On October 1, 2005, The University of Montana and UM Foundation announced the largest campaign in the institution’s history, a $100 million comprehensive effort to assure that UM can always provide quality teaching, research and public service. The Campaign’s theme is Invest in Discovery – Connecting People, Programs and Place. The top priority for the School of Education is the construction of a $6 million structure to be built next to the existing Education building and named the Phyllis J. Washington Education Center. The purpose of the Phyllis J. Washington Education Center is to provide facilities that support the preparation of future educators so that they are well prepared for a “high tech – soft touch” educational environment. By the phrase “high tech – soft touch” we mean that we will prepare our future educators to use educational technologies to the fullest to ensure that all young people have maximum learning opportunities while also ensuring that these educators are prepared to help children in their social, emotional, physical and intellectual development.
While the campaign priority is set at $6 million, an additional $1 million will allow School to fully remodel existing space and thoroughly equip the old and new facilities with hardware and software and skilled staff to provide adequate technology resources to education students.
