Join us on the Richest Hill on Earth to participate in the 11th Annual Montana Tech Career Fair. This event will begin with pre-fair events for employers on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 on the Montana Tech campus in the Student Union Building. The fair itself will take place on September 9, 2010 from 8:30am to 3:30pm in the HPER (Health, Physical Education & Recreation) Complex.

The Career Fair, hosted by Career Services at Montana Tech, is designed to offer companies and organizations from all industries a chance to meet with Montana Tech students to discuss career opportunities and to share career development information with students of all academic levels and majors – from freshman to graduate students. The Montana Tech Career Fair is a valuable and economical opportunity for employers to meet with and interview qualified applicants. Employers will have the opportunity to recruit for full-time positions as well as internships, and other opportunities.

Employers can register online through DIGGERecruiting and find additional information at WWW.MTECH.EDU/CAREER/EMPLOYERS. Please contact the Career Services at 406.496.4140 if there are additional questions.

Students, alumni and community members can also check out the career fair web site to see which companies are coming, obtain a schedule of events and how to prepare for attending a career fair. Through their DIGGERecruiting account, students can also see who will be on campus recruiting this semester. Montana Tech students and alumni can sign-up for their DIGGERecruiting account online at WWW.MTECH.EDU/CAREER/STUDENTS or if there are further questions, please contact the Career Services at 496.4140.

Montana Tech in Butte, Montana received funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s Indigenous Graduate Partnership program to offer scholarships to qualified Native American graduate students. Graduate students must attend Montana Tech and enroll in one of the following graduate programs: electrical engineering, environmental engineering, general engineering, geosciences (with options in geochemistry, geology/geological engineering, geophysical engineering, hydrogeology/hydrogeological engineering), industrial hygiene (on campus), interdisciplinary studies, metallurgical/mineral processing engineering, mining engineering, or petroleum engineering.

The recent funding is a 3-year continuation of support from the Sloan Foundation. The Sloan funding, coupled with Montana Tech funding, will provide three qualified students each year with a scholarship worth $32,100 to be used over their graduate career. As part of the funding, Montana Tech will provide each student with a tuition waiver.

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Indigenous Graduate Partnership is designed to address the national need for academically prepared Native Americans who can help direct economic development in their communities and reservations and who will occupy future leadership positions in colleges and universities, government, and the corporate world.

This is the 6th year Montana Tech has partnered with the Sloan Foundation to provide the scholarships to Native American graduate students. "The Sloan Foundation has been a leader in investing in the diversification of the nation’s workforce. Montana Tech is pleased to have been an original member of the Indigenous Graduate Partnership and is very appreciative of the continued support by the Sloan Foundation. These scholarships are an excellent opportunity for Native American students to extend their education to the Master of Science level and to expand their career opportunities," said Joe Figueira, Dean of Montana Tech’s Graduate School.

For more information or to apply for admission, visit http://www.mtech.edu/gradschl/sloan.html or contact Cindy Dunstan at 406-496-4304.

Montana Tech has been recognized in The Princeton Review’s annual college guide, “The Best 373 Colleges" and online in its website feature, “2011 Best Colleges: Region by Region.”

One of “THE BEST 373 COLLEGES”

The Princeton Review named Montana Tech as one of the country's best institutions for undergraduate education.  The Princeton Review, an education services company, featured Tech in their 2011 college guidebook, "The Best 373 Colleges."  This is the Princeton Review’s 19^th edition of the book.

Only about 15% of America’s 2,500 four-year colleges and two Canadian colleges are profiled in the book, which is The Princeton Review's flagship college guide.  It includes detailed profiles of the colleges with rating scores for all schools in eight categories, plus ranking lists of top 20 schools in 62 categories based on The Princeton Review's surveys of students attending the colleges.

"A BEST IN THE WEST” College

Montana Tech was also named one of the best colleges in the West according to the Princeton Review.  Tech is one of 120 institutions The Princeton Review recommends in its "Best in the West" section of its website feature, "2011 Best Colleges: Region by Region," recently posted on PrincetonReview.com. The 120 colleges that The Princeton Review chose for its "Best in the West" list are located in fifteen states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.  The University of Montana was also listed in the Princeton Review’s publication.  

For this project, The Princeton Review asked students attending the schools to rate (in their opinion) their schools on several issues--from the accessibility of their professors to quality of the campus food -- and answer questions about themselves, their fellow students, and their campus life.  The Princeton Review does not rank the colleges in its "2011 Best Colleges: Region by Region" list hierarchically or by region. 

“These recognitions are truly an honor for Montana Tech because they are derived from data gathered from our students,” said Mike Johnson, Vice Chancellor of Development and Student Services and President of the Montana Tech Foundation.  “This is the 11^th consecutive year we have received this distinction and it demonstrates the commitment to excellence at our institution.  Our faculty and staff are among the finest in the nation, and The Princeton Review agrees.”

- # # # -

In 2001, Rhodia Inc. announced a new scholarship, The Rhodia Inc. Engineering for Environmental Protection Scholarship, for future Montana Tech students. The scholarship was established for engineering students who share Rhodia’s commitment to the environment.

Each year, one $2,000 scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who has been accepted to an engineering degree program at Montana Tech.

On July 8, 2010, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., a leading international mining company, provided Montana Tech with a pledge of $1,050,000 to establish the Freeport-McMoRan Professorships Endowment. This leadership gift is in support of Montana Tech’s comprehensive fundraising campaign, Strengthening Foundations…Ensuring the Future.

The first installment in the amount of $300,000 accompanied the pledge. The remaining $750,000 will be paid over the next three years. The professorships will be used to supplement the salaries of three faculty positions in the mining, geological, and metallurgical engineering departments.

“We are proud to be part of this partnership to help Montana Tech recruit and retain high-quality faculty members within the School of Mines and Engineering,” announced Richard C. Adkerson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold. “Alumni of Montana Tech are significant contributors in our organization, including serving on our senior management team. Montana Tech has remained committed to excellence in its mining-related programs, with quality curriculums, outstanding faculty and a commitment to diversity in its learning environment. Our partnership with the University is designed to support ongoing and increased excellence in these areas to benefit the institution, the faculty and students.”

“Freeport-McMoRan has allowed us to improve the compensation of our tremendous faculty members,” said Dr. Peter Knudsen, Dean of the School of Mines and Engineering. “We are elated to award Dr. Chris Gammons, geological engineering; Dr. K.V. Sudhakar, metallurgical engineering; and Dr. R. Reddy Kallu, mining engineering with Freeport-McMoRan professorships.”

“Freeport-McMoRan is a tremendous organization that makes a difference in people’s lives all across the globe. The creation of this permanent endowment will supply resources that will impact the faculty on this campus forever,” commented Mike Johnson, Vice Chancellor of Development and Student Services and President of the Montana Tech Foundation.

“This gift enhances the continuing efforts of the Montana Tech Foundation to bring new resources to Montana Tech that support faculty and students. The three individuals earning the distinction of Freeport-McMoRan professorships are outstanding examples of engineering scholars and our students are fortunate to have them among our outstanding faculty,” added Dr. Frank Gilmore, Montana Tech Chancellor. 

Montana Tech of The University of Montana in collaboration with The University of Montana and Carroll College will host four EducationUSA international advisers in early June.

The advisers, Margaret Anyigbo of Nigeria, Aleksandra Augustyniak of Poland, Tetiana Kotko of Ukraine and Sudarrshan Saha of India, will meet with various academic departments, faculty, and international students while touring the campus of Montana Tech on Wednesday, June 9, 2010. They will also tour around Butte during their visit.

During their weeklong visit to Montana, the advisers will tour Montana Tech, The University of Montana, Carroll College, Salish Kootenai College in Pablo and UM’s Flathead Lake Biological Station.

Out of 20 applications, the proposal submitted by the University of Montana, Montana Tech, and Carroll College was one of eight chosen to host the EducationUSA advisers.

EducationUSA is a global network of advising centers supported by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Each year, EducationUSA collaborates with the College Board to sponsor adviser visits to colleges and universities around the nation following the Association of International Educators annual conference in late May.

Montana Tech’s College of Technology has a new work of art, a large metal flower sculpture, designed and created by Tony Patrick, Adjunct Instructor in the Metals Fabrication Program. The sculpture, with over 120 hours of donated time and labor by its creator, is a representation of a daisy. It measures approximately 10 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Fabricated out of steel, the entire sculpture will rust to a natural, beautiful patina, except for the bright yellow center of the flower. 

"Tony’s sculpture pleases me so very much," said Dr. John Garic, Dean of the College. "Author John Updike said, ‘What art offers is space--a certain breathing room for the spirit.’ And this sculpture does just that. It represents for me a lot of what Montana symbolizes: large – out in the open – beautiful."The art work was "planted" in the new flower bed started last summer in the northwest corner of the interior island of the COT’s driveway. The sculpture was so large, the installation required the efforts of Bill Ryan, Chair of the Trades & Technical Department, Jim Babst and Jim Wheeldon, Lineman Program Instructors, Terry Gavigan, COT Facilities Supervisor, Steve Luft, Associate Dean and some of the Lineman Program students. The sculpture’s size and weight is so great that one of the Lineman Program trucks was used to lift and transport the creation to its final resting place where it was cemented in place.

Tony wishes to thank his wife, Marilyn Patrick, COT Administrative Associate, for her idea and vision for the flower and her help and support during its creation.

Bill Ryan, Department Chair of the Trades & Technical Department of the College of Technology has been nominated by Montana Tech for a CASE US Professor of the Year Award in recognition of his outstanding performance as a member of the Montana Tech Faculty. Bill was nominated in the Outstanding Community Colleges Professor category.

The only national program to recognize excellence in undergraduate teaching and mentoring, the CASE Professor of the Year Award Program is sponsored by the Center for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The stated purpose of the award program is to salute "the most outstanding undergraduate instructors in the country—those who excel in teaching and positively influence the lives and careers of students."

"I was very glad and proud to nominate Bill for this prestigious award," said Dr. John M. Garic, Dean of the College of Technology. "Seventeenth Century philosopher, John Locke said, ‘The actions of men are the best interpreters of their thoughts.’ In my opinion, the actions of Bill Ryan do indeed reveal his thoughts, his interest, his dedication, and his passion for teaching and his students. He is very deserving of this award."

Bill was one of the champions and organizers of the adoption of the new Sustainable Energy Technology – Wind Program. Additionally, he has revitalized an external advisory board to assist him in the review, revision, and re-building of the Historic Preservation Program. He organized an evening class in power tools, home repair, and simple carpentry which was enjoyed by members of the community, including Tech staff members. Also, in a move which will resonate in major ways from an academic standpoint, a student retention standpoint, a public relations standpoint, and, perhaps most importantly, a service to the community standpoint, Bill has embraced the principles of the American Democracy Project by involving his students this academic year in the construction of five Habitat for Humanity homes in Butte.

Each institution may nominate three professors for CASE US Professor of the Year Award competition. Each nominee must have taught at the undergraduate level, part- or full-time, for at least one semester during the 2009–2010 academic year. Professors awarded by individual schools are then eligible for further recognition by CASE at the state and national levels.

On May 26, 2010, at the closing banquet for their annual meeting, the Montana Mining Association surprised Robin McCulloch with their 2010 Award of Excellence. As the Research Mining Engineer for the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, McCulloch regularly visits mining and exploration operations across Montana and offers advice and expertise to anyone interested in mining in the state. He has a master's degree in Mining Engineering from Montana Tech and has worked in the mining industry for more than 30 years.

The 2010 Award of Excellence was presented to McCulloch "in recognition of his work researching Montana's mineral occurrences and supporting the mining industry."

McCulloch was completely shocked and thrilled. "I told them if they knew giving me an award like this would make me speechless, they probably would have given it to me years ago," he said, with a grin.

On Saturday, May 15, 2010, Goldcorp, Inc, one of the world’s largest gold mining companies, presented Montana Tech of The University of Montana with a check in the amount of $250,000, the third and final installment towards their leadership gift pledged in 2008. Dr. Dan Rovig, member of the Board of Directors of Goldcorp, presented Montana Tech with the donation prior to Montana Tech’s 110th Commencement Ceremony.

In May 2008, Goldcorp announced the leadership pledge, in support of Montana Tech’s campaign, Strengthening Foundations…Ensuring the Future. The gift totalled $1,050,000, creating The Goldcorp, Inc. Endowed Professorship. The professorship is used to supplement the salaries of faculty members within the departments of Mining Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, and Geological Engineering. Goldcorp’s first installment, a $550,000 gift, was made in May of 2008. The second gift, received in May 2009, was presented to Montana Tech by Kevin McArthur, retired President & CEO of Goldcorp, and Dr. Rovig.

"Saturday was a very important day for Montana Tech," announced Mike Johnson, Vice Chancellor of Development and Student Services and President of the Montana Tech Foundation. "We witnessed the graduation of 411 Tech students, who are now prepared and ready for life’s next chapter. We also received our final gift from our KEY VIP partner, Goldcorp. I am honored to accept Goldcorp’s gift on behalf of all Montana Tech faculty, staff, and students. This gift will help continue Montana Tech’s legacy as a premier educational institution."

On Thursday, April 29, 2010 at Newmont Mining Corporation’s headquarters in Denver, Colorado, Montana Tech of The University of Montana Chancellor Frank Gilmore presented Richard O'Brien, President and Chief Executive Officer of Newmont, with Montana Tech’s highest award, the Gold Medallion. This award recognizes the highest level of excellence by the recipient in his or her chosen field, profession, or industry and significant support of Montana Tech.

Montana Tech has awarded the Gold Medallion for the past 25 years. In 1985, Montana Tech awarded the first Gold Medallion to Plato Malozemoff, former CEO of Newmont. In 2009, Montana Tech awarded Mr. Kevin McArthur, retired President & CEO of Goldcorp, Inc., with the Gold Medallion.

"We are honored to present Mr. O’Brien with Montana Tech’s Gold Medallion Award," stated Gilmore. "Montana Tech and Newmont have a long-standing relationship. Newmont has supported our University for many years through scholarships, faculty endowments, athletic and student organizational support, and capital."

Mr. O’Brien has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Newmont Mining since 2007. He previously served as President and Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer during 2006 and 2007 and as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 2005 to 2006. He has over 20 years of broad financial and operational experience in the energy, power, and natural resources businesses. A graduate of the University of Chicago, Mr. O'Brien received his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. He also holds a doctor of jurisprudence degree from Lewis and Clark College, Northwestern School of Law.

"I am honored to accept the Gold Medallion Award on behalf of the employees of Newmont, and we are proud of our historic partnership with Montana Tech," said O’Brien. "Montana Tech is an impressive University committed to educational excellence and innovation. The hands-on education students receive prepares them for successful careers at Newmont, and elsewhere, upon graduation. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Montana Tech in the years and decades to come."

Butte, MT - The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology at Montana Tech has named Mr. Martin White as the recipient of the Uuno Sahinen Silver Medallion. The award is named after former Bureau Director, the late Uuno Sahinen, who is widely recognized for the Bureau’s growth. The Uuno Sahinen Award acknowledges “outstanding contributions in understanding and development of energy, mineral, or groundwater resources in Montana” and is given to an outstanding geologist each year.

Three Montana Tech alumni will be honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award this year at Montana Tech’s 110th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 15 at 11:00 a.m. This year’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipients are Mr. Terry Holzwarth, B.S. Petroleum Engineering (1983); Mark Johnson, B.S. Mining Engineering (1981); and Tracy Miller, B.S. Mining Engineering (1986). The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to alumni of Montana Tech, who have established a professional career of at least 20 years, of which five years have been in a definitely responsible capacity, and who has either contributed in an outstanding manner to the furtherance of his or her profession and/or has been an outstanding contributor to Montana Tech.

Montana Tech will celebrate its 110^th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in Alumni Coliseum. In the case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved into the HPER complex on Montana Tech’s campus. Tony Campeau, Montana Tech’s Director of Enrollment Services states, “We should see about 411 students graduate from Tech this time around.” 

Commencement week activities begin on Thursday, May 13, 2010, with the Montana Tech Alumni Reunion Banquet. “We will be honoring the members of the classes of 1950, 1960, and 1970 at this year’s banquet and Commencement Ceremony,” explained Peggy McCoy, Director of Alumni Affairs. “Five graduates from the class of 1950, seven from the class of 1960, and eleven from the class of 1970 will be in attendance.” The Alumni Reunion Banquet begins at 6:00 pm at Montana Tech.

On Friday, May 14, Montana Tech graduates will go through a rehearsal ceremony in preparation for the ceremony on Saturday. The rehearsal will take place in the HPER complex at 3:30 pm. Later that evening, the Nursing Pinning Ceremony will take place in the HPER Complex beginning at 7:00 pm.

Also on Friday evening, approximately 200 alumni and friends of Montana Tech will gather at the War Bonnet Hotel for the annual Alumni Association Banquet. This event, held in honor of the graduating class of 2010, begins at 6:00 pm with no-host cocktails followed by the banquet at 7:00 pm. The cost of the dinner is $25.00 per person and reservations are available by calling 496-4402.  This event is sponsored by the Montana Tech Alumni Association.

On Saturday, May 15, 2010, Montana Tech engineering graduates and alumni will participate in the Order of the Engineering Ring Ceremony at 9:00 am in the Library Auditorium. 

At approximately 10:15 am on May 14, 2010, degree candidates will begin assembling at the HPER Complex in preparation for the Commencement ceremony, which are slated to begin at 11:00 am.  A Gala Reception for degree candidates, family members, and friends will occur immediately following the Commencement Ceremony (approximately 1:15 pm) in the Student Union Building Dining Room.

Montana Tech of the University of Montana administrators are notifying students and alumni whose personal information was released in an e-mail message sent out to the Montana Tech campus community late last week.

On April 22, 2010, an email message containing sensitive personal information including name, social security number, address, phone number, and in some cases date of birth was inadvertently sent out to all Montana Tech faculty, staff, and students.

"We are treating this matter very seriously and are taking all measures to safeguard the personal information of those affected," noted Chancellor Frank Gilmore. "We have recalled the email message, reviewed procedures to ensure that a similar incident does not occur in the future, and investigated methods to protect the credit of those affected. The University is working diligently to address problems caused by this incident and any further implications it might have."

According to University officials, the email contained sensitive information for approximately 260 individuals. "Our major concern at this point is protecting the personal information of those involved," Gilmore explained. To that end, University officials have attempted to contact—via phone, email, and/or letters—all those affected. In addition, Montana Tech has created a website to provide information and assist those affected in protecting their personal information at www.mtech.edu/incident.

Montana Tech does want individuals to be aware of any phone calls, e-mails, and other communications from individuals claiming to be from Montana Tech or other official sources, asking for their personal information or verification of the information. This is often referred to as information solicitation. Montana Tech, other governmental agencies, and other legitimate organizations will not contact individuals to ask for or to confirm personal information without appropriate identification.

Butte, MT – On April 12, 2010, the College of Technology’s Lineman Program held a Pole Yard Rodeo. The purpose of the Rodeo was to test the students’ skills associated with the Utility Industry. There were four teams including the Flaggers, the Goat Heads, the Lags, and the Statics.

“The skills tested here are extremely important for students to master before joining the professional lineman world,” said Jim Babst, Senior Instructor in the COT Lineman Program. “As you might imagine, dealing with high levels of electricity and a dangerous work environment is a prescription for disaster unless these skills and their associated safety issues are almost second-nature.”

The Rodeo skills included: installing and removing a 100 KV insulator; hanging transformers; using the back-hoe to dig holes with specific measurements and then appropriately re-filling them; tool and materials identification, digger truck utilization; and climbing numerous poles of different configurations.

“I recognize the skills demonstrated by the Lineman students as being critically important,” said Dr. John M. Garic, Dean of the College of Technology. “However, having it in the form of a competitive rodeo has added a lot of fun to the entire process. I congratulate the winners.”

The winning team was the Goat Heads, which included students, Mark Schwomeyer, Justin O’Keefe, and Dustin Hoffenbacker.

In the industry, a goat head is a piece of specialized equipment. When guy wires are used to support a pole or tower structure, they can act as a lightning rod electrocuting someone who may be touching the wire when the structure gets hit. To help protect against this, Goat Heads (a/k/a Guy Strain Insulators) are used to electrically insulate the lower portion of the guy wire from the upper. The piece of equipment somewhat looks like a goat head.

For any further information about this issue or any issue pertaining to Montana Tech, please contact Dr. John M. Garic at 406-496-3714 or Amanda Badovinac at 406-496-4828.

On April 22-24, 2010, the Montana Tech American Society of Civil Engineers (A.S.C.E.) Student Chapter competed against 15 other colleges and universities from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia in the A.S.C.E. Pacific Northwest Regional Competition. The 2010 events were hosted by Washington State University. Montana Tech hosted the event back in 2002 under the direction of Dr. Leroy Friel.  

Montana Tech’s Steel Bridge Design and Concrete Canoe teams were lead by A.S.C.E. Faculty Advisor Dr. Brian Kukay.

At this year’s competition, Tech’s Steel Bridge Design Team placed 2^nd in Serviceability. Team members included: Levi Hansen, Chris Conners, Shay Sullivan, Steve Olig, and Anthony Laslovich.

The Concrete Canoe Design Team lead by team members, Ian St John, Kyle Richards, Megan Taylor, and Kayla Schumacher, placed 3^rd in Design Report. The Concrete Canoe Team also placed 3^rd in Overall Race Results with team members: Ian St John, Kyle Richards, Megan Taylor, Kayla Schumacher, Dustin Hover, and Kimberly Holten. The races were held on the Snake River outside of Pullman, Washington.

The Steel Bridge and Concrete Canoe Teams will be giving short presentations and answering questions about the process and competition on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 from 12:15 to 1:00 pm in the Copper Lounge at Montana Tech. The steel bridge and the concrete canoe are currently on display in Montana Tech’s Student Union Building for viewing.

For more information, please contact Amanda Badovinac, Director of Public Relations and Marketing, at 406-496-4828.

