2005 graduates take their place

By BROOK GRIFFIN, Chronicle Staff Writer

Students filled Brick Breeden Fieldhouse at Montana State University on Saturday, anxious and fidgety as they waited to take their place as the graduating class of 2005.

Proud parents raced to take the last photos of their undergraduates.

"It's like a harvest," said Laurie Glover, a nursing professor, while waiting in the wings for the ceremony to begin.

Five minutes after 10 a.m. the students headed to their seats. The records will show 2,392 graduating students, although many of those did not attend the fieldhouse ceremony.

After years of hard work the acknowledgement of those long nights studying would take just two hours. The reward though would last the rest of their lives.

"I don't think many people thought I would finish high school," said Anthony Jackson, 23, who received a bachelor's degree in political science. Jackson said the biggest thing he would take from his time at MSU would be knowing he stuck with something through the long haul.

Jackson said he will probably try to go to law school next, but first he would take a year off to recharge.

"I want to hang-out, go hiking and have as little responsibility as possible," he said.

That philosophy was encouraged by Governor Brian Schweitzer, who told the graduating class in a speech to take a deep breath.

"Take time to enjoy yourselves," he said. "Smell the flowers. And don't be in such a rush," he said.

For some like Katreena Becksnick, who received a bachelor's degree in microbiology, it was perfect advice especially since she is getting married in September.

"I'm going to work on that for awhile," she said.

Others, like Corinna Faraoni who also received a bachelor's degree in microbiology, would be jumping into the real world with an internship at a hospital in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. She said being in college taught her independence, and it showed her a strength in herself she didn't know she had.

"College taught me a lot of things," she said. "It taught me I'm a lot stronger then I thought I was."

Schweitzer urged graduates to take what they learned in Montana to other people.

"Be great ambassadors for the people in Montana, demonstrate your ingenuity," he said. "Go out into the world and then come back home."

Seth Hill, 22, won't have much time to smell any flowers before starting law school in North Dakota in the fall. Hill now has a bachelor's degree in science and psychology, but he said he was shocked by how quickly his time at MSU passed.

"It went faster than I ever thought it could," he said. "I just feel glad it's finally over."

Brook Griffin is at bgriffin@dailychronicle.com

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