Powering Faculty, Fueling Futures
Donors turn lifetime of academic leadership into support for UM law faculty
When Steve and Jane Bahls recently reached out to Elaine Gagliardi, Dean of the Alexander Blewett III School of Law, to ask how they could make the biggest immediate impact, Gagliardi’s answer was simple: Support faculty.
As former educators who’ve served at nearly every level in higher education, the Bahls didn’t hesitate.
“Typically, we’ve funded scholarships,” Steve said. “This is something new for us. But the faculty at the University of Montana are pretty special, and outstanding faculty can make a difference for students that lasts a lifetime.”
In 2023, the couple turned that passion into action by establishing the Steve and Jane Bahls Professor of Excellence Fund, which supplements the salaries of law school faculty selected by the Law School Dean.
This year, they deepened their commitment with a $1 million endowment, expanding the program’s reach and ensuring it will help UM recruit and retain top legal scholars.
Steve credits nine formative years teaching at UM — and the mentorship he received — as fundamental to launching his career in academic leadership, which included serving as Dean of Capital University Law School and President of Augustana College. He’s now a member of the UM Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
Jane, who holds a master’s degree in philosophy of religion, also has a rich history in higher education, from teaching at Alverno College to producing the law school’s historic newsletter, “The UM Law Barrister.” She serves on the advisory board for the College of the Arts and Media.
This year’s Professors of Excellence are Pippa Browde and Jonathon Byington, both widely respected educators and impactful members of Montana’s legal community.
“It’s incredibly satisfying to see the difference this gift makes,” Jane said, “and to help keep talented professors here in Montana, doing what they love and shaping the next generation.”