Davidson Honors College
Thank you so much for supporting UM and the Davidson Honors College during Campaign Montana. Your philanthropy ensures students receive a world-class education that is inspired, challenged and supported by a vibrant academic community. You continue to make a difference, and your profound generosity is greatly appreciated.Dean Timothy nichols
CAMPAIGN IMPACTS
Teaching Excellence
During Campaign Montana, the Davidson Honors College launched a Postdoctoral Teaching, Research and Mentoring Fellowship Program that has been critical to students’ engagement and success. Over the past five years, the DHC has brought five dynamic postdoctoral professionals from across the country to engage, inspire, educate and mentor students. As emerging leaders in their fields, these fellows serve as research mentors to a cohort of students, collaborating to publish original research, develop new creative scholarships and connect students to both academic and professional opportunities. The Teaching, Research and Mentoring Fellows have become valuable contributors to the DHC curriculum, students’ experience, and the College’s capacity to fulfill its mission.
Scholarships
Through the generous support of donors during Campaign Montana, the Davidson Honors College significantly increased the number of scholarships available to students. Philanthropic gifts initiated new Presidential Leadership Scholarships (the premier scholarship at UM), funded several need-based scholarships, and contributed to scholarships that allow students to participate in study abroad and other experiential learning opportunities. In 2019, approximately 100 students attended Scholar Interview Day, and every student who interviewed for a scholarship received an award. The growth in scholarships has helped to increase enrollment at UM and the DHC. In fall 2020, the DHC saw an increase of 50 incoming students over the previous academic year, and we maintain a retention rate of 90 percent.
Career Development Program
Thanks to the generous support of donors to Campaign Montana, in September 2017 the DHC established its Career Development Program, which provides one-on-one and small group career advising for students. This program is the first of its kind in the nation for an honors college and has proven to be a model across campus. In 2020, the program director advised over 200 students in small group or one-on-one advising. Additionally, 50 students worked with the Career Development Program to coordinate internships, while many others worked with their home departments. The Program connects students with academic and professional interests, alumni and other mentors, and internships early in their college careers. These connections increase post-college placement rates and overall job satisfaction of DHC graduates.
TOGETHER, WE CAN CHANGE MORE LIVES
We’ve achieved so much during Campaign Montana.
We will continue the momentum with these fundraising priorities.
Impact Fund
The Impact Fund allows donors to make an immediate difference in Davidson Honors College priority areas. These unrestricted funds allow College leadership to direct resources to critical areas of need, including emergency grants for students with financial need, student travel to conferences, study abroad experiences, undergraduate research and leadership and enrichment programs. A portion of these funds may also be directed to faculty and course development.
Teaching Excellence
Faculty-student interaction is at the heart of the Davidson Honors College experience. The Davidson Honors College Faculty Fellows Program recruits some of the most outstanding faculty at the University to dedicate a portion of their time to teaching, mentoring and program development in the College. Your support of our Faculty Fellows Program ensures that our students have personalized instructional and research access to the top teachers and scholars at UM.
Career Development and Community Partnerships
The Davidson Honors College provides students with extraordinary career-related academic experiences and internships that are designed to help them refine their career goals, gain real-world experience and secure employment in their chosen field upon graduation. Your gift strengthens these career preparation opportunities for Davidson Honors College students. Resources also help support the QUEST program, which partners teams of Davidson Honors College students with community leaders to address complex local problems.
Make no small plans.
Donate
The University of Montana’s Davidson Honors College has retained strong enrollment, optimal student outcomes, and garnered a national reputation for excellence since its inception, with a founding gift from Ian and Nancy Davidson almost 30 years ago. Today, amidst a global pandemic, American higher education faces an unprecedented era of challenge and change. We are reminded, however, that ‘turbulent waters are good for the life of the stream.’ Through investment and innovation, the DHC will emerge from the present challenges in a stronger position to sustain the quality of its students, faculty and programs. By focusing on teaching excellence, career development and community partnerships and the DHC Impact Fund, the DHC will become a more flexible and responsive unit, enabling it to lead with excellence and strengthen its positive impacts, thus setting the stage for a bright future.