Education

University of Montana’s longest serving president, George Dennison, died today at age 81.

Dennison retired from the university in 2010 after serving as president for 20 years — the longest tenure of any UM president.

To listen to the full-length version of his speech, featured in the audio clip below, click here.

A suicide prevention task force said there’s been a significant increase in the use of mental health services among college students, but the campuses don’t have the resources to meet the demand.

The Montana Board of Regents heard the report at its September meeting at City College in Billings. After hearing the report, the regents told campus leaders they want to campuses to act.

Some members of the public called on the Board of Regents to give MSU Billings more autonomy in what programs it offers.

Higher education officials say they’re listening. As proof, they point to approval of an expanded nursing program in Billings after hearing other public comments strongly supporting the addition.

About a half-dozen Montana high school students are preparing to fabricate a part that will eventually end up flying on the International Space Station.

The students at Billings Career Center are part of a partnership called “High Schools United with NASA to Create Hardware” or HUNCH.  The students create hardware, software, and other goods for astronauts.

  A state initiative to encourage more high school students enrolled in dual credit courses means more educators are needed to teach those classes.

This week, the Bullock administration and higher education officials announced a pilot program spearheaded by Montana State University Billings will allow Billings students enroll in dual credit courses for free for the coming academic year. The pilot project is called High School Connections.