
Famous Faces Who Once Walked the UM Campus
From Oscar winners to history-makers, the University of Montana has seen some big names walk its campus, and not all of them stayed long enough to get a diploma. Far from being merely a scenic college town, UM has cultivated leaders in politics, the arts, and beyond.
Trailblazers in Politics
Take Jeannette Rankin, the first woman ever elected to the U.S. Congress. A graduate in 1902, she earned a Bachelor of Science in biology and went on to champion women's suffrage and pacifism. She was influential in Montana women gaining the right to vote in 1914, six years before the 19th Amendment made it legal nationwide in 1920.
On the political stage, Mike Mansfield stands tall as an UM alumnus who earned both a B.A. (1933) and an M.A. (1934), later serving as a U.S. Representative, Senator, Senate Majority Leader, and even Ambassador to Japan. The university’s library bears his name in honor.
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In the performing arts, J.K. Simmons completed a B.A. in music in 1978 at UM before he rose to Hollywood fame, eventually winning an Academy Award for his riveting portrayal in Whiplash. George Montgomery also attended UM briefly, majoring in architecture and interior design, before heading to Hollywood as a multifaceted creator, actor, sculptor, stuntman, and craftsman.
UM’s Influence on Music Icons
Meanwhile, Jeff Ament studied graphic design (until the program was cut) before co-founding Pearl Jam. His experiences at UM helped shape his artistic path. Finally, Carroll O’Connor, another campus alum, earned his master’s in speech before going on to lyrical television fame as Archie Bunker in All in the Family.
Notable University of Montana Alumni & Their Majors
- Jeannette Rankin - B.S. in Biology (1902)
- Mike Mansfield - B.A. (1933) & M.A. (1934) — fields unspecified (Library named in his honor)
- J.K. Simmons - B.A. in Music (1978)
- George Montgomery - Architecture & Interior Design (attended for one year)
- Jeff Ament - Graphic Design (program discontinued before completion)
- Carroll O’Connor - Master’s in Speech
Most Interesting Classes at the University of Montana
2024 Montana Grizzlies Schedule By Famous Alumni
Gallery Credit: Ace Sauerwein
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