Well, we finally got our snow, DHC, just in time for spring break! Missoula has a fresh blanket of the beautiful white stuff this morning. It's a 'snow globe day' on campus.
Wednesday was our annual Evening of Excellence, and it was an uplifting affair to say the least. Emcees Quindy and Colton rocked it. The River Ramblers got our toes tapping in grand fashion during the reception. Chris and Vivi sang a lovely duet. There was pie. Chad Bishop and Pat Beckwith are Friends of the DHC. Katie Cordingley is our Teacher of the Year. Magnificent Mentor awards were presented to Bryan Cochran and Sam Kellogg. Lucille took home a giant “Go Griz” claw, and Alicia was honored for Professional Excellence. Our beloved colleague Peter was awarded the DHC medallion. And speaking of beloved, Bruce made a surprise and much-celebrated return to the lounge to present his Ways of Knowing Book Award. Among the dozens of student awards, Zoe Belinda, Lauren Schulte, and Parker Friday earned the Honors Ethic. A complete list of our award winners is included at the bottom of this message. It's a heck of a lineup!
Of course, there was a lot more going on in the DHC this week. There were donuts and Honors Student Association meetings on Thursday, as well as a Western Regional Honors Council huddle. Love class students were thrilled by the dashing Dr. Emlen's presentation on the 'Biology of Love' and submitted their research project proposals. Introduction to Honors students finished up their academic plans and narratives and began planning for their class service project.
We're busy recruiting a new team of Learning Assistants for Introduction to Honors, Fall 2026. Serving as an honors LA can fulfill a DHC experiential learning requirement and is a wonderful way to make a difference in our community. Apply by March 27:
Advising season is in full swing, and advising workshops are going on throughout the month in the lounge. Priority registration for DHC students is April 2.
UM's 'Big Give' is March 25-26. Private support is more critical than ever to the success of our work. More information, including opportunities to volunteer as a DHC Advocate, or to donate, is here:
Time after spring break always flies. Here's more of what's in the queue during what promises to be a spectacular spring:
3/15 DHC Scholarships due
3/15 NCHC proposals due
3/24 Trivia Night
3/25-26 UM's Big Give
3/26 Tea Time with Tim
3/27 Honors Visit Day
3/30-4/3 DHC with Family Promise at YWCA
4/1 Open Mic Night
4/2 Priority Registration for Honors students
4/9-12 WRHC, Las Vegas
4/13 President's Lecture Series featuring Jad Abumrad
4/14 UM Democracy Summit
4/17 UMCUR
4/21 Trivia Night
4/23 Tea Time with Tim
5/1 Celebration of Creative Scholarship
5/5 Celebration of Scholarships
5/6 MOLLI's 20th Anniversary
5/6 QUEST Pitch Night
5/8 Medallion Ceremony
In addition to being a whole lot of fun, our Evening of Excellence, without fail, at some point in the course of the evening, chokes me up. I'm just in awe of and inspired by you all. Each of our award-winners represents their own unique transformational impacts in our community and beyond. Collectively, they (YOU) demonstrate incredible positive impacts on our world, and, as I said of Peter, 'ripples the waters of my life.' From the heart to the heart, thank you for that. Molly sang her beautiful folky version of Coldplay's Yellow at the start of our program. I closed my remarks with this: Look at the stars, DHC. See how they shine for you.
Love,
Evening of Excellence Awards, 2026
Friends of the DHC: Pat Beckwith, Chad Bishop
Professional Excellence: Alicia Houghtaling
Promoting Intellectual Engagement: Bethany Applegate, Bob Baker, Kylla Benes, Eric Cheesebro, Adam Collins, Kaetlyn Cordingley, Victoria Dreitz, Doug Emlen, Erim Gomez, Mark Hanson, Bruce Hardy, Soazig Lebihan, Peter McDonough, Sean O'Brien, Mark Reiser Erin Saldin, Rob Saldin, Jeffrey Stephenson, Robert Stubblefield, Lucille Vanek, Steve Yoshimura
Teacher of the Year: Kaetlyn Cordingley
Magnificent Mentor: Bryan Cochran, Sam Kellogg
Red Apples (two-year LA's): Morgan Bailey, Isabel Beasley, Jae Coehlo, Kaedence Eames, Neila Lyngholm, Rylin Wilde
Gold Apples (third-year LA's): Zoe Belinda, Cate Davick, Josie Kleman
Ways of Knowing Book Awards: Finley Stratford, Ava Saltzman, Cassie Smith, Ireland Osentowski, Marcella Bills, Griffin LaRoque, Cassidy Helms, Liv Dehning, Kamara Wilbur, Jackson Skipper, Sophia Parks, Avery Stephens, Megan Vaughn
Academic Excellence: Emmi Highness, Daniel Martin, Penny Meredyk, Lydia Niedermeyer
Research Excellence: Katia Chavez, Riley Crews, Jillian Wynne
Excellence in the Arts: Ronnie Avansino, Rose Geiger
Athletic Excellence: Eliza Bentler, Iris McKean, Calista Ousley
Excellence in Education: Cate Davick, Faith Marshall
Excellence in Service: Amanda Mazur, Taylor McPherson
Interdisciplinary Excellence: Eli Flaim, Hannah Halverson
Renaissance Scholars: Lydia Garrick, Benjamin Rainford
Life of the Mind: Elliot Sanford
Excellence in Leadership: Jaxon Caufield, Mia Parkes, Alden Whitney
Campus Champion: Maya Anderson, Liam Edwards, Buddy Wilson
Campus Impact: Cadence Hatten, Elizabeth Kamminga, Vivi Ostheimer
Community Impact: Jacob Blockhan, Rayne McCoullough, Dylan VanRossum
Mentoring Excellence: Nate Adams
Excellence in Advocacy: Cyrus Gertz, Brittney Wager
Experiential Excellence: Riley Comstock, Oliver Jepson, Ethan Marshall
