She gets her degree - 70 years late

Bernice Brewer Beck, center, shakes Montana State University-Northern Chancellor James Limbaugh's hand while receiving her 50-year honorary degree on stage during Northern's commencement Saturday morning in the Armory Gymnasium. See Friday's Hi-Line Living page for more photographs of Northern's Commencement.

Bernice Brewer Beck was two courses short of getting her degree from Northern Montana College in 1941 when World War II broke out.

Her father ran a farm at Geraldine, and she needed to help him. She accepted a job as an accountant at Townsend Ready to Wear in Great Falls.

Beck raised five children, encouraging, actually insisting, they get college educations.

She had a successful career as a secretary and a paralegal.

She kept in touch with her college, now Montana State University-Northern, keeping track of how the Skylights and Lights were doing. She got weekly updates by email from Northern News Network. But she always regretted not getting her degree.

No more.

On Saturday, the grandmother of nine and great-grandmother of 13 walked across the stage at graduation ceremonies in Armory Gymnasium and was handed an honorary degree by Chancellor James Limbaugh as the crowd, especially her family, cheered.

"Congratulations, Beck family, " said Limbaugh.

"I felt very humble, " Bernice said while she and her family enjoyed a celebration lunch at the Duck Inn after the ceremonies. "Especially after I watched all the younger graduates who had worked so hard. I was humbled and honored. "

The idea for the honorary degree came from Bernice's daughter, Michele Beck. A graphic designer with the College of Engineering at MSU in Bozeman. She heard that the university had an honorary degree program.

She took the idea to Northern Alumni Director Autumn Elliot.

"After that, it was entirely Autumn, " Michele said. "She did everything. "

Bernice wasn't sure about all of this.

"I told Autumn I didn't think I wanted to, " she said. "The look on Autumn's face... she looked so disappointed. "

Family members said they are delighted Bernice yielded to Elliot.

Joining her Saturday were son, Ralph Allen Beck, and daughters Sandra Hays, Michele and Andrea Beck. Daughter Toni Jean Chew was at a funeral and unable to attend.

They were pleased that their mother, who was responsible for their education, now had a degree just like the other family members.

Family members said they never had much choice about getting college degrees.

Ralph mentioned that once as a child, during a dinnertime conversation, he mentioned the possibility of quitting school.

"I picked up a plate and threw it at him, " Bernice said, an action that seemed out of place for the courtly mother. "I told him he was going to college. "

Family members said there was little discussion thereafter of not going to college.