MISSOULA — The COVID-19 pandemic may have altered operations at the University of Montana, but the university continues an aggressive course of campus upgrades, bolstered by the largest donor campaign in state history.
UM President Seth Bodnar says right now is both challenging, and exciting as the university continues major facility upgrades.
From the revamp of the trademark UM Oval to some of the oldest buildings and class spaces, the state is spending tens of millions of dollars on new infrastructure.
There's also more to come including the UM's dining facilities where a final design of a new center underway.
Bodnar says the progression owes a lot to the recently completed Campaign Montana, a seven-year fund drive that went well beyond the initial goals.
The pandemic may have altered operations at UM, but the university continues an aggressive course of campus upgrades, bolstered by the largest donor campaign in state history.
"The initial goal, years ago, of $320 million. Two years ago, we came and said we want to up that goal to 400. But in the back of our minds, we were really aiming for 110% of that goal. And again, even in the midst of a pandemic we even exceeded that at 110% goal,” Bodnar said.
Final contributions from 34,000 donors announced earlier this fall topped $450 million.
We will have more from President Bodnar when he appears on our Rebound Montana program, Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
