Northern to hold inauguration ceremony for Chancellor Limbaugh

During the first few months of Chancellor James Limbaugh's time at Montana State University-Northern, he has talked with a lot of people with a lot of ideas about what Northern is, should be or needs. Everyone he talked to, regardless of their thoughts on the present or future of Northern, just wanted the university to be as good as possible.

In an attempt to live up to this tremendous faith and community support for the university, Limbaugh wanted to hold an event that most other colleges get to celebrate that Northern has never had, an inauguration that will take place Friday from 3 to 5 p. m. in the gymnasium.

"An inauguration … is a traditional observance of a change in leadership and a turning of a new page in the college's history, " Limbaugh said, describing the event to the University Advisory Council in February. "I feel strongly that Northern needs the opportunity to celebrate its achievements and celebrate its future. "

Local and statewide leaders of education and government will join community members in welcoming the 11th chancellor to Northern and to look to the school's future.

This week marks the end of a three-month visioning process that Limbaugh initiated almost immediately after his arrival.

The new vision statement, the unified future focus of the university, that is being released this week will play a major part in the festivities, as alumni and the community celebrate Northern's past and what will follow it.

MSU President Waded Cruzado; Deputy Commissioner of Higher Education Mick Robinson; local resident and Montana Regent Paul Tuss; former state representative, historian and long-time Northern supporter Toni Hagener; the presidents of Stone Child and Aaniih Nakoda colleges; and many local politicians will be at the ceremony.

For those who want to see the ceremony but can't make it in person, Northern will be streaming the event live online at http://www.livestream.com/msunlights.