Krista Corner
Havre Daily News
kcorner@havredailynews.com
Nearly 400 Montana State University-Northern students took steps into the future on Saturday in front of a packed house of faculty, staff, students, friends and family.
Chancellor Alex Capdeville and Havre Public Schools Superintendent Kirk Miller spoke in front of 389 graduates, and alumni who graduated 50 and 70 years ago. Capdeville said that 125 associate's, 276 bachelor's, and 24 master's degrees were awarded. One certificate also was awarded to a graduate.
Capdeville told the graduates to thank their families and friends - the support system that made it possible for the graduates to accomplish such a feat. Capdeville also told the graduates to practice patience and “if you don't have one, get a sense of humor.”
Miller said the university's faculty and staff played a large role in the graduates' success.
“A whole team of people are why you are here today,” he said.
Miller graduated with a bachelor's in math and chemistry from Northern, his wife graduated from Northern, and his daughter Katie graduated from Northern on Saturday. He called his family's history with Northern a proud one.
Miller also emphasized the significance of the graduation ceremonies by highlighting the accomplishments of MSU-N. He said this had been a good year for Northern. The school recently opened its Applied Technology Center and graduated its first students from the engineering and plumbing programs. He added that graduates should celebrate past successes because their choices had helped them here as well.
“Celebrate what was because you've made some right choices along your path of success,” he said.
Miller advised the graduates to treat others with respect and dignity and said service to others builds character. At the end, Miller challenged the graduates.
“Do all you can to build relationships with others and provide service to others by looking within.”
