DATE: Wednesday, August 23, 2017 TO: Montana Board of Regents FROM: Beth Weatherby, Chancellor SUBJECT: Campus Report for the September 2017 Board of Regents meeting

Montana Western Ranked Among the Best Alan Weltzien’s Summer of Words Equestrian Schools Nationwide Professor Alan Weltzien is spending the Montana Western was recently ranked summer writing, publishing, editing, and among the “Best Equestrian Colleges” by traveling all over the country to launch books ThoughtCo, an online education resource. The and speak about writers including Thomas Equine Studies Department offers the nation’s Savage, Norman Maclean and Ivan Doig. only B.S. degree in natural horsemanship. The university also offers a B.S. degree in equine Along with co-editing an anthology and management and associate’s degrees in equine writing articles for literary journals, Weltzien is studies and natural horsemanship. the author of a new chapbook.

Students wishing to compete can Weltzien will be rounding out his summer participate in the rodeo club or on the eques- schedule with two speaking engagements at a trian teams. The program is based out of the festival in Missoula/Seely Lake and a symposium university’s Montana Center for Horsemanship. at Montana State University.

Montana Western Alumnus Pens Montana Western Librarian Appointed to the Supernatural Detective Series State Commission

The Rankin Flats series of supernatural University of Montana Western Librarian Anne thrillers has been created and self-published Kish has been appointed to a second term by University of Montana Western alumnus, on the State Library Commission. She works author Cameron Lowe. The books feature “an as both an assistant professor and Interim exploration of a man lost to darkness who finds Library Director at Montana Western along with his way back to the light thanks to his ghostly attending regular meetings for the State Library best friend and the hope of a healthy, real rela- Commission and assisting the public library in tionship with a spirited, scarred acquaintance.” Twin Bridges.

All of Lowe’s books are available on Amazon. Kish’s position is quite beneficial to Montana com. Lowe’s website and blog are available at Western and provides a unique opportunity for RankinFlatsObserver.com. better serving the needs of the library’s patrons.

August Report 2017 Shakespeare in the Parks Farewell to Kent Ord

Since 1986, the Montana Western School Marketing Director Kent Ord retired at the of Outreach has consecutively helped bring end of June after over a decade of service Montana Shakespeare in the Parks to the Dillon at the University of Montana Western. Kent community. The School of Outreach’s mission was instrumental in getting the word out on is to promote lifelong learning. Experience One.

MSIP’s Executive Artistic Director Kevin Asselin His background in interactive education and directed a unique take on “Macbeth” set in a marketing made him highly qualified and dystopian future. uniquely motivated to spread the word about Montana Western’s unique hands-on program. Por El Amor Del Arte According to Kent, “People learn so much more through interaction which is critical to what we Former student Damaris Soto Foster now do here. It’s all about being able to interact.” creates impressionistic paintings on the beaches of Puerto Rico after a unique journey To this day, the University of Montana Western that took her from Puerto Rico to Montana remains the only public four-year institution in Western and back again. Damaris excelled at the country offering block scheduling. painting while attending Montana Western. She won first prize in a 3-D Art competition and Terry and Linda Rosin: Education Stars graduated Summa Cum Laude. Terry and Linda Rosin, graduates from the class In addition to her beautiful paintings of the of 1974, were both inducted into the Montana Puerto Rican oceanside, she also has works Western Education Hall of Fame this year during which tackle issues like mental health and the annual Night of Stars ceremony. political corruption. After teaching in Grass Range, MT, they then accepted positions in Stevensville, MT. Protectors of the Past Linda taught band and choir for grades 7-12, started the elementary music program and Kailey Judisch is keeping the past alive at created a choir for 5-6 graders. Linda was a her summer internship with the Beaverhead member of the Federation of Teachers, the County Museum. Professor Erin Zavitz helped Music Educators’ National Conference, the Judisch receive her ideal internship as part General Music Teachers’ Association and the of the Experience One program. Judisch has Treasure State Orff Chapter. wanted to be a museum curator since she was young. Terry taught science for grades 7-8 and was the Science Fair director for 35 years. During her internship, Judisch has had the He also helped bring in an After School opportunity to learn about who visits museums Scholars program. In addition, he coached and what interests them, information that will basketball and track, and served as an assis- be very helpful to her when she becomes a tant athletic director. He is a member of the future curator. Montana Coaches and the Montana Officials Associations. August Report 2017