grizgrad99
New member
First, I'd like to state that I'm a long-time lurker and first-time poster. I've been a Griz fan for 20 years and am a proud graduate of the University of Montana. Like many of you, I was disappointed in this year's Cat-Griz game results. A 55-21 loss is a beatdown, no excuses. At the start of the season, we, as fans, dreamed of conference championships, number 1 seeds, and a national title. As often happens, our expectations were tempered by a series of gut-wrenching losses. It's acceptable to be disappointed in this season's outcome. It's good to expect more from Bobby Hauck and his staff. Unfortunately, over the last week, I've seen a disturbing trend on this website. Folks are extrapolating a Cat-Griz loss and concluding that UM is on a downhill slide, destined to fall by the wayside, a lost cause. I'm here to challenge that notion and ask a favor.
I firmly believe that the University of Montana is one of the finest academic institutions in the country. This isn't the result of some maroon-colored glasses. Here are some stats to back this up:
• UM is an R1 research instituion. This classification is granted by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education organization and indicates "Very High Research Activity." Of 4,000 degree-granting institutions in the US, only 146 have achieved this significant milestone. (Link: UM R1 Classification)
• In 2021, the University of Montana was ranked in the top 10 nationwide for research growth. According to the National Science Foundation, of 725 research institutions, UM ranked number 6 for fastest research growth. (Link: UM Research Growth)
• Did you know that UM is home to some of the top pre-medical students in the country (Link: 100th Percentile MCAT) or that 70% of UM pre-med students were admitted to medical school this year (Link: Pre-Med Acceptance)? Also of note, according to the previous article, UM's pre-med students were accepted to some of the top medical schools in the world.
• UM students are consistently among the nation's top students as measured by prestigious scholarship awards/finalist positions (Link: UM Student Wins Prestigious Truman Scholarship) (Link: Two UM Students Named Rhodes Scholarship Finalists). Additionally, UM students and graduates rank among the nation's most promising basic science researchers (Link: UM Students Win Prestigious STEM Award). UM students also routinely win Fulbright Fellowships, allowing them to travel overseas to teach and conduct research (Link: UM Fulbright Fellows) (Link: UM Fulbright Fellows 2022).
• UM students aren't just active in the classroom; they're also committed to strengthening their community. In 2022, Washington Monthly, a DC-based political magazine, ranked the University of Montana as the top university in the country for its commitment to its community and the country (Link: UM Service Recognized as Top in the Country).
• UM faculty are among the nation's leading scholars in the life sciences, forestry, atmospheric chemistry, geology, and many others.
• UM's research enterprise is impressive. Even more incredible is that undergraduate students are leading the charge and actively participating in cutting-edge research in STEM (Link: UM Student Researches Black Holes).
• UM faculty are leading the charge to help increase diversity in STEM, encouraging students from traditionally underrepresented communities to pursue research in the sciences. It's worth noting that the HHMI and the NSF are backing this project at UM to the tune of $12.5 million.
The above list represents only a tiny snapshot of the incredible things happening at the flagship institution in Montana, and I'd bet that a plurality of you didn't know about most, if not all, of these developments. That isn't on you. UM has fallen behind in controlling the narrative about the outstanding education available in Missoula. This is where you come in: Help change the narrative.
If you love Grizzly athletics–I know you do–then I'm asking you to extend that passion and excitement to our beloved university. Step up and challenge people when they proclaim Bozeman the best STEM school in the state. Let people know about the incredible research enterprise in Missoula. If you know high school students interested in biology, chemistry, medicine, political science, English, geology, journalism, social work, education, psychology, mathematics, etc., tell them about all the world-class educational opportunities that exist inside–and outside–the classroom at UM. If you don't know anyone personally, reach out to the admissions office and tell them to step up their advertising. Let them know how proud you are to be an alum of the University of Montana and that you want to encourage the next generation of Grizzlies to pursue their education and dreams at one of the finest institutions in the country in the best college town in the country.
Now, with that out of the way, let's pack that stadium to the brim on Saturday for some playoff football. Up with Montana. GO GRIZ!
I firmly believe that the University of Montana is one of the finest academic institutions in the country. This isn't the result of some maroon-colored glasses. Here are some stats to back this up:
• UM is an R1 research instituion. This classification is granted by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education organization and indicates "Very High Research Activity." Of 4,000 degree-granting institutions in the US, only 146 have achieved this significant milestone. (Link: UM R1 Classification)
• In 2021, the University of Montana was ranked in the top 10 nationwide for research growth. According to the National Science Foundation, of 725 research institutions, UM ranked number 6 for fastest research growth. (Link: UM Research Growth)
• Did you know that UM is home to some of the top pre-medical students in the country (Link: 100th Percentile MCAT) or that 70% of UM pre-med students were admitted to medical school this year (Link: Pre-Med Acceptance)? Also of note, according to the previous article, UM's pre-med students were accepted to some of the top medical schools in the world.
• UM students are consistently among the nation's top students as measured by prestigious scholarship awards/finalist positions (Link: UM Student Wins Prestigious Truman Scholarship) (Link: Two UM Students Named Rhodes Scholarship Finalists). Additionally, UM students and graduates rank among the nation's most promising basic science researchers (Link: UM Students Win Prestigious STEM Award). UM students also routinely win Fulbright Fellowships, allowing them to travel overseas to teach and conduct research (Link: UM Fulbright Fellows) (Link: UM Fulbright Fellows 2022).
• UM students aren't just active in the classroom; they're also committed to strengthening their community. In 2022, Washington Monthly, a DC-based political magazine, ranked the University of Montana as the top university in the country for its commitment to its community and the country (Link: UM Service Recognized as Top in the Country).
• UM faculty are among the nation's leading scholars in the life sciences, forestry, atmospheric chemistry, geology, and many others.
• UM's research enterprise is impressive. Even more incredible is that undergraduate students are leading the charge and actively participating in cutting-edge research in STEM (Link: UM Student Researches Black Holes).
• UM faculty are leading the charge to help increase diversity in STEM, encouraging students from traditionally underrepresented communities to pursue research in the sciences. It's worth noting that the HHMI and the NSF are backing this project at UM to the tune of $12.5 million.
The above list represents only a tiny snapshot of the incredible things happening at the flagship institution in Montana, and I'd bet that a plurality of you didn't know about most, if not all, of these developments. That isn't on you. UM has fallen behind in controlling the narrative about the outstanding education available in Missoula. This is where you come in: Help change the narrative.
If you love Grizzly athletics–I know you do–then I'm asking you to extend that passion and excitement to our beloved university. Step up and challenge people when they proclaim Bozeman the best STEM school in the state. Let people know about the incredible research enterprise in Missoula. If you know high school students interested in biology, chemistry, medicine, political science, English, geology, journalism, social work, education, psychology, mathematics, etc., tell them about all the world-class educational opportunities that exist inside–and outside–the classroom at UM. If you don't know anyone personally, reach out to the admissions office and tell them to step up their advertising. Let them know how proud you are to be an alum of the University of Montana and that you want to encourage the next generation of Grizzlies to pursue their education and dreams at one of the finest institutions in the country in the best college town in the country.
Now, with that out of the way, let's pack that stadium to the brim on Saturday for some playoff football. Up with Montana. GO GRIZ!