Butte, MT –   Montana Tech was represented by two student teams at the 32^nd International Collegiate Mining Competition in Kalgoorlie, Australia on April 9 & 10, 2010.  The teams compete in seven events held over two days.   In all, 43 teams from across the globe participated in the competition in four different categories: Women, Coed, Men, and Alumni.

The Montana Tech Co-ed Team included John Seifert (Idaho Falls, ID), Amanda Dutton (Dutton, MT), Zachary Kistinger (Las Vegas, NV), Sarah Lupton (Kalispell, MT) and Matt Moss (White Rock BC).  Out of ten teams competing in their division the co-ed team received:

3^rd Place          Swede Saw

3^rd Place          Surveying

4^th Place          overall

The Montana Tech Men’s Team included Luke Hooten (Corvallis, MT), Jacob Kutcha (Spruce Pine, NC), Philip Brumit (Spring Creek, NV), Steven Krogh (Helena, MT) and Devon Gruel (Cascade, MT).  The men’s division was represented by 30 teams with the Montana Tech Men’s team receiving:

2^nd Place          Swede Saw

6^th Place          overall

The International Collegiate Mining Competition began in 1978 to honor and remember the men and families of the men who died in the May 2, 1972 Sunshine Mine fire near Kellogg, ID.  Last year Montana Tech hosted the 2009 competition at the Montana Mining Museum west of campus. 

Montana Tech Public Relations Office

Contact: Peggy McCoy, Director of Alumni Affairs

1300 W. Park Street, Butte, MT  59701

Phone:  406-496-4402     Fax: 406-496-4334

pmccoy@mtech.edu

DATE  4/13/2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MONTANA TECH HOSTING SPRING TECH DAY

This coming Friday, April 16, Montana Tech will be hosting its annual Spring Tech Day.  Please join the Student Union Office along with Enrollment Services in welcoming these prospective students and their parents from around the state and nation to our campus.  The Tech Day schedule is listed below.

7:30 a.m. -8:20 a.m.                         Check –In Enrollment Services                                   MG Building

                                                                Continental Breakfast:                                                   Big Butte

8:30 a.m. -8:45 a.m.                         Welcome:                                                                           Copper Lounge

8:45 a.m. -9:50 a.m.                         Tours                                                                                     Copper Lounge

10:00 a.m.-10:50 a.m.                     School of Mines                                                                Copper Lounge

                                                                Paying For College                                                           Big Butte/Highlands

                                                                PTC                                                                                        ENG 106

11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.                  College of Letters, Sciences                                         Copper

                                                                Metallurgy                                                                          ELC 115

                                                                OSH                                                                                       S & E

                                                                Petroleum in 3D                                                               NRB 226

12:00 p.m. – 12.50 p.m.                 College of Technology                                                   Copper Lounge

Paying For College                                                           Big Butte/Highlands

                                                                Metallurgy                                                                          ELC

                                                                Nano-Particles                                                                  Kelley Steward

12:50 p.m. -1:30 p.m.                      Lunch                                                                                    Dining Room

1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.                      Student Panel   (Pick up a free T-Shirts) Copper Lounge

2:15 p.m. – 3:30:                               Open House

The open house incorporates degree programs that were not represented in the work-shop sessions.  These programs include:

Liberal Studies:                                                                                 TBA

Math/CS:                                                                                             TBA

Athletics                                                                                              HPER

Career Services                                                                                 ENG 103

Residence Halls                                                                                 Prospector Hall

Pre-Professional Health                                                                CBB 112

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MONTANA TECH STUDENT TO

RECEIVE “MENTOR OF THE YEAR”

Butte, MT – Cory Sonneman, a Montana Tech chemistry student, will be presented the “Mentor of the Year Award” by Montana State Attorney General, Steve Bullock on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at 10:00 am in Pintler Room located in the Student Union Building on Montana Tech’s campus.

Cory’s enthusiasm for science is evident both in and out of the classroom. For the past two years Cory has worked as a chemistry tutor for the Montana Tech Montana Minds Scholarship as well as participating in the Big Brothers and Sisters program.  While other students may find college academics stressful and demanding, Cory has gone the extra mile by organizing and performing science demonstrations to young impressionable students at several local schools and youth organizations.  “Cory is a fun, enthusiastic promoter of science and education to young people and he is good at it,” states Doug Coe, Dean of the College of Letters, Sciences & Professional Studies.

Cory will graduate in May 2010 and plans to continue his education in medical school. 

Butte, MT – MONTANA TECH WELCOMES NEW FACILITIES DIRECTOR

Montana Tech welcomes Arthur (Art) Anderson as the new Facilities Director for the Montana Tech campuses.  Art has over 20 years of experience in construction and construction management prior to his employment as Direct of Facilities for the Lockwood School District #26 in Billings, MT.

“I am excited to be here.  Montana Tech provides great opportunities not only in long range projects but also the completion of short term projects,” states Anderson.   Art emphasized that it has always been his goal to ultimately progress to directing facilities on a college campus.  “I believe it is the responsibility of the facilities department to promote Montana Tech and the look and feel of the campus is an important recruiting tool for any university.”  Art is impressed with the relationship between Montana Tech and the Butte community noting that he felt the loyalty and support of the city toward their university.

“Montana Tech is excited to have someone of Art’s experience in facilities management and dedication to education become part of our Montana Tech community,” states Chancellor Frank Gilmore.

###

Newmont Mining Corporation, one of the world’s leading gold companies, recently presented Montana Tech with a gift in the amount of $320,000. The gift, in support of Montana Tech’s comprehensive campaign, Strengthening Foundations...Ensuring the Future, will be used for the following purposes:

·         Scholarship support for students in the Environmental Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mining Engineering, and Geological Engineering Departments;

·         Salary supplements for faculty in the Geological Engineering, Mining Engineering, and Metallurgical & Materials Engineering Departments;

·         Continued support for the Newmont Lab Director and student research in the Metallurgical & Materials Engineering Department;

·         Support for the Montana Tech Environmental Engineering Design Team;

·         Montana Tech Library

·         Digger Athletics; and

·         Project Dreams.

 “We are delighted with Newmont’s continued support of Montana Tech. These funds will enhance Montana Tech’s ability to provide excellent student service and support to our faculty,” said Chancellor Frank Gilmore. “Montana Tech and Newmont Mining have built a strong, long-standing relationship. We are proud to have Newmont as a Top of the Hill Key Visionary Industry Partner.”

“Newmont continues to step up for this campus. When I sit back and fathom all they do, I can’t help but think about how it all started when I met Newmont’s Senior Director of Metallurgical Services and asked him to serve on my departmental advisory board.  Newmont’s contributions have simply gone beyond expectations,” said Courtney Young, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department Head.

“Newmont takes pride in supporting the education of the future leaders of this country and the mining industry,” said Marc LeVier, Director of Metallurgical Services for Newmont Mining Corporation. “By giving back to the academic community of our industry, Newmont is planting the seed for our continued success. Montana Tech’s reputation for academic excellence and hard working, dedicated students, faculty, staff, and administration is well known throughout the industry.  Newmont considers Montana Tech to be one of the premier educators of engineers and such wants to be part of Tech’s continued success.”

Montana Tech is hosting forums to gather input and comment from faculty, staff, students, and community members about the HPER Renovation & Expansion Project.

Forums are planned in the Montana Tech Student Union Building's Copper Lounge on the following dates and times:

Tuesday, January 26, 2010:

1:30 pm: Montana Tech faculty/staff

3:00 pm: Montana Tech students

6:30 pm: community members

Wednesday, January 27, 2010:

1:00 pm: Montana Tech students

If you are unable to attend but want your comments and opinions to be voiced, visit www.think1.com/survey  or www.mtech.edu (after January 20).

Please plan to attend.

Richard J. Rossi, PhD, Professor and Head of the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Montana Tech of the University of Montana, has written a second book, Applied Biostatistics for the Health Sciences (John Wiley & Sons, 2010).  The book is an introduction to essential key methods used in the statistical analysis of data in the health sciences.

Applied Biostatistics for the Health Sciences is an excellent introductory textbook for health science and biostatistics courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels.  It is also a valuable resource for practitioners and professional in the fields of pharmacy, biochemistry, nursing, health care informatics, and the applied health sciences. 

Dr. Rossi’s first book, Theorems, Corollaries, Lemmas, and Methods of Proof (John Wiley & Sons, 2006) is a hands-on introduction to the tools needed for rigorous and theoretical mathematical reasoning.  Dr. Rossi is considering writing a third book in the future. 

Dr. Rossi has been teaching at Montana Tech for the past 16 years.  He previously served as president of the Montana Chapter of the American Statistical Association (1996 and 2001) and as associate editor for the applied statistics journal Biometrics.  Dr. Rossi has published journal articles in his area of research interest, which include nonparametric density estimation, finite mixture models, and computational statistics.

Applied Biostatistics for the Health Sciences is now available in most university bookstores and online.

Newmont Mining Donates to Montana Tech Scoreboard Project

“Newmont Mining’s support of Montana Tech and our student-athletes is unprecedented,” exclaimed an elated Joe McClafferty, Montana Tech Athletic Director. “Digger Athletics has never received a gift of this size before. I cannot wipe the smile off my face.  Digger Vision will create a revenue stream for athletics and a First Choice venue for our outstanding fans.”

“Newmont has a long history of supporting Montana Tech, and we are proud to invest in the school and its students over the decades in so many different ways,” acknowledged Marc LeVier, Director of Metallurgical Services for Newmont Mining Corporation. “We are pleased to be able to make Montana Tech a great campus through all aspects of the educational experience,” said Brooke Bacon, Newmont’s University Strategy Manager.

“This project has been a significant element within the athletic department’s vision for quite some time. Newmont’s gift will make Digger Vision a reality for our current and future students,” stated Mike Johnson, Vice Chancellor of Development and Student Services and President of the Montana Tech Foundation.

“When Joe called me with the news that Newmont had made an extremely generous donation to our Scoreboard Project, I was on the road between Baker and Ekalaka, Montana. The temperature was 18 below zero with blowing snow on the road. It immediately turned from frigid conditions to absolute bikini weather,” shouted Head Football Coach Bob Green. “Thank you very much Newmont Mining! This will add much to our game day atmosphere and assist greatly in funding the future of Oredigger Football!”

Dr. Daniel Trudnowski, Montana Tech department head and professor in the Electrical Engineering department, has been elevated to IEEE Fellow by the Board of Directors of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the world’s largest professional association advancing innovation and technological excellence for the benefit of humanity.. Each year, following a rigorous evaluation procedure, the IEEE Fellow Committee recommends a select group of recipients for one of the Institute’s most prestigious honors, elevation to IEEE Fellow. Dr. Trudnowski’s’s designation is effective January 1, 2010 with the following citation: for contributions to algorithms for characterizing power-system small-signal stability properties.

Attention Students Interested in

Metallurgical Engineering, Geological Engineering, or Mining Engineering!

 Montana Tech has more than $25,000 available for YOU.

Butte, MT – Are you interested in studying metallurgical engineering, geological engineering, or mining engineering? If so, Montana Tech of the University of Montana has more than $25,000 available for you to go to school. The National Science Foundation has awarded Montana Tech a grant to provide 21 talented students a Bright Prism Ray Scholarship, a four-year scholarship valued at $6,600 each year. By offering students this incredible scholarship, Montana Tech hopes to address the shortage of engineering students in the United States--especially in the minerals engineering field. If you are interested in metallurgical engineering, geological engineering, or mining engineering, we want YOU at Montana Tech. 

Applicants must meet all of the criteria listed below:  

1.      US Citizen;

2.      Financial need;

3.      MATH ACT of 26 or higher or MATH SAT of 600 or higher;  

4.      Top 20% of graduating class; and

5.      GPA> 3.25

In addition to the scholarship, the Bright Prism Rays will attend a two week Bright Prism Rays short course prior to entering college. By providing real-life, hands-on experience and training in the basic concepts, tools and techniques used in geological, mining, and metallurgical engineering, this course will allow the students to experience the “bigger picture” of the minerals industry prior to commencing their college experience.

The Bright Prism Rays program will be a true learning community. For the first two years, these students will have many common courses and will form a strong community bond.  They will have access to tutoring at the Montana Tech Learning Center, and will be advised by an outstanding advisor.

Montana Tech will strive for placement of Bright Prism Rays in summer internships with a goal of students completing two or more internships prior to graduation. Montana Tech has enjoyed a 100% placement rate for geological engineering, metallurgical engineering, and mining engineering over the past five years due to our extremely strong relationship with the minerals industry. This relationship will be utilized to gain meaningful summer internships for the Bright Prism Rays and to assist them in gaining employment in the minerals industry upon graduation.

Students can apply at http://www.mtech.edu/onestop/NewTranSchol.html.  Application deadline is January 1, 2010. For more information, contact Dr. Peter Knudsen at 406-496-4395 or PKnudsen@mtech.edu.

Two student computer programming teams from Montana Tech competed in the Battle of the Brains competition in Salt Lake City on October 31, 2009.  The competition challenges students to solve real-world problems using open technology and advanced computing methods under a grueling five-hour deadline.

Team A from Montana Tech worked a bit faster than all other Montana teams to take 4^th place at the Rocky Mountain Regional Contest.  They also placed 4^th among all U.S. teams in their region and were 13^th in the whole region, which includes several Canadian providences.  Members of Team A were Bryce Muller, a senior from Glendive; George Cox, a senior from Plains; and Tyler Lee, a sophomore from Belgrade.  Also representing Montana Tech on Team B were Tony Morasco, Kyle Nelson, and Reid Alford.  The teams were coached by Dr. Frank Ackerman.

The International Collegiate Programming Contest is a world-wide contest with Regional Contests that cover the globe.  The winners of each region compete at the World Finals.  Prior to competition, the Montana Tech teams practiced every Saturday afternoon and held debriefings every Monday evening.  “Next year, our teams will be joined by some great freshman programmers,” said Ackerman.  “We plan to concentrate on our weak problem areas.  Our goal is to be one of the top U.S. teams in the region.”

The Battle of the Brains is the largest and most prestigious computing competition in the world, with more than tens of thousands of students from universities in approximately 90 countries on six continents participating.  Since IBM began sponsoring the contest in 1997, participation has grown from 1,100 to more than 7,100 teams.

For more information about Montana Tech’s team, please contact Dr. Michele Van Dyne, Computer Science Department Head at 406-496-4855.

Two Montana Tech students, Christopher Kellogg and Devin Lake, have received Montana Space Grant Fellowships and Scholarships for the academic year 2009-2010.  Kellogg was selected to receive a ½ year Space Grant Fellowship and Lake was selected to receive a full-year Space Grant Scholarship. According to Angela Des Jardins, Interim Director, of the Montana Space Grant Consortium, “These honors reflect the students’ pas achievements as well as present and future commitment to the aerospace sciences and engineering. They join an elite group of approximately 1,900 Space Grant Scholars and Fellows nationwide.”

Kellogg is a graduate student in Geophysical Engineering and Lake is a sophomore in Mechanical Engineering.  

Ash Grove Cement Company, a longtime leader in the cement manufacturing industry, headquartered in Overland Park,  has awarded Montana Tech of the University of Montana senior Merle Kalstrom a 2009 Intern Scholarship. The annual $1,500 scholarship was established in 2007 to recognize students who have successfully completed a summer internship with Ash Grove and who have a strong interest in pursuing a future in the cement industry.

Kalstrom is the son of Jerry and Patricia Kalstrom from Ekalaka, MT.  He interned for Ash Grove each of the past two summers, working at Ash Grove’s Foreman, Ark. cement plant in 2009 and at the company’s Chanute, Kan. plant in 2008.  

“We really appreciate all the students who participated in this year’s summer intern program,” said Dave Ezell, vice president of Human Resources.  “Merle’s strong work ethic and ‘can-do’ attitude impressed us all, and we hope this award inspires him to continue to pursue his educational and career goals.”Kalstrom is continuing his education this fall at Montana Tech where he is pursuing a degree in metallurgical engineering.

Butte, MT – Student computer programmers from universities around the world will battle for a spot to attend the World Finals of the 34^th annual Association for Computer Machinery (ACM) International Collegiate Contest (ICPC), sponsored by IBM (NYSE: IBM). Referred to as the Battle of the Brains, this competition challenges students to solve real-world problems using open technology and advanced computing methods under a grueling five-hour deadline.

Montana Tech students will participate in a decisive regional round of problem solving on October 31, 2009. This year’s student competitors comprise two teams. In the first team are students, George Cox, Bryce Muller and Tyler Lee; and on the second team are students, Kyle Nelson, Reid Alford, and Tony Morasco. The teams are coached by Dr. Frank Ackerman. Teams will be challenged to use their programming skills and rely on their mental endurance to solve complex, real world problems under a grueling deadline. Tackling these problems is equivalent to completing a semester’s worth of computer programming in one afternoon!  The team that solves the most problems correctly in the least amount of time will win a coveted spot on the World Finals roster.

Montana Tech will compete against teams from the University of Utah, Montana State University, Neumont University, Dixie State College, Utah State University, and Weber State University on the University of Utah campus.

The Battle of the Brains is the largest and most prestigious computing competition in the world, with more than tens of thousands of students from universities in approximately 90 countries on six continents participating. Since IBM began sponsoring the contest in 1997, participation has grown from 1,100 to more than 7,100 teams.

For more information about the contest and to listen to the ACM ICPC pod cast, visit www.ibm.com/university/acmcontest/ or follow along on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BrainBattleICPC .

For more information about Montana Tech’s team, please contact Dr. Michele Van Dyne, Computer Science Department Head at 406-496-4855.

Montana Tech’s College of Technology will have a booth at the Hillcrest Harvest Bazaar this Saturday, October 24th in the Butte Civic Center from 10 am to 4 pm. The COT will be selling "RebarT Critters." These unique and artistic animal-critters, created by COT Metals Fabrication students, have been fabricated out of rebar, the metal rods put into concrete for strength. Thus the name "RebarT" was conceived.

"One of the primary requirements for participation in the Bazaar is that the goods to be sold must be handcrafted and not ‘commercial’ items," said Dennis Noel, one of Tech’s Metals Fabrication faculty. "I can guarantee that each of these critters is a one-of-a-kind artistic creation. It was clear to me that the students had great fun fabricating these critters out of concrete reinforcing rebar and river rocks."

The Hillcrest Harvest Bazaar, sponsored by the Hillcrest Parent Teacher Organization, is celebrating its 34th anniversary. The goal of the Bazaar, according to event organizers is to "bring together schools, organizations, and individuals in an all-out community effort that is beneficial to everyone." Hundreds of people come from the surrounding regions to enjoy and purchase homemade and handcrafted items.

"I am very pleased that Montana Tech is participating in this wonderful community event. The Hillcrest Harvest Bazaar is one of Butte’s premier holiday events," said Dr. John M. Garic, Dean of the College of Technology. "The College of Technology and Montana Tech as a whole have significant emphases on the sciences. As a result, it was exciting to have our Metals Fabrication students combining their technical skills in metals fabrication with their artistic sensibilities to create these ‘RebarT Critters.’ Everyone who has seen them has loved them."

For any further information about this issue or any issue pertaining to Montana Tech, please contact Dr. John M. Garic at 406-496-3714 or Amanda Badovinac at 406-496-4828.

Repayment of the loan will be made using a combination of the following:

·         A new student fee of $4.70 per credit hour up to 12 credits per semester ($56.40) which will begin in the spring of 2010. This fee was endorsed by a student referendum during the spring 2009 semester.

·         $30,000 per year from an existing student-approved fee dedicated to maintenance of the HPER facility.

·         An additional $30,000 per year from auxiliary plant funds set aside for deferred maintenance.

“Our next step is to work with an architect to determine the best utilization of our existing facility,” said Chancellor Frank Gilmore. “Once the planning process is underway, we will seek input from faculty, staff, students, and community members. We want this facility to be inviting and useful for all who use it. This renovation is what our students want and we are excited to have the project underway.”  

Maggie Peterson, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance added, “The campus and community will have an opportunity to provide input during the planning process, which will happen over the course of the next several months.”

“I want to make a special point to thank the Board of Regents for their support of this project, which is important to our students,” concluded Chancellor Gilmore.

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Representatives of the Butte branch of Platt Electric Supply, Inc., were on Montana Tech’s College of Technology campus recently. After enjoying a tour of the South Campus, Corey Jackson, Regional Vice-President and Val Hoke, Sales Representative, presented each of the twenty-one Lineman Program students with a donation of tools and other items valued in excess of $100 each. Each student received a red soft-side tool bag, a hammer, pliers, some safety glasses, a cap and a mug.

 “Linemen need many different tools to do their jobs and they are often very expensive,” said Jim Babst, Lineman Instructor. “These donated tools are just a real blessing. The folks from Platt Electric Supply have been so good to our program and to our students and I cannot thank them enough.”

Keegan Burke, a Lineman Program student from Craig, Colorado noted, “I enjoyed Platt Electric coming to our school. They gave a good presentation, and then they gave us the tools. It was a great surprise. Thank you Platt Electric.”

Platt Electric Supply, Inc. started in business in 1953 and has since grown to ninety-nine branch locations throughout the Western United States. The company supplies a “broad range of high-quality products and services to the electrical construction, commercial, industrials, utility, digital surveillance, and data communications markets,” which, according to its company logo is “Powered By Our People”.

“Energy production, transmission and efficient usage are important and complicated issues which will be with our country, and indeed the entire world, forever,” said Dr. John M. Garic, Dean of the College of Technology. “I am really proud of our Lineman Program students. I believe that our students and companies like Platt Electric Supply will definitely have a role in dealing with our nation’s critical energy issues.”

For any further information about this issue or any issue pertaining to Montana Tech, please contact Dr. John M. Garic at 406-496-3714 or Amanda Badovinac at 406-496-4828.

History is made at Montana Tech as more students are attending this fall than ever before.   Montana Tech’s overall enrollment is up 11% with 2,660 students compared to the 2,402 students in fall 08.  Montana Tech’s North Campus headcount is up 9% from 1,980 to 2,155, and South Campus headcount is up 20% from 422 to 505.

