Distinctly Montana Magazine

CONNECTING STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY BY AMANDA PETERSON AND KYLE SPURR brilliant people," Corr said. "I love watching the students grow. Some will mature and will be almost differ- ent people from when they started." Autumn 2007 brought another addition to the Bookstore family with the acquisition of Fact & Fiction, an independent local bookstore located in downtown Missoula. Founder Bar- bara Theroux started F&F 25 years ago and has been supporting Montana's writing community ever since. Corr considers F&F to be a cultural icon of Missoula. "The amount of authors that come through Fact & Fiction is phenomenal," Corr said. "And most are from Montana." of Montana bustles with activ- ity as students, faculty, and staff gear up for another academic year. Nestled in the heart of campus, the Bookstore sup- ports everyone with textbooks and study aids, office supplies, technology, recreational reading, and Griz wear. A t the beginning of each semes- ter, the University "WE WANT TO HELP STUDENTS FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE AN INVESTMENT IN THEIR EDUCATION." The Bookstore, established in 1921, is a nonprofit student- and-faculty-governed business. In addition to supporting the campus com- munity, the Bookstore supports the Missoula community through sponsorship of the Missoula Symphony, Montana Public Radio, the Montana Repertory Theatre, and smaller ventures like the Missoula Moth, a storytelling project. The ultimate goal of the Bookstore is to help lower the cost and stress to students of earning a college degree. In 1989, the Bookstore created another business—the Market, as a way to continue to serve the campus community. The Market is currently the largest on-campus employer of non work-study students, and boasts the lowest prices for food and beverages at UM, something those with tight budgets can appreciate. With an original staff of 18, the Market tripled in size and now employs an average of 40 students with scheduling options to fit a busy academic lifestyle. Brooke Corr, former manager of The Market, has watched this business, as well as the role of students, expand over the years. "I found out at that time that student employees are fabulous, creative, hardworking, JON ALIRI, THE BOOKSTORE AT THE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY MANAGER of the education system." The Bookstore works to hire students interested in applying their talents and skills to a real life situation. Jay Wells is one of these students. Currently a student employee in the technology department, Wells also lends his artistic abilities to the marketing team, helping to cre- ate artwork for posters and advertising. "They could have yelled at me and said 'quit doodling at work'," Wells said. "But instead they said 'let's pay you to doodle and use you while you are here'." Wells connection with The Bookstore began when he was an art student at Hellgate High School. "I bought a lot of my art supplies growing up from the Bookstore before I knew I was going to go to college here," Wells explains. "I needed to buy art supplies and this was the best place." Wells continues to work on his degree while staying with the Bookstore. "I just really dig it here." SPONSORED BY UM BOOKSTORE In the summer of 2008, the Book- store family expanded yet again to include the bookstore located on the College of Technology campus. Jon Aliri, the Bookstore at the College of Technology Manager, says, "We want to help students feel like they have an investment in their education. Our staff is comprised of students, which helps make patrons feel like they are communicating with their peers rather than someone outside 84 DISTINCTLY MONTANA • AUTUMN 2011

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