University of Montana Foundation Celebrates Creation of

The University of Montana celebrated the establishment of the John J. Craighead Chair in Wildlife Biology during a public reception on Friday, Sept. 9, in the Presidents Room at Brantly Hall.

Friends, associates and former students of Craighead provided $2.5 million to endow the position, which UM intends to fill in the 2007-08 academic year by hiring a scientist of Craighead’s stature.

Craighead, who spent more than 25 years of his professional career as head of the Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit at UM, was named by National Geographic as one of this century’s most eminent scientists.

His work spans topics from birds to large animal habitats, but is he best known for his pioneering research with grizzlies in Yellowstone National Park from 1959 to 1971. His research there led to the development of radio telemetry, as well as satellite imagery for mapping animal habitat. His advances led to use of radio collars on species all over the world.

"John Craighead is an incredible pioneer in his field," said Dan Pletscher, director of UM’s wildlife biology program. "Linking his name to this position at the University will allow us to attract a high-profile researcher" like Craighead himself or Jack Ward Thomas, former chief of the U.S. Forest Service, who holds the Boone and Crockett professorship in wildlife conservation at UM.

The holder of the Craighead chair will teach and conduct research in UM’s highly regarded wildlife biology program.

http://news.umt.edu/index.asp?sec=1&too=100&eve=8&dat=9/8/2005&npa=879

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