“This enrollment figure marks an important day in our history.  Today, we celebrate a significant milestone toward achieving the enrollment slated in our VISION 2025.  Our entire faculty and staff has worked hard to retain and recruit excellent students and today’s announcement provides our report card,” said Mike Johnson, Vice Chancellor of Development and Student Services and President of the Montana Tech Foundation.  “These enrollment figures strengthen our position as we look to meet all of our future goals.”

Tech’s International student population and Graduate School numbers are strong.  International students are at an all-time high growing 29% this year. The Montana Tech Graduate School has experienced a 22% increase growing from 110 students in fall 08 to 134 current students.

Petroleum Engineering is the largest discipline on the Tech campus with 335 students.  General Engineering (322), Business (214), and Nursing (182) round out the top four programs in terms of size.

“It is great to see so many students recognizing the value of our Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs,” said Chancellor Frank Gilmore.  “STEM programs account for approximately 55% of our current student population.  As these graduates enter the workforce, the community, state, and entire nation will benefit.”

A new law encourages nonresident college students to hunt in Montana.

Senate bill 185, passed by the 2009 Montana Legislature, makes nonresident full-time college students eligible for a discounted big game combination license.

Qualifying students may purchase the $70 big game combination license beginning Sept. 14 at any Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks regional office or the Helena headquarters office.

The big game combination license includes conservation, fishing, upland game bird, deer and elk licenses.

Students eligible for the discount include:

·         nonresident full-time students taking 12 credits or more at postsecondary institutions in Montana,

·         nonresident students who are former Montana high school graduates now enrolled full-time at out-of-state postsecondary institutions and who have a parent that is a Montana resident.

To purchase the license, nonresident students going to a Montana college must present a valid student identification card and an enrollment verification form from their school showing they are full-time students.

Former residents who are now full-time students at out-of-state colleges must present a valid student identification card, current enrollment verification form, a parent's Montana FWP ALS number and a copy of their Montana high school diploma or General Education Development degree.

A $10 hunting access enhancement fee—and proof they have passed hunter education instruction in Montana or another state—are required.

For more information on this license, call: 406-444-2950. For information on hunting in Montana, go to the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Web site at fwp.mt.gov and click on Hunting.

Career Services will host the career fair in the HPER (Health, Physical Education & Recreation) Complex. Student registration begins at 8:00 a.m. and students can attend the fair until 3:30 p.m. There is no cost for students, alumni and community members to attend this event.

Over 80 employers are anticipated to attend the Montana Tech Career Fair and over 1,000 students and alumni. The career fair is designed for students of all academic levels and majors – from freshman to graduate students. Search for full-time employment, internships and other opportunities, as well as gather information about specific companies and network with employers at Montana Tech’s campus.

Register with Career Services prior to the fair through DIGGERecruiting, Montana Tech’s web-based career management program to view profiles of attending companies. Students already registered should update their profile information prior to the career fair. RSVP for career events, such as the career fair, company information sessions and workshops. 

Attend career workshops on topics such as interviewing tips, writing a resume and cover letter, and how to prepare for a career fair. Log into DIGGERecruiting to find out more information on these workshops and to RSVP. 

In addition, more than 25 companies will stay and conduct 2^nd Day Interviews on Friday, September 11^th from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students can view which companies will be conducting 2^nd Day Interviews, what positions they are hiring, and sign up for interviews ahead of time through their DIGGERecruiting account.  

Students, alumni and community members can also check out the career fair web site at www.mtech.edu/career/careerfair/students to see which companies are coming, a schedule of events and how to prepare for attending a career fair.

A story appears on the front page of today’s Montana Standard.

Details from the press release are as follows: League commissioner Kent Paulson announced the award Thursday. Paulson says McClafferty has instilled a sense of pride and class to the Oredigger athletic department and increased fund raising for athletics and renewed support in the community and state.

McClafferty oversaw a $650,000 expansion of the HPER Complex, including a new floor, seating, lighting, sound system and scoreboards with video capabilities. He also spearheaded a new corporate partnership program that brought in another $200,000.

Montana Tech Chancellor Frank Gilmore says McClafferty has brought a new vision, spirit, and excitement to Digger athletics.

U.S. News & World Report, the nation’s leading source of service journalism and news, has named Montana Tech of the University of Montana as the 3rd Top Public Baccalaureate College in the West in the 2010 edition of “America’s Best Colleges.”  Montana Tech also ranked 7th Best Baccalaureate College in the West (combining public and private) in the same report.  Montana Tech’s placement remains the same from the 2009 edition.

The exclusive rankings, which include more than 1,400 schools nationwide, are available today at www.usnews.com/colleges, will also be published in the September issue of the U.S. News & World Report magazine, on newsstands starting August 20th.

"We are thrilled to see that U.S. News & World Report has again recognized our outstanding students, faculty, and staff,” said Mike Johnson, Vice Chancellor of Development and Student Services and President of the Montana Tech Foundation.  “This recognition helps solidify our standing in the academic community and assists prospective students in their college selection.”

Over the past 26 years, the U.S. News college rankings, which groups schools based on categories created by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, has grown to be the most comprehensive research tool for students and parents considering higher education opportunities. The America's Best Colleges ranking package, which includes extensive editorial content and multimedia resources, has helped families navigate the difficult decisions involved throughout the college process, from college admission and selection to financing options.

For more information about America's Best Colleges, visit www.usnews.com/colleges. To access the Premium Online Edition, go to www.usnews.com/usnews/store/products/college_index.htm.

The EcoDaredevil award recognizes students who are taking risks and contributing to environmental health, restoration and sustainability. The nomination deadline for the second-annual EcoDaredevil Award has been extended through September 2009. This year we will honor an EcoDaredevil from the legendary Evel Knievel's home state of Montana, with an award presentation on the campus of Montana Tech. Nominations must be received by September 1, 2009. The 2009 EcoDaredevil winner will receive a cash award and other “green” prizes.

The 2009 award winner will be chosen by 1) a selection committee of nationally and regionally recognized environmental scientists and activists who will review all nominations; 2) peers via an on-line voting system. The 2009 EcoDaredevil Award will be announced in a ceremony at Montana Tech on Friday, September 18th on World Water Monitoring Day, an international education and outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world by engaging citizens to conduct basic monitoring of their local water bodies.

2009 Nominees must meet the following criteria:

- Be from the State of Montana;

- Age 18 to 35, or a recently (graduated this spring or enrolled for this fall) enrolled/graduated college (grad or undergrad) student;

-Has exceptionally fulfilled the core characteristics of what the EcoDaredevil Award signifies: courage, creativity and success (even failure if they’re back up and trying) in positively impacting environmental change through science, action, policy or the arts.

-Nominee must be nominated by a faculty member, researcher, student, peer or other member of the local, regional, national or international environmental community.

-Please submit nominations via email to EcoDaredevil@me.com by September 1, 2009. Please include the following information in your nomination, electronic submissions only (sent to EcoDaredevil@me.com ):

• Name
• Age
• Location/hometown
• Year in school/college/major
• An explanation of why the nominee is an EcoDaredevil (maximum of three, single-spaced, 12-point font pages)
• At least two letters/emails of recommendation/support – one from a faculty/teacher; one from a student/peer; and/or one from a member of the community (state, local or other).
• Supplements/supporting materials may include web links, articles, images of nominee's accomplishments, etc.

Entries will be judged upon 1) innovation/creativity of nominee's actions/accomplishments; 2) courage of nominee to perform in the face of adversity (i.e. difficulty of achievement exhibited by numbers, required time/timeliness, social/economic/political climate, etc.); 3) significance of nominee's impact on environmental change (sustainability and/or size of outcome(s); number of people affected, policies changed/implemented, honors received); 4) exceptional character exhibited by the nominee. [Note: In order to save your nomination, prepare the nomination with Word, pdf and submit as an attachment.

Read more about the EcoDaredevil award at the EcoDaredevil blog: http://ecodaredevil.blogspot.com/.

Join us on the Richest Hill on Earth to participate in the 10^th Annual Montana Tech Career Fair. This event will begin with pre-fair events for employers on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 on the Montana Tech campus in the Student Union Building. The fair itself will take place on September 10, 2009 from 8:30am – 3:30pm in the HPER (Health, Physical Education & Recreation) Complex.

The Career Fair, hosted by Career Services at Montana Tech, is designed to offer companies and organizations from all industries a chance to meet with Montana Tech students to discuss career opportunities and to share career development information with students of all academic levels and majors – from freshman to graduate students. The Montana Tech Career Fair is a valuable and economical opportunity for employers to meet with and interview qualified applicants. Employers will have the opportunity to recruit for full-time positions as well as internships, and other opportunities.

Employers can register online through DIGGERecruiting, as well as find additional information at www.mtech.edu/career/employers. Please contact the Career Services at 406.496.4140 if there are additional questions.

Students, alumni and community members can also check out the career fair web site to see which companies are coming, obtain a schedule of events and how to prepare for attending a career fair. Through their DIGGERecruiting account, students can also see who will be on campus recruiting this semester.

Montana Tech students and alumni can sign-up for their DIGGERecruiting account online at www.mtech.edu/career/students or if there are further questions, please contact the Career Services at 496.4140.

For more information, please contact Heather Lingle, Career Fair Coordinator, at 406.496.4628 or Sarah A. Raymond, Director at 406.496.4140.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montana Tech is one of the country's best institutions for undergraduate education, according to The Princeton Review. The education services company features the school in the new 2010 edition of its popular guidebook, "The Best 371 Colleges." Only about 15% of America’s 2,500 four-year colleges and two Canadian colleges are profiled in the book, which is The Princeton Review's flagship annual college guide. It includes detailed profiles of the colleges with school rating scores in eight categories, plus ranking lists of top 20 schools in 62 categories based on The Princeton Review's surveys of students attending the colleges.

“This is the 10^th consecutive year that The Princeton Review has listed Montana Tech as one of the country’s best institutions in their annual college guide. This honor proves that Montana Tech is an outstanding choice for America’s college students,” said Mike Johnson, Vice Chancellor of Development and Student Services and President of the Montana Tech Foundation. “We are proud of our faculty, staff, and students that help make our university one of the country’s best.”  

In its profile on Montana Tech, The Princeton Review praises the school for its strong academics saying, “Under-recognized schools like Montana Tech can be a godsend for students who are strong academically but not likely to be offered admission to nationally renowned technical institutes.  In fact, because of its small size and relatively remote location, Montana Tech is a good choice for anyone leaning toward a technical career.  You’d be hard-pressed to find many other places that are as low-key and personal in this realm of academia.” The survey also quotes extensively from Montana Tech students surveyed for the book. Among their comments about their campus experiences are: "Students are friendly and always smile and offer a hello when passing by” and “Everyone gets along well because the real measure of a student is not what he or she looks like, but their ability to make connections and see the whole picture.”

The schools in "The Best 371 Colleges" are also part of 640 colleges and universities that The Princeton Review commends in its website feature, "2010 Best Colleges: Region by Region - Northeast / Midwest / Southeast / West."

The Princeton Review is known for its tutoring and classroom test preparation courses, books, and college and graduate school admission services. 

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As a former nurse working at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, who also has her bachelor’s degree in health care informatics from Montana Tech, Misti Anderson keeps a foot in both worlds - medicine and technology – even as she works to bridge the gap between them.

According to Gary Mannix, the head of the Health Care Informatics Department at Montana Tech in Butte, “Misti and our graduates are the glue that can hold an I.T. project at a hospital together, because they know both the technical and the clinical vocabularies. Graduates from our program serve as translators between the technical staff and the clinical leadership.”

These translators, also known as “health informaticists,” often have a background in the allied health professions, such as records or claims and have pursued additional training and education in health I.T. and project management through health care informatics degree programs like the one offered at Montana Tech.

“I.T. staff manage the computer network and maintain the software, but it’s the health care informatics professionals who can truly analyze and understand the medical data; providing clinical staff with the information they need, when they need it,” said Jim Aspevig, Assistant Professor in the Health Care Informatics Department at Montana Tech. 

“Montana Tech’s informatics degree program is really taking off; we have more requests for our interns and graduates from hospitals and clinics than we can fill.” Said Mannix, “Even as other schools are just setting up their programs, Montana Tech has already produced four graduating classes and we’re at virtually 100% employment within the industry, and this is even before the effect of the economic stimulus started kicking in,” Mannix explains. 

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dedicated $19 billion to expanding the use of electronic health records by physicians, and demand for health informatics specialists is exploding nationwide. In a recent article in the New York Times, the chief executive of the American Medical Informatics Association, Don Detmer, is quoted as saying, “My rough estimate is that we need about 70,000 health informaticians.” According to the association, midlevel jobs, like those for clinical analysts, generally pay around $70,000 a year.¹   

Health informaticists often begin as specialists in technology, or started their career as health record administrators, medical technologists or nurses. Most have had to earn graduate degrees in health informatics before starting to practice. However, Montana Tech’s program is one of only three undergraduate programs in Health Care Informatics in the United States that has a proven track record in terms of producing graduates ready to work in the health care industry.

Charie Faught, Assistant Professor at Montana Tech, says, “Health care is recession-resistant, but many people find it difficult to enter the health care industry. This has also been true for informatics because most degree programs in the field are at the Masters or Ph.D. level. Fortunately, Montana Tech’s Bachelors and Associates degree programs in health care informatics give undergraduates, especially students just coming out of high school, a clear path into this field, as well as providing a way into the health care system for ‘career-changers’ who want to start applying their knowledge to health I.T.”  

For any further information about this issue or any issue pertaining to Montana Tech, please contact Gary Mannix at 406-496-4353 or Amanda Badovinac at 406-496-4828.

1.      Larson, Christine, Fresh Starts: Connecting the Dots of Medicine and Data, The New York Times, Published: April 11, 2009

The ASM Undergraduate Research Fellowship (URF) is aimed at highly competitive students who wish to pursue graduate careers (Ph.D. or MD/Ph.D) in microbiology.  Students are given the opportunity to conduct full time research at their home institutions with an ASM member and present research results at the ASM General Meeting the following year.

Over the past five months, Rachel has conducted research with the mycobacteriophage “Snicklefritz.” During that time, the phage was plaque purified, a lysate was formed, and a titer was calculated.  Bacteriophages are thought to be the most abundant organisms on earth, with an estimated population of 10³¹. These viruses that infect bacteria have amazing genetic variability. One category of these viruses is mycobacteriophages, which infect mycobacteria. In the thirty complete mycobacteriophages genomes that have been mapped, no single protein is present in all of those organisms. There are also many genes that are unlike any that have been previously sequenced. These previously unsequenced genes can be studied to determine their function, and provide scientists with more invaluable information in the field of genetic research.

Rachel, a native of Butte, Montana, chose to major in biology at Montana Tech because she enjoys learning about how the world functions at the chemical and molecular levels. Her future career is undecided but earning an MD, teaching high school biology, or even conducting research at a university are all options she is considering. Aside from school, her interests include making jewelry, scrapbooking, reading, being outdoors, and volunteering around the community.

Nicole Loehr, a double major in Metallurgical Engineering and Chemistry at Montana Tech, has been awarded The Copper Club Scholarship for the 2009-2010 school year.  The Copper Club Scholarship is awarded by The Copper Club, Inc, which provides grants for undergraduate students majoring in mining, geology, and metallurgical engineering and other fields related to the maintenance and expansion of the copper industry.  As the recipient, Nicole will be awarded $5,000 per semester during her junior year.

Nicole joins 11 other Montana Tech students who have won this prestigious award.  Nicole was born in Butte and raised in Anaconda with her two younger sisters, Amanda and Sarah.  Nicole enjoys serving her community through Circle K, a community service based organization, and has recently been elected the governor of this group for the state of Montana.  Nicole also participates in the Society of Women Engineers, club MetE, and math club.  Her pastimes include swing dancing, reading, showing sheepdogs, and a host of other outdoor activities.  Nicole is daughter of Jamie and Joann Loehr. 

On Saturday, May 9, 2009, twelve Helena residents graduated from Montana Tech of the University of Montana’s Business Degree Program. This unique program allows Helena residents the opportunity to enroll in upper division courses taught by Montana Tech at the University of Montana – Helena College of Technology. This program enables students to obtain a four-year business degree while working full-time. Helena students graduating from this program were Kerri Blanton, Erica Alma, Francis Afford, Patty Smith, William Rainey, Lori Tobol, Mary House, Jennifer Murray-Noonan, Patty Matthews, Bridgette Catlow, and Amy Ophus. Of these twelve students, ten graduated with honors.

This program has enrolled thirty-five (35) students for the Summer 2009 semester, which began on Tuesday, May 26. Fall offerings are scheduled as Intermediate Accounting I and Labor Relations/Collective Bargaining. These are evening classes.

Montana Tech has added an accounting option to the basic Business Degree. Courses could eventually lead a student to completing certification as a CPA.

Montana Tech faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends are being offered an opportunity to transform lives in a direct and meaningful way.  Montana Tech, running in support of Mariah’s Challenge, has secured 50 entry spots in the 2009 ING New York City Marathon in November 2009.  This opportunity will allow runners to feel the accomplishment of completing a marathon, and at the same time give back to our community through Mariah’s Challenge.

The New York City Marathon begins at 11:00 am on Sunday, November 1, 2009.  The package departing out of Butte would leave on October 29 and return on November 3. Participants who chose not to depart out of Butte must make their own travel arrangements.

Each participant must raise or pay for the following:

·         $1,000, which covers entry fee, fee to the New York Runner’s Association and donation to Mariah’s Challenge

·         Hotel Costs – approximately $329/night (plus tax)

·         Airline Fees – approximately $550 out of Butte

·         Food and spending money

Thus far, 25 spots are reserved and we want to fill all 50.  Are you a runner, want to be a runner, or just interested in being a part of the team? If so, please contact Traci O’Neill at 406-496-4892. 

On Friday, May 8, 2009, Goldcorp, Inc, one of the world’s largest gold mining companies, presented Montana Tech with a check in the amount of $250,000, the second installment of their leadership gift pledged in 2008.  Kevin McArthur, retired President & CEO of Goldcorp and Montana Tech’s 2009 Commencement Speaker; along with Dan Rovig, member of the Board of Directors of Goldcorp, presented Montana Tech with the donation.

In May 2008, Goldcorp provided Montana Tech a leadership pledge in support of Montana Tech’s campaign, Strengthening Foundations…Ensuring the Future.  The gift totalled $1,050,000, which created The Goldcorp, Inc. Endowed Professorship.  The professorship is used to supplement the salaries of faculty members within the departments of Mining Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, and Geological Engineering.  Goldcorp’s first installment of this pledge, a $550,000 gift, was made in May of 2008.

Mike Johnson, Vice Chancellor of Development and Student Services and President of the Montana Tech Foundation said, “It is an honor to have Goldcorp as a corporate partner of Montana Tech.  They have consistently demonstrated leadership in the area of support for the extractive minerals education.  This gift will assist Montana Tech in recruiting and retaining faculty dedicated to the education of the industry’s future generations.”

ABOUT GOLDCORP:

Goldcorp, a Canadian-based company with its corporate office in Vancouver, Canada, employs more than 9,000 people worldwide. Goldcorp has 17 world-class operations and development projects in Canada, the United States, Mexico, and South America.  Goldcorp is one of the world’s largest gold mining companies with the strongest production growth profile among all senior gold producers.

Montana Tech of the University of Montana announced their 2009 Outstanding Student Awards at the 109th Commencement Ceremony held on the Montana Tech campus on May 9, 2009. These students were chosen by their department faculty based on scholastic achievement, character, and community service. These are the students who best represent each department.

The following are the awards for both north and south campus:

MONTANA TECH – NORTH CAMPUS

Jonna M. VanDaveer, BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Kerra J. Melvin, BUSINESS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Jesse R. Nichols, CHEMISTRY & GEOCHEMISTRY

Michael P. Drewett, COMPUTER SCIENCE

Tyler Dusek, COMPUTER SCIENCE

Josh I. Wold, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Sean P. Dudley, ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

Jared D. Hobeck, GENERAL ENGINEERING

Christopher S. Sherman, GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING

David A. Sunwall, GEOPHYSICAL ENGINEERING

Guy M. Smith, HEALTH CARE INFORMATICS

Tressa L. Tokerud, HEALTH CARE INFORMATICS

Kevin T. Benton, NETWORK TECHNOLOGY

Kimber L. Peters, LIBERAL STUDIES

Katrina R. Gibson, MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES

Caleb A. Ellefson, METALLURGICAL & MAT. ENGINEERING

Clifford E. Stout, MINING ENGINEERING

Katherine J. Kopp, B.S. NURSING

Jenessa M. Todd, A.S. NURSING

Benjamin V. Tolman, PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

Brad D. Evans, PROF. & TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION

Kristine E. Witt, SAFETY, HEALTH & INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE

Molly M. Loushin, SAFETY, HEALTH & INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE

MONTANA TECH – SOUTH CAMPUS

Connor S. O’Brien, Carpentry TRADES & TECHNICAL

Stacy J. Puccinelli, Radiology HEALTH

CHESTER STEELE AWARDS

1) OUTSTANDING GRADUATING SENIOR IN ENGINEERING WITH HIGHEST SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT – Josh I. Wold, Electrical Engineering

2) OUTSTANDING GRADUATE IN MINING/GEOLOGY SELECTED ON THE BASIS OF SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT – Stephany R. Fier

VALEDICTORIANS – NORTH & SOUTH CAMPUS

North – Kerra J. Melvin, Business & Information Technology

South – Stacy J. Puccinelli, Radiology, Health Department

HIGHEST SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT IN ARTS & SCIENCES

Kerra J. Melvin, Business & Information Technology

Two Montana Tech alumni will be honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award this year at Montana Tech’s 109th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 9th at 11:00 a.m. This year’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipients are Mr. Martin E. Carlson, P.E., B.S. Environmental Engineering, 1984, M.S. Engineering Science, 1986; and Mr. Eric H. Olsen, B.S. Petroleum Engineering, 1974. The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to alumni of Montana Tech, who have established a professional career of at least 20 years, of which five years have been in a definitely responsible capacity, and who has either contributed in an outstanding manner to the furtherance of his or her profession and/or has been an outstanding contributor to Montana Tech.

