Blackstone LaunchPad Big Sky Experience 2022 Recap

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Written by Dylan Cherullo, Jake Treece

With the incoming UM class arriving on campus at the end of August, the Blackstone Launchpad had the opportunity to host 80+ freshmen during the 2022 Big Sky Experience.  

The Big Sky Experience (BSE) is a team-based, hands-on immersion learning opportunity that all incoming students participate in during their orientation week. The purpose of this program is to help students build more connections and friends, as well as become more integrated within the UM community. Students were able to pick from 30+ experiences offered by clubs, groups, and departments at UM as well as by the greater Missoula community.    

This year, we at the Blackstone Launchpad wanted our BSE to be unique and help the students in two ways. First, we wanted to allow them to explore the trajectory of their personal, academic, and professional lives during the next few years of college. Secondly, we wanted to provide them a chance to learn more and connect with the UM and Missoula community they are entering. These students are undergoing the biggest change in their life during this time, and it was important for us to give them a space to think about themselves and their future in college.  

During the first day of this experience, students were given Destination Canvases, a packet they would complete over the two-day experience to help guide their start to college. During the first section of the day, students started by participating in an activity circuit that allowed them to explore themselves and their relationship with entrepreneurship. Activities ranged from the Dream Table, where students imagined what they would do if they won the lottery, to their Semester Vision Board, where students were able to lay out their goals for the upcoming semester. This was accompanied by some great refreshments provided by Lake Missoula Tea Company.

According to BLP Program Manager, Sarah Truglio, who ran the Speed Interview Table,  

“Students were engaging with each other, learning new things about themselves, and making new friends along the way. The conversations were lively and intuitive, everyone seemed to enjoy this activity.”  

After this activity circuit, we had 28 community members join us to play networking bingo with the students. We had a diverse range of members from multiple sectors and groups from UM and the greater Missoula community. For over an hour, students went around connecting with each of the community members, asking them questions about UM, Missoula, and whatever was on their minds.  

To kick off the second day, we invited Mariah Karis of The Giddy Thrifter, Kathryn Sanders of Western Sensibility, and Charlie Beaton of Big Dipper Ice Cream to come and speak to the students about their entrepreneurial experiences and their relationships with the Blackstone Launchpad. BLP Program Assistant, Jake Treece, who led the fireside chat-style event, had this to say,  

“The fireside chat was a chance for the students to hear a few real-world examples of unique individuals who each had a different career and academic path, but through finding their passion, they were able to become entrepreneurs.

By hearing Kathryn, Mariah, and Charlie’s stories, we hope that the students were able to feel more settled as they start college knowing their future doesn’t have to have a straight trajectory. They can bounce around, explore different passions, and like the three speakers, they may find themselves starting an entrepreneurial venture.”  

After the conclusion of the Fireside Chat, students were given some time to complete the remaining sections of their Destination Canvas. During this time, they brought together all of their experiences from the past two days to help inform where they were at, where they want to be, and how they will get there. We envision students being able to come back to this document in the future to see how far they have come.  

After five hours of personal introspection, we felt the best way to end this event and reward the students for all of their hard work, would be to have a Big Dipper Ice Cream party for the last hour of the event.  

This really was the cherry on top (pun intended) of a successful event and the last chance for students to network with one another and take a break from the craziness that is welcome week.  

Venture Coach Manager Caden Fox could not have put it better when asked about what this meant for the students:  

“We’re so grateful for the Big Dipper Truck topping off our Big Sky Experience with some free scoops, there is no better way to wrap up the week.”  

As the event came to a close, we at the Blackstone Launchpad were immensely grateful for the 80 students, 28 community members, 3 speakers, and 8 team members for making the event a success. We hope the students left this experience knowing more about themselves and how they will navigate the course ahead. Regardless of where they go, the Blackstone LaunchPad will be here to help them.  

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