Montana Western’s class of 2009 is the second class to graduate fully under Experience One. This year’s graduation ceremony featured author John Maclean, and honored educator Angela McLean as 2009’s Distinguished Alumni.

Author and reporter John Maclean will address the Class of 2009 at the 112th commencement ceremonies 11 a.m. Saturday, May 9. The Class of 2009 is the second class to graduate under the innovative scheduling program Experience One.

Susie Vanderlip, national and award-winning presenter, will be performing her one-woman show in Dillon Thursday, April 2 at 7 p.m. in the Beier Auditorium on the Montana Western campus. Her performance at Montana Western is sponsored by the Tobacco Free Task Force. The performance is free and open to the public. Vanderlip is an award-winning author, actor and dancer. Her presentation, “Legacy of Hope®,” has reached thousands of teens and young adults in colleges around the country. Full of comedy and drama, “Legacy of Hope®,” is an energetic performance that encourages positive choice making.

Award-winning author Marty Essen will present his noted, digital show “Around the World in 90 Minutes” on Monday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lewis & Clark Room on the University of Montana campus. Essen has traveled the world researching, taking photos and gathering stories to compile his award-winning book, “Cool Creatures, Hot Planet.” Essen’s presentation is free and open to the public. Picture above is an “Orchid-Mimic Spider from the Amazon,” one of the amazing creatures from Essen’s presentation.

The next Faculty Forum will be held Monday, March 30, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. in the STC Great Room and will feature UMW alumna Jessica Ulrich. Ulrich, a Montana Western alumna and a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Montana will be giving a presentation about her experiences conducting research in Fiji about the FIJI bottled water company and its effects on the people of Fiji.

The University of Montana Western’s Main Hall renovation project would receive $6 million over two years based on a bill proposed by Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer and sponsored by House Appropriations Chair Jon Sesso.

Montana Western’s Elderhostel program is organizing a tour of Montana’s ghost towns June 14 to 21, 2009. The tour starts and ends in Helena, Mont. and makes stops at historic Bannack State Park, Elkhorn, Alder Gulch, Last Chance Gulch, Coolidge and others. This tour is an opportunity to connect with the history of southwest Montana. Contact UMW Elderhostel for more information, (406) 683-7302.

Production runs from Feb. 26 to March 2 in the Beier Auditorium. All performances are at 7:33 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. The cast is made up of 19 actors, both students and community members. “The Good Doctor” is a series of comedies with music set in 19th century Russia.

Italy tour students will present their experiences from Venice, Florence, Rome, Milan, Assisi and Pompeii Wednesday Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. in the STC Great Room.

UMW English professor Roger Dunsmore and Montana’s poet laureate shared their poetry at “Dances with Words” Feb. 19. Dunsmore contributed to the reading at Pape’s request. The next installment of “Dances with Words” is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 26 and will feature novelist Craig Lesley of Portland, Ore.