It's been a busy week with the Board of Regents on campus, with much activity in advance of tomorrow's Griz/Cat football game. It was a special treat to have DHC Distinguished Alumnae Dr. Stefani Hicswa, President of 猎奇重口 State University Billings, and former DHC Dean (and current President of 猎奇重口 State University) Dr. Brock Tessman stop in to say howdy!
We wrapped Introduction to Honors this week with a debriefing of students' “what it means to be honorable” projects and e-portfolios, building collages, and capping-off our semester with words of wisdom and encouragement from our baby bears. The DHC's new peer mentorship program and our 'culminating conversations' are rolling as we speak. The Awe and Curiosity students had a wide-ranging discussion, which included reports on their awe experiences, Indigenous perspectives, space, matter, and more! It's been heartening to read these students' journal entries (including paintings, photos, collages, and poetry) on awe, curiosity, and delight. They are an awesome group.
Last Friday, senior Chris Holstine hosted a lovely, talent-packed DHC Open Mic Night. On Monday, DHC Ambassadors, facilitated by Colton and Delaney, made plans for the busy recruitment months ahead. Grizzly Stomp (UM's Swing Dancing Club) provided lessons for DHC'ers on Wednesday evening. President and honors student, Noah Squires (senior, Pharmacy program) and his team of instructors lead the group in a swinging (and line-dancing) good time. Thursday started in style with Donuts in the morning and a gratitude-themed Tea Time in the afternoon. Spoiler alert on what Tim's grateful for: all of you! Connecting with our students during these monthly DHC traditions is always meaningful and fun.
Next week will be short with the Thanksgiving holiday. Everyone's invited to join us Monday (November 24), 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM in the lounge for our annual DHC 'Friendsgiving.' UM Catering will provide the basics, and our team will bring the sides and desserts. I love this holiday, this DHC tradition, and (of course), preparing — and eating — all the great food! The question remains: who will win the awesome apple pie bake-off?
DHC graduation applications for Spring 2026 are due today:
Incoming DHC applications for our new class of scholars for Fall 2026 are due December 1.
The DHC is serving as 'holiday helpers' for Soft Landing, Missoula, and will be collecting items for their youth program through December 15. Please be generous. 'Tis the season!
It's already clear that our post-Thanksgiving time will fly! Folks return December 1 for our last week of classes and finals.
Also, in the densely-scheduled queue for those last two weeks:
12/1 Caroling with the DHC
12/1 DHC incoming student scholarship deadline
12/1 DHC Ambassadors
12/2 DHC Trivia Night
12/3 Phi Kappa Phi induction ceremony
12/4 Learning Assistant Poster Showcase
12/5 Last Day of Classes
12/5 Final DHC Hike (downtown Christmas lights; meet at DHC)
12/6 DHC Documentary Class Film Festival
12/10 Fall Capstone Showcase
12/11 Fall Medallion Ceremony
12/12 Fall Commencement
Here's another Mary Oliver favorite, Starlings in Winter:
Chunky and noisy,
but with stars in their black feathers,
they spring from the telephone wire
and instantly
they are acrobats
in the freezing wind.
And now, in the theater of air,
they swing over buildings,
dipping and rising;
they float like one stippled star
that opens,
becomes for a moment fragmented,
then closes again;
and you watch
and you try
but you simply can't imagine
how they do it
with no articulated instruction, no pause,
only the silent confirmation
that they are this notable thing,
this wheel of many parts, that can rise and spring
over and over again,
full of gorgeous life.
Ah, world, what lessons you prepare for us,
even in the leafless winter,
even in the ashy city.
I am thinking now
of grief, and getting past it;
I feel my boots
trying to leave the ground,
I feel my heart
pumping hard. I want
to think again of dangerous and noble things.
I want to be light and frolicsome.
I want to be improbable beautiful and afraid of nothing,
