The University of Montana: A History of Education and Innovation

The University of Montana (UM), a flagship institution of the Montana University System and its second-largest campus, stands as a beacon of education and research in Missoula, Montana. This article delves into the rich history of UM, exploring its origins, growth, academic offerings, campus life, and contributions to the state and beyond.

Founding and Early Years

The foundation of UM can be traced back to 1881 when Congress approved that 46,000 acres of Montana land be dedicated to the development of a university. Montana was admitted to the Union on November 8, 1889, and the state legislature soon began to consider where the state's permanent capital and state university would be located. To ensure that the new state university would be located in Missoula, the city's leaders made an agreement with the standing capital of Helena that Missoula would stay out of the bidding for the new capital and would support Helena over its leading competitor, Anaconda. The cities' bids were supported by the rival "Copper Kings", William A. Clark and Marcus Daly.

Missoula won the legislative vote for the new university at the Third Montana Legislative Assembly in February 1893. The University of Montana-Missoula was chartered in 1893 and formally opened in 1895. While plans for a university campus were progressing, classes were temporarily held at nearby Willard School. The South Missoula Land Company, owned by A.B. Hammond, Richard Eddy and Marcus Daly, joined with the Higgins family in donating land for the new campus.

In June 1898, the cornerstone for A.J. Gibson's University Hall was laid. In 1898, construction began on University Hall thanks to land donated by the South Missoula Land Company and the Higgins family. This academic cornerstone gave Missoula the nickname “the University City.” The architectural style of the original buildings included the Renaissance Revival style with hipped roofs and green roof tiles. In 1898, the cornerstone for the building was laid and the ceremony invitation referred to the building as University Hall. A year later at the formal opening the building was dedicated University Hall. Over time, the term Main Hall has been used to refer to the building in correspondence and publications but the official name for the building has never been changed and remains University Hall.

Evolution and Name Changes

The university has gone through a series of name changes since it was founded. From 1893 to 1913, it was known as the University of Montana-Missoula. From 1913 to 1935, students called it State University of Montana.

Academic Divisions and Programs

The University of Montana comprises eleven full colleges and schools:

College of Humanities & Sciences
Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences
W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation

The Department of History at the University of Montana offers undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to learn about key areas of American, European, and world history from award-winning professors active in research who love to teach! The Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences is divided into five academic departments and the Institute of Educational Research and Service. In 1914, the University of Montana School of Law became a member of The Association of American Law Schools and in 1923, the school received accreditation from the American Bar Association.

UM offers a variety of associate, undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. Study in the liberal arts is emphasized, and the schools of forestry and of journalism are noteworthy. In addition are schools of arts and sciences, business administration, education, fine arts, law, technology, and pharmacy and allied health sciences.

Campus Environment and Traditions

The original plan of the campus was designed by one of its first professors, Frederich Scheuch, who called for the central oval to be surrounded by university buildings. The first set of buildings were set up around the oval in 1895. Since that time, various campus plans and architectural styles have been used. Today the campus consists of 220 acres (89 ha) and is bordered to the east by Mount Sentinel and the north by the Clark Fork River. A three-acre (1.2 ha) swath of grass running east to west, marking the traditional center of the university. Today it is divided into quadrants by two intersecting brick-laid paths. A double row of trees was planted around the oval on Arbor Day 1896, but many of the trees have since died and are in the process of being replanted. The original gravel driveway that once surrounded the Oval has also been replaced by sidewalk.

A 3⁄4-mile (1.2 km) trail with 13 switchbacks, it ascends 620 vertical feet (190 m), from 3,200 to 3,820 feet (975 to 1,165 m) above sea level, from the university at the base of Mount Sentinel. "The 'M'" first placed on Mount Sentinel was originally made of whitewashed rocks and only measuring 25 feet (7.6 m) by 25 feet; it was replaced by a wooden "M" in 1912, which cost $18. That "M," unlike today's "M," stood upright on the face of Mount Sentinel. When the large wooden "M" was destroyed by a blizzard in 1915, an even larger version was constructed of whitewashed granite. Once again the freshman class was tasked with annual renovation of the symbol, beginning a new tradition. The annual tradition ended in 1968 when a 125-by-100-foot (38 by 30 m) concrete "M" was built at a cost of $4,328. Although the annual whitewashing went by the wayside, one tradition that lives on today is the lighting of the "M" during the university's annual Homecoming celebration each fall.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

On the north side of campus, 29 evergreen trees stand in two columns forming Memorial Row along what used to be the path of Van Buren Avenue. The trees, running from the corner of the Oval to Eddy Avenue, were planted in 1919 following the end of the Great War to honor UM students, alumni, and faculty who died in the war, some to combat and many more to the influenza epidemic. The trees are Pinus ponderosa (Western Yellow Pines or Ponderosa Pine), the state tree of Montana. Originally, a white T-board stood in front of each tree, with the name of the person whom it honors; in 1925, these were replaced with 35 brass nameplates atop concrete markers. At the same time, the university added a memorial tablet on a boulder near the edge of the Oval closest to Memorial Row. It lists 21 of the 31 honorees from 1919.