In addition, the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology at Montana Tech has named Mr. Richard “Dick” D. Feltis as the recipient of the Uuno Sahinen Silver Medallion. The award is named after former Bureau Director, the late Uuno Sahinen, who is widely recognized for the Bureau’s growth. The Sahinen Award acknowledges “outstanding contributions in understanding and development of energy, mineral, or groundwater resources in Montana” and is given to an outstanding geologist each year.

Mr. Kevin McArthur, a member of the Board of Directors of Goldcorp, Inc., will be the Commencement Speaker during Montana Tech’s 109^th Commencement Ceremony to be held on Saturday, May 9, 2009, at 11 a.m. in Alumni Coliseum.

Mr. McArthur will also receive Montana Tech’s highest award, the Gold Medallion, which recognizes excellence achieved in the recipient’s chosen field and significant support to the college.

Mr. McArthur has enjoyed thirty years of experience in the minerals resource industry.  A third-generation miner, he recently retired as President and CEO of Goldcorp, Inc.—Canada’s sixth largest corporation and the world’s number two gold miner by market capitalization.

Mr. McArthur was President and CEO of Glamis Gold Ltd. from 1999 until its merger with Goldcorp in November 2006.  He continued as President and CEO of the new $21 billion Goldcorp until December, 2008.  Mr. McArthur joined Glamis in 1988, moving into the positions of Vice President of Chemgold Inc, President of Glamis Rand Mining Company and Chief Operating Officer of the company.

Prior to joining Glamis, Mr. McArthur held a variety of engineering and operations management positions with BP Minerals North America and Homestake Mining Company.  Mr. McArthur holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Nevada (1979).

Since attending Montana Tech, she has become a member of the pep and concert band, where she thoroughly enjoys playing the flute for games and community concerts. She is the Vice President of the Montana Tech Geology Club, which she has been a member of for two years now. She has also consistently been on the Montana Tech Honor Roll, and has received honors such as the National SMART Grant, Academic Competitiveness Grant and the Dougherty and St. Pierre Award.

This summer, Amerlyn will be interning with Cleveland Cliffs at a mine in Babbit, MN called Northshore, which produces iron ore from a rock-type called taconite. Past summer jobs have included work for Black Butte Coal Company (Summer 2007), and RTEA Spring Creek Mine (Summer 2008).

Dr. John W. Ray of Montana Tech’s Liberal Studies Department has had an article entitled “Civic Engagement, Citizenship and Parliamentary Procedure” accepted for publication in the Parliamentary Journal, the official publication of the American Institute of Parliamentarians. The paper examines how civic engagement, which is a contemporary, prominent expression of the classic notion of citizenship, depends on knowledge of parliamentary procedure.

Dr. Ray was recently elected President of the Commission on American Parliamentary Practice and was a recent recipient of the Phifer Award for “Outstanding Scholarship in Parliamentary Procedure” given by the Commission. He teaches courses at Montana Tech in political science and communications. Dr. Ray has also recently participated in conferences in Egypt and China on national security and energy security issues.

Dr. Marisa Pedulla, an Associate Professor in the Biological Sciences Department at Montana Tech, and Sandra Wardell, a Helena High School Biology teacher, have been selected to participate in the Summer 2009 American Society of Human Genetics GENA (Geneticist - Educator Network of Alliances) Workshop.

The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG), the Genetics Society of America (GSA), the National Science Resources Center (NSRC) and the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) are using the broad theme of genetics to build a framework to form long-term collaborations between educators and scientists and a sustainable infrastructure to support meaningful outreach by scientists in the high school science classroom.


The Geneticist-Educator Network of Alliances (GENA) Project provides the partnering scientific societies with tools to instruct, facilitate, and measure the meaningful engagement of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) faculty members in secondary science education. The GENA Project is exploring ways in which a professional society-monitored secondary science education outreach effort can play a positive role in the career development of both junior (pre-tenure) and senior (post-tenure) level genetics faculty.


The project is developing a network of 92 master Geneticist-Educator alliances to design teaching strategies related to standards and misconceptions in genetics that can decrease the time required for scientists to prepare for outreach, thus maximizing the effective and meaningful interaction between the geneticists and students. Geneticists and high school biology teachers attend workshops to examine genetics content inherent in state science education standards and key misconceptions in genetics education and to review exemplary educational materials in genetics and receive guidance in implementing lessons. Exemplary inquiry-based educational materials in genetics are being utilized to design methods to facilitate meaningful interactions between scientists and their local education community. The nationwide cadre of 92 master high school biology teachers serve as training leaders in their local school districts.

On April 8, 2009, twelve Montana Tech students and faculty members were inducted into the Montana Tech chapter of Sigma Beta Delta.  Sigma Beta Delta is an international honor society of management and business students.  Membership in Sigma Beta Delta is the highest national recognition a business student can receive at a college or university with a Sigma Beta Delta chapter.  Faculty members in the BIT department elect and invite students to become members – it is their way of recognizing students’ outstanding scholastic achievements. To be eligible for membership, a business student must rank in the upper 20 percent of the junior, senior or master’s class and be invited to join by the faculty officers.

The 2009 student inductees were Brian F. Walsh, Nathaniel K. Lester, Nicole R. Naasz, John E. Mack, Kyle A. Carter, Kerri S. Blanton, Cassie J. Biggers, and Tyler B. Sandru. The 2009 faculty inductees were Patricia J. Boltz, Business & Information Technology part-time faculty;  Gary W. Mannix, Health Care Informatics Department Head; Jon A. Chesbro, Business & Information Technology Assistant Professor; and Robert L. Bristol Business & Information Technology part-time Faculty.

Dr. Andrea Stierle, of the Chemistry Department at Montana Tech of the University of Montana, has received a Certificate of Merit Recognition from the Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation for the work she and Dr. Don Stierle, Department of Geochemistry at Montana Tech, have done with Berkeley Pit microbes as a source of anticancer agents.  This is the second such Certificate of Merit award for their work.  In 1998, Don and Andrea were recognized for their work with a Bermudian-sponge bacterium that produced an anti-HIV compound.  This year’s award is for their work entitled “Using Enzyme Inhibition to Guide the Isolation of New Anticancer Agents from Microbes Found in Abandoned Montana Copper Mines.” 

Each year, The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation provides small grants and certificates of merit recognition to men and women whose individual initiative and work in a wide spectrum of disciplines furthers the Lindberghs' vision of a balance between the advance of technology and the preservation of the natural/human environment.

ABOUT THE CHARLES A. AND ANNE LINDBERGH FOUNDATION:

The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation was created in 1977, the 50th Anniversary year of Charles Lindbergh's epic New York-to-Paris flight. It was originated by friends of the Lindberghs at The Explorers Club in New York City and other friends and admirers. The Foundation seeks to support present and future generations in working toward such a balance, that we may"...discern nature's essential wisdom and combine it with our scientific knowledge..." (Charles A. Lindbergh) and "balance power over life with reverence for life" (Anne Morrow Lindbergh).

Charles Lindbergh, who died in 1974, and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, who died in 2001, believed that true progress and a high quality of life require both the advances of science and care for nature, and that these critical endeavors must be in balance.

On April 1-3, 2009, the Montana Tech American Society of Civil Engineers (A.S.C.E.) Student Chapter competed against several colleges and universities from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia in the A.S.C.E. Pacific Northwest Regional Competition.  The 2009 events were successfully co-hosted by Carroll College and Montana State University.  Montana Tech hosted this event back in 2002 under the direction of Dr. Leroy Friel.  

This year, Tech battled it out in both the steel bridge and the concrete canoe competition.  “Our steel bridge team ousted teams from British Columbia, the University of Portland, and the University of Washington,” said Brian Kukay, an assistant professor at Montana Tech and faculty advisor for the American Society of Civil Engineers.  We had a very competitive bridge; however, the timed event kept us out of medal contention this year.  Washington State University claimed the top prize in the bridge competition.  “We’ll be back next year,” exclaimed Levi Hansen, a member of the Bridge team.  Still, the Montana Tech Chapter did not walk away empty handed.  After preliminary discussion, The Montana Section of A.S.C.E. announced at the Annual Meeting that they were creating an endowed scholarship available to General Engineering students at Montana Tech.  “It is an honor to accept this endowment on behalf of the students and is proof positive that the Montana Section of A.S.C.E. likes what they see from Montana Tech,” stated Brian Kukay.

The University of Idaho earned top honors in the overall canoe competition.  That being said, representatives from various universities all agreed that Tech’s team performed exceptionally well for wading back into the waters for the first time in over four years.  Tech’s canoe, coined “The Techtanic,” proved to be an ominous sight in the water.  It passed all flotation and submersion requirements and proved to be virtually indestructible as it held two, three, and four person teams in the slalom, endurance, and co-ed races.  Whereas other teams were seen taking on the 39°F water, and met their untimely demise in Lake Serenity, Tech’s rowing teams definitely kept their heads above water.  Unfortunately for some schools, a few more canoes did not survive the road trip to Montana.  Montana Tech’s official results from the canoe competition are below:

Design Paper – 9^th place

Oral Presentation – 7^th place, Final Product – 10^th place, Final Ranking – 10^th place

Women’s Results: Final Sprints - 6^th place, Slolom/Endurance Race – 5^th place

Men’s Results: Sprints – 5^th place, Slolom/Endurance Race – 5^th place

Coed Results: Sprints – 5^th place, Race Points – 14.4 points

Both the concrete canoe and steel bridge reflect a solid years worth of sweat equity.  At the end of it all, fundraising and design efforts culminate in producing a finished product and weighing in against competing universities.  Next year’s venues will be held at Washington State University.  The Montana Tech student chapter currently has its sights set on raising enough funds to purchase an enclosed trailer and intends on providing advertising space with contributor’s logos on the sides.  Co-presidents Megan Taylor and Kayla Schumacher said, “This item, though costly, would not only solidify us as a team but also create a presence when we take our game out on the road.”  Interested parties are asked to contact Montana Tech’s A.S.C.E. chapter at 496-4517 for additional information.

This year’s Bridge Design Team Members are: Jason Wright (captain), Jacque Ausen (captain), Anthony Laslovich, Chris Connors, Levi Hansen, and Cameron Drapes. Faculty Mentor: Brian Kukay.

This year’s Canoe Design Team members are: Taylor Flotre (captain), Zach Zimmerman (captain), Anthony Laslovich, Megan Taylor, Jacque Ausen, and Kayla Schumacher. Faculty Mentor: Brian Kukay.

On Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4, 2009, Montana Tech hosted the 31^st anniversary of the Intercollegiate Mining & Mucking Contest at the World Museum of Mining in Butte, Montana.

The all-day competition saw teams from Montana Tech of the University of Montana, Penn State, University of Nevada Reno Mackay, Virginia Tech, Western Australia School of Mines Kalgroolie, Western Australia School of Mines Perth, Missouri University of Science and Technology, University of Arizona, and Camborne School of Mines Great Britain.

The competition was broken down into men’s, women’s, co-ed, alumni and individual classes.  Teams competed in seven different events, which were hand steel, gold pan, jack leg, track stand, mucking, swede saw and survey. 

The Montana Tech women’s team placed third overall at the competition. They also took home third place in the hand steel, swede saw, mucking, track stand, and survey. The Montana Tech men’s team A placed first in the jack leg drilling and third in the gold pan competition. The Montana Tech men’s Sallies team placed first in mucking, second in track stand and third in hand steel.

Members of the Tech teams are: Heather Dahlman, Nicole Rowton, Sarah Upton, Nancy Tracy, Rosy Fier, Kyle Murphy, Leonard Brien, Bill Brosam, Taylor Schindler, Shawn Norton, Jack Stratton, Andy Sholty, Brendon Dale, Mike Pete, Tom Probert, Luke Rocco, Kyle Sullivan, John Hoover, Chester Melvin, John Seifert, Nate Wineingerr, Jake Kuchta, Brian Mangan, Phil Brumit, Cliff Stout, Pete Rossiter, Justin Patterson, Jake Whisonant and Jake Miller.

The members of the Montana Tech alumni team were Chad Ball, Travis Birkenbuel, Travis Chiotti, Todd Dahlman, Mike Lee and Nolan Smith.

Results from the competition appear below.

Alumni Teams

1^st place – Montana Tech

2^nd place – Desert Drunks – University of Arizona alumni

On Saturday, May 1^st, Montana Tech’s College of Technology will be hosting the Welder Wars Competition. High school teams from across the region will descend on the COT Welding Lab to compete in this annual event. There will be five teams, each with five team members. Competing high schools will include: Butte High School, Anaconda High School, Broadwater High School in Townsend, Thompson Falls High School and Beaverhead County High School in Dillon.

“This competition is a skills competition – as opposed to a speed competition,” said Mr. Dennis Noel, COT Welding Instructor and Competition Director. “The students will be competing in five different welding skills areas which will also test their ability to work as a team. The competition is focused this way because these skill areas and teamwork are the things which will be most needed in their future jobs.”

The five skill areas involved in the competition are kept secret until the day of the competition. All Montana Tech Students, Faculty and Staff, as well as the general public are welcome to attend and watch the fun, which begins at 10:00 AM.

“Not only is this competition a huge amount of fun for both the competitors and the audience,” said Dr. John M. Garic, Dean of the College of Technology. “But it is also, frankly, a chance for us to show-off Montana Tech and our College of Technology to the competing high school students. Our hope, of course, is that some of them – or all of them – might choose to come to college here.”

For any further information about this issue or any issue pertaining to Montana Tech, please contact Dr. John M. Garic at 406-496-3714 or Amanda Badovinac at 406-496-4828.

Montana Tech’s Hal Millegan, Ph.D., P.E., has recently been appointed by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Executive Committee for a two-year term to serve on the Application of Emerging Technologies to Design and Construction Committee.  TRB is a division of the National Research Council (NRC), a private, nonprofit institution that provides expertise in science and technology to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities.  The NRC is jointly administered by the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine.  Members of NRC technical committees serve as individuals, not as representatives of the organizations by which they are employed or of which they may be members.

Dr. Millegan is an Assistant Professor of Civil/Construction Engineering in the General Engineering Department at Montana Tech, and holds the Barnard Chair in Civil/Construction Engineering.  He joined Montana Tech in the Fall of 2008.  He earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering, both from Texas A & M University and a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Tennessee.  He is a professional engineer with expertise in construction engineering, transportation engineering, operation and management, system optimization, safety, security, and planning.  His work experience includes Senior Research Associate at the National Transportation Research Center in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Transportation Operations and Maintenance Manager for the City of Austin, Texas; Assistant Director of Engineering & Transportation for the City of Midland, Texas; Lecturer for the Department of Civil Engineering at Texas A & M University; and consulting to government and the private sector.

Drs. Andrea and Don Stierle, Department of Chemistry and Geochemistry at Montana Tech, were recently awarded an RO1 research grant from the National Institutes of Health/ National Cancer Institute.  RO1 grants are rarely awarded to 4 year colleges or universities.  The award of $650,000 is for 3 years.  The goal of this project is the discovery of new natural products with anticancer activity from the collection of extremophilic microbes that the Stierle lab has isolated from Berkeley Pit Lake and the surrounding landscapes.  

This new funding will allow the Stierles to continue their work with extremophilic microbes that has been supported for the past 5 years by both the National Institutes of Health and the US Geological Survey.  The Stierles have obtained almost $3 million in total funding to study these microbes.  The first five years of their studies have yielded several novel compounds including berkelic acid, which exhibited selective nanomolar activity against an ovarian cancer cell line (OVCAR-3) and berkeleydione, which exhibited selective low micromolar activity against non small cell lung cancer strain NCI-H460.

With their team of undergraduate researchers, the Stierles expect the next 3 years to be equally fruitful.

Pharmacy technicians assist in the various activities of a pharmacy not requiring the professional judgment of the pharmacist. They perform such duties as maintaining patient records, filling prescriptions, pricing, drug calculations, intravenous medication compounding, filing, dispensing routine orders for stock supplies and patient care areas, and maintaining inventory of drug supplies.

"Our Health Programs here at the COT are experiencing enrollment increases," said Ms. Laurie Noel, RN, the Chair of the COT Health Programs Department. "The addition of this new program will give our students another possible career path in the healthcare area."

The program is being offered in two ways: either, as a face-to-face course program in Missoula or as an online course program in Butte. Once the coursework is completed, all of the students will participate in an eight-week internship in a pharmacy.

"We are very excited to bring this new program to Montana Tech and the City of Butte" said Dr. John M. Garic, Dean of the College of Technology. "In today’s difficult economic and employment times, many taxpayers are looking to public higher education to help them find new lives and new careers. This program is an excellent use of tax dollars providing superior services to the public."

For any further information about this issue or any issue pertaining to Montana Tech, please contact Dr. John M. Garic at 406-496-3714, Laurie Noel at 406-496-3760 or Amanda Badovinac at 406-496-4828.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SME recently presented awards to Jami Girard Dwyer, Montana Tech alumna; Joseph M. Driscoll, Montana Tech alumnus; and Thomas Finch, Ph.D., former Montana Tech department head and mining engineering professor. Details of each individual’s award appears below. 

JAMI GIRARD DWYER

Jami Girard Dwyer recently received the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Explorations’ (SME) Mining & Exploration Division’s Distinguished Service Award.  She is the senior drill and blast projects engineer for Barrick Goldstrike Mines in Elko, NV.  In 1992, she received dual B.S. degrees in mining engineering and in applied computer science from Montana Tech.  She is a member of the school’s Mining Industrial Advisory Board.  In 2003, she received a M.S. degree in mining engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla.  Prior to joining Barrick Goldstrike, Dwyer worked for the U.S. Bureau of Mines, then the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH), in Spokane, WA. Her primary area of expertise was implementation and field-testing of instrumentation to advance knowledge and understanding of rock mass response to mining.  She worked on research projects at underground and open-pit mining operations throughout the United States.  The projects focused on rock mechanics, geotechnical design, rock-burst monitoring, in situ stress determinations and optimization of blasting to reduce over break, as well as the socioeconomic consequences of occupational injuries and fatalities in mines.  She has written more than 30 publications and presentation summarizing this work.  She was co-editor of the 32^nd APCOM proceedings and the lead editor for the proceedings of the 4^th North American Rock Mechanics Conference.

Dwyer was a member of the SME student chapter at Montana Tech.  She then served as vice-chair and chair of SME’s Columbia section for four years and served as the Golden Northwest Region Chair.  She is the current chair of the Professional Engineers Exam Committee.  She worked on the M&E Division Unit Planning Committee, the Peele Award Committee and as publications chair for the Mechanical Excavation Subcommittee.  She frequently serves as a mentor at the SME Annual Meeting.

JOSEPH M. DRISCOLL

The Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME) recently presented The President’s Citation award to Joseph M. Driscoll in recognition of “his singularly significant contributions as chairman and past chairman of the Mining & Exploration Division of SME. Under his leadership, the division has implemented its new governance structure and provided vision for the future needs of the society and its members. His insight and commitment have been invaluable.”


Driscoll was raised in a mining family in Butte, MT and later went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree in mining engineering from Montana Tech in 1987. He worked as the last underground miner in Butte at the Lexington Mine until 1992. He then moved to Elko, NV to work for Independence Mining at Jerritt Canyon as a mining engineer. He has since worked at several underground and surface operations on the Carlin Trend and the Midas Trend for Newmont, Queenstake and Barrick. He also worked at Stillwater’s underground platinum mine in Nye, MT.

Driscoll is currently the Leeville underground mine manager, Newmont’s largest underground gold operation located north of Carlin, NV. He received the second place Mine Manager of the Year Safety Award from the Nevada Mining Association in 2003, as well as the 2004 Montana Tech Alumni Recognition Award for his contribution in career advancement. Driscoll is the past chair of the Mining & Exploration Division and has held numerous chair positions during the past 10 years. He has served on the SME Board of Directors. He received one of the first SME Future Leaders Awards in 1998. He was a member of the Montana Tech Mining Advisory Board from 2002-2006 and helped recruit prospective mining engineering students.

THOMAS E. FINCH, Ph.D.

The Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME) recently presented The Ben F. Dickerson III Award to Thomas E. Finch. The award recognizes professionalism and contributions to the mining industry. Finch received B.S. and M.S. degrees in mining engineering from the University of Illinois. Later, he graduated with a Ph.D. in mining engineering from the University of Idaho. He worked for two years at the U.S. Bureau of Mines Research Station in Minneapolis. Two years teaching mining at the University of Wisconsin, Platteville, confirmed his career choice, and he then spent 31 years as a mining engineering professor at Montana Tech of the University of Montana. This included eight years as department head during the 1980s. All of the graduates were employed, and the department enjoyed good corporate support. Believing adamantly that today’s students are tomorrow’s mining future, he espoused a bit of environment, safety, economics and humanity in all his classes. For good or bad, he influenced more than 700 graduates.

Finch served on many SME committees, continually poking at the potential lethargy in education. He helped write and graded questions for the professional engineering exam. He reviewed nearly every mining school as an ABET visitor, urging the administrators to support these disappearing entities. He served on state committees to assist the mining industry, particularly with permitting and taxes. He was the advisory engineer when Arco closed its Butte operations and the city struggled successfully to save the operation. His educational activities included research and teaching tours to South Africa and West Iryan Jaya and a few domestic, industry special classes. Since retiring, he has remained in Butte, MT, where mining is booming, academically and in the ground.  

The conference sponsored multiple competitions over a two day period, from Sunday, March 8th through Mon, March 9th. Montana Tech competitors included Networking Technology majors, Glenda Crum, Zeb Kaupish, Corey Clark, Travis Bragg, and Matt Dunbar, along with Business & Information Technology major, Katie Faulkner and Computer Science major, Tyler Lee.

