Northern opens state-of-art diesel building

Montana State University-Northern Wednesday first opened the doors of its new Diesel Technology Center to the public for an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m.

The Diesel Technology Center has been under construction over the past two years and was spearheaded by Greg Kegel, chancellor of MSU-Northern, including while he was dean of Northern's College of Technical Sciences.

"It's beautiful," Kegel said during the ceremony, adding, "it's always fun to see a student win. Any student who goes through a program and then getting a job at the end, that's why I do it."

Montana State University President Waded Cruzado said erecting the building took the efforts of many.

"This project wouldn't have been possible without the support of so many people," she said, giving an additional thanks the the offices of Govs. Brian Schweitzer and Steve Bullock and a special thanks to the industry leaders, partners, donors and benefactors who went "above and beyond the call of duty" to make this building possible.

Cruzado also made two gifts to Northern, a fountain and every fourth ad by Montana State University on television this upcoming fall will be about Northern.

The building replaces the facility that was built in the 1950s that housed Northern's Diesel and Automotive Technology programs - and never really met their needs.

Kegel was working in the middle of the last decade to get the project approved, designed and funded. The new facility focuses on the diesel program.

Kegel said that with every building they want to build a building that takes the program to another level, a building that will offer the things that the old building couldn't.

The new diesel building will "cater to high-end tech," he said, adding that his goal for the building was wanting "people to walk in and say the world of the technician is different than what I thought it was, this is how they work, this is how they live, this is how the industry is."

He thanked the industries and everybody who supported the diesel tech building and sees a bright future for MSU-Northern and the Hi-Line community.

Other members of the Board of Regents spoke as well as representatives of foundations and industry leaders who donated, such as, BNSF Railway, The Washington Group, Fairbanks Morse Engines and others, all praising Northern, Kegel and the community.

Staff was on hand to give the public who attended the open house a tour.

Havre Mayor Tim Solomon was among the many who toured the center during the open house, saying he was amazed with the facility.

After the ribbon cutting ceremony people could walk throughout the entire building. Kory Kennaugh of CWG architects said that "it is satisfying to see it from design into reality," adding it was a large project but Kegel and his staff's vision and goals for the building made designing it go along smoothly.

"Kegel had a very specific vision for the building," Kennaugh said, adding that the results were amazing.

Dave Clausen and Pat Newton of Clausen and Sons Construction said they also were excited to see the end result of the diesel building, with Newton saying it is a "very nice facility" and Clausen saying it was "nice to be involved in a project like this," and "it's good for the community."

Brent Cotton, superintendent of Swank Enterprises, that erected the building, said when asked how he felt now that the project was over that, "We always strive for buildings that inspire, and with the Diesel Technology Center, I feel that we accomplished that. It was an honor to be part of this collaborative project."

David A. Santamaria from Fairbanks Morse said this is a unique building, that out in the world there are no buildings like this in the educational field. He continued that how the labs are set up is similar to the actual workplace environment and the "industry is very excited."

Santamaria said Kegel has really understood what the industry needs and that he is hoping, in the future, to sponsor some scholarships. He added that Northern's impact will be felt for the years to come.

Bear Paw Development Corp. Executive Director and Regent Paul Tuss said "it's incredible."

He said he could remember the groundbreaking two years ago, and this "far exceeds anything that I thought it was going to look like."

Tuss, who is also a Democratic candidate in the race for Montana Senate District 14, added, "We have to give credit to all the industry partners that helped Chancellor Kegel and everybody else to make this happen."

"This is a great day for Northern," he said.