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UM Equestrian Team

The University of Montana Equestrian Team recently hosted its first competition of the year. UM News Reporter Dustin Askim and photographer Shane Gillette hit the stables to see what the club is all about. Coach Jeanne Goudreau founded the team in 2000. This year’s group of about 25 has traveled as far as Utah for events, and practices several times every week.

Interview with Professor Samir Bitar

University of Montana Arabic language and culture professor Samir Bitar discusses his journey from Palestine to Montana, UM’s Arabic Studies Program, cultural differences between the Arab and Western worlds, Americans’ misconceptions about Arabs and Islam, the Arab world’s misconceptions about the West, and the role of education in a six-part interview with reporter Kyle Schmauch.  Nate Chapman directed the interview with cameramen Brandon Allen and Conor Ballantyne.

Part 1: Bitar’s Story and the Creation of the Arabic Studies Program

Bitar was born in Palestine and came to Montana for college at the age of 16.  He traveled abroad and worked in different parts of the U.S. before coming to Missoula to start his own business and volunteer in local schools.  He started teaching Arabic at the University of Montana in 1999.

Part 2: Goals and Successes of the Arabic Program

Bitar says the Arabic Studies Program has grown consistently in recent years, and that the new Arabic minor is one of the most employable minors offered at UM.

Part 3: Cultural Differences Between the Arab and Western Worlds

Bitar says he sees language as “culture in context.” He explains how even simple things like names and the use of personal space vary widely among cultures.

Part 4: Americans’ Misconceptions About the Arab World and Islam

Bitar talks about his own experiences as a Muslim in Montana over the past 39 years, and the role media has in perpetuating stereotypes about Muslims.

Part 5: Arab Misconceptions About the West and Educational Differences

Bitar says many people in the Arab world wrongly see Western culture as completely sex-driven and devoid of religion.  He explains that education is key to overcoming misconceptions in both parts of the world.

Part 6: UM’s Role in Bridging Cultural Differences

Bitar describes how UM’s Arabic Studies Program is working to bridge cultural differences between the U.S. and the Arab world.

UM Zombie Tag

The University of Montana campus was the playground for a week long Human vs. Zombie Tag event. UM News reporter Nina Sveinson and photographer Max Barnum captured some of the action.

UM News Maroon Broadcast for October 31

This week on UM News, our maroon team anchors Evan Rau and Don Fisher tell us about how much money the Grizzly Scholarship Association raised at last week’s fundraiser. They also report on how UM athletes manage athletics and academics and how UM drama students haunted many buildings on campus.  The program was produced by Ashley Mackey and directed by Sergio Gonzalez.

UM News Silver Broadcast for October 31

This week on UM News, our silver team anchors Anna Cole and Mackenzie Lee tell us about how UM Greek fraternities help out in the community to make a difference. They also report on the Muslim Student Association at UM and how art students create large works of art for the upcoming Day of the Dead parade.  The program was produced by Eric Clements and directed by Mike Huberman.

Grizzly Student Athletes Find a Balance

The fall semester is over halfway through at the University of Montana. But student athletes need to juggle more than just academics. UM News reporter Anna Cole has the story on how student athletes find a balance between the demands of their sport, and their academic responsibilities.

Day of the Dead

UM art students get prepared for the Day of the Dead parade in downtown Missoula. UM News reporter Nicole Wren and photographer Wyatt Melin learned more about the effort that goes into these designs.

UM Greek houses help out around Missoula

One UM fraternity helps out with landscaping at one of Missoula’s oldest private schools. UM News reporter Lauren Robinson and photographer Conor Ballantyne learned more about sorority and fraternity involvement in Missoula.

Grizzly Scholarship Association Event Raises $30,000

The Grizzly Scholarship Association, or GSA, hosts several events throughout the school year. These events raise about one point five million dollars a year to help raise scholarship money for student athletes. Reporter Don Fisher and photographer Mackenzie Lee found out more about this years effort.