George Dennison, President of the University of Montana has been awarded the Miles Community College Alumni Hall of Fame Award for 2010.

To receive this award the candidate must be Miles Community College alumni who has exhibited high professional achievement, has an established legacy of community service and overall gives evidence of lifetime achievement and service since they began their education career at Miles Community College (or Custer County Junior College as was the prior name). Candidates for the award include alumni that have attended Miles Community College a minimum of one full academic year.

A historian by training, Dennison attended Miles Community College in 1960. He went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree with highest honors in history from The University of Montana in 1962. He received his Master’s Degree from The University of Montana in 1963, and then earned his Ph.D. in history from the University of Washington in 1967. He has written numerous publications and made several professional presentations in both history and higher education.

George Dennison became the 16th president of The University of Montana on August 15, 1990. Dennison came to Montana from Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he served as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs of Western Michigan University (1987-90). In earlier years, he spent time at the Universities of Arkansas and Washington prior to 18 years at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. At Colorado State, he started as a history professor and then served in numerous other positions. He held simultaneously the positions as Associate Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and Associate Dean of the Graduate School for International Development Studies. He also served as Acting Academic Vice President, Associate Academic Vice President, and Director of Admissions and Records.

In addition, Dennison serves on several boards, including the International Student Exchange Program, the International Heart Institute of Montana, the Montana Campus Compact, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation, the Neuro Science Institute Foundation, and World Innovation Foundation.

George and his wife Jane have two children and seven grandchildren. Their son Rick played college football at Colorado State and then joined the Denver Broncos in 1982. He played linebacker for Denver for nine years and now serves as Offensive Coordinator for the Houston Texans. Their son Robert teaches mathematics and computer programming and coaches football, wrestling and track in Tecumseh, Kansas, just outside Topeka.

Dr. Dennison will deliver the commencement address for the Miles Community College 70th annual graduation ceremonies, Saturday, May 8, 2010.