"Our students performed wonderfully," said Ms. Rita LaMiaux, Faculty Advisor and COT Instructor of Network Technology. "I am very proud of them."

Corey Clark earned 1st Place in Microsoft Network Administration, 1st Place in Cisco Systems Administration, 1st Place in Computer Network Technology Concepts, 1st Place in Information Technology Concepts, and 2nd Place in PC Service and Troubleshooting. Katie Faulkner earned 1st Place in Payroll Accounting and 3rd Place in Payroll Accounting. Matt Dunbar earned 1st Place in PC Servicing and Troubleshooting, 1st Place in Network Design Team (along with Travis Bragg), and 2nd Place in Microsoft Network Administration. Zeb Kaupish earned First Place in Computer Security and 4th Place in Cisco System Administration. Tyler Lee earned 1st Place in Fundamentals of XHTML, 1st Place in Java Programming and 3rd Place in PC Servicing and Troubleshooting. Travis Bragg earned 1st Place in Network Design Team (along with Matt Dunbar), 2nd Place in Cisco Systems Administration and 5th Place in PC Servicing and Troubleshooting. Glenda Crum earned 2nd Place in Fundamentals of XHTML, 2nd Place in Computer Network Technology Concepts, 2nd Place in Information Technology Concepts, 3rd Place in Cisco Systems Administration, and 4th Place in PC Servicing and Troubleshooting.

As a result of their successes in the competition, all seven students are now eligible to attend the national competition in Dallas, Texas to be held from May 6th – 10th. The group is in the midst of fundraising to fund their trip to the national competition event.

"It was no surprise to me that our students demonstrated that they can compete at the highest levels," said Dr. John M. Garic, Dean of the College of Technology. "This is yet another confirmation of the superior education received by Montana Tech students."

For any further information about this issue or any issue pertaining to Montana Tech, please contact Dr. John M. Garic at 406-496-3714 or Amanda Badovinac at 406-496-4828.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thirty-one years ago, five schools started a tradition called the Intercollegiate Mining & Mucking Contest.  The tradition has now grown to include 27 teams from all across the United States and beyond. On Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4, 2009, Montana Tech will host the 31^st anniversary of the Intercollegiate Mining & Mucking Contest at the World Museum of Mining in Butte, Montana.

The competition will run from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on each day.  Teams will practice the day before the event on Thursday, April 2, 2009.

The following schools will have teams represented at the competition: Montana Tech of the University of Montana, Penn State, University of Nevada Reno Mackay, Virginia Tech, Western Australia School of Mines Kalgroolie, Western Australia School of Mines Perth, University of South Dakota, Missouri University of Science and Technology, University of Arizona, and Camborne School of Mines Great Britain.

The competition is broken down into men’s, women’s, co-ed, alumni and individual classes.  Teams will compete in seven different events, which are hand steel, gold pan, jack leg, track stand, mucking, swede saw and survey.  Each team competes in all events to determine the overall winner.  Team scores are combined in each event to determine the final score and team’s place.  The team with the lowest overall score is the winner. 

At last year’s competition, the Montana Tech men’s team won first place overall in the men's class and the Montana Tech co-ed team won second place overall in the co-ed class.

The event is free and open to the public for viewing.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thirty one years ago, five schools started a tradition called the Intercollegiate Mining & Mucking Contest. The tradition has now grown to include 27 teams from all across the United States and beyond. On Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4, Montana Tech will host the 31^st anniversary of the Intercollegiate Mining & Mucking Contest at the World Museum of Mining in Butte, Montana.

The competition will run from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. All 27 teams will practice the day before the event on Thursday, April 2.

The following schools will have teams represented at the competition: Montana Tech of the University of Montana, Penn State, University of Nevada Reno Mackay, Virginia Tech, Western Australia School of Mines Kalgroolie, Western Australia School of Mines Perth, University of South Dakota, Missouri University of Science and Technology, University of Arizona, Camborne School of Mines Great Britain.

The competition is broken down into four different classes - men’s, women’s, co-ed, alumni and individuals with seven different events–hand steel, gold pan, jack leg, track stand, mucking, swede saw and survey. Each team competes in all events to determine the overall winner.  Team scores are combined in each event to determine the final score and team’s place. The team with the lowest overall score is the winner. 

At last year’s competition, Montana Tech’s men’s team won first place overall in the men's class and the Montana Tech co-ed team won second place overall in the co-ed class.

The Montana Tech team will practice every evening from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the World Museum of Mining from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm beginning Monday, March 23, 2009.

 The event is free and open to the public for viewing.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On Thursday, March 26, 2009, Newmont Mining Corporation, one of the world’s leading gold companies, presented Montana Tech with a gift in the amount of $320,000.  The gift, in support of Montana Tech’s comprehensive campaign, Strengthening Foundations...Ensuring the Future, will be used for the following purposes as designated by Newmont:

• Scholarship support for students and salary supplements for faculty in the Geological Engineering, Mining Engineering, and Metallurgical & Materials Engineering Departments;
• Research in both Mining and Metallurgical & Materials Engineering Departments;
• Continued support of the Newmont Lab Director in the Metallurgical & Materials Engineering Department
• Montana Tech Library; and
• Digger Athletics.

Montana Tech’s campaign is a seven-year campaign to raise funds for students, programs, faculty and capital projects at Montana Tech.  “We are pleased with Newmont’s donation and their continued support of Montana Tech.  These funds will be used in multiple ways to enhance our campus,” said Mike Johnson, Vice Chancellor of Development and Student Services and President of the Montana Tech Foundation.  “Montana Tech and Newmont have a strong relationship and we are proud to have them as a partner.”

Marc LeVier, Director of Metallurgical Services for Newmont Mining Corporation, presented the check to Chancellor Frank Gilmore; Mike Johnson; and Dr. Courtney Young, Montana Tech Department Head and ASARCO Distinguished Professor of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, at a ceremony on the Montana Tech campus.

“I had no idea that asking Mr. Marc LeVier to be on my advisory board about 8 years ago would blossom into what it is today,” said Dr. Courtney Young after the ceremony. 

 “Because of him, Newmont has infused so much funds and equipment into our department over the years that it truly is unbelievable.  As a result, the Metallurgical & Materials Engineering Department at Montana Tech is able to attract and retain the best of students with great scholarship opportunities, research projects at both the graduate and undergraduate level, and both summer and permanent employment. Newmont is a major reason why we have become a top-rated program in the country.  In fact, they are building on the successes we have had to include Mining Engineering and Geological Engineering and across the board with commitments to, for example, the Montana Tech Library, as well as Digger Athletics.  I have no doubt that all of the seeds they are planting at Montana Tech will blossom as well.  It’s simply wonderful!”

“Newmont is very proud to be in a successful partnership with Montana Tech in the development of the engineers and leaders of tomorrow,” said Marc LeVier at the ceremonial presentation today.  “Newmont continues to give back to the academic community of our industry and we believe that Montana Tech is a leading component of that community with Excellence, Pride, Dedication and Leadership in faculty, administration, students, and athletics.  My personal participation on the Metallurgical & Materials Engineering Department’s Industrial Advisory Board has afforded me the opportunity to help in building the partnership and identifying keys to success.  As a result, we are very pleased to provide gifts today totaling $320,000 to the Montana Tech Foundation.  Newmont considers Montana Tech to be one of the premier educators of engineers and such wants to be part of Tech’s continued success.

Butte, MT – Montana Tech of the University of Montana is pleased to announce that REC Silicon, the world’s largest dedicated producer of silicon materials for the photovoltaic industry, has pledged a gift to Montana Tech in the amount of $50,000.  The endowed gift in support of Montana Tech’s comprehensive campaign, Strengthening Foundations…..Ensuring the Future, will be used to create the REC Silicon Engineering Scholarship.  Montana Tech’s campaign is a seven-year campaign to raise funds for students, programs, faculty and capital projects at Montana Tech. 

“We are pleased to see this significant investment from a firm whose operations are in Butte and many alumni employees enable them to experience first-hand the quality of Montana Tech’s programs and students,” said Mike Johnson, Vice Chancellor of Institutional Advancement & Development and President of the Montana Tech Foundation.  “The REC Silicon Engineering Scholarship will help keep a Montana Tech education affordable.”

The REC Silicon Engineering Scholarship will be given to one full-time Montana Tech student each year.  The student must major in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mineral Processing, Metallurgical & Materials Engineering or Environmental Engineering; must be either a junior or senior; and maintain a 3.2 GPA.

“REC Silicon recognizes the value a Montana Tech education provides to industry throughout the world, and therefore, considers an endowment scholarship in Montana Tech Engineering an investment in our future,” said Ed Stepan, Sr. Human Resources Representative for REC Silicon’s Butte plant.

###

ABOUT REC

REC Silicon is a subsidiary of Renewable Energy Corporation (REC) of Norway.  REC was founded in 1996 and has quickly become one of the world’s leading businesses within solar energy.  The company has a presence in all parts of the industry value chain from production of raw material (REC Silicon) to solar energy products.  The energy market REC is in has been experiencing tremendous growth.   Currently, the solar market is constrained by silicon supply, so REC Silicon is rapidly expanding capacity by building new plants and de-bottlenecking existing facilities.  REC Silicon operates silicon refineries in Washington State and Montana.

On Friday, March 27, 2009, Montana Tech will host its annual Tech Scholar’s Day.  Tech Scholar’s Day is a day where Montana Tech invites all scholarship recipients and their families to campus for a day of fun and welcoming by Montana Tech students, faculty and staff.  At this event, Montana Tech celebrates the success, hard work, and accomplishments of each scholar. Montana Tech expects over 80 scholars to attend and over 115 family members.

A full agenda follows:

9:00 A.M.                    Check-in (HPER Complex - Lobby)

9:30 A.M.                    Student Challenge (HPER Complex)

11:00 A.M.                  Student Panel/Honors & Pre-Professional Programs (SUB - Copper Lounge)

12:00 P.M.                  Lunch & Awards (SUB - Dining Hall)                       

1:30 P.M.                    Student Advising OR Parent Panel (SUB - Copper Lounge)

2:30 P.M.                    Academic Presentation (Library Auditorium)

3:30 P.M.                    Closing (Library Auditorium)

For more information about Montana Tech’s Scholar’s Day, please contact Schylar Canfield at 406-496-4567.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BUTTE, MT - Jordan Cook, a sophomore Biological Sciences undergraduate at Montana Tech, has been selected as the third Montana Tech student in the past three years to participate in the 2009 Amgen-UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program) Scholars Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).  Jordan was selected as one of thirty students to participate in the Scholars Program.  This year, MIT received more than 400 applications from highly qualified students.

Each year, the Amgen-UROP Scholars Program invites undergraduates to participate in faculty-mentored summer research at MIT in the science and biotechnology areas.  Students admitted to the program (known as “Amgen Scholars”) have opportunities to conduct research, analyze data, present research results, network, and develop working relationships with MIT faculty mentors and other research staff. 


Amgen Scholars learn how to collaborate effectively in research settings while investigating areas of research interest within a specific discipline and gain practical skills and knowledge for both graduate study and post-graduation careers.  Participants become fully integrated in MIT’s summer research community.  Most importantly, Amgen Scholars become involved in exciting research and contribute to the advancement of science in an area of interest. 


Amgen Scholars are required to arrive at MIT on June 8, 2009.  The program runs from Tuesday, June 9 through Friday, August 7.  As an Amgen Scholar, Jordan is required to attend the Amgen Scholars Program National Symposium planned for July 18–20, at the University of California-Los Angeles. 


Participation in MIT’s Amgen-UROP’s Scholars Program offers the following benefits:

• Weekly research pay
• Housing in designated MIT residence halls
• Food allowance
• Travel expenses for visiting students to travel to and from Boston, MA, on June 8 and August 6, 2009
• July Research Symposium at UCLA: Travel costs to and from Los Angeles; food and lodging at the symposium

Jordan is an Anaconda, Montana native, who hopes to become an Osteopathic doctor and possibly attain her Ph.D. in the future.  Jordan enjoys playing tennis, cooking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends and her little sister Sara from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butte.  She learned of the internship opportunity in her sophomore seminar class from her instructors Drs. Marisa Pedulla and Amy Kuenzi, Jordan’s mentor. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BUTTE, MT — Jennifer Titus of Wise River was named the Montana Environmental Education Association’s “Environmental Educator of the Year” at the organization’s annual conference and awards ceremony Friday in Helena.

Titus is the Field Coordinator for the Clark Fork Watershed Education Program (CFWEP) at Montana Tech. For the past three years, Titus has been a leading player in the interdisciplinary, place-based science education program that has served more than 11,000 students in southwest Montana since its inception in 2005. She came to the fledgling program in 2006 as an AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA). She quickly put her own touches and improvements on the program’s curriculum, a series of four in-class lessons and one field day delivered to all middle school students in the Clark Fork Basin from Butte to Missoula. The lessons cover environmental science education and the environmental history of the Clark Fork Basin, the nation’s largest complex of Superfund environmental clean-up sites.

As part of her work, Jen has helped forge a network of expert volunteers and scientists from around the region, bringing them into classrooms and into the field, where they work directly with students as volunteer field station leaders and mentors. Because of Jen’s dedication, thousands of Montana students have been exposed to biologists, engineers, geologists, foresters, and more from groups like Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks; the Forest Service; the Montana University System; the Department of Environmental Quality; and the Natural Resource Damages Program, to name a few. 

Of particular note, Titus implemented a highly successful Tout in the Classroom program, a cooperative effort between CFWEP; Fish, Wildlife and Parks; and the George Grant and other area chapters of Trout Unlimited. She also launched an after-school science mentorship program at East Middle School that helped send several projects to the state science fair in Missoula.

Jen has also served the region’s teachers through CFWEP’s numerous teacher training programs. Through workshops and other professional development activities, Jen has shared environmental science curriculum materials, lessons, activities and information about the Clark Fork Basin environment with more than 100 teachers.

For more information on restoration and education in the Upper Clark Fork Basin, visit the CFWEP website at www.cfwep.org. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Butte, MT – The M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust of Vancouver, Washington, is pleased to announce that it has awarded a grant of $15,000 to Montana Tech of the University of Montana. This award will enable Kate McElroy, a science teacher at Anaconda High School of Anaconda, MT, to form a partnership with Dr. Marisa Pedulla to conduct research during the next two summers in the Department of Biology at Montana Tech of the University of Montana. The title of the research to be conducted is Isolation and Characterization of a Hot Springs Extremophile. The award also includes funds to attend two national Partners in Science conferences where Kate McElroy will share the results of each summer’s research.

This grant has been awarded through a competitive process in the Partners in Science Program at the Murdock Trust. Applications are accepted from high school teachers and mentors from a five-state region to conduct summer research. The primary goal of the program is to provide high school science teachers with opportunities to work at the cutting edge of science, and thus to revitalize their teaching and help them appreciate the use of inquiry-based methods in the teaching of science. The selection of awardees is based on the qualifications of the partner members, the quality of scientific research proposed, and the potential of its impact on the high school setting.

The Murdock Trust, created by the will of the late Melvin J. (Jack) Murdock, provides grants to organizations in five states of the Pacific Northwest that seek to strengthen the region’s educational and cultural base in creative and sustainable ways. The Partners in Science Program is one of its many efforts to do so in its grant making region.

A group of Carpentry Technology students from the College of Technology is working to complete a new home in partnership with Habitat For Humanity of Southwest Montana. Completion of the home is expected to be done by the end of the Spring Semester - weather permitting.

Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Montana is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing organization.  Since 1976, Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses around the world, housing more than 1.5 million people in 3,000 communities, in more than 120 countries, including some 50,000 houses across the United States. The local affiliate is active in several Southwest Montana counties and has completed more than 30 homes since its first was completed in 1997.

“By building this house, our Carpentry students are getting to apply the skills they have learned in a real-world construction situation,” said Bill Ryan, COT Carpentry Instructor and Chair of the Trades & Technology Department.  “And frankly,” added Brian Holm, COT Carpentry Instructor, “I think the students are also having a lot of fun in the process.”

Habitat for Humanity International gives three reasons that their homes are affordable to low income people.  First, homes are sold at no profit to the low income owners, with no interest charged on the mortgage. Second, the homeowners and many volunteers build the houses under trained supervision. And third, individuals, corporations, faith groups and others provide financial support.

“With Habitat for Humanity getting their home built and the students getting an education, this seems like a genuine win-win scenario for everyone concerned,” said Dr. John M. Garic, Dean of the College of Technology.  “But, you know, this is more than just building a home or getting an education.  This partnership is a wonderful exercise in civic engagement in which the students are actively involved in the betterment of their community.  I couldn’t be more pleased.”

Students working on the Habitat for Humanity house include: Sean Timmerman, Matt Study, Mikela Liebel, Rick Turcotte, Gary Grant, Devin Goosey, Austin Anderson, Kevin Holzwarth, Jon Jenkins and Rob Sevores.

For any further information about this issue or any issue pertaining to Montana Tech, please contact Dr. John M. Garic at 406-496-3714 or Amanda Badovinac at 406-496-4828.

On Thursday, March 12, 2009, Montana Tech hosted 71 students from 7 high schools across Western Montana in the Montana Tech Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Every student was judged by a team of experts and the top third of the projects earned the right to compete at the state science fair which will be held in Missoula, MT March 23 & 24, 2009.

The highlight of the fair, was the awarding of the Montana Tech Silver Access Fee Waiver, a scholarship valued at nearly $4,000, to Butte High School student Danielle Bay. Danielle plans to major in Nursing. The project, Augmentation of the Highlands Bighorn Sheep Herd in Southwest Montana earned Miss Bay and her teammate, Christopher Doyle many awards.

Making history, Butte High School earned the top performing school for the first time at this fair in nearly a decade. This accomplishment was achieved with a sweeping of all four Butte High competitors earning Grand Prize Overall Awards. Those students are; Danielle Bay, Christopher Doyle, Daoning Zhou, and Andrew MacGregor. Earning the Grand Prize Overall Award, entitles these four students to all-expense paid trips to compete at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Reno, NV this May. The trip is sponsored by Montana Tech and the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation.

Second Place School was earned by Missoula Sentinel High School with 78% of their students earning medals.

Rudolfo Villarreal-Calderon from Big Sky High School earned 3^rd Place Individual Grand Award. Luke VonLanKen and Bryce Caye from Missoula Sentinel earned 3^rd Place Team Grand Award. These students will serve as alternates to the ISEF fair in case one of the Butte students cannot attend.

A detailed listing of which students earned medals and the thirty-nine special awardees are below. 

Montana Tech Regional Science and Engineering Fair

Bronze Medal Winners

Grade:   9

Team Project

9406   The Use of Chemical Oxygen Demand to Determine the Methane Output of Spent Brewer's Grains

McKinney, Nicholas - Big Sky High School

Grade:   10

Engineering

7804   Piezoelectricity Used to Harness the Energy of the Ocean

Koester, Timothy - Hellgate High School

Team Project

9402   Do Mining Operations Affect the Aquatic Insect Population In Montana Rivers

Harris, Chris - Missoula Sentinal High School

Hunton, Kolin - Missoula Sentinal High School

Grade:   12

Computer Science

7601   Using ImageJ In the Numerical Study of Neurons in Fluoroscopy

James, Desiree - Hellgate High School

Engineering

7803   A Magnetic Levitation Runway for Commercial Aircraft

Hicks, Luke - Missoula Sentinal High School

7807   Building an Autonomous Aquatic Robot

Haith, Sarah - Hellgate High School

7806   Metallurgy CSI

Howard, Elliot - Hellgate High School

Team Project

9406   The Use of Chemical Oxygen Demand to Determine the Methane Output of Spent

Brewer's Grains

Brault, Christopher - Big Sky High School

Montana Tech Regional Science and Engineering FairSilver Medal Winners

Grade:   10

Animal Science/Zoology

7101   The Probability of Wolverine Using the Levy Walk

Stevenson, Jessy - Hellgate High School

Mathematical Sciences

8300   The Relationship between the Knowledge of Basic Arithmetic Facts and Success in Higher Lever Math

Shannon, Brandon - Missoula Sentinal High School

Grade:11

Animal Science/Zoology

7102   An Evaluation of Pattee Creek Missoula, MT, and the Effectiveness of the Restoration Efforts on

Dickson, Rose - Big Sky High School

Physics and Astronomy

8604   The Streaming Velocities of Pulsating Aurora

Parrott, Derek - Missoula Sentinel High School

Team Project

9404   The Effects of Millltown Dam Removal on Macro-Invertebrate Populations in the Clark Fork River

Caye, Bryce - Missoula Sentinal High School

9404   The Effects of Milltown Dam Removal on Macro Invertebrate Populations in the Clark Fork River

VonLanken, Luke - Missoula Sentinal High School

Grade:   12

Earth and Planetary Science

7701   Correlating Class A Pan Evaporation to Cloud Cover

Viktora, Aleeshia - Hellgate High School

Engineering

7808   An Exploration of Wind Belt Technology Applied to the Energy Needs of Rural, Agricultural Montana

Elrod, Thomas - Hellgate High School

Environmental

8100   Effect of Constructed Wetlands on Water Temperature: Implications for Native Trout Populations

Stringer, Allison - Missoula Sentinal High School

Medicine and Health Sciences

8405   Emissions of Road Dust & its Relation to Pulmonary Disease

Brendal, Caitlyn - Big Sky High School

Montana Tech Regional Science and Engineering Fair Gold Medal Winners

Grade:   10

Behavioral and Social Sciences

7200   A Cross Country Look at the Multifactor Productivity of Research and Development Spending

Gagliardi, Richard - Hellgate High School

Medicine and Health Sciences

8401   Isolating a Novel Antibiotic from Bacillus flexus, a Bacterium Found in the Human Microbiome

Macgregor, Andrew - Butte High School

Grade:   11

Environmental

8101   Air Pollution and Myocardial Inflammation

Villarreal-Calderon, Rodolfo - Big Sky High School

Microbiology

8501   A counter selectale marker for Borrelia burgdorferi

Douglass, Miles - Hellgate High School

8500   Isolating an Anti-cancer Compound from the Acid Mine Fungus Trichoderma virens

Zhou, Daoning - Butte High School

Grade:   12

Plant Sciences

8701   Effects of Extracts of Leaves from Centaurea maculosa (Spotted Knapweed) on Germination of Grass

DeNitto, Sarah - Big Sky High School

Team Project

9405   Augmentation of the Highlands Bighorn Sheep Herd in Southwest Montana

Bay, Danielle - Butte High School

Doyle, Christopher - Butte High School

Montana Tech is sponsoring a Mock Date Rape Trial on Wednesday, March 11^th from 2:30 – 3:30 pm in the Library Auditorium. The mock trial will be a shortened version of an actual trial in which a male student is accused of date rape by a female student.

