April 30, 2009
Montana Western participated in the Montana University System undergraduate science research forum in the Capitol rotunda. The forum featured students from most of the four-year public universities in Montana. Montana Western was represented by Anneliese Ripley, dean of outreach and research, and Rob Thomas, professor of geology.
The Montana Western table featured field-based research projects conducted in undergraduate classes like Environmental Field Studies, Soils and Surficial Processes. Gov. Brian Schweitzer spoke at the forum for about an hour to discuss issues facing the Montana University System. The governor praised Montana Western for its innovative Experience One system. He also made a positive pitch for funding for the Main Hall renovation project on the Montana Western campus in Dillon, Mont.
Experience One is Montana Western’s unique scheduling program in which students take one class at a time, allowing them to fully focus on what they study. Experience One also gives undergraduates the opportunity to conduct meaningful research that prepares them for graduate school or the workforce. Montana Sen. Debbie Barrett and Welborn stopped by the Montana Western research table and commented on how impressed they were with the quality of work being done by Montana Western undergraduates.
