 7,500 square feet of state of the art classroom and lab space, as well as the renovation of several other classrooms.

         University faculty members and their students worked on several important community projects including:  Zoo Montana, United Way, Celebrate Billings, Wyoming Archaeological Society, Pictograph Caves, Junior Achievement, PPL-Montana, and Wyoming State EMS.

         A workshop for the "Cultural World Views of Native Americans/Integrated Learning" was held on January 23, 24, 25, 2003, at the College of Professional Studies.

         Ms. Janet Simon has accepted the position as the Director, Human Resources Office for the MSU-Billings campuses.

         Student Health Services participated in the Salvation Army "Dress a Child" program. This was done in lieu of a gift exchange to celebrate the spirit of giving during the Holiday season.

         Jessica Smothers, Admissions Counselor, is preparing for the Linden Tour this spring which will take our non-resident recruiting efforts for International Education Students to the Far East.

         Honor Roll letters for Fall Semester, 2002, were sent to 955 MSU-Billings students who had a grade point average of 3.50 and above.

         Admission Office tele-counselors wrapped up their fall telephone campaign with record numbers of contacts. Fall 2002, they called 9367 numbers, made 2901 contacts, and sent 2073 mailings. Their number of contacts is a 49% increase over last fall's contacts, and the mailings are up 62%.

         Disability Support Services was pleased with the results of the fall semester grades with 54 students receiving a 3.0 GPA and three students with a 4.0 GPA.

         United Campus Ministry has organized an e-mail newsletter to local churches, organizations and supporting persons about the campus "Issue of the Week" that highlights both issues related to higher education and ministry.

         The newly installed back-up propane system for the University is working flawlessly. The anticipated saving for the University will be in excess of 20% of the current costs.

         The College of Technology was host to the Business Professionals of America regional competition on December 16-17.  A total of 350+ high school students participated in business and computer competency based competition. 

         College of Education and Human Services was recognized by VACATE as a national award winning University in the category of "Best Practice in Support of Accreditation."

         Professor Sue Hart received the Montana Governor's Humanities Award: The Pen Award for Syndicated Fiction on February 6, 2003.

         Dr. Craig Wilson, Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Department of History, Native American Studies, Political Science, and Sociology, has been notified that his grant proposal, "Project Safe Neighborhoods," has been awarded $150,000 from the Department of Justice. The grant project is collaborative with the Office of U.S. Attorney Bill Mercer. Other cooperating faculty includes Dr. David Hood, Dr. Ruey-Lin Lin, and Dr. Joe Floyd.

Montana State University-Great Falls College of Technology
Dean Mary Sheehy Moe

         Adjunct faculty, Cindy Kittredge, is a recipient of the 2003 Governor's Humanities Awards. The award was presented February 6 during the Governor's Humanities Awards Ceremony, held in the Rotunda of the State Capitol. She is one of 5 individuals who were selected for this honor, due to her involvement as Museum Director and Cultural Leader. 

         Former Dean, Willard Weaver, received the Montana Ambassadors' Mike Malone Educator of the Year award at their annual meeting in Helena. According to the Ambassadors' Annual Report, "Will's accomplishments, leadership, dedication to education and his tireless efforts to promote the special opportunities two-year education provides employers, students and the state have earned him the honor of being named Educator of the Year.

         Since 1994, 198 students have graduated from COT Practical Nurse program and all but 2 have passed their national licensing exam on the first attempt. The two who failed their first attempt, passed on their second attempt. All of our December 2002 graduates had jobs prior to graduation. Graduates are getting jobs in acute care, dialysis unit, long term care, assisted living, and physician's offices. Cheryll Alt, Program Director states that, When students make the decision to enter the Practical Nursing program at the College of Technology - they are making a major life-changing decision. They will have a career for a lifetime. This career can take them next door or around the world. It doesn't get any better than this.

         The third annual Missouri River Break was held March 7-10 on the Great Falls Campus in collaboration with the Cascade County Extension Service. Over eighty workshops were presented with a wide range of topics including health issues, arts and crafts, recreation, investing, writing, woodcarving, and software tips. The cost of the event is minimal to the public. All presenters and workers at the four-day event volunteer their time.

         The 2003 Cisco Youth Ready for the Future Conference was held at the College of Technology on March 12. High school students enrolled in Cisco networking classes competed in Web Page Design, Timed 3 Router Configuration, Timed Router Troubleshooting, Timed PC Troubleshooting, and a Cabling Relay Race. New this year were workshops for students, teachers and their administrators covering a wide range of topics directly related to skills and career opportunities. Robb Protheroe, Cisco Networking Academy Program Northwestern US Manager, gave the keynote presentation.