“We hope to raise awareness among students that alcohol combined with poor choices and misunderstandings, such as when saying ‘No’ might not be heard correctly, can potentially turn into really bad situations,” said Cricket Pietsch, Counselor for the College of Technology.

Participating in the mock trial event will be two students (who will be acting the roles of the female victim and male alleged perpetrator), along with an actual prosecutor from County Attorney Eileen Joyce’s Office, an actual attorney from the Public Defender’s Office and former judge, Dr. John Garic, now Dean of the College of Technology.

“As a university, our primary mission is to educate our students,” said Dr. Garic. “To that end, we have purposefully scheduled this mock trial during the week before Spring Break, a time often associated with alcohol consumption, abuse and other risky behaviors. We hope this event serves a valuable educational purpose and helps keep our students safe and out of trouble during Spring Break.”

For any further information about this issue or any issue pertaining to Montana Tech, please contact Dr. John M. Garic at 406-496-3714 or Amanda Badovinac at 406-496-4828.

On February 25 & 26, the students at Montana Tech were asked to vote on whether they were willing to pay additional fees to fund the $3 million dollar HPER project.  Their input and vote was needed prior to any further action taken with regards to this proposal.  The results of the vote showed that 234 students were in favor of the renovation project and 45 students were against the project.

If a student voted for the renovation, they were asked to choose a scenario: 

·         $8.33 per credit up to 12 credits per semester over 10 years ($99.96 Max)

·         $6.02 per credit up to 12 credits per semester over 15 years ($72.24 Max)

The Montana Tech students were nearly split on whether they would prefer a 10-year payment period or a 15-year payment horizon.  This decision and the results of the vote will now go to the Board of Regents meeting in May for their ultimate decision.

Athletic Director Joe McClafferty voiced his enthusiasm when he learned of the student vote.  “It is exciting that our student body has a strong interest in improving the recreational component of the HPER.  We want to make this facility as inviting and functional as possible,” said McClafferty.

Between now and the Board of Regents meeting in May, Montana Tech will gather input on how the building should be modified to accomplish the vision.  Please watch for your chance to comment.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Beta Xi Sigma Chapter of the two-year honor society, Phi Theta Kappa, inducted thirteen new students at a Monday evening ceremony at the Montana Tech College of Technology. This was the fourth annual induction ceremony of the honor society.

The national honor society was established in 1918 in order to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and provide opportunities for individual growth and development through honors, leadership and service programming. Membership is by invitation only and requires students to be enrolled in a two-year degree program and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher with at least twelve college credits completed.

“Because of the small size of our student population and the very busy lives of our students, we are a small student club,” said Math Instructor, Susan Leland, who, along with and Business Instructor, Vickie Petritz, serve as Faculty Advisors to the Chapter. “But I am very proud to say that we are one student club in which the members really want to be active and involved in making our college and community better places to live, work and learn.”

Speaking at the ceremony were Dr. Frank Gilmore, Montana Tech Chancellor, Dr. Doug Abbott, Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs & Research, Dr. John M. Garic, Dean of the College of Technology and Ms. Corey Clark, Chapter President. The newly inducted students include: Jamie Costle, Krista Henderson. Kevin Holzwarth, Jenna Kindred, Donald Lepinsky, Kristina Mccoy, Bret Peterson, Kelley Rauch, Brian Sandford, Tammera Sherwood, Kylie Vauthier, Cathy Westfall and Gerald Winter, Jr.

For any further information about this issue or any issue pertaining to Montana Tech, please contact Dr. John M. Garic at 406-496-3714 or Amanda Badovinac at 406-496-4828.

Eight students from Montana Tech’s College of Technology will be traveling in early March to South Dakota to participate in the North Central Regional Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition. The competition focuses on the operational aspect of managing and protecting existing ‘commercial’ network infrastructures.

“This is a great opportunity for our students to test their knowledge and skills involving major computer networks,” said Jim Freebourn, Network Technology Instructor and Team Advisor. “Additionally, the students will have valuable opportunities to network with industry professionals about potential future jobs.”

Only five schools will participate in the North Central Regional Competition which will be held at Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota. The regional universities competing are: Dakota State University, The University of Wyoming, The University of Sioux Falls and The University of South Dakota. The winners of this competition will enjoy an all-expense paid trip to compete at the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition in San Antonio, Texas this coming April.

“I am very proud of these students,” said Dr. John M. Garic, Dean of the College of Technology. ”I admired their determination as they worked hard to raise the money for this trip. They were able to secure pledges of support from the ASMT, the College of Letters, Sciences & Professional Studies, the College of Technology and from their own Super Bowl Fundraiser. Theirs was truly a university-wide effort. I wish them the best of luck in the competition.”

The eight students are all members of the student organization, the CCCD Club. They are: Kevin Benton (President), Steven Riehl (Vice-President), Cory Mus (Treasurer), Patrick Guinard (Secretary), Robert Fitzgerald, David Splittberger, Jason Otten and James Burk.

For any further information about this issue or any issue pertaining to Montana Tech, please contact Dr. John M. Garic at 406-496-3714 or Amanda Badovinac at 406-496-4828.

Montana Tech of the University of Montana is pleased to announce that faculty members, David Armstrong, PE; Dr. Jerome Downey, PE; and Dr. Mary MacLaughlin, have been awarded Goldcorp. Inc Professorships.  These professorships were made possible through a gift from Goldcorp. Inc. to the Montana Tech Foundation in support of Montana Tech’s campaign, Strengthening Foundations…Ensuring the Future.  

In May 2008, Goldcorp. Inc, one of the world’s largest gold mining companies, created the Goldcorp, Inc. Endowed Professorship.  The professorship is used to supplement the salaries of faculty members within the departments of Mining Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, and Geological Engineering. 

David Armstrong, PE, Montana Tech Mining Engineering Associate Professor, received the Goldcorp Professorship for the Mining Engineering Department. With over thirty years of industry experience, David brings his knowledge and experience into the classroom. He has been at Montana Tech since 2007 and teaches courses in Mineral Economics, Mine Valuation, Mine Management, and Computerized Mine Design. David holds a Bachelor of Science in Mineral Engineering – Mathematics from the Colorado School of Mines, a Master of Science in Mathematics from the Colorado School of Mines, and a Master of Science in Business Administration from the University of Denver.

Dr. Jerome Downey, PE, Montana Tech Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Assistant Professor, received the Goldcorp Professorship in the Metallurgical Engineering Department. Jerry has 29 years of industrial experience and is an outstanding teacher and researcher. Jerry holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Metallurgical Engineering from Montana Tech and a Ph.D. in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. 

Dr. Mary MacLaughlin, Montana Tech Geological Engineering Professor, received the Goldcorp Professorship for the Geological Engineering Department. Mary is an outstanding professor of engineering, excellent teacher and outstanding researcher. Dr. MacLaughlin holds a Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering from the University of Minnesota, a Master of Science in Civil (Geotechnical) Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in Civil (Geotechnical Engineering) from the University of California at Berkeley.

“We are thankful to Goldcorp for partnering with Montana Tech and providing these professorships. They allow Montana Tech to attract and retain the best faculty members possible and in turn, recruit and graduate top notch students,” said Mike Johnson, Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement and Development and President of the Montana Tech Foundation.  

For Immediate Release

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) has awarded Montana Tech of the University of Montana a silver medal in the Video & Multimedia category for Tech’s advertising spots for the University’s Get Into It! campaign.  The television adverting spots feature Montana Tech students in the classroom, in the laboratory, and in the field obtaining real-world experience. 

Amanda Badovinac, Director of Public Relations and Marketing, and Peggy McCoy, Director of Alumni Affairs, will receive the award in Seattle on Friday, February 20, 2009 on behalf of Montana Tech.  This is the second award Montana Tech has received for their Get Into It! campaign.  In 2008, Montana Tech was awarded a bronze medal from the CASE District VIII Awards.

“This silver medal recognizes our efforts to effectively market our institution and to enhance our Get Into It! brand,” said Mike Johnson, Vice-Chancellor of Institutional Advancement and President of the Montana Tech Foundation.  “Our team has worked hard to produce advertising that shows our campus and features our incredible students in the classroom and in the field.”  

The CASE District VIII Communication Awards is a yearly program designed to recognize institutional excellence in marketing and communications.  The CASE awards represent the best work produced by universities in the Northwestern United States and western Canada.

CASE is the professional organization for advancement professionals at all levels who work in alumni relations, communications, fundraising, marketing and other areas in higher education.  The CASE District VIII has long been admired throughout CASE for its innovation, creativity, financial health and leadership.  Established in 1974, District VIII is the largest of CASE's eight North American Districts geographically, encompassing the western Canadian provinces and territories in addition to states in the Pacific Northwest.

For Immediate Release

Dr. Courtney Young, Montana Tech Department Head and ASARCO Distinguished Professor of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, will receive the 2008 Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) President’s Citation, which recognizes significant individual contributions to SME. 

SME is an international society of professionals in the minerals industry.  Membership is more than 12,000 strong, with nearly 100 countries being represented.  Since its inception in 1871 as an affiliate society to The American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers (AIME), SME continues to evolve to stay abreast of industry changes and to reflect the ever-broadening interests of its members.  SME has seven divisions of which Dr. Young is most active with the mineral and metallurgical processing division (MPD).  He serves on their Executive Board and was recently named to serve on the SME’s Robert H. Richards Award Committee, as well as AIME’s Mineral Industry Education Award Committee.

Dr. Young will be presented with the award at the SME Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado in February 2009.  His citation will read “The Society recognizes Courtney Young for his contribution in developing and organizing the 6^th International Symposium on Hydrometallurgy.  His leadership and dedication to the dissemination of technical information is acknowledged with appreciation.”

Dr. Young has a great reputation for organizing the best of symposia, having done 9 to date; however, he is always quick to recognize his colleagues that he feels fortunate enough to work with: “I might be the quarterback on efforts like this but they amount to nothing without a great offensive line!”   Consequently, regarding the aforementioned symposium, he in turn extends his appreciation to Dr. Corby Anderson, Director for the Center for Advanced Mineral & Metallurgical Processing (CAMP) at Montana Tech; Dr. Pat Taylor, The Ansell Professor of Metallurgy at Colorado School of Mines; Dr. Yeonuk Choi, Manager at Barrick Gold Corporation; as well as the behind-the-scene efforts of Mr. Marc LeVier, Director of Metallurgical Research and Development at Newmont Mining Corporation. 

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Montana Tech Biomedical Engineering graduate, Ashley Hunt, has worked for the past year with the International Heart Institute (IHI) in Missoula, Montana on a research project using magnets to repair heart valves.

“Ashley is the fourth Montana Tech graduate student to complete their thesis research in heart valves and repairs in collaboration with the International Heart Institute in Missoula. Ashley’s research lays the foundation for using magnets to repair heart valves without going through invasive surgical procedures. Smart engineers like Ashley, working hand-in-hand with medical doctors, can make a significant difference in our health care,” said Dr. Kumar Ganesan, Montana Tech Environmental Engineering Professor and Department Head.

Ashley worked directly with Dr. Carlos Duran, a world-renowned cardiac surgeon, and his team at the International Heart Institute to evaluate the performance of magnets as a treatment for functional mitral valve insufficiency. Functional mitral valve insufficiency is an abnormal leaking of blood due to improper co-optation of the leaflet of the heart valve. Mitral valve regurgitation (MR) causes the heart to pump more blood per heart beat which adds stress to the heart and volume overload.

Ashley selected four magnets with specific volume and grade for the experiment. The magnets were sutured on the epicardium of the heart parallel to the papillary muscles. The hearts were attached to a pulse duplicator to simulate the heart beat. Sono-crystals were used to measure the movement of the heart walls. The magnetic forces by pulling the papillary muscles closer together prevent mitral valve regurgitation. Cardiac surgeons believe that moving the papillary muscles by 2 to 5 mm closer will help the leaflets to co-apt properly and to correct the MR.

The results of Ashley’s research more closely represented the performance of a magnet during the contraction of the heart. The results indicated that the magnets have the power to move the papillary muscles to correct MR; however, the magnet used is too large in size for any practical application at this point. Therefore, magnets that are powerful but small in size need to be developed for practical applications.

After completing her research, Ashley presented her thesis titled, “A System, including Method and Apparatus, for Treatment of Functional Mitral Valve Insufficiency Utilizing Magnets." Ashley’s thesis was accepted and she graduated with a Master of Science degree in December 2008.

Ashley, who transferred from Canada to Montana Tech over three years ago, holds an Applied Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Ecology from Mount Royal College in Calgary, a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from Montana Tech and a Master of Science in the Interdisciplinary Master of Science program in Biomedical Engineering from Montana Tech. “Coming to Montana Tech has been an excellent experience for me. It has been an honor to have had Dr. Kumar Ganesan as an advisor and as a mentor,” said Ashley.

For more information, please contact Dr. Kumar Ganesan at 406-496-4239 or Amanda Badovinac at 406-496-4828.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Butte, MT - Dr. Corby Anderson, CEng, FIChemE, Director of the Center for Advanced Mineral and Metallurgical Processing (CAMP) and Research Professor of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at Montana Tech of the University of Montana, will present at the 138^th Annual Meeting and Exhibition of The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS) in San Francisco on February 17, 2009.  Dr. Anderson will present during the Extraction and Processing Division and Materials and Manufacturing Division luncheon lecture. His presentation is titled “The Theory and Application of Nitrogen Species Catalyzed Pressure Oxidation and Alkaline Sulfide Hydrometallurgy.

“I am deeply honored and pleased to present to my respected colleagues at the TMS meeting,” said Dr. Corby Anderson.

The TMS Annual Meeting and Exhibition is the ultimate networking experience for materials professionals.  Nearly 4,000 business leaders, engineers, scientists and other materials professionals working in industry, government and academia travel from 68 countries to the TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition.

A native of Butte, Montana and Montana Tech alumnus, Corby has over 29 years of applied experience in process, chemical and metallurgical engineering, engineering services, research, consulting and industrial plant operations.  Experienced and trained in pyrometallurgy, he also has extensive industrial experience in hydrometallurgy, electrometallurgy, environmental metallurgy and mineral processing.  He has developed and implemented novel hydrometallurgical technologies for pressure leaching, vat leaching, precious metal recovery, base metal recovery, process control, separations, purifications, refining and electrolysis.  Corby holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Montana State University, a Master of Science in Metallurgical Engineering from Montana Tech, and a PhD in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Idaho.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montana Tech of the University of Montana and Destiny University School of Medicine and Health Sciences have partnered to enhance educational opportunities offered to students. This partnership allows Montana Tech students, with a “B” average and a Bachelor of Science degree in either Biology or Chemistry, to receive automatic acceptance into Destiny University. 

The partnership will help achieve Destiny University’s goal to make medical school more accessible for current and prospective students, and address the shortage of doctors in Montana and across the nation.  The partnership will provide an avenue for Montana Tech students to automatically be accepted to Destiny University and ultimately increase the number of graduating physicians from Destiny University. 

“We are pleased to form this partnership with Destiny University.  Montana Tech is always happy to present new and exciting opportunities to our students.  This partnership, which lessens the uncertainty associated with pursuing a career in medicine, is good for our students, for Montana, and for the nation,” said Dr. Doug Coe, Dean of the School of Letters and Sciences at Montana Tech.  “We look forward to seeing an increase in the number of Montana Tech students entering medical school and eventually practicing medicine.”  

For more information, please contact Dr. Dan Harrington, of Destiny University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, at 406-533-6760 or 800-448-4008 or visit www.destinyuniversity.edu.lc or Dr. Doug Coe, Dean of the School of Letters and Sciences at Montana Tech at 406.496.4207.

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ABOUT DESTINY UNIVERSITY

Destiny University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (Destiny University)was established in 2001 with the goal of combining traditional education and modern technology to train Physicians worldwide.  Destiny University operates a US-style (4 year) medical curriculum.  Destiny University is located in Saint Lucia, West Indies, with its U.S. Information Office located in Butte, Montana.

The Student Leadership Team of Montana Tech’s College of Technology will sponsor a Veteran’s Appreciation Day on Tuesday, February 17^th at noon in the COT Commons. The event has two purposes: first, it is intended to demonstrate honor, respect and appreciation for its students, faculty and staff who are veterans; and second, it is intended to dovetail with Veteran’s Awareness Day which is scheduled for February 21^st from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Butte Plaza Mall.

“We have a number of students who are Veterans,” said Cricket Pietsch, Counselor for the College of Technology. “We want to make sure that we are here for them as they transition into and through their academic careers.”

Scheduled speakers at the COT Veteran’s Appreciation Day will include Butte’s Chief Executive, Paul Babb, COT Dean, Dr. John M. Garic, and others, including current and former active duty Veterans.

“Our Veterans have put themselves on the line and have made significant personal sacrifices in service to our country. That has great meaning to me. Not only is it important that our student Veterans know that they are appreciated, it is just as important that all of our students, faculty and staff have an opportunity to show their appreciation. “

For any further information about this issue or any issue pertaining to Montana Tech, please contact Dr. John M. Garic at 406-496-3714 or Amanda Badovinac at 406-496-4828.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Butte, MT - Dr. Corby Anderson, CEng, FIChemE, Director of the Center for Advanced Mineral and Metallurgical Processing (CAMP) and Research Professor of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at Montana Tech of the University of Montana, has been selected by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, the premier professional society for the worldwide mining and mineral community, as the recipient of the 2008 Milton E. Wadsworth Award. The Wadsworth Award is given for a distinguished contribution that advances understanding of the science and technology of non-ferrous chemical metallurgy.

Corby was recognized for his notable contributions in hydrometallurgical research and his role as Director of the Center for Advanced Mineral and Metallurgical Processing (CAMP). CAMP is a self sustaining Montana State Center of Excellence created in 1989 by an act of the Montana Legislature. The Center for Advanced Mineral and Metallurgical Processing facilitates cooperation between the university system and industry to enhance the economy of the State of Montana by supporting, developing and adding value to the global mineral, metallurgical, and materials industry. Economic enhancement is encouraged through added value processing of minerals, materials, and wastes while developing processes that minimize waste generation.

A native of Butte, Montana and a Montana Tech alumnus, Corby has over 29 years of applied experience in process, chemical and metallurgical engineering, engineering services, research, consulting and industrial plant operations. Experienced and trained in pyrometallurgy, he also has extensive industrial experience in hydrometallurgy, electrometallurgy, environmental metallurgy and mineral processing. He has developed and implemented novel hydrometallurgical technologies for pressure leaching, vat leaching, precious metal recovery, base metal recovery, process control, separations, purifications, refining and electrolysis. Corby holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Montana State University, a Master of Science in Metallurgical Engineering from Montana Tech, and a PhD in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Idaho.

This honor comes with the opportunity to present to his peers at the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) Annual.             

For Immediate Release

(Helena) Nonprofit Student Assistance Foundation (SAF) is offering a $1,000 grant in each of Montana’s 56 counties to help students attain their dreams of postsecondary education.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, Montana students may apply for a Circle of Succe$$ grant to help cover the cost of tuition and related expenses.

“When it comes to paying for college, every little bit counts,” said Marti Johnson, grants manager for SAF. “It’s especially important now given the current state of the economy and the fact that many grant and scholarship programs are being scaled back as a result of the situation. It’s SAF’s privilege to be able to invest in Montana students’ futures in this way.”

This marks the fourth year that SAF has sponsored the Circle of Succe$$ grant program. Since the inception of the program, SAF and its generous donors have been able to provide $175,000 to help students continue their higher education.

The grant program was originally funded solely through payroll deductions by SAF employees. Now, funds raised through SAF’s annual golf scramble also are used to provide the grants.

“The Circle of Success Grant I received relieved the financial burden I encountered by helping finance my educational costs. I was elated to be awarded this grant even though I didn’t expect to receive it,” said Tammy Gordon, a business major at Montana Tech.

In order to qualify for a Circle of Succe$$ grant, applicants must be Montana residents attending a Montana college or university at least half time, be in their second, third or fourth year of postsecondary education and maintaining at least a 2.5 grade point average (GPA). A committee of SAF employees evaluates the applications to determine who receives the grants.

To apply, students may visit www.SmartAboutCollege.org before the March 15, 2009 deadline, click on the “Circle of Succe$$ grants” tab and follow the instructions. For more information, call toll free 877-COLG4ME (265-4463).

Student Assistance Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Montana corporation that provides students with knowledge and tools to finance and pursue their postsecondary education.  Funds generated by SAF are returned to Montanans in the form of education grants and public benefit programs - to date more than $13.5 million.  For more information, visit www.safmt.org or www.SmartAboutCollege.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Snow plows are a common sight much of the year in Montana. And while there are many different kinds of snow plows, the County of Anaconda‐Deer Lodge will soon have a snow plow designed specifically for it by two students at Montana Tech’s College of Technology. Graduating drafting student and Anaconda resident, Kevin Stone and Jonathan Williams of Butte, took on the project as a course project.

Anaconda‐Deer Lodge County Works Department employee Mike Kovacich contacted Associate Dean and Drafting Instructor Steve Luft about a potential student project. The project was to reverse engineer and document a shop‐built snow plow they are currently using. Mike assembled their plow from a Montana Department of Transportation snow plow and one from Idaho’s Department of Transportation. With Mike looking to retire soon, all of the mental information needed to be transferred to paper for future employees to construct other plows. The two students worked very closely with Mike to make sure that everything was documented. This documentation process consisted of measure parts, scanning patterns, reproducing sketches and interviewing Mike.

