UM president to visit Ronan Chamber
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It certainly never is easy to follow someone into a position who has been a fixture, and even more difficult when that person was the longest-tenured president in the fabled history of a university.
But Royce Engstrom, who last year became the 17th president of the University of Montana when he replaced George Dennison, has done so with aplomb. Engstrom will be the guest speaker at the Ronan Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon, which is open to the public at the Ronan Golf Course, Dec 1.
He served as the Missoula school’s top academic as UM’s provost for three years after a 28-year tenure at the University of South Dakota, during which time he rose from professor to also serve in the Vermillion school’s office.
One might think that a conversation with a man with a doctorate in analytical chemistry from the University of Wisconsin might be a bit intimidating, but what you quickly realize in talking with Engstrom and his wife, Mary, is a deep appreciation of the need for the best in higher education, an abiding affection for the University of Montana and a sincere curiosity and interest in the people they encounter.
There is no wonder that he surfaced from a field of candidates after an exhaustive seven-month nationwide search and was the only finalist presented to the Montana Board of Regents by Commissioner of Higher Education Sheila Stearns and the 20-person search committee. There is no greater need than to have a person at the UM helm that not only engages in innovative thinking but also has the ability to effectively communicate to every integer the perils and challenges of higher education in such a difficult economic climate.
Engstrom quickly took on improving communication among the state’s affiliated campuses and created a 2020 curriculum, which establishes plans and priorities to take UM through the next decade. Lunch is available and there will be a question-and-answer session at the conclusion of Engstrom’s presentation.
