University of Montana Foundation

UM will present honorary doctorates to alumni Eric Sprunk and Steven Rinella during Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 10. Sprunk worked at Nike Inc. for 27 years, rising to the rank of chief operating officer as he helped transform and grow one of the world’s most recognizable and successful brands. Sprunk and his wife, Blair, also give generously to support business, athletics and the arts at UM. Rinella is a New York Times-bestselling author of more than 10 books, the star of the Netflix television series “MeatEater” and the host of “The MeatEater Podcast.” Learn more at https://bit.ly/UMhonDocs25.

We're thrilled to welcome Violet Nowlen to the UM Foundation! Violet recently joined our development team as a donor experience officer. She is a recent UM alumna, having earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in musical theatre performance. She minored in nonprofit administration and is currently earning a master’s of public administration. Violet brings extensive volunteer experience, including an internship with the Montana Repertory Theatre. While earning her undergraduate degree, Violet also worked as a lead student activity coordinator in the student life department. Please join us in welcoming Violet! #NewHire #WelcomeToTheTeam #AdvancementCareers

Best-selling author Carl Hiaasen will be honored at this year’s fourth annual Hooks for Books, a fundraiser that brings together the literary and fly-fishing communities, from Sunday, Sept. 21 through Tuesday, Sept. 23 to raise support for UM's Creative Writing Program. Hiaasen will receive the Writers on Water award, which celebrates literary legends influenced by the natural environment. This event was co-founded by UM alum, entrepreneur and writer Tim O’Leary and Creative Writing Program Director Chris Dombrowski with support from the UM Foundation. Proceeds help fund the creative writing program’s areas of greatest need, including faculty positions and student scholarships. Learn more and register at https://lnkd.in/ghqmNBuP. #CreativeWriting #MontanaWriters #MontanaPoets

We are deeply grateful for the amazing support from our giving community during #UMBigGive. With your help, we inspired 815 gifts totaling $390,252 in just 24 hours. You are a part of the UM story, now and forever. Your generosity creates opportunity and changes lives. Thank you. If you missed The Big Give, know it’s never too late to support what you love about UM. Visit SupportUM.org/Give to make a difference today.

During The Big Give, UM students experienced the power of philanthropy in action by casting their vote for the UM Students’ Choice Award. Students selected Student Success Scholarships as this year’s winner to receive a bonus gift of $1,000. Thank you to the nearly 200 students who voted, and to our generous giving community for participating in #UMBigGive!

Want to make a difference for UM students? Participate in The Big Give today! Our sixth annual online giving event is March 5 and 6. We’re calling on UM alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends to join together and be part of the UM story, now and forever. Find an area that inspires you — whether that’s scholarships, a student support program like the UM Food Pantry, or one of the 50-plus Participating Groups to choose from — and make a gift before noon on March 6. Early gifts and gifts of any size make an impact for students. Donate at SupportUM.org/BigGive. Every gift tells a tale. Be a part of the UM story, now and forever. #UMBigGive

The Big Give is just around the corner – help us spread the word! Sign up to be a Big Give Ambassador and invite your networks to donate any amount to UM by noon on March 6. Share photos and memories of your time at UM, and encourage others to join you in supporting what you love most about the University. Join us in the spirit of generosity, community and the transformative power of education. When you make a gift and inspire two people in your network to make gifts through your unique link, you’ll receive a special thank you. Be a part of the UM story, now and forever. Please sign up at https://lnkd.in/gAENvQVP.

Save the date for UM’s sixth annual giving day! #UMBigGive is back, and we’re calling on our community to join together to be part of the UM story, now and forever. The Big Give is more than a 24-hour giving day. It’s a chance for everyone who loves UM to be part of something bigger than that. It’s an opportunity to bridge our celebrated past and the bright future we’re creating for UM students. Please visit SupportUM.org/BigGive, and donate to the area that matters most to you from noon on March 5 to noon on March 6. Early gifts and gifts of any size count toward the big day.

Happy Valentine’s Day to our incredible giving community! Thank you for supporting what you love about UM. Your generosity makes a transformational impact for generations of students.

In partnership with the Northern Rockies Fire Science Network and others, the UM Wilderness Institute will co-host a screening of “The Fire Problem” at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12, in the University Center Theater. This thought-provoking documentary delves into the origins of the increasing wildfire challenges and highlights what many experts believe to be a clear and achievable solution. Following the screening, a panel of experts will lead a discussion and answer audience questions. Private support of the “Treasure Montana: Cultivating Our Tomorrow” campaign ensures the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation continues to serve as the national nexus of forestry expertise for addressing extreme wildfires. Learn more about this opportunity to engage with Franke College faculty and other fire scientists: https://lnkd.in/g_y8kR7D. #TreasureMontana