         The College hosted a citywide Med Prep conference "Preparing Students for a Health Care Career" on February 6. 100 students from three local high schools got a glimpse of what awaits them in the health care field. Students were given hands-on experiences on campus and had the opportunity to visit with representatives of a wide range of health care professions. Theresa Sheldon attended from the Office of Public Instruction. She has been hired to coordinate a similar program statewide.

         The College of Technology collaborated with the Community Economic Development Council to survey local businesses to establish baseline data on the business environment in Great Falls. Future surveys will assess longitudinal data and acquire information on business-specific problems and opportunities as they emerge.

Montana State University-Northern
Chancellor Alex Capdeville

 

         Selection to Montana Committee for Humanities - William Thackeray, Senior Professor of History and English at Montana State University -- Northern, has been selected to serve from 2003 through 2006 on the Montana Committee for the Humanities, it was announced recently by Mark Sherouse, executive secretary of the committee. With a federal budget and a grants program, the committee sponsors and helps plan a variety of programs throughout the state. In Havre, such programs have been held at MSUN and at the Havre-Hill County Library on subjects such as women writers of Montana, Montana mystery writers, the Lewis and Clark expedition, and Montana authors James Welch and A.B. Guthrie. Thackeray teaches a variety of courses at MSUN on the history and literature of the American West, including Montana. He has also published a series of articles on western legal and water rights issues, and has studies as a Fulbright Fellow in India, a Newberry Fellow in Chicago, and a Carnegie Fellow at Idaho State University.

         NAIA National wrestling tournament - On March 7 & 8,MSU-Northern hosted the 2003 NAIA National Wrestling Tournament at the Bison Fieldhouse in Great Falls with approximately 30 teams and 220 wrestlers in attendance.

         MCTM Math Contest - On March 18, Northern hosted the Montana Council of Teacher of Mathematics Math Contest attracting almost 900 students. Northern has been a regional site for this contest for more than twenty years. MCTM awards scholarships at the state level and to the top male and female senior students at each regional level. MSU-Northern welcomes the event as it gives us a chance to showcase our campus.

         Hi-Line Regional Science Fair - This March, Northern will host the 18th annual Hi-Line Regional Science and Engineering Fair, involving 180 middle school and high school students from 15 regional schools. The Havre Science Fair has been associated with the International Science and Engineering Fair for the last 11 years.

         VICA - Northern will be hosting the 2003 Montana Vocational Industrial Clubs of America State Leadership and Skills Conference on April 7, 8, 9th. MSU-Northern has proudly hosted the Montana VICA Conference since its inception in 1971. Competitions are held in areas such as architectural drafting, welding, diesel technology, automotive technology, public speaking, and technical computing. Northern's faculty and staff, serve as contest chairpersons, and take this opportunity to present educational opportunities and answer questions about our campus.

Dawson Community College
Terry Hetrick, President

 

         A & E services for the construction of the new adjoining performing arts center and gymnasium and library expansion at the college. The lead architects met with faculty and staff on Friday, February 21st to finalize changes to the schematic drawings of the facilities in order to commence work on the blueprints, specifically for the performing arts center and gymnasium. Final changes to the library expansion plans will not be made until later in the semester.

         The Eastern Montana Tech-Prep Consortium, under the direction of Lucille Hilbert, Dawson County High School, and the local JSEC are sponsoring a Career Carnival at the Dawson County High School on Tuesday, March 4, 2003. Approximately 400 students and 62 teachers and counselors from 16 area high schools will be in attendance at this day-long event. In addition, over 700 high school students will attend the presentation of Chad Foster, a nationally-recognized motivational speaker and entrepreneur.

         Journalism students, under the direction of Joe Drivdahl, are in the process of publishing the first edition of a college newspaper. DCC has not produced such a campus publication in many years. It is expected that the newspaper will become an annual activity for DCC students and will be produced each month of the fall and spring semesters.

         Retired F.B.I. agent, Alan Robinson, presented a $2,500 check to Dawson Community College on February 5, 2003 as one of seven national recipients of the 2002 J. Edgar Hoover Memorial Scholarship. Law Enforcement Program instructors, Holly Dershem-Bruce and Majel Dominguez, accepted the award on behalf of the college.

