Though University of Montana Western biology alumni Kyle Lund’s work may be on a small scale — nano, actually — it’s getting a lot of big attention.

The University of Montana Western announced its reaffirmation of accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The accrediting body, the largest in the country, includes 163 colleges in a seven-state region.

Through a new collaboration with the Montana Western Campus Corps and Beaverhead County Museum, students are beginning to take an active role in learning about the history of Dillon and the surrounding area by archiving that history for the museum.

Five students from a University of Montana Western environmental interpretation class are making a lasting mark on two of Montana’s most famous historic mining towns, Virginia and Nevada Cities.

University of Montana Western environmental sciences professor Rob Thomas has been named Outstanding Baccalaureate Colleges Professor of the Year by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

The Montana Western Polynesian Club presents the fourth annual spring luau on Saturday, April 24. This year’s event, “The Circle of Life,” will be held at the Keltz Arena. Doors open at 5 p.m. Dinner and performances begin at 6 p.m.

The second annual Terra Verde Earth Day Festival will be held Saturday, April 17 at the Museum and Depot Park in Dillon, Mont.

Award-winning educator and Montana Western alumna Angela McLean was appointed by Gov. Brian Schweitzer as the newest member of the Montana Board of Regents.

Montana Western alumna Denise McRea took her poetry to the national stage as a performer at the 2010 National Cowboy Poetry Gathering at Elko, Nevada from Jan 23 to 30.

A 2010 visit to the University of Montana Western campus will reveal many new sights. In addition to the ongoing Main Hall renovation, new banners and campus signage are giving Montana Western a new look for the new year.