“It was a huge project and it was a lot of hard work but it was also very fulfilling,” said Jon.

Luft commented: “You would be surprised to learn how many parts make up a front‐end snow plow in order to operate properly. Because this snow plow is not made by any commercial manufacturers, each of its parts had to be separately designed; and, of course, each part will have to be separately manufactured and then assembled. These two have done excellent work on this project.”

The students presented their work to their client, the Anaconda‐Deer Lodge County Works Department. The design was approved and the County has proceeded to make the parts, put them together and then install the prototype plow on the front end of a truck.

For any further information about this issue or any issue pertaining to Montana Tech, please contact Dr. John M. Garic at 406-496-3714 or Amanda Badovinac at 406-496-4828.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dr. Courtney Young, Montana Tech Department Head and ASARCO Distinguished Professor of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, is the recipient of the Frank F. Aplan Award from the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers (AIME).  

AIME recognizes outstanding achievement in technology, research, production, development and administration through the conferring of several major achievement awards. The Frank F. Aplan Award was established by the United Engineering Foundation (UEF) in 1989 and transferred to AIME in recognition of engineering or scientific contributions that further the understanding of the technology of coal and/or mineral processing.

Dr. Young holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mineral Processing Engineering from Montana Tech, a Master of Science in Mining and Minerals Engineering from Virginia Tech and a Ph.D. in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Utah. His research interests consist of mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, nanotechnology, and their applications in waste water treatment, waste minimization, and recycling.  Currently, Dr. Young is researching the slag treatment of ARD, gold thiosulfate recovery from solution, improving flotation performance, use of novel surfactants for enhancing leaching operations, and beneficiation of high-sodium coals.

Dr. Young will be presented with the award at the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado in February 2009. His citation will read “For his work as a dedicated educator teaching students the importance of professional societal responsibility, as an active researcher, and as an enthusiastic volunteer of the Society’s governing committees, annual meetings, symposia and recruiting efforts.” AIME is the parent organization to SME and number of other societies. Coincidently, Dr. Aplan received his master’s degree from the Metallurgical & Materials Engineering Department at Montana Tech in 1950 and eventually went on to become a Distinguished Professor of Coal/Mineral Processing Engineering at Penn State University.

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On Wednesday, February 18, 2009, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Montana Tech students will meet with company recruiters from local, regional and national employers at the 1^st Annual CareerSmart Fair.

Career Services will host the CareerSmart Fair in the Student Union Building. Student registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and students can attend the fair until 3:30 p.m. There is no cost for students, alumni and community members to attend this event.

This inaugural effort by Montana Tech to hold a spring career fair will feature companies who recruit students of all academic levels from both campuses for full-time and internship opportunities with an emphasis in the following disciplines: healthcare, information technology, business, math & science and technical degrees. However, the career fair is open to students of all majors, so students can search for attending companies through the Career Services website or their DIGGERecruiting account. Look for full-time employment, internships and other opportunities, as well as gather information about specific companies and network with employers at Montana Tech’s campus.

Register with Career Services prior to the fair through DIGGERecruiting, Montana Tech’s web-based career management program to view profiles of attending companies. Students already registered should update their profile information prior to the career fair. RSVP for career events, such as the career fair, company information sessions and workshops. 

Attend career workshops on topics such as interviewing tips, writing a resume and cover letter, and how to prepare for a career fair. Log into DIGGERecruiting to find out more information on these workshops and to RSVP. 

In addition, companies will stay and conduct 2^nd Day Interviews on Thursday, February 19^th. Students can view which companies will be conducting 2^nd Day Interviews, what positions they are hiring, and sign up for interviews ahead of time through their DIGGERecruiting account.  

Students, alumni and community members can also check out the career fair web site at www.mtech.edu/career/careerfair/students.htm to see which companies are coming, a schedule of events and how to prepare for attending a career fair.

For more information, please contact:

Sarah A. Raymond, Director, Career Services, 406.496.4140

Heather Lingle, Career Fair Coordinator, Career Services, 406.496.4628

The fifth annual Montana College Goal Sunday event is coming to the Montana Tech campus on Sunday, February 22, 2009. 

College Goal Sunday is dedicated to guiding students and their families through the paperwork required to apply for financial aid. College Goal Sunday is for all families who want assistance in completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form. Financial aid officers and other qualified professionals volunteer their time to ensure students receive assistance in understanding and completing the paperwork necessary to receive financial aid.

Who should attend?

College Goal Sunday is open to everyone, including students from all income levels and college-going traditions, and traditional and nontraditional students. The program is open to all higher-education-bound students and their families. It is an excellent opportunity to network and have many of your financial aid questions answered!

Win a scholarship!

Students attending College Goal Sunday can enter to win a $500 scholarship that may be used at any accredited college or program in the nation. A $500 scholarship will be awarded at each College Goal Sunday site. Don't miss out!

What to bring:

People can use different pieces of financial information to complete the FAFSA. Bring tax returns, W-2's, tribal income, other aid-TANF, child support, other benefits, investment information, last year's tax return or even last year's ending pay stub. All information reviewed by the College Goal Sunday volunteers will be kept private and confidential and will not be used for any purpose other than helping the students and families apply for financial aid.

Students AND Parents, bring to College Goal Sunday:

• FAFSA PIN number - To obtain a PIN, log on to www.pin.ed.gov
• Correct Social Security numbers
• 2008 Federal Tax Returns
• 2007 Federal Tax Returns, if 2008 not complete
• W2's, tribal income, other aid information (TANF, child support, other benefits)
• Additional Asset Information (money market funds, stocks, other investments)  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montana Tech’s Career Services is excited to announce MonsterTRAK jobs are now searchable through DIGGERecruiting. MonsterTRAK provides students and career centers with access to an extensive selection of part-time, internship and entry-level positions, across all industries and locations nationwide.

"Despite recent economic fluctuations, employers are still in search of quality candidates for employment," states Sarah Raymond, Director of Career Services at Montana Tech. "There has been an increase of positions posted with Career Services, in fact 600 more jobs were posted this past semester than during Fall 2007!"

With the addition of MonsterTRAK Job Stream, Montana Tech students will have direct access to thousands of student-focused jobs across all industries at locations nationwide easily available to students in DIGGERecruiting. The same job search criteria a student uses such as keyword, job category and major, can be setup for use in filtering the jobs shown from MonsterTRAK. Students are able to apply directly to MonsterTRAK jobs using the documents in their DIGGERecruiting profile.

Advice from Career Services to prepare you as you enter the workforce includes:

• Register with career services.
• Keep your profile and career-related documents up-to-date.
• Start your job search early.
• Look for jobs through diggerrecruiting.
• Utilize career services to connect with employers
• Network with employers and establish a professional impression

Montana Tech students and alumni can sign-up for their DIGGERecruiting account online at www.mtech.edu/career/. For more information about utilizing DIGGERecruiting, or if you have further questions, please contact Montana Tech Career Services at 406.496.4140.

On January 19, 2009, Montana Tech AmeriCorps and Montana Making Sense are joining together with the Human Right Network, Taking Action for Peaceful Solutions (TAPS), Sacred Ground, Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Montana, the Butte Family YMCA, and Consumer Credit Counseling Service/Rural Dynamics Incorporated to sponsor a community Martin Luther King (MLK) observance speech at 5:30 PM in the Butte Courthouse. Afterward, there will be a pot luck dinner hosted at St. John's Episcopal Church. The MLK day speech will be delivered by Eran Thompson of the Not in Our Town organization.

Eran Thompson graduated from Laurel High School in 1994. While attending LHS, Eran was involved in several student organizations; he served in student government, competed in Speech & Drama, and served in Key Club. Some of his high school accomplishments are: serving as Lt. Governor of Division 4 Key Clubs in Montana, a Tomorrow’s Leaders Scholarship nominee, two State Championships in Speech and Drama, and placing 1^st (undefeated) at all meets his Senior year, when he competed and ultimately won the State Championship in Memorized Public Address with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have A Dream.”

Eran continued his service in college. He attended Montana State University Billings where he worked in Student Government, College Democrats, worked on several state political campaigns and chaired the Student Activities Board for two years. Eran graduated in 2001 with Bachelor’s degrees in Organizational Communications and Theatre. Eran is married and a father of three young children – Trae (10), Ethyn (5) and Kyra (1).

Eran is currently the Grassroots Relationship Manager for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. Eran also works with Montana People’s Action and has facilitated trainings around the country from Seattle, Portland, Oakland, to Chicago and New York to South Carolina. Eran currently serves as the Chair for Not In Our Town Billings and has served as chair of the City of Billings Human Relations Commission, is a founding member of the Black Heritage Foundation of Billings and Yellowstone County. Nationally, Eran is an inaugural member of the Applied Research Center’s Racial Justice Leadership Institute comprised of his generations most promising Racial Justice leaders. At the age of 32, Eran has been involved is Social justice activism for more than 17 years and runs his own motivational speaking business “No Hate” motivations working with elementary school children to educate them on race and equality.

In 1994 Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act, designating the King Holiday as a national day of volunteer service. Instead of a day off from work or school, Congress asked Americans of all backgrounds and ages to celebrate Dr. King's legacy by turning community concerns into citizen action. The King Day of Service brings together people who might not ordinarily meet, breaks down barriers that have divided us in the past, leads to better understanding and ongoing relationships, and is an opportunity to recruit new volunteers for your ongoing work. All AmeriCorps members and the public in Butte are welcome and encouraged to participate. The public is encouraged to bring a dish for the pot luck.

For more information, please contact Montana Tech AmeriCorps Team Leader Heather Corcoran (496-4692 or hcorcoran@mtech.edu) or Michaelynn Hawk at Consumer Credit Counseling Services (406-723-5176 or mhawk@cccsmt.org).

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The Montana Tech Technical Outreach Educational Talent Search Program is holding a free financial aid seminar for all Butte area seniors and families Thursday, January 15, at 6:30 p.m. at Tech’s Library Auditorium. All are welcome regardless of where seniors plan to attend after graduation and Educational Talent Search affiliation. Experts in financial aid will discuss all forms of money for college including federal grants, loans, and scholarships. 

For more information, please contact Dana Cotton at 491-1907 or dcotton@mtech.edu.

On Monday, January 12, 2009, the Homer Club will be donating a portrait of President Nathan R. Leonard, the first President of the Montana School of Mines, to the Montana Tech Library. Chancellor Gilmore will lead the dedication, which will begin at 1:30 pm in the Montana Tech Library foyer.

In 1891 in Butte, Montana, Nettie E. Casper organized the Homer Club named for the classical Greek author. The club was created to promote the members' intellectual advancement, and to use the Club's “influence in the community for higher social, educational, and moral conditions." The Club met weekly, and later biweekly, to hear presentations on literature, history, music, travel, and social issues. It made donations to groups performing civic activities, e.g., planting trees, children's programs, etc.

Over a century later, The Homer Club continues to meet and is the longest continuously meeting women’s literary club in Montana. In honor of longtime Homer Club member, Jane (Leonard) Farrington, the Club is donating the portrait of President Leonard to the Montana Tech Library. Jane, who passed away at the age of 93, was the great-granddaughter of President Leonard. She enjoyed talking about her great grandfather and telling stories about Montana Tech.

The dedication is open to the public.

The following evening courses are offered at the North Campus for Spring semester 2009. Classes begin Wednesday, January 14, 2009. For more information, please contact the Enrollment Processing Office at 406-496-4178. 

AEROBIC FITNESS  HPER 1556             

Tuesday & Thursday - 4:50 – 5:40 pm

BASIC NUTRITION BIOL 2586 - 01                 

Tuesday - 5:00 – 6:50 pm

BIOLOGY AND MAN  BIOL 1016                      

Wednesday - 7:00 – 9:50 pm

BUSINESS LAW II  BUS 3426 - 01                      

Tuesday & Thursday - 5:00 – 6:15 pm

COLLEGE ALGEBRA  MATH 1056 - 04           

Monday & Wednesday - 6:00 – 7:15 pm

ELEMENTARY SPANISH II  HUMN 1466 - 02           

Tuesday & Thursday - 5:30 – 6:45 pm

HISTORY OF INDIANS IN NORTHWEST  HUMN 3406      

Tuesday - 7:00 – 9:50

INTRODUCTION TO NURSING  NURS 1016 - 01

On-line           

PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS  ECON 2556                        

Tuesday & Thursday - 5:15 – 6:30 pm

SCUBA DIVING  HPER 1626

TBA

SEMINAR ON THE LITERATURE OF THE DECADENCE  HUMN 4956 – 03

Monday - 6:00 – 9:00 pm 

SOCCER HPER 1786

Saturday - 6:30 – 9:30 pm

SPREADSHEET APPLICATIONS I.T. 2416 -  02

Thursday - 6:00 – 9:00 pm

The following evening courses are offered at the College of Technology for Spring semester 2009. Classes begin Wednesday, January 14, 2009. For more information, please contact the Enrollment Processing Office at 406-496-4178. 

BASIC MEDICAL RECORDS - BUS 0116-01

Tuesday & Thursday - 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

AUTOCAD I - D.T. 0125-01

Monday & Wednesday - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

BASIC WELDING - MFAB 0140-01

Wednesday - 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

CIVIL DRAFTING - D.T. 0204-01

Tuesday & Thursday - 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

DATABASE I - I.T. 0263-01

Monday & Thursday - 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

ENGLISH COMPOSITION - COMM 1046-24

Tuesday & Thursday - 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY - PSYC 1000-21

Tuesday & Thursday - 5:00 - 6:15 pm

INTRODUCTION TO PUBLICATIONS - I.T. 0274-01

Monday & Wednesday - 5:00 pm - 6:50 pm

MEDICAL CODING & BILLING II - BUS 0247-01
Monday & Wednesday - 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

MICROCOMPUTER SOFTWARE - I.T. 1416-23

Monday & Wednesday - 4:00 pm – 5:50 pm

PRESENTATIONS - I.T. 0284-01

Tuesday & Thursday - 5:00 pm - 6:50 pm

SPECIALTY CRSE: STAINED GLASS - H.P. 0230-88

Wednesday - 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

SPECIALTY COURSE: METALS - H.P. 0280-88

Monday - 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

The Montana Tech College of Technology’s traditional holiday tree has a unique decorative yet practical feature this year; there are clothes pins all over it - the purpose of which is to allow donated gloves, hats and pet treats to be pinned to the tree. During the final weeks of the Fall semester, the Student Leadership Council of the College of Technology has begun collecting much needed supplies for various community organizations, including: the Paul Clark Home, Safe Space, Suited for Success, Donna’s House, Discovery House and Pintler Pets. Additionally, the COT chapter of the international honor society, Phi Theta Kappa, is collecting food for disadvantaged COT families.

The Paul Clark Home / McDonald’s Family Place McDonald's Family Place has been providing home-like accommodations for out of town family of hospitalized patients and out-patients since 1899.

Safe Space is a comprehensive resource center for the victims of domestic violence and sexual assault providing shelter services as well as significant preventive community education and awareness.

Suited For Success provides appropriate clothing and accessories to women who are job-ready and are interviewing for employment.

Located in Anaconda, Donna’s House – Community Youth Center provides after school programs focused on keeping kids safe, helping working families and enhancing academic achievement.

Discovery House, also located in Anaconda, provides basic support and other needed services including educational, medical, psychological and counseling services to at-risk-youth from Southwestern Montana.

Pintler Pets of Anaconda provides rescue and adoption services for area pets.

Business student, Lori Walks commented, “We know that some of our students have utilized these community services and so that means it is even more important for us students to support these agencies.”

“Our nation’s difficult financial times are being felt in our area. There has been an even greater drain than normal on many of our community service organizations. We felt it was important for our students to participate in these civic engagement exercises to help those organizations,” said Dr. John M. Garic, Dean of the College of Technology.

All of Montana Tech students, faculty and staff are urged to bring gloves, hats, pet items and non-perishable food to the College of Technology. The collected items will be delivered as appropriate.

For any further information about this issue or any issue pertaining to Montana Tech, please contact Dr. John M. Garic at 406-496-3714 or Amanda Badovinac at 406-496-4828.

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In today’s work place, the ability to write winning grant proposals is becoming increasingly important to career advancement. The fields of education, healthcare, research and development, housing, historic preservation, conservation, information management, technology, the arts, athletics, and community and economic development all rely on grant support. At the same time, competition for funding has become more brisk while the types of projects that are funded, cycles of giving and fund raising strategies are constantly changing.  Montana Tech is offering a one-credit, two-day proposal writing seminar on Thursday and Friday, January 8^th and 9^th, 2009. This seminar will provide participants with key strategies to help them put their best foot forward while "demystifying" the grants process. The seminar will offer a step by step approach to preparing successful proposals including:

·         Developing capacity

·         Assessing Need and Setting Priorities

·         Identifying Projects

·         Identifying Grant Sources and Associated Requirements

·         Preparing Strong Proposals

·         Preparing Budgets

·         Managing Successful Programs

The class is taught by Janet Cornish. She is the owner and principal of Community Development Services (CDS) of Montana. She holds a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin in Political Science and an M.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana. Janet has 31 years of experience in public administration focused in downtown redevelopment, historic preservation, capital improvements planning, heritage tourism, housing and municipal finance. Janet also has considerable expertise in public-private partnership development, meeting facilitation, conference management, program design, and non-profit corporate management and strategic planning. She presents seminars in grant proposal writing, organizational development and heritage programming throughout the state and region through various units of the university system and is on the adjunct faculty of Montana Tech where she teaches courses for the Professional and Technical Communications and Liberal Studies Departments.

Course Information:

Thursday and Friday, January 8^th and 9^th, 2009

Montana Tech Campus, Main Hall, Room 106

8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., each day

Fee: This seminar is made possible through generous support of the Montana Tech Office of Research, Graduate Studies, and International Programs. Participants pay only $35.00 for class materials

Registration: Please contact the Registrar’s Office at 496-4256 or 1-800-445-TECH to register.

College Credit Available: This course is available for one academic credit through Montana Tech, Course # 32389 – PTC 2956 02. Additional charges will apply.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Schylar Canfield, an Enrollment Representative at Montana Tech of the University of Montana, will be heading to Washington, DC on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 for a congressional reception.

Schylar is part of a large team of former and current foster youth from FosterClub, a national network of young people from foster care, which partnered with various non-profits to advocate for foster care reform through the Kids Are Waiting campaign, a project of Pew Charitable Trusts.

On October 7, 2008 due to the team’s efforts, President Bush signed into law the “Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008”. The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008  reauthorizes the Adoption Incentives Program for five years and increases incentives for special needs and older child adoptions; gives States the option to use Federal funding to provide maintenance payments to relatives who serve as "kinship guardians"; establishes family connection grants to connect foster children with family members and assist them in meeting the needs of the foster children; and allows Federal funding of child welfare systems established by tribal entities.

Schylar will be in Washington, DC from November 18-20 for a reception with members of Congress and organizations that helped pass the act. Schylar will be the emcee of the reception.

To learn more about the campaign, please check out http://www.kidsarewaiting.org/.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On Wednesday, November 19, 2008, senior students in the Metallurgical and Materials Engineering program at Montana Tech will be making their senior presentations. These presentations will take place at 3:00 pm in Room 202 of the ELC building on the Montana Tech campus. All are welcome to attend.   

Presenters will include: 

Keri Caldwell

Butte Montana

“An Introduction to Flotation with an Emphasis on Copper Recovery”

ABSTRACT

Hydrophobicity is the tendency of a particle to repel water or be repelled by water.  Flotation is a selective separation process based on the hydrophobicity of minerals.  The particle of interest in the ore body can be made hydrophobic by the use of collectors.  Collectors are additives, mostly organic molecules that change the surface chemistry of the mineral such that it will be repelled by water.  Once the particle is hydrophobic the ore is sent to a flotation cell where it is mixed with water are aerated.  The air bubbles flow from the bottom of the slurry to the top and the hydrophobic particles attach to the bubbles and lifted.  The froth at the top of the cell is then removed and the concentrate collected.

Stacey Davis

Kingston Washington

“The Danger of Polycarbonate Bottles”

ABSTRACT

Nalgene bottles are currently in use for many different applications including baby bottles, water bottles, and for chemical storage. Depending on the desired application, Nalgene uses four different polymers, lexan/polycarbonate, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, and polypropylene. The lexan/polycarbonate polymer falls in the number 7 recycling category, or “other”.  Polycarbonate is the main component of these containers, and is classified between a commodity and engineering plastic. This polymer is easily molded, consists of long polymer chains, and is a multi-use, and multiproperty polyethylene. Bisphenol A is a chemical that is used to strengthen and help bind the polycarbonate chains together. This chemical was suspected to be harmful around the 1950’s and has just recently re-emerged. BPA has been classified as dangerous because it is an endocrine disruptor, meaning it acts like a hormone, primarily estrogen, in the endocrine system and disrupts the physiological function of endogenous hormones.  This can lead to brain and behavioural problems, premature puberty, impaired immune functions, and several other severe problems. The danger of this chemical is important because it can leach out of the polycarbonate at room temperature and with the rise in popularity and functionality there is a higher exposure to this chemical.  Exposure to BPA for infants is high as it has been used in baby bottles. Although it has been suspected for many years that Bisphenol A can pose serious health risks, the recent investigation has led to changes.  However, no decision has been made for the future of the lexan Nalgene bottle.

Caleb Ellefson

West Richland, Washington

“Electrical Conductivity in Steels Including Elevated Temperature Effects”

ABSTRACT

Although it is not the ideal material for use in electrical applications, steel is often used because of its low cost, high strength, corrosion resistance, and commercial availability. Consequently, significant research has been performed regarding the optimization of steel’s electrical properties. As electrical steel components are often used in applications where heat may be generated, the elevated temperature properties are also of interest.

