Happy Halloween, DHC! The streets of campus and our community are literally paved with the gold of falling leaves. The crunch, rustle, and smell of the leaves as we walk across campus has — along with everything else going on — made for another fabulous fall week at UM!
Last night's President's Lecture, featuring award-winning poet and essayist Ross Gay, and his beautiful Book of Delights, was delight-filled to say the least. Gay read some of his favorite delights work (including excerpts from a brand new series of 'dog plays') to an energetic standing room only crowd in the ALI Auditorium. Literature Professor and honors instructor Bob Baker introduced Ross at our afternoon's 'fireside chat' with the author in the DHC Lounge. UM's Bear Scratch Press produced a beautiful broadside print of his work. Gay's sincerity, intellect, wisdom, and joy shone throughout his time with us. It was a wholly unforgettable evening. Thanks to the Griz Read committee, led by Professor Erin Saldin, and to the offices of the Provost and President for their support of another wonderful Griz Read sequence.
Last week, our Faculty Advisory Council met and this week, our Dean's Student Advisory Council. Both groups bring passion and insight to our gatherings, all aimed at strengthening and supporting our honors students' experiences. Thanks to both groups for their great ideas, lively conversations, and willingness to serve.
Registration for Spring 2026 is in full swing, and some of our sections are already filling up. There's still room in two of our most exciting new offerings: 'Interdisciplinary Indigenous' (NAS 491.80) and 'Citizenship Today' (HONR 394.86). Students: be sure to get registered and to reach out to our terrific team of honors advisors if you need assistance.
Dr. Benes sends word that the Office of External Scholarships and Fellowships' Crowdfunding Campaign has reached the halfway mark. Thanks to the generosity of Glen and Sharilyn Campbell, every dollar donated will be matched up to $2,500. To date, we've raised $580 towards our goal. Donations will be used to expand services to reach even more students. Donate today to support the next generation of Grizzly scholarship applicants! Follow this link to contribute to the campaign:
Lucille, Kylla, and I joined UM colleagues on an enjoyable educational visit to Salish Kootenai College and Two Eagles High School in Pablo on Monday. Last Monday, Lucille traveled with the delegation to Blackfeet Community College in Browning. Thanks to our graduate dean, Dr. Ke Wu, for leading these tribal outreach efforts! We were honored to be included.
Our course on Awe and Curiosity had another great week as Patrick Beckwith, UM's Director of Military and Veteran Services, and Courtney Artzen, Missoula's Community Chaplain, offered their experience and wisdom around the themes of moral beauty and spiritual transcendence. Catherine, Maddy, Jacob, and Elliot led our student presentations, and we closed with another great discussion of the Book of Delights. Our Sustainable Agriculture colloquium wrapped up the Zoom portion of the course with another panel and a preview of spring's signature experiences.
DHC junior Ephraim Mortenson is representing US honors education at the meeting of the European Honors Council in Oslo, Norway, this week. Go Big E! Next week, Katie, Brooke, Dylan, Maiya, Quindy, and I will travel to the National Collegiate Honors Council in San Diego.
Here's some more of what's coming up as we turn the calendar page to November:
11/4 Trivia Night
11/6 President's Lecture, Richard Reeves 'Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male is Struggling, Why it Matters, and What to do About it.'
11/6-9 National Collegiate Honors Council, San Diego
11/13 Tea Time with Tim
11/13 DHC/MOLLI Book Club
11/14 Lunch in the Lodge with Associate Dean Cordingley
11/17 DHC Prospective Student Webinar
11/20 Donuts with the DHC
11/24 DHC Thanksgiving Potluck
12/1 DHC Incoming Student Scholarship deadline
12/4 Tea Time with Tim
12/10 Fall Capstone Showcase
12/11 Fall Medallion Ceremony
12/12 Fall Commencement
While Fridays are always fun at the DHC, today is bittersweet, as we bid farewell to our dear colleague and friend Erin McAleese, who has faithfully worked half-time as our Administrative Associate at our front desk for seven years. Erin's warm, calm, welcoming presence has helped build the honors community at UM in countless powerful, positive ways (website, student employees, facilities, and so much more). Erin's genuine, supportive presence and uncommon kindness touched us all and left footprints on our hearts. We are deeply grateful to Erin for her service and wish her much happiness and deep peace as she steps into the next chapter of her life.
To paraphrase some of Ross Gay's final words: when we notice, wonder, and share what we love, that feels like community. Thanks, Erin, for all you've shared with our community; this one's for you — here is Ross Gay's Thank You.
