University of Montana Foundation

This week we welcomed the Class of 2030 to the University of Montana!

From packed cars and helping hands to hugs, excitement and a few happy tears, move-in day marks the beginning of an incredible journey for our newest Grizzlies. Thank you to the UM staff, student volunteers and community members who helped make the day a success.

Thank you to our donors whose generosity helps make the University of Montana experience possible for so many students as they begin this exciting new chapter.

Welcome home, Class of 2030!

Donor support is helping connect University of Montana researchers, healthcare providers and community partners to address some of Montana's most urgent health challenges, particularly in rural communities.

With the support of philanthropic funding, researchers from the Developmental Adversity, Resilience and Transformation (DART) Lab and RESOLVE, UM's strategic healthcare partnership with Providence Health, are turning evidence-based research into practical solutions that improve lives across the state. One example is the Montana Child Abuse Network (MT CAN), RESOLVE's project, led by Dr. Laurie Carter and University of Montana researchers.

By investing in innovative efforts like MT CAN, donors can help connect UM's research excellence to the critical needs of Montana families, expanding access to care and creating healthier futures for children across the state.

Griz Nation is making noise on the national stage!

Missoula has been named one of USA Today's top 20 college sports towns in the country, and we're currently leading the competition thanks to the incredible passion of Griz fans everywhere!

What's even more impressive? Missoula is the only FCS community and the only hometown of a non-Power 4 program to earn a spot among college sports giants like Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Michigan, Oregon and Penn State.

We know what makes this place special. The roar inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium. The sea of maroon and silver. The unwavering support that extends far beyond game day.

As we count down to another exciting Griz football season, let's show the nation why there's nothing quite like Missoula and Griz Nation!

Vote here: https://bit.ly/4cnz5ci

Scholarship support does more than help students pay for school. It helps them pursue their passions, excel in demanding programs and make a difference in the lives of others.

For University of Montana graduate student Jane Handrick, support from the Naseby and Evelyn Rhinehart Athletic Training Scholarship has been instrumental as she balances graduate coursework, clinical rotations and long hours supporting student-athletes through injury recovery and rehabilitation.

After a spinal disease ended her dream of playing collegiate lacrosse, Jane found a new calling in athletic training. Today, she is preparing to become one of the healthcare professionals who help athletes return safely to the sports they love.

Donor-funded scholarship support allows students like Jane to focus on learning, gain valuable hands-on experience and maintain their own well-being while meeting the rigorous demands of graduate education.

“Because of donors, a lot of students get to pursue dreams that they might not have been able to pursue,” Jane said. “Every day, I wake up and I love what I do.”

Thanks to the generosity of donors, students are transforming their passions into meaningful careers and giving back to others along the way.

Great teachers change lives, and the University of Montana is helping prepare the next generation of educators to make a difference in classrooms across Montana and beyond.

UM's elementary teacher preparation programs recently earned A+ ratings from the National Council on Teacher Quality, making them the only programs in Montana to receive the highest possible score across all five components of evidence-based reading instruction.

Scholarships such as the Karin Dailey Wallace Scholarship, Rhea Jones Ashmore Literacy Endorsement Award and Bruce and Charlotte Whitehead Scholarship help teachers pursue their education and develop the skills needed to make a lasting impact in their communities.

A lifelong educator, proud Montanan, and devoted Griz supporter, Robert “Lynn” Turnquist believed deeply in the power of education and the future of the University of Montana.

Through a transformative bequest to the Davidson Honors College, Lynn’s legacy will expand opportunities for generations of students. His generous gift endowed 16 Presidential Leadership Scholarships and strengthened 14 existing scholarship funds, helping some of UM’s most accomplished students pursue world-class educational experiences.

Lynn’s commitment to UM was part of a family tradition of service and philanthropy. Building on the example set by his parents, Nels and Margaret Turnquist, Lynn’s gift reflects a lifelong dedication to helping the University prosper and grow.

Together with the support of fellow Presidential Leadership Scholarship donors, Lynn’s legacy will empower honors students to reach their full potential for years to come.

Campus is a little quieter this time of year, but we can't wait to welcome students back.

In just a few short weeks, the walkways will be bustling, classrooms will be full and new memories will be made across campus.

Thanks to the support of our donors, students will have opportunities to learn, grow and prepare for bright futures. We're looking forward to another year of discovery, connection and achievement at the University of Montana!

What is one of your favorite memories from your time at UM?

From a single room in Main Hall that couldn’t even fit a piano to one of the most iconic and visited buildings on campus, the University of Montana School of Music has come a long way since 1914.

Today, the Music Building serves hundreds of students each semester and welcomes thousands of visitors for performances, competitions, festivals and camps. As a cultural hub for Montana and beyond, it continues to inspire creativity, collaboration and excellence in music education.

Now, UM is working to modernize this beloved space for the next generation. A campaign to raise $7.25 million in private support will unlock a matching $7.25 million from the 2025 Montana State Legislature, helping fund critical upgrades to rehearsal, classroom and performance spaces while improving accessibility, acoustics, technology and safety.

Together, we can ensure the Music Building remains a place where students thrive, faculty excel and communities come together through the power of music.

Happy Fourth of July from the UM Foundation!

This weekend, we celebrate the spirit of generosity, possibility and opportunity that makes a lasting impact here in our beautiful state of Montana and beyond.

Thank you for being part of our giving community. Wishing you a safe and meaningful Independence Day!