Financial Aspects

The total operating budget for the University of Montana for fiscal year 2017 was approximately $423 million. Over the past 30 years, state support for higher education has dropped dramatically. In 1990, the State of Montana provided for 69% of the educational and general funds budget. It now supports 33% of the general fund or 13% of the university's operating budget.

Student Life and Activities

A variety of student organizations exist on campus. The University of Montana's International Program began as the International Student club in 1924. In 1981, the Mansfield Center was established and certification in teaching of English as a second language (TESL) began. As of 2010, the university has partnerships established with over 90 universities in over 40 countries. Programs on Central and Southwest Asia were created in 1997. UM is currently the only American university offering a Bachelor of Arts in Central and Southwest Asian Studies.

UM also has a stand-out list of notable names who have called the Missoula campus home, including, musicians, actors, athletes, etc. - Carroll O’Connor, Jeannette Rankin, J.K. Simmons, Chase Reynolds, and many others.

Athletics

The athletic teams are nicknamed the Montana Grizzlies ("Lady Griz" is used when referring to the women's basketball team; all other women's teams are known as the "Griz"). The university has competed in the NCAA's Big Sky Conference since the conference was formed in 1963. From 1924 to 1950, the University of Montana was a member of the Pacific Coast Conference (precursor to today's Pac-12).

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

Montana Grizzlies football - Since the 1990s, the Griz have established themselves as one of the most dominant football teams in both the Big Sky Conference and in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (known as Division I-AA football before 2006). Montana Grizzlies men's basketball - The men's basketball team has established itself in recent years as a power in the Big Sky, and was the conference representative to the NCAA Division I Men's basketball tournament in 2005, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2018, and 2019. At the 2006 tournament, the 12th-seeded Griz upset fifth-seeded University of Nevada, Reno, 87-79, the school's first win in the tournament in 31 years. Montana Grizzlies women's basketball - The Lady Griz have won 17 conference titles in 25 years, most recently in 2012, and have competed in the NCAA Women's tournament 17 times. The Lady Griz were coached from 1978 to 2016 by Robin Selvig (Montana, 1974), who had an overall record of 865-286 (.752 winning percentage).

Other intercollegiate sports include men's and women's cross country, women's golf, men's and women's track and field, men's and women's indoor track and field, men's and women's tennis, women's volleyball and women's soccer. Intramural sports include men's lacrosse (won 2007 national championship in their division, MCLA-B) and women's lacrosse, the Alpine Ski Team (went to the national championships in winter 2006), rowing, dance and cheer, men's and women's ice hockey, men's soccer, the Woodsman Team, rodeo, the Missoula Footbag Alliance. The mascot of the university is Monte, a Grizzly Bear.

Media and Publications

The Montana Kaimin, founded in 1898, is the student-run college newspaper. It is independent of the university. The Montanan is the university's alumni magazine, published by the University Relations office. CutBank, founded in 1973 by the Creative Writing Program, is a literary magazine. KBGA (89.9 FM) is the college radio station. KUFM-FM is the flagship and founding station of Montana Public Radio. Founded in 1965, its studios are located in the Broadcast Media Center, of the Performing Arts/Radio Television Center.

Buildings and Facilities

The buildings in this list have been sorted alphabetically by the first letter of the building's title. Click on a letter listed below to navigate to that building.

