Advice to Northern grads: Give back, stay in touch

Havre Daily News/Lindsay Brown

Graduates walk into the Armory Gymnasium Saturday morning during processional of the Montana State University-Northern commencement ceremony.

Told by guest speaker Paul Tuss that "we expect great things from you," graduates at Montana State University-Northern accepted their diplomas Saturday.

Saturday's ceremonies were the first graduation held in the newly refurbished Armory Gymnasium.

Chancellor Jim Limbaugh told the audience that the ceremonies brought back memories of his graduation in from East Texas State University. He still recalls the creaky steps on the steps leading to the stage where he proudly accepted his diploma.

Then, as the name of the next graduate was called off, Limbaugh recalled, he thought to himself "what's next?"

He said he was sure graduates at Northern were thinking the same thing.

It was up to them, he said, "to write the next chapter in your life."

He noted that a number of people who graduated 50 years ago were taking part in the ceremonies as part of Northern's efforts to keep in touch with graduates.

He said he hopes 2013 grads will return.

"There is the expectation that you will come back in 50 years," he said. "so mark it on your calendar."

Limbaugh also praised the MSU-Northern Community Orchestra which, for the first time, performed at commencement ceremonies.

Tuss, recently reappointed to the state Board of Regents by Gov. Steve Bullock, praised the graduates for sticking to their educational goals.

"You made it, you persevered. You stuck to it," he said.

He said they could count on higher wages throughout their career for having obtained their degrees.

Tuss said rather than hand out "words of wisdom you won't remember," he would thank the students.

"Thank you for enriching our lives in Havre," he said, pointing to athletes, scholars and volunteers. "Thank you for being this engaged in the community," he said.

"Take what you have been given at Northern and do good with it," he said.

"We expect great things and we know you can do it," Tuss said.

"Be good, do well and keep in touch," he concluded.

As graduates prepared to come forward to the stage to get their degrees, Limbaugh said he was going to make the obligatory request that the audience refrain from cheering until all the graduates had received their diplomas, but he realized no one would pay any attention.

"We want you to hoot and holler," he said.

"Every student has a story to tell," he said. "We want to honor them all."

But, he said, "please keep it short."