Supporting MSU-Northern

In a few short years, Montana State University-Northern will be celebrating the 100th year of its founding. Over the course of the near-century it has been in existence, thousands upon thousands of Montana’s sons and daughters have been educated here in Havre at an institution that is one of the most rural universities in the nation. Our local university thrives because of support from policymakers, community members, business leaders and others who are committed to its success and understand the value of a robust higher education presence on the Hi-Line.

Economically, MSU-N is a powerhouse for Havre’s economy and for all of northern Montana. An economic impact study several years ago indicated that Northern had a Gross Domestic Product Impact of $39.3 million each year, with an overall employment impact of 800 permanent year-round jobs. Northern graduates with credentials ranging from certificate programs to master’s degrees have fueled our state’s economy for decades. They are entrepreneurs, teachers, nurses, mechanics, plumbers, automotive technicians, nonprofit managers, bankers, law enforcement professionals and every other profession imaginable.

MSU-Northern gives Hi-Line families educational opportunities close to home at a price that is more affordable than elsewhere. It also allows first-generation college students the opportunity to earn a degree, advance their career and positively influence the trajectory of their life. Access and affordability have been hallmarks of MSU-N since its founding.

It is critical that we elect legislators in our area who are willing to stand up and fight for MSU-N and assure it receives the funding and support it needs through the appropriations process, because as impressive as MSU-N’s performance and impact is on so many fronts, it doesn’t just happen. It takes leadership, commitment, tenacity and proper funding to assure that this important institution continues to thrive and serve the needs of our special part of Montana.

As a member of the Board of Regents for a decade, I had a front row seat to the issues and policies that were most important to the Montana University System and its success, including those items that were most critical to MSU-Northern. I strongly advocated for programs, policies and funding that helped Northern remain relevant and strong during some trying times for higher education. In my role as executive director of Bear Paw Development Corp., I helped secure a $1 million investment from the federal Economic Development Administration for the construction of the Applied Technology Center on campus, a building that continues to serve students as well as the community.

My commitment to MSU-N runs deep and as Havre’s voice in the Montana Legislature, I will never turn my back on funding for our local university.

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Paul Tuss is the Democratic nominee for House District 28 and served on the Montana Board of Regents of Higher Education. He is executive director of Bear Paw Development Corporation and serves as a board member for the National Association of Development Organizations.