Aber Hall: Dormitory named for university Professor William Aber.
Adams Center: Originally called the Field House, it was renamed the Harry Adams Event Center 1998 and the Adams Center 1999.
Don Anderson Hall: Home to the School of Journalism and named for Montana native and Wisconsin publisher Don Anderson.
Brantly Hall: Dormitory originally called North Hall, it was renamed Brantly Hall in 1955.
Charles H. Clapp Building: Originally called the Science Complex, it was renamed the Charles H. Clapp Building in 2005. Originally housed war-related projects and various departments.
Oscar J. Craig Hall: Dormitory named for the first university president Oscar J.
Edwin B. Craighead Apartments: Student housing complex named for university president Edwin B.
Curry Health Center: Originally called the Student Health Services it was renamed the Curry Health Center in 1999. Dr. Robert B. Curry was a physician at the University of Montana for 26 years.
Ian B. Davidson Honors College: Named for donors Ian B. and Nancy Davidson.
Duniway Hall: Originally called Craig Hall Extension Two, it was renamed Duniway Hall in 1956. Clyde A. Duniway served as university president from 1908-1912.
Elrod Hall: Originally called South Hall, it was renamed Elrod Hall in 1955. Morton J. Elrod came to the university in 1897 as head of the science department, he later headed the biology department and founded the museum of botany and zoology. Elrod suffered a stroke in 1934 and retired.
Fine Arts Building: Originally built as the Student Union its was repurposed and renamed the Fine Arts Building in 1955. The theater attached to the building was originally called the University Theater.
Forestry Shack: The Forestry Shack was located behind Main Hall. When the College of Forestry and Conservation moved into their current home in 1922, the shack became the student store.
Gallagher Business Building: Named for donors William and Rosemary Gallagher.
Gymnasium: Original men’s gym. A large covered grandstand was built on the east side looking out over Dornblaser field.
Harold & Priscilla Gilkey Building: Named for donors Harold and Priscilla Gilkey. In 1962 Harold graduated from the UM School of Business and Priscilla graduated in English.
Home Economics Home Living Center: Home Economics Home Living Center, ca. Located at 630 University Avenue, the university purchased the property in 1947 from the Alpha Xi Delta sorority and leased it to the Department of Home Economics soon after.
Alumni Center (formerly the Women’s Club-Art Building): Originally called the Women’s Club-Art Building, in 1956 it was renamed the Scheuch Planetarium. The planetarium closed in 1968 and the building became the Alumni Center.
Jeannette Rankin Hall: From 1908-1922 the building was used as the campus library and from 1923-1948 it was home to the Law School. After 1948, the Psychology Department moved in followed by a series of changing tenants. The building was renamed Jeannette Rankin Hall in 1983. Jeannette Rankin graduated from the University of Montana in 1902. She was the first woman elected to the United States Congress. She served as Montana’s representative in the house from 1917-1919 and from 1941-1943.
Jesse Hall: Dormitory named for Dr. R.H. Jesse. From 1924-1954 Jesse served as professor and chair of the Chemistry Department. He also served as Dean of Men and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Jumbo Hall: Jumbo Hall was a prefabricated dormitory that was purchased from shipyards in Vancouver, Washington soon after World War II ended.
Knowles Hall: Dormitory named for Eloise Knowles.
Leland M. Kraft Hall: Named for Leland M. Kraft.
Liberal Arts Building: Originally intended to be called the Classroom Building, it was officially dedicated the Liberal Arts Building on January 10, 1954. The exterior mosaic is by Rudy Autio.
Emma B. Lommasson Center: Originally called the Lodge, it was renamed the Emma B. Lommasson Center in 2001. Lommasson graduated from the university in 1929. In 1937 she returned to pursue a master's in math. In 1947, she became the university’s first veteran’s advisor and later worked as the assistant registrar.
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library: Named for university alumni Mike Mansfield and his wife Maureen Mansfield. Mike Mansfield attended the university as an undergraduate and served in the United States House of Representatives from 1942-1952.
McGill Hall: Originally called the Women’s Center, it was renamed McGill Hall in 1984. Named for Dr. Dan McGill.
Natural Sciences Building: Named for J. Howard Toole.
North Corbin Hall: Originally served as a dormitory.
Old Native American Studies: Old Native American Studies, ca. 1980s.
Old Delta Delta Delta House: Originally owned by the Berry Family. In 1929, it housed the local chapter of the Delta Delta Delta Sorority. In 1932, the home was sold to Wybren Hiemstra and in 1938 it was sold to the Tremper Family.
Pantzer Hall: Dormitory named for university president Robert T. Pantzer.
Payne Family Native American Center: Named for the donors, the Payne Family.
Phyllis J. Washington College of Education: Originally called the Business Administration and Education Building, it was renamed the Education Building in 1996 and the Phyllis J. Washington Education Center in 2009. Named for donor Phyllis J. Washington.
The Prescott House: The Prescott house is located at the base of Mount Sentinel and was originally built and owned by Clarence Prescott, Sr.
Schreiber Gymnasium: Originally called the Men’s Gymnasium, the building was renamed Schreiber Gym in 1987. W.E. Schreiber was a coach and athletic director at the University of Montana.
Science Hall: The Science Hall was one of the four original buildings that made up campus.
Simpkins Hall: Originally a temporary barracks for SATC troops, the building served as the primary hospital on campus during the influenza epidemic.
Edward O. Sisson Hall: Named for university president Edward O. Sisson.
L.S. Skaggs Building: Named for donors L.S. and Aline W. Skaggs.
Stone Hall: Originally called the Journalism Building, it was renamed Old Journalism in 2008. Then in 2011, it was renamed Stone Hall after Arthur L. Stone.
James E. Todd Building: Named for James E. Todd.
Turner Hall: Originally called New Hall, it was renamed Turner Hall in 1954. Named for Belle B. Turner.
University Hall: The first campus plan created in 1895 by engineering professor Dr. Frederick C. Scheuch labeled University Hall as Main Building. In 1898, the cornerstone for the building was laid and the ceremony invitation referred to the building as University Hall. A year later at the formal opening the building was dedicated University Hall.
Harold C. Urey Lecture Hall: Named for Dr. Harold Clayton Urey. Dr. Urey graduated from the university in 1917 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He received his PhD in physical chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley.
Dennis and Phyllis Washington Hall: Named for donors Dennis and Phyllis Washington. Dennis is from Montana and founded Washington Corporation.