         A DCC Alumni Association is currently being created through a joint effort of LaneHolte, Registrar, and the Dawson College Foundation. The college and foundation look forward to the many benefits that can be derived from such an organization. In addition, an alumni newsletter is being generated to be mailed to association members once each quarter.

         The Early Childhood Education program, under the direction of Brenda Stockert, was recently awarded a U.S. Department of Education "Child Care Access Means Parents in School" grant. The grant is renewable for four years at $10,000 per year. Students eligible for this program must be Pell Grant recipients and in need of child care assistance while attending DCC.

         Work on a new webpage commenced after the first of the year. Under the direction of Diane Dohrmann, Dean of Student Services, with assistance from Ryan Heimbuch and Marcia Holas, considerable improvements have been made in both format and information available on the web site. The college is in very early stages of this change with considerable work remaining. Athletic events are being broadcast over the web for those unable to personally attend such activities.

Flathead Valley Community College
Jane Karas, President

         On December 23, 2002 Flathead County voters approved a $15.8 million school bond proposal to meet enrollment growth and technological needs. Proposed projects include additional classroom space, academic and occupational labs, an instructional theatre and high tech lecture hall, a multi-purpose community/lecture room, a facility for occupational programs, an early childhood development center, infrastructure improvements, and additional parking.

         FVCC received a $700,000 line item in the federal appropriations bill. The college was notified that the bill included a $700,000 appropriation in Labor, Health, and Human Services for the development of occupational and vocational programs at FVCC.

         FVCC's Lincoln County Campus building fund received a huge boost in December when representatives of Glacier Bank presented campus representatives with a check for $25,000 of a matching grant. Glacier Bank initiated the challenge grant to jumpstart the approximately $200,000 renovation project, which will substantially enlarge the Libby facility to better meet the needs of students and the community.

         Christmas Tree Excellence (CTE) 2002 raised more than $19,000 during the eighth annual FVCC Foundation benefit. CTE is a true community effort and over the past eight years has involved more than 375 volunteers from throughout the Flathead Valley and Lincoln County. Since its inception in 1990, CTE has raised over $408,782 to support student scholarships, and local nonprofits.

         The college is sponsoring a series of eight lectures on "A World of Civilizations: Today's Collisions of Culture," for the 2003 Honors Symposium. Ivan Lorentzen, coordinator, hopes to "take a look at peoples of the world and try to gain a greater appreciation of their histories, heroes, traditions, and accomplishments."

         The FVCC Library is the first location of a Lewis & Clark traveling exhibit, sponsored by the Montana Historical Society. The exhibit, free and open to the public, features the Society's extraordinary collection of primary documents, interpretive resources, art, and artifacts that provide a wealth of information on the expedition.

         The Office of Native American and Multicultural Affairs hosted a lecture and book signing by adjunct instructor Dr. E.B. Eiselein author of Montana's Indian History.

         Lowell Jaeger, English instructor has recently been notified that Pudding House Publications will publish his sixth book of poetry, Greatest Hits: Lowell Jaeger 1983 - 2002, this spring. Jaeger has been teaching creative writing at FVCC for the past 20 years, and is currently at work on his seventh collection of poems.

         In partnership with the Whitefish Winter Carnival committee and the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, the FVCC art department sponsored the Northwest Snow Sculpture Championships in January. The art department also held a separate snow-sculpting event, partnering with local schools to teach the art of snow sculpting to schoolchildren. Art instructor John Rawlings spearheaded the events.

         The Continuing Education Center sponsored a free lecture concerning the rise of nationalism, Arab socialism and Islamic fundamentalism in the Middle East and the phenomenon of global terrorism. Bruce Hemmings, retired U.S. Navy officer and senior foreign intelligence officer with the CIA, was the speaker.

         A training fair for employers, human resource representatives, managers, business owners and employees was hosted by the Continuing Education Center. Activities included workshop demonstrations and customized training opportunities.

         Ninety-eight percent of FVCC's 2002 graduating class seeking employment found jobs. Of the 54% of the graduates planning to continue their education, 85% plan to attend Montana colleges. Ninety-two percent of the employed graduates surveyed are working in Montana. The average starting salary range for all two-year degree recipients was between $10 and $10.99 per hour.

