MISSOULA – It was a packed house in the ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú’s Dennison Theatre on the evening of Monday, Aug. 25.
The tradition of gathering first-year University students is nearly as old as UM itself. Convocation, the formal ceremony welcoming new students to the University’s academic community, literally means “coming together.”
UM’s class of 2029, alongside UM faculty, staff and administrators, gathered to officially mark the beginning of a new academic year. Traditionally, students begin their academic journey with Convocation and four years later end their journey at Commencement, or graduation.
UM President Seth Bodnar led the ceremony by asking students if they were overwhelmed, excited or nervous after the first day of classes, with several hands going up.
He provided a tip from his days in the U.S. Army: “fake motivation is better than no motivation.” (Bodnar currently serves as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve).
Bodnar reminded students that although a college experience is an individual journey, at UM it is crucial to remember that students are part of something bigger than oneself.
“At UM, I’m going to ask that you think beyond yourself,” Bodnar said. “Yes, this academic journey is one you are responsible for walking. But as you look around today, and for the next four years, this community is around you, here to support you. It’s important to remember when to ask for help and when to extend a hand to help to someone else.”
Bodnar asked UM’s newest to consider leaning into The ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú Way, which encapsulates UM’s unique undergraduate experience that combines career training and support with well-being, leadership and service.
“The world is desperate for a new generation of leaders,” Bodnar said. “And Grizzlies rise to that challenge, because there’s something special here on this campus. That’s why you chose us. So I’m going to ask that you to lean into – and live – The ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú Way.”
Bodnar said The ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú Way includes learning to take care of oneself. It also means engaging and practicing discourse with ideas and people different from your own – even those with whom you “vehemently disagree.” He said The ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú Way is about becoming the best version of yourself and understanding the difference between interdependence and independence.
“Be courageous,” Bodnar said. “Take risks, be curious. Join a club and find something with which to fall in love with – maybe that’s a subject, a person or an experience. That’s up to you.”
Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Leslie Webb and Association Students of UM President Buddy Wilson both spoke directly to students, offering tips on student success, engagement and support.
“Make it a point to make a friend or a connection in each class,” Webb said. “That way you’ll have a built-in connection for the year.”
Wilson encouraged students to join one of UM’s more than 150 student clubs and listed the services of ASUM on behalf of student representation and advocacy.
UM Assistant Professor Beth Hubble, winner of UM’s Most Inspirational Teacher of the Year Award, spoke to the value of connectivity at UM and her journey from Stanford, ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú, to being a Fullbright Scholar from UM.
“I love students,” she said. “You are the reason why I have been on this campus since the ’90s and why I continue my love of teaching and scholarship today. Believe me when I tell you that this place can take you to places you never imagined.”
UM Alumni 25 Under 25 recipient and alumnus Kyle Wonders reflected on his woven connections between academic, research and student experiences at UM – all of which complemented his early career experience in nonprofit environmental advocacy, where he “gets people to understand their important connection to place, which is what you will do you here,” Wonders said.
Bondar closed out the ceremony by welcoming students to play games, meet and greet faculty, and enjoy refreshments and ice cream
“Your roots are here. You are part of this community now and forever,” he said. “So let’s Go Griz and make the best of it – and let’s make a deal to meet back together in four years when you graduate.”
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Contact: Dave Kuntz, UM director of Strategic Communications, 406-243-5659, dave.kuntz@umontana.edu.
