Photos by Todd Goodrich
Computer Network Upgrade Celebrated at UM
A BLANK SPOT ON THE MAP of major research and education computer networks was filled June 3 with the completion of a new digital pathway across the northern states between Chicago and Seattle. The network offers a huge increase in bandwidth for research, education, health care, and government uses, with UM’s Ray Ford addresses attendees at the computer network “Golden speeds 10,000 times greater than the typical Spike Event” in Missoula. broadband connection. A Northern Tier Network Consortium “Golden Spike Event” was held at UM’s School of Law to celebrate the new computer pathway. About sixty attendees discussed the possibilities of the new ten-gigabit-per-second system, with other participants added via crystal-clear videoconferencing sessions between UM, North Dakota State University, and Indiana University. “We have all eagerly anticipated this day and what it will mean for this region,” says UM President George M. Dennison, who expects the robust network to provide tangible benefits for education and research efforts across Montana. “We are at the beginning, it seems to me, of a new era.” Dennison compared building advanced computer networks to constructing roads, and he hopes the increased bandwidth will spur economic development across Montana. “This new network is 10,000 times faster than what people have in their homes,” says Ray Ford, chief information officer for UM Information Technology. “It will allow Montana researchers and educators to do well-known things much faster and also inspire creativity in our students, faculty, and researchers to invent uses that haven’t been invented yet.” He said the network is only available for educational and research functions so they don’t compete with private telecommunications businesses. For more information on the Northern Tier Network Consortium, visit www.ntnc.org.
Stevens a Dining Services Dynamo Ryan Stevens ’10, who worked for University Dining Services at UM, was recently named the National Association of College and University Food Services Student Employee of the Year. Founded in 1958, NACUFS is a trade association for food service professionals at more than 600 institutions of higher education in North America and abroad. The award is given annually to an outstanding food service student employee at a NACUFS member institution. “As the saying goes, ‘When you’re hot, you’re hot,’ and Ryan Stevens is just that,” says UDS Marketing Director Jerry Ryan Stevens O’Malley. accepts an The NACUFS award follows award from a string of accolades Stevens President Dennison. garnered during his UM tenure. His exceptional work was acknowledged with Student Employee of the Year awards from UM, the state of Montana, and the Northwest region. He then was honored with the National Student Employment Association’s National Student Employee of the Year Award, which was presented by UM President George M. Dennison in April. Stevens completed major projects at UDS that ranged from developing online data forms to overhauling financial-management and budgetplanning systems. He majored in history at UM and has accepted a position with defense and aerospace corporation Northrop-Grumman.
WHERE’S YOUR GRIZ BEEN?
proudly displays his UM T-shirt during a June visit to Peru’s Machu Picchu. He and his wife, Joane, also visited an island in Lake Titicaca and the Amazon jungle during their South American adventure, where they were treated to sightings of parrots, monkeys, and giant otters.
RONALD EBY ’67
Congratulations Eby family. You have won a $50 gift card for The Bookstore at UM. Do you have a photo of yourself wearing your Griz gear in an amazing place or while on an incredible adventure? If so, send it along with a brief description to: themontanan@umontana.edu. Winners will see their photo published in the Montanan and will receive a $50 gift card to The Bookstore at UM. To be considered, photos must be in focus and with the UM or Griz logo clearly visible. WWW.UMT.EDU/MONTANAN
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