Miles Community College
Darrel L. Hammon, President

 

         Andrea Nichols, a Miles Community College student, was selected as a New Century Scholar based on scores earned in the All-USA Academic Team competition. The highest scoring student in each state in the All-USA Academic Team competition was named a New Century Scholar and will receive a $2,000 stipend funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. Our 2003 Century Scholar will be featured in the American Association of Community Colleges' College Times and Phi Theta Kappa's The Journey newsletter.

         The Miles City Area Chamber of Commerce awarded Mary Haydal, Executive Director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, the Harvey Wolke Award for community service at their 120th annual awards presentation in January. Harvey Wolke Award is Miles City's prestigious award for community service.

         Miles Community College has begun construction of its new student housing facility. Tooz Construction from North Dakota received the bid award of $1.9 million (no local taxpayer dollars involved). On February 27th, one of the subcontractors began their assault on the old Big Sky dormitory, smashing and battering it the ground. Amazingly, it gained top billing on the front page of the Miles City Star. We plan on its completing prior to fall semester. Because of tenuous about the completion, we will be starting our fall semester on September 16th, rather than our usual day after Labor Day.

         Miles Community College welcomes the following new staff: Annette Gorton, Coordinator, Nursing Distance Education Program (FIPSE grant); Christine Wagner, Recruiter/Marketing; Sasha Perkins, Administrative Assistant, Nursing Distance Learning Program (FIPSE Grant); Freddie Wambolt, Interim Centra assistant director. Freddie is a former MCC student and almost graduate of MSU-Billings online program. Ron Dorn, Dean of Administrative Services, has donned the cap of interim athletic director. Darren Pitcher, Facilities and Maintenance Director, has taken on the interim Centra director position. We are planning searches for these interim positions in April/May.

         Long-time faculty member, Jonette Potts, has announced her retirement. Jonette has been a faculty in the Office Technology Program for over 30 years. Her husband, John, is also retiring from teaching at Custer County High School. Also, Dennis Lordemann, Chief Technology Officer, has also announced his retirement. That search is almost underway.

         Miles Community College continues its implementation of the FIPSE grant. We have met several times with MSU-Billings, MSU-Billings College of Technology, MSU-Bozeman, and Billings healthcare providers to develop partnerships in delivering our LPN to RN program in Billings via a variety of modalities. We have invited potential LPN's to an open house on Tuesday, March 4th in Billings to discuss their interest in the program.

         The First Interstate Foundation awarded Miles Community College a $22,000 grant to renovate its community room. Miles Community College has dedicated one room on campus as a community room to accommodate the meeting needs of community members.

         Miles Community College graduation is Saturday, May 3, 2003. Our Awards Banquet will be held on April 4, 2003.

The University of Montana-Helena College of Technology
Steven Hoyle, Dean

         UM-Helena received a Sustainable Grant from UM-Missoula to hire persons for the following positions: Marketing/P.R., Advising/Retention, and Continuing Education & Training. These functions will help UM-Helena expand its higher education services to business/industry and communities in the region. A new advising system will help students become more successful identifying personal goals, succeeding in their programs, and acquiring work upon completion.

         Two years of study and planning for "a classroom and lab facility" to better serve students, the City of Helena, and the State of Montana has culminated in a building plan that will satisfy long-term needs. Architects, employees and students of UM-Helena, consultants, our Executive Committee, the Advisory Board, and other interested parties have examined several building concepts. One has surfaced as most feasible (least expensive and most beneficial in the long run): a facility adjacent to the current "Poplar Building" at the Airport.

         We continue talks with legislators and testimonies before the Appropriations Committees. With legislative approval (and the Board's) UM-Helena will seek the necessary financial match to realize this project. Summary "Rationale" statements are available for review.

         UM-Helena delighted in hosting (along with Montana Tech) Dr. John Caulfield, "one of America's ten top scientists" (Business Week). A pioneer in laser, holography, and optics technology, Dr. Caulfield is exploring with us and the City of Helena the possibility of setting up a cancer research laboratory to develop the SpectralScan a device for the early detection of cancer from blood samples. As an economic development initiative, this lab would spin off private businesses to manufacture detection equipment. Dr. Caulfield spoke with many student and community groups the week of 2/24/03.

         The Montana Campus Compact organization at UM-Helena has been awarded one of seven grants nationwide to pilot a campus-community mapping project as part of the Raise Your Voice Student Action for Change campaign. Student Leaders Keith Goble and Linda Dowell will facilitate creation of a manual detailing campus and community resources and website links to use in expanding campus-community partnerships and students' civic engagement.