W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation

The W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation first started as a Ranger School in 1908 at the University of Montana to train Forest Service rangers. For the first two years, the school helped ready new Forest Service employees for their work as foresters on the newly created national forest system. By 1913, the University had decided to expand educational offerings beyond the job-related courses of the ranger school, and on March 21, 1913, the State Legislature of Montana authorized the creation of the School of Forestry. The school formally opened on September 8, 1914, with 25 students. In 1916, the forestry school had three departments: forestry, forestry engineering, and the ranger course.

In March 1913, the Legislature allocated $6,000 for supplies so the school could construct its own building. By 1922, students had outgrown this two-story building behind Main Hall, dubbed The Shack. Architect Ole Bakke of Missoula designed a new three-story building with money raised by a state bond. This new structure, opened in 1922, was named the Gifford Pinchot Hall of Forestry in 1923 for the first Chief of the USDA Forest Service. Currently, the school's administrative offices, several classrooms and some faculty offices are still housed in this 1922 building.

In 1914, forestry students built a fire lookout on Mt. Sentinel. In 1914, the School of Forestry held its first spring camp on the shores of Salmon Lake. By 1920, camp had moved to Flathead Lake where students spent ten days visiting the Somers Lumber Company mill, touring the Great Northern Railway tie-treating plant, and much more. In the 1930s, students went on spring field trips. These started as two- to three-day jaunts across the Pacific Northwest to visit national forests and lumber operations, but expanded into much longer trips.

In 1937, the forestry school received a donation of 19,058 acres of land from the Anaconda Company and an additional 1,212 acres the following year from the Northern Pacific Railroad. This Lubrecht Experimental Forest, named for the Anaconda Company manager who helped facilitate the donation, became the school's new home for camp and other student activities. In 1971, a 640-acre section was given to students to manage. Throughout the 1950s, 60s and early 70s, range management students went on extended field trips throughout the desert southwest, led by Professor Melvin S. Morris.

During WWI, the School of Forestry had more men serving in the armed forces than any other similarly sized forestry school: 78 students were enlisted and seven died in battle or from influenza. These seven students are memorialized in UM's Memorial Row. During the 1920s and 1930s, forestry students provided the bulk of the summer workforce for the Forest Service. By the start of WWII, most of these trained men enlisted in the military; 14 forestry students died in the war. A bronze bell in the Main Hall Memorial Carillon is dedicated to those students. In 1949, three forestry students died in the Mann Gulch fire on the Helena National Forest.

The Forestry Club was established in 1914 and has been active since with activities like the Foresters' Ball, the fall smoker, and management of the student-owned section 13 at Lubrecht Experimental Forest. The club also publishes the Forestry Kaimin, a newsletter published annually from 1915 through 1967 (except during WWI and WWII), and intermittently since then. Josephine Darlington was the first woman to graduate from the school in 1928. The second female graduate, Jean Hamre, graduated in 1947, followed by Colleen McCarthy in 1948.

In 1946, the school added a master's degree in forestry and in 1964 the State Board of Education approved the PhD program. In 1996, the PhD in Wildlife Biology was added. In 2003, the School of Forestry was renamed the College of Forestry and Conservation. On November 18, 2016, the Montana University System Board of Regents approved the re-naming of the college to the W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation in honor of Bill and Carolyn Franke and their family’s transformative $24 million gift to the University of Montana. This is the largest single donation the University has ever received. The Frankes’ gift is focused on students and programs that emphasize environmental research and hands-on learning experiences. Eighteen million dollars of the gift will fuel education and research in the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, providing competitive fellowship awards to faculty and graduate students, funding for undergraduates to learn about conservation through study abroad and service learning projects, and scholarships for both graduate and undergraduate students.

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