MISSOULA -- There is no post-commencement lull at the University of Montana this week.

In fact, the one week when the campus has earned the right to take a quick breather from the busy academic year has unexpectedly become one of UM's most historic.

Former President Bill Clinton will be on campus to host a campaign rally for his wife, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. According to an archival search and consultation with UM historians, Clinton's arrival marks the third time a former U.S. president has set foot on campus.

Clinton follows in the footsteps of Teddy Roosevelt, who spoke at UM in 1912, and Jimmy Carter, who was a keynote speaker at a 1986 campus conference.

"It is very exciting to have a president on the University of Montana campus," said Rita Munzenrider, director of UM Relations. "It has been such an amazing year for UM with all of the dignitaries on campus, and what a way to end the year with a former president. It's just incredible."

On Tuesday, the employees at the Adams Center were hustling to put the spit and polish on the West Auxiliary Gymnasium, where Clinton is scheduled to speak at 9:15 a.m.

A year ago, the assignment would have been nerve-wracking, but what a difference a year makes, said Mary Muse, director of the Adams Center. Since last fall, the Adam Center has hosted the likes of James Taylor, Elton John and Hillary Clinton's rival, Sen. Barack Obama, while other venues on campus have hosted former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards and Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul.

"Thank God we have an excellent staff who have become really experienced at these kinds of events," Muse said.

Among the lessons they've learned best: How stars are escorted into and out of spaces, how the Secret Service navigates the crowd, how to be helpful without getting in the way.

Muse said Clinton's Wednesday event will be unlike any other; for one, it is in the smaller, auxiliary gym, and it is a more personal event than any of the others.

Unlike the Obama rally, which campaign organizers orchestrated so it would look good to a television audience, Wednesday's Clinton rally is more of a meet-and-greet event, Muse said.

The West Auxiliary Gymnasium can hold 1,200 people, and Muse expects a full house.

Although such events have become business as usual, Muse said there is an undeniable sense of excitement about Clinton's pending appearance.

"I think we are all honored and in awe when you think what the president represents and to have a dignitary of that caliber come to visit us," she said.

UM Executive Vice President Jim Foley described Clinton's campus appearance as an honor and noted this presidential election season has been a remarkable year for UM and all of Montana.

"On behalf of the university, it is always a privilege to have candidates from both parties on campus, and it is always an enormous honor and privilege when a former president shows up on campus," he said.

"It is an honor to have everyone come to UM, and we look forward to seeing (Republican presidential candidate) Sen. John McCain and other national candidates continue coming to the University of Montana.

"It's good for the university, it's good for students and the community."

If you go

When: 9:15 a.m. today

Where: in the Adams Center's West Auxiliary Gymnasium at the University of Montana.

Admission: The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 9 a.m. Admission is first-come, first-served and standing-room only. Seating will be available for people with disabilities.

Parking: University parking is available, except spaces that are specifically marked as reserved or orange "Quick Stop" spaces.