Impact Stories | Donations Help Students at The University of Montana

This accomplishment belongs to you, our remarkable giving community. You have planted the seeds for our students’ success, and these will bear tremendous fruits for decades to come.

The latest issue of the Raising Montana newsletter highlights the life-changing and comprehensive impact of Campaign Montana and the critical momentum it is providing as UM continues its trajectory to be a flagship institution for the future.

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We invite you to experience the President’s Club Virtual Campaign Montana Celebration. You will be prompted to register before watching the video. The program celebrates the impact of Campaign Montana with inspiring stories of donor generosity told by campus leaders and campaign volunteers.

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The record-setting gifts received during Campaign Montana already have had big impacts for UM and our students and will continue to impact them for decades to come.

The University of Montana has concluded the most ambitious and successful higher education fundraising campaign in state history. Over seven years, the comprehensive “Campaign Montana – Think Big. Be Bold.” inspired $450.9 million in giving from more than 34,000 donors to elevate every UM student, college, school and program.

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This Initiative extends beyond imparting knowledge in the classroom to creating agents of change.

A newly expanded program at UM’s Alexander Blewett III School of Law will provide graduate students with opportunities to make immediate, meaningful impacts on justice policies that affect rural and indigenous communities. The Rural Justice Initiative will allow UM graduate students to gain important experience in exploring deep inequities in the criminal justice system.

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Without this financial support, I would have had to take out loans to attend UM this fall. I am incredibly grateful.

Allison Grigonis never expected her dream of studying abroad would be disrupted by a global pandemic. When Grigonis returned to the U.S. from Japan with unexpected expenses in March, she applied for assistance from the UM Emergency Student Support Fund. Learn how Grigonis’ aspirations and perseverance matched with private support helps her stay on track to graduate next spring.

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UM helped me prepare for the COVID-19 pandemic for sure. Without this education, I wouldn’t be where I am today, helping with the pandemic.

Alumna and respiratory therapist Portia Fox donated to the Emergency Student Support Fund to help UM students affected by the pandemic. Fox shares her inspiration to support UM students now more than ever, her journey to becoming a respiratory therapist, and her experience as a healthcare professional during the pandemic.

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Keeping our services going and increasing our case load as we increase capacity is critical.

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the University of Montana’s Clinical Psychology Center to close its doors in late March, Center leaders knew they had to find a way to continue treating current patients. Less than two weeks later, they launched a telehealth program for existing clients.

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It’s definitely a dream come true and blessing beyond belief to be a part of the organization that has meant so much to me growing up.

Myles McKee-Osibodu is living his childhood dream: He works as a media relations associate with the Lakers.

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We have all of these collections, but they are all stored. We can only exhibit a very small percentage — about 1% — at a time.

A $5 million gift from the Terry and Patt Payne Family will enable the Montana Museum of Art and Culture to bring its Permanent Collections into public view and engagement. A portion of this generous gift forms the lead investment to build a new home to manage and exhibit the collection.

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This expansion is an opportunity to give back to our community and to give our graduate students really excellent training.

University of Montana alumni Sam and Julie Baldridge have donated $1 million to fund an expansion of UM’s Clinical Psychology Center.

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This is not a women's issue. This is a social one.

A $1.25 million gift from Dennis and Gretchen Eck supports the S.E.A. Change Initiative for UM Students, a new program that prepares women across disciplines to become next-generation leaders whose contributions will influence broad societal change.

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It is a gem, it is a crown jewel of the University of Montana, but few people even know it exists.

Students learn by doing at Bandy Ranch, 3,500-acres northwest of Ovando donated to UM in 1990.

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Just having the opportunity to change someone's life really appeals to me.

Track athlete, Davidson Honors College student Morgan Radtke reflects on how UM is helping her chase her dreams of becoming a doctor.

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The University of Montana has been so meaningful to me and I know it will help me for the rest of my life.

Kayla Irish, Wylder Presidential Scholarship recipient, shares about her time on campus.

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Scholarship support from alumni and friends made my dream of coming to UM a reality.

Dakota Vaccaro shares how private support enabled her to pursue her dream of studying in UM's top-ranked wildlife biology program.

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Our collective charge is to ensure every UM student succeeds.

With the help of Campaign Montana, UM is prioritizing student success in dynamic new ways.

Montanan Winter 2019

Playing a divisional school was a dream of mine ever since I was young and to make it here, I'm very grateful.

Michael Oguine, Big Sky Conference 2018 Defensive Player of the Year, shares how donor support for student-athlete scholarships has impacted his college experience.

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The Baucus Leaders program opens doors for young people to help them realize their dreams.

Thanks to private support, UM has expanded opportunities for students to learn about governance and policy in our nation’s capital.

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I've realized the importance of well-informed lawyers, not just in the law but also in the underlying issues and the science behind those issues.

Law students like Dan Brister are making a difference at the Flathead Lake Biological Station thanks to private support.

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A scholarship doesn’t just help with your education; it helps you get your life, while you’re getting your education.

Ryan Graham-Laughlin received his BA in media arts thanks to a scholarship from the Haynes Foundation.

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People have helped you get here, so that you can give back to your community.

With gifts from The ALSAM Foundation, UM is helping improve healthcare delivery in Montana, one pharmacist at a time.

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I’m deeply honored to hold this position. I’m really still adjusting to what it will mean in my scholarly life.

History professor Richard Drake takes on new challenges as the Lucile Speer Research Chair in History and Politics.

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We could not be prouder to have such strong allies in building an exceptional college for education and human sciences.

Thanks to the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, the Alice Lee Lund Trust and other donors, a new building addition takes shape.

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Time and again, Craig has proven himself a formidable force in consumer protection law.

UM law students are learning from one of the best: Craig Cowie, the new Blewett Endowed Faculty Chair.

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