2007 PRESIDENT'S REPORT

UM Campaign — A World of Success

The University of Montana is bigger than its Missoula campus — the institution lives and breathes in countless locations.

The impact of the ideas proliferating from this campus and around the world is exactly what UM’s “Invest in Discovery” campaign was all about. When people focus their support and resources toward creating a university for the 21st century, lives are changed in Montana and across the globe.

“When we launched this effort a bit more than five years ago,” President George Dennison says, “we did not anticipate the scope and fervor of the response it generated. The amazing success of ‘Invest in Discovery — Connecting People, Programs and Place’ marks another historic first for Montana: the most successful fundraising campaign ever attempted in the state.

“More important, generosity and support of some 29,000 donors have positioned The University of Montana as a ‘University for the 21st century,’ just as we proposed,” he says. “With the $131 million in direct response to requests, and an additional $41 million from other sources over the same period (but not in direct response to campaign solicitations), we can move into the future with pride and optimism.

“I especially want to thank the members of the UM Foundation Board of Trustees, the Campaign Steering Committee, the foundation staff, University people and the hundreds of volunteers who helped to make all of this possible.”

National Campaign Chair Deborah Doyle McWhinney says, “There is no question that the investment by alumni and friends is paying off and in ways that can be felt throughout campus, the state and beyond. More affordable education — through scholarships, excellent programs and new and improved learning facilities — will all go to help UM stay at the top of its game.”

Laura Brehm, UM Foundation president and CEO, responded to the huge outpouring of new donors and reinvesting donors with, “I think people really understand and believe that supporting UM isn’t just an investment in higher education, it’s an investment in Montana. It’s a great day at The University of Montana, and I’m excited about the possibilities going forward.”

The future is here, and UM has a front-row seat for witnessing student and faculty potential generating progress for all — at home and abroad.

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The role of private support remains vital to ensuring a strong and competitive University. Investment opportunities include:

— The Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Sciences.
— The Native American Center.
— The Presidential Leadership Scholarships, UM’s most prestigious undergraduate awards.
— The Phyllis J. Washington Education Center.
— The Montana Museum of Art & Culture.
— The Montana University System Honors Scholarships, awarded to outstanding students from Montana high schools.
— The Gilkey Center for Executive Education.
— The Law School Building renovation and addition.
— The T. Anthony Pollner Distinguished Professor in Journalism.
—The alumni center.

To learn more about supporting UM, call the UM Foundation at
406-243-2593 or visit http://DiscoveryNeverEnds.org.

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