The electrical properties of steel are affected by the composition and processing of the material. In general, any alloying decreases the conductivity of metal; iron is no exception. Commercially available electrical steels contain minimal alloying elements and conductivity drops significantly with the addition of chromium, nickel, manganese, molybdenum, etc. Steel processing techniques also have a dramatic effect on the material conductivity. The degree to which grains are aligned directly dictates conductivity. Careful rolling and annealing conditions have been developed to maximize grain alignment, and therefore conductivity.

Increasing the temperature of a conducting material consistently decreases conductivity. In steel the effect of this principle can be exacerbated by the formation of compounds such as oxides and carbides at elevated temperatures.

Zach Johnson

Missoula, Montana

“Tire derived fuels supplementing fossil fuels in combustion processes”

ABSTRACT

Many current combustion processes utilize fossil fuels to produce energy.  Fossil fuels are costly from an operational standpoint and their worldwide availability is diminishing.  The use of supplemental fuels, such as tire derived fuel (TDF), represents an inexpensive alternative that reduces the rate of natural resource consumption.  TDF has a higher net calorific value than coal or fuel oil, which reduces the fuel requirement of a given application.  An additional benefit of using TDF is the elimination of the environmental and health hazards associated with scrapped tire stockpiles.

For more information about these presentations, please contact KevinJaansalu, CD, PhD, PE, Assistant Professor at Montana Tech at 496-4305.

The College of Technology at Montana Tech of the University of Montana has chosen to adopt the Butte Emergency Food Bank during the week of November 17^th through the 21^st.

The Butte Emergency Food Bank provides desperately needed food to about 1,250 people each month. With a mission that no individual or family in the community experiences the fear and pain of hunger, the Food Bank distributes about 400,000 pounds of food each year, including canned goods, boxed and bagged food, baby food and formula, diapers, and baby products, milk, bread and bakery items, meat and much more.

Accounting student, Jessica Morgan commented, “It is important for us as students, and indeed for all of us, to be humbly reminded that at some point we could all need the services of the Food Bank. We need to support them.”

“We believe this is an excellent civic engagement exercise for our students,” said Dr. John M. Garic, Dean of the College of Technology, “and, more than that, it is an effort to do what is right for our community and to show compassion and concern for those members of our community who need a helping hand.”

All Montana Tech students, faculty and staff are urged to bring non-perishable food items to the College of Technology. The collected food will be delivered to the Butte Emergency Food Bank.

For any further information about this project, please contact Dr. John M. Garic at 406-496-3714 or Amanda Badovinac at 406-496-4828.

For Immediate Release

Butte, MT – Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE: MRO), an integrated international energy company, has provided Montana Tech of the University of Montana a leadership gift in the amount of $100,000 in support of Montana Tech’s comprehensive campaign, Strengthening Foundations…Ensuring the Future. The gift is directed to the Natural Resources Building scheduled to be open early 2010.

Mike Johnson, Vice-Chancellor for Institutional Advancement & Development and President of the Montana Tech Foundation said, “We are thrilled with Marathon’s investment in our new building.  Marathon is an excellent, long-standing partner of Montana Tech and we could not be more pleased by their willingness to ensure our students have the greatest educational opportunities in the country. This gift builds upon Marathon’s previous support of our petroleum students and programs here at Montana Tech.”

Steve Guidry, Marathon Regional Vice President of North American Production Operations said, “Marathon is pleased to provide this support to Montana Tech, an institution with whom we have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship for many years. We are confident that this funding will help advance the outstanding work being undertaken by the University to expand and enhance key programs that will prepare our future industry leaders in disciplines that are critical to our ability to deliver energy so essential to the well-being of our country and the world.”

According to Leo Heath, Montana Tech Petroleum Engineering Department Head, “For many years, Marathon Oil has had a strong relationship with petroleum engineering at Montana Tech. We appreciate the efforts of the many alumni and supporters within Marathon who continue to give back to our program so that we can both achieve excellence.”

Representatives from Marathon Oil will be on the Montana Tech campus on Thursday, October 23, 2008 to present the ceremonial check to Montana Tech. Marathon representatives will be available to answer questions at 8:45 am in the Big Butte room prior to the ceremony. The ceremony will take place at approximately 9:00 am in the Big Butte room.  

Representatives from Marathon in attendance will be:

·         Steve Guidry, Regional Vice President, North American Production Operations

·         Brandee Thompson, University Relations – Recruiter

·         Tim Stouffer, Engineering Career Development Manager

·         Dave Searle, Government Affairs Manager, State Government Affairs

·         Paul Weeditz, General Manager, Public Affairs

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ABOUT MARATHON OIL CORPORATION

Marathon Oil Corporation is an integrated international energy company engaged in exploration and production; oil sand mining; integrated gas; and refining, marketing and transportation. Marathon, based in Houston, Texas, has principal operations in the United States, Angola, Canada, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Indonesia, Ireland, Libya, Norway and the United Kingdom. Marathon is the fourth largest United States-based integrated oil company and the nation's fifth largest refiner. 

Two powerhouse computer programming teams from Montana Tech of the University of Montana, and top collegiate programmers from surrounding areas, will compete in an all-out “battle of the brains.” The IBM-sponsored ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest, the most prestigious computer programming competition of its kind, will include tens of thousands of university students during its preliminary rounds through December. One hundred teams from 83 countries on six continents will earn coveted spots at the Contest’s World Finals April 18-22, 2009 hosted by KTH – Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden.

Two Computer Science teams from Montana Tech of the University of Montana will compete against teams from Utah Valley State College, Weber State University, and Neumont University at the Regional ACM contest on October 25, 2006 at Utah Valley State College.

The Montana Tech teams consist of Computer Science students including seniors, George Cox, Tyler Dusek, and Mike Drewett, and juniors, Bryce Muller, Jerad Parker and Daniel Johnson. The teams are coached by Dr. Frank Ackerman.

Last year, Montana Tech’s team placed second on-site at the University of Utah and 9^th place in the ICPC Rocky Mountain Region.

The 33rd annual Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) International Collegiate Programming Contest challenges teams of three university students to use their programming skills and rely on their mental endurance to solve complex, real world problems under a grueling five-hour deadline. One hundred successful teams will advance to the World Finals in Stockholm, Sweden. IBM’s sponsorship has fueled the growth of the contest to include tens of thousands of students. Since the IBM sponsorship began in 1997, the number of teams participating has increased by a factor of eight.

For more information about Montana Tech’s teams, please contact Michele Van Dyne, Computer Science Department Head at 406-496-4855.

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For Immediate Release

Butte, Montana — Montana Tech graduate student, Mariam Melashvili, has been selected as one of four American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers (AIME) Henry DeWitt Smith Scholarship recipients for the 2008 – 2009 school year. The Henry DeWitt Smith Scholarship was established in 1967 to assist worthy students in the pursuit of their graduate education in the Mining, Metallurgical, Materials, or Petroleum Departments of leading universities and colleges in the United States and Canada.

Mariam is a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) and a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) in the Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department at Montana Tech. As a GRA, Mariam is exploring a non-cyanide gold extraction project. Specifically, the project involves recovering gold from thiosulfate using pretreated activated carbon and is funded by the Center for Advanced Separation Technologies (CAST) as well as Newmont Mining Company. Her advisor is Dr. Courtney Young, who also nominated her.

Mariam came to Montana Tech from the Republic of Georgia where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering in 1995 and a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering Technology both from Georgian Polytechnical University in 1997.

Mariam is expected to conclude her research and defend her thesis by May of 2009.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Butte, MT – On Friday, October 17, 2008, WIRED (Workforce Innovations in Regional Economic Development) will be hosting a presentation titled “Wind Energy Development in Eastern Montana” by Mike Carlson. Mr. Carlson works with New Harvest Energy, a Montana company which explores and develops wind energy projects in the state. Mr. Carlson’s presentation will discuss the tremendous wind resource in Montana and especially in rural areas. He will explain the tools and techniques needed to investigate the wind resource and the research data that must be collected before projects can be planned. There are four major challenges the state must overcome to fully develop its wind energy resource. Mike will show some of the grass roots research being done in eastern Montana and the impressive results. The many benefits of wind development to small counties will be discussed, among them an increased tax base and employment opportunities. Opportunities for Montana’s universities to participate in research, development, and education will also be discussed.

This presentation will take place at Montana Tech in the Student Union Building’s Copper Lounge from 10 am – 12 pm. The presentation is open to the public.

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For Immediate Release

Butte, Montana — Montana Tech’s Society of Women Engineers (SWE) announces scholarship recipients. The SWE, founded in 1950, is a not-for-profit educational and service organization. SWE is the driving force that establishes engineering as a highly desirable career aspiration for women. The SWE Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to women admitted to accredited baccalaureate or graduate programs, in preparation for careers in engineering, engineering technology and computer science.

Montana Tech’s 2008 Society of Women Engineers scholarship recipients are as follows:  

Mary North-Abbott, a Montana Tech alumnae, is Montana Tech’s Society of Women Engineers’s advisor. For more information about Montana Tech’s SWE, please call 496-4810.

For Immediate Release

MTCC CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON BUILDING CITIZENSHIP

Butte, Montana — One hundred state and national AmeriCorps service members from across Montana will convene in Butte for the Building Engaged Citizens Conference (BEC). BEC is an annual event hosted by the Montana Campus Compact (MTCC). MTCC is a statewide nonprofit coalition of 19 college and university presidents committed to renewing the public purposes of higher education through community service, service-learning, volunteerism, and civic engagement programming available to students, faculty, and staff. MTCC programs benefit community members such as low-income families, the elderly, at-risk youth, and migrant and minority groups, by supporting civic engagement activities including community service, service-learning and building campus-community partnerships.

The Building Engaged Citizens Conference is set to take place Sept. 26-28 on the Montana Tech campus. The over one hundred conference attendees include members of AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), Campus Corps, and guest speakers and presenters representing service organizations and higher education institutions throughout Montana. The three-day training event will kick off with a warm welcome from Frank Gilmore, Montana Tech’s chancellor and MTCC Board Member. BEC also marks the beginning of service for nearly seventy Campus Corps members, who will be sworn into service at the War Bonnet Hotel on Saturday evening by Chief Executive Paul Babb.                         

Conference participants receive training on a variety of topics relating to their service. Topics include project planning, time management, and nonprofit culture. Trainings are moderated by professional facilitators, MTCC staff and alumni, Montana Tech staff, and representatives of nonprofit community organizations. 

A highlight of the BEC Conference is its focus on National Day of Action, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008. National Day of Action is part of a new national campaign to restore the tradition of citizen service. The citizen service campaign is coordinated by ServiceNation, a new “group of organizations and companies who believe in the power of service and are committed to expanding service opportunities to all Americans,” according to www.bethechange.org/servicenation. For more information on National Day of Action and Service Nation, visit www.bethechange.org/servicenation. 

In the spirit of service, all BEC Conference attendees will spend Saturday afternoon volunteering with the Butte Rescue Mission. Volunteers will donate over 200 hours of service in a single day. This service event is being arranged by Montana Campus Compact, a member of the ServiceNation Organizing Committee. 

For additional information on the Building Engaged Citizens Conference or Montana Campus Compact contact Ashley Widtfeldt, Campus Corps Team Leader, at (406) 243-5177 ext. 7 or widtfeldt@mtcompact.org. 

For information about the service event at the Butte Rescue Mission contact Theresa Seccomb, Montana Tech Campus Corps Supervisor, at (406) 496-4124 or tseccomb@mtech.edu.    

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For Immediate Release

Butte, Montana — Montana Tech of the University of Montana’s Software Engineering program was recently accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commision and the Computer Science program received re-accreditation by the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), Inc., the recognized accreditor of college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology. ABET accreditation demonstrates a program’s commitment to providing its students with a quality education.

Michele Van Dyne, Montana Tech Computer Science Department Head said, “We are proud that our Computer Science program, which has been accredited through ABET since 1999, was reaccredited once again and that our Software Engineering Program, also housed in the Computer Science Department, received its initial accreditation. We are very proud to have ABET acknowledge that both our degree programs meet their standards.”

Accreditation is a voluntary, peer-review process that requires programs to undergo comprehensive, periodic evaluations. The evaluations, conducted by teams of volunteer professionals working in industry, government, academe, and private practice within the ABET disciplines, focus on program curricula, faculty, facilities, institutional support, and other important areas. 

One of the key elements of ABET accreditation is the requirement that programs continuously improve the quality of education provided. As part of this continuous improvement requirement, programs set specific, measurable goals for their students and graduates, assess their success at reaching those goals, and improve their programs based on the results of their assessment. 

In addition to providing colleges and universities a structured mechanism to assess, evaluate, and improve their programs, accreditation also helps students and their parents choose quality college programs, enables employers and graduate schools to recruit graduates they know are well-prepared, and is used by registration, licensure, and certification boards to screen applicants.

ABET is a not-for-profit organization, owned and operated by its more than 25 professional and technical member societies. An internationally respected organization with some 1,500 volunteers, ABET has set the higher-educational standards in its fields for nearly 75 years. More information about ABET, its member societies, and the evaluation criteria used to accredit programs can be found at www.abet.org. 

Montana Tech’s Computer Science Department was started in 1992 when it began offering the computer science degree. The department began offering the software engineering degree in 2000. The Computer Science Department at Montana Tech seeks to teach students the practical techniques of computer programming, networking, data base management, and large scale software development, as well as the mathematical and theoretical foundations of problem solving with computer assistance.

In addition to serving the students majoring in computer science or software engineering, the department also provides instruction and laboratory experience to students from most other majors on campus. Enrollments in the upper division courses average approximately 10 students, allowing significant interaction with faculty. Lower division course enrollments may be larger, reflecting the service nature of these courses.

The Computer Science Department has the following program objectives: to prepare computer science majors for graduate study in computer science; to prepare students with an education that balances the theory and practical aspects of the discipline; and to provide instruction in the basic uses of the computer for all students on campus who have a need or interest in such applications.

For more information about Montana Tech’s computer science and software engineering degree programs, please visit us on-line at www.mtech.edu/clsps/cs_se/ .

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

U.S. News & World Report, the nation’s leading source of service journalism and news, has named Montana Tech of the University of Montana as the 3rd Top Public Baccalaureate College in the West in the 2009 edition of “America’s Best Colleges”. Montana Tech was also ranked the 7th best Baccalaureate College in the West (combining public and private) in the same report. Montana Tech’s 7th place position is up from their 8th place ranking in the 2008 edition.

Highlights of the college rankings will be published in the September 1 issue of U.S. News & World Report, available for newsstand purchase Monday, August 25, and available online at www.usnews.com/colleges beginning today. The 2009 America's Best Colleges guidebook will be available as of Tuesday, August 26.

The annual rankings – in which U.S. News groups schools based on categories created by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching – provide an unmatched resource for parents and students contemplating one of life’s most challenging financial decisions. The U.S. News rankings are based on various indicators of an institution's quality, including academic reputation, faculty resources, student selectivity, freshman retention, graduation rate, financial resources and alumni giving.

"The validation of our academic excellence by both U.S. News and World Reports and the Princeton Review speaks strongly to our excellent faculty, students and staff,” said Mike Johnson, Vice-Chancellor for Institutional Advancement & Development and President of the Montana Tech Foundation. 

Located in Butte, Montana, Montana Tech has earned a reputation as one of the finest science, engineering, and technical colleges in the world. With more than 40 academic programs and 38 clubs and organizations, Tech offers tremendous opportunities.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montana Tech of the University of Montana is pleased to announce the addition of Amanda Badovinac to the Advancement & Development Team. Amanda will serve as the Director of Public Relations and Marketing. She will be in charge of campus-wide marketing, advertising and communications; media relations; publications and campus branding.

Amanda, an alumnae of Montana Tech, graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Montana Tech in 2000 and a master’s degree in Technical Communications in 2002. Prior to joining the Montana Tech team, Amanda served as the Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator at St. James Healthcare for five years. Amanda replaces Dave Scott, who was the Director of Public Relations for the past three years.

Amanda is a Butte native and is married to Brett Badovinac, a Montana Tech engineering alum. They have two children Drew and Brooke.

Amanda entered into her new role at Montana Tech on August 11, 2008.

Amanda's contact information:

406-496-4828 (w)

abadovinac@mtech.edu

 MONTANA TECH ANNOUNCES ITS 2008-09 GED TEST SCHEDULE
Tests are scheduled for the Second Tuesday of every month.

Test Dates 2008  Deadline for Registration  Test Dates 2009  Deadline 
                                                                                              for Registration
July 8                             July 4                        January 13           January 9
August 12                      August 8                   February 10         February 6
September 9                  September 5             March 10            March 6
October 14                   October 10                April 14              April 10
November 11                November 7             May 12               May 8
December 9                  December 5              June 9                  June 5

Completed registration forms and non-refundable test fee payment are required by the Friday prior to the scheduled test date. To register contact Margie Pascoe at 496-4477 and visit the Student Life Programs Office at Montana Tech located in Engineering Hall Room #101; except for Tuesdays.

Test check-in 9:00 A.M. at Montana Tech’s Student Union (Kelley-Steward Room)

Cost: $55.00 for Initial Test Takers in the State of Montana. Retest fees will be determined by section taken.

Photo ID is required.

The applicant must physically reside in Montana and have a Montana mailing address. The minimum testing age, without a school documentation letter required, is 19 years of age. Seventeen- and eighteen-year-old applicants must provide the Test Center with school non-enrollment documentation of one of the following: (1) Official school withdrawal slip documenting the applicant has been out of school 90 days. (2) Letter of approval stating an official withdrawal date, on school letterhead, signed by chief education officer. (This letter is for applicants who have been out of the classroom less than 90-days.) (3) Letters of approval from local public school district documenting the applicant has been advised of available in-school options and has not enrolled in the local public school district. (This letter is for clients who last attended school out of state and can document having difficulty obtaining a letter of approval and/or official withdrawal slip from the last school attended.) (4) Letters of approval, on a school letterhead signed by chief education officer, indicating applicants’ high school class has been graduated. (This letter is for clients who have graduated from a private or correspondence school not accredited by the state of Montana; it may also be used for an applicant whose class graduated but the applicant was short credit to graduate.)

Montana Tech is pleased to announce a leadership gift in the area of faculty support for their comprehensive campaign Strengthening Foundations…Ensuring the Future. Barnard Construction Company, Inc. of Bozeman Montana, has agreed to give $160,000 in support of the General Engineering Department. The funds will be used to establish The Barnard Professorship.

“This gift will help Montana Tech establish a new construction position within the General Engineering Department,” acknowledged Chancellor Gilmore, “Public-private partnerships are imperative to the future growth of all of our departments.”

Tim Barnard, CEO of Barnard Construction said, “We are pleased that we can work with Montana Tech to do this. We have a number of Montana Tech graduates working with us that have contributed greatly to our success, so it is nice to be able to do something that helps Montana Tech continue to provide high quality education to their graduates.”

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Barnard Construction to provide our students with the best possible education in Construction Engineering. Let the dirt fly” exclaimed Butch Gerbrandt, General Engineering Department Head at Montana Tech.

Mike Johnson, President of the Montana Tech Foundation said, “We have been seeing a lot of excitement around faculty salary supplements. Traditionally this is not an easy fund raising area, but with great corporate citizens like Barnard momentum is building.”

Barnard Construction began as a one-man operation in 1975. Since its founding Barnard has expanded into a multi-million dollar heavy civil contractor doing business all over the nation. This expansion has also involved the formation of four other affiliated companies. Barnard does construction in the areas of dams and reservoirs, tunnels, utility pipelines, oil and gas pipelines, and environmental reclamation.

May 5, 2008 – Montana Tech, Butte, MT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Goldcorp. Inc., one of the world’s largest gold mining companies, has given a leadership gift in support of Montana Tech’s campaign, Strengthening Foundations…Ensuring the Future. This $1,050,000 gift will create The Goldcorp, Inc. Endowed Professorship. This professorship will be used to supplement the salaries of faculty members within the departments of Mining Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, and Geological Engineering. This gift is another example of the important relationship between Montana Tech and the minerals industry.

This gift is in addition to a November 2006 gift in support of the same three departments. The total investment by Goldcorp over the past 18 months is $1.25 million. 

Chancellor Frank Gilmore says, “These gifts are the quintessential manifestation of cooperation between a mining company and an academic institution. Kevin McArthur, President and CEO, and Dan Rovig, a member of the Board of Directors of Goldcorp, recognize that a well-educated workforce is essential for the continued success of the mining industry. Gifts of this type help assure that Montana Tech will be able to continue to educate high-quality engineers for the mining industry. This gift is dedicated to supplementing faculty salaries for those who teach in the mining-related programs. This will ensure the best faculty for these programs.”

Mr. McArthur stated that “Goldcorp, Inc. is pleased to support the significant and proven academic mineral programs at Montana Tech. Goldcorp, Inc. recognizes the serious shortfall in graduating mineral engineers, business personnel, and minerals scientists and believes that by supporting the development and retention of highly qualified mineral educators, that the industry, and Goldcorp, will be better served by Montana Tech. The mining industry must address the issues of responsible mining, discovery and processing in partnership with society and this is a wonderful way to help accomplish those objectives.”

Mike Johnson, Vice Chancellor for Advancement & Development, noted “we are so very proud to have a company like Goldcorp invest in our current and future faculty members. In order for us to produce world-class graduates, we must attract and retain the very best faculty.   Goldcorp is one of the world’s leading mining companies and we are blessed to have them as a partner.”

Founded in 1900, Montana Tech has earned a reputation as one of the finest science, engineering and technical universities in the world. With more than 40 academic programs and 38 clubs and organizations, Tech offers tremendous opportunities for every student. The mining engineering program was one the first academic programs established at Tech. It started as a program focused on hard rock underground mining to serve the local mines and has evolved into a program that educates its students in all aspects of mining engineering.

Goldcorp, a Canadian-based company with its corporate office in Vancouver, Canada, employs more than 9,000 people worldwide. Goldcorp has 17 world-class operations and development projects in Canada, the United States, Mexico, and South America.