Members of the Bitterroot Valley community are invited to a new name- and logo-unveiling event for Bitterroot College University of Montana on Tuesday, June 18 at 4 p.m. at 274 Old Corvallis Road in Hamilton.
The unveiling will kick off with remarks from Montana Deputy Commissioner of Two-Year Education John Cech. UM President Royce Engstrom, BC Advisory Council Chair Lynn Stocking and BC Advisory Council Vice Chair Dixie Stark also will deliver a few words before the unveiling.
BC donors also will be recognized at the event with an unveiling of a “First Fifty” plaque, which honors the first 50 individuals and organizations who contributed gifts of $1,000 or more. Aside from scholarships, the donations have purchased classroom furniture and equipment, lab supplies and tools, as well as pay for instruction and curriculum development and also fund marketing initiatives.
“Due to incredible generosity from members of our community, we are able to provide our students with a first-class experience as they pursue higher education,” said Victoria Clark, BC director. “In addition to funding classroom and laboratory infrastructure, donations enabled us to establish this institution within the community by creating our own unique logo and producing a new sign for the building.”
Following the formal program, the public is invited to attend a “Meet Your College” open house, which includes tours of the facility and the opportunity to meet and ask questions of staff, students and faculty. The open house runs until 6 p.m. Refreshments will be served, and participants can purchase BC logo merchandise.
As part of the College!NOW initiative, the Montana University System redefined the roles of two-year colleges in Montana. The Board of Regents identified five essential attributes to be provided at each two-year college, including:
• Transfer education through the associate degree.
• Workforce development, including certificates and associate of applied science degrees.
• Developmental and basic adult education.
• Lifelong learning.
• Community development.
The attributes of the comprehensive two-year mission include:
• Open-access admissions.
• Affordability.
• Student centeredness.
• Adult-focused and accessible learning.
• Responsiveness to local needs.
• Cultivation of partnerships.
To make two-year education better understood and better used by all Montanans, the Board of Regents voted in spring 2012 to rename the two-year programs in Bozeman and Hamilton and the colleges of technology within the MUS: Bitterroot College University of Montana; Helena College University of Montana; Highlands College of Montana Tech, located in Butte; Missoula College University of Montana; City College at Montana State University-Billings, located in Billings; Great Falls College Montana State University; and Gallatin College Montana State University, located in Bozeman.
Currently BC students can pursue an Associate of Arts degree, also known as a two-year transfer degree. The college also offers all of the prerequisite courses required for admissions into Missoula College’s Health Profession degree programs.
Beginning in the fall, BC will offer three new Certificate of Applied Science Degree programs: Building Maintenance Engineering, Computer Support Specialist and Customer Relations.
Applications for these programs now are being accepted. Admissions representatives will be available at the name and logo unveiling event to answer questions and provide more information. Those unable to attend the event can call 375-0100 to learn more.
For more information about the event call Clark at 375-0100 or email victoria.clark@umontana.edu.