Our View: Thanks students, we hope some of you will stay in Havre

Commencement ceremonies are always touching events as grads prepare to end one phase of their life and begin another.

Thus was the case Saturday when graduates took part in ceremonies at Montana State University-Northern.

Speaker Paul Tuss took an unusual turn Saturday when he shunned some of the traditional advice given to grads and thanked the students for enlivening life in Havre.

That was very appropriate. Hopefully not just the graduates, but the rest of us will listen to what Tuss said.

Student athletes have given us a sense of community with their prowess on athletic fields. They have given us lots of cheer about.

Students have volunteered their service in all kinds of charitable organizations in town.

And, of course, students contribute heavily to Havre's economy, buying from our stores and restaurants.

Students and the university they come from add immeasurably — financially and spiritually — to Havre and the Hi-Line.

As they leave Northern, we hope at least some of them will not be leaving Havre.

Their youth, energy and education will make them an important part of the Havre community if they stay around.

All kinds of community, educational and business leaders in Havre first came to town as students. We hope that some of those who have been part of our community for the last four years will stick around and help build Havre into an even better place.