Griz Gratitude
Holiday Helpers
A heartfelt thanks to the nearly 300 students, staff, and faculty members who participated in Holiday Helpers and made the holidays a bit brighter for our neighbors this season. Because of your generosity, nearly 1,200 gifts have been delivered to the Poverello Center, YWCA, Missoula County Public Schools, and the Humane Society of Western Montana. A special thanks goes out to the student-led Holiday Helper committee for their work organizing the drive and gift drop-off party. The committee was chaired by Sawyer Unruh with Taylor McPherson, Michael Jump, Cat Kaftan, Aubrey VanOrder, and EmmaLee Flug making up its membership. Wishing you warmth and rest this winter! — Jenah Mead
Jared Amoss and Parking Services
Thank you to Jared Amoss and Parking Services for their collaboration on parking during the Griz game and providing parking for the patrons of the Nutcracker. It is great working with you all and making it all possible for so many guests that come to campus during a play off game! I know our client appreciates all the preplanning and coordination. Thanks for all you do! — Kate Helms
Donna McCrae, Mark Fritch and the Archives and Special Collections Team
I'd like to express gratitude to Donna McCrae, Mark Fritch and the team at Archives and Special Collections in the Mansfield Library for providing exceptional service. I've made several requests in recent months and they are always responsive and helpful! — Paula Short
Read more Griz Gratitude in the archive.
Comings and Goings
New hires, retirements, departures, and other transitions for members of the campus community. Looking for a recent announcement? Find it in the Comings and Goings archive.
Dean Tom Gallagher to Retire after 25 Years of Service
Dean Tom Gallagher has announced that he will retire at the end of this academic year, concluding twenty-five years of distinguished service to the 91次元 and more than three decades in education. Tom has led Missoula College since 2019, where he championed student success, strengthened transfer and workforce pathways and helped elevate the college’s national profile. Under his leadership, Missoula College implemented a strategic plan that improved student retention and completion, secured more than $10 million in external funding and earned selection by the National Center for Inquiry and Improvement for the Rural Guided Pathways Project, recognizing the college as a leader in rural student success.
Tom’s career at UM reflects a deep commitment to two-year and workforce education. Before serving as Dean and Associate Vice Provost, he held roles as Associate Dean, department chair, union president, full professor and long-time faculty member. He established the 91次元 Center for Cybersecurity Workforce and Rural Policy, led development of statewide workforce and policy initiatives, and taught and mentored students in information technology, computer science, cybersecurity and health informatics. He is a three-time Faculty Merit recipient and a four-time Outstanding Service to Students awardee.
In his message to campus, Tom expresses gratitude for the colleagues, faculty, staff and community partners who shaped his career, noting the privilege of serving Missoula and Bitterroot College and the meaningful relationships built along the way.
We extend our sincere thanks to Dean Gallagher for his leadership, dedication and lasting contributions to the 91次元. We look forward to celebrating his service in the months ahead.