Thanks to the generosity and vision of many donors, the Montana Museum of Art and Culture building is now open to the public. Our giving community gifted and pledged more than $15 million to the UM Foundation for the project, including a contribution of $12.5 million from longtime UM donors Patt and Terry Payne. The new facility is the first permanent home for the MMAC and provides state-of-the-art storage and exhibition space for the museum’s 11,000-work collection — the oldest, largest and most comprehensive art holding in the state.

The UM Foundation has honored Suzanne Peterson ‘78 with the Neil S. Bucklew Presidential Service Award. Peterson is recognized for advancing the University’s mission across campus and throughout the state. Suzanne and her husband Dave have given to the UM Foundation to establish an endowed professorship of gifted education in the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and to support students and faculty in the College of Business. We thank Peterson for her volunteer service and dedication to UM.

Kerry Foresman and Deana Pedersen dedicated their careers to helping students and advancing research, having committed 50 years of combined service to UM. The couple recently made a commitment in their estate plan to establish scholarships for UM biology, wildlife biology and microbiology majors. Their scholarships will provide experiential learning opportunities for students working toward careers in biology, medicine, veterinary medicine and related fields.