The University of Montana Western, in partnership with the International Block and Intensive Learning and Teaching Association (IBILTA), is pleased to invite attendees and presenters from around the world to the IBILTA 2026 International Conference, a fully virtual event bringing together educators, researchers, and practitioners to explore innovative approaches to learning and teaching. The conference will take place September 29–30, 2026.

University of Montana Western professor Dr. Spruce Schoenemann has led a team of researchers that has uncovered new details about one of the most abrupt climate events of the last 12,000 years. The study, recently published in "Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology", focuses on the 8.2 ka Event, a sudden cooling that occurred roughly 8,200 years ago during the final stages of the last major ice age.

The University of Montana Western Fine Arts Gallery is honored to present “Forget Me Not,” a film installation by Montana-based artist and educator Cindy Stillwell. A professor of film at Montana State University whose work has screened internationally, including at Sundance and the International Film Festival Rotterdam, Stillwell is known for her richly textured films created using 16mm and Super 8 formats. The exhibition will open on Friday, February 27 and will feature an opening reception from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the Fine Arts Gallery located in Main Hall.