Letter from the Alumni Director
Fall 2003

The recent passing of our dear friend and alum, Wilbur Swenson, '40, has reminded me of how fortunate the Northern Alumni Association is to have had volunteers such as Wilbur to work with us and assist us for so many years. He was always busy with volunteer activities and constantly on the move which explains the nickname he had as the "Flaxville Flash" given to him by his college friends. He was no less busy as a retired senior citizen. He was a regular volunteer from the Senior Citizen's Center whenever we were mailing out the Aurora and attended many, many of our events. Mr. Swenson, as he will be remembered by me, and countless Havre Junior High students, was a powerful influence on my view of the straight and narrow path in life. He was instantly known to be "in the house" by his famous "booming" voice which he didn't hesitate to use when he saw a student transgression. He never needed an intercom to communicate over distance. For a shy, quiet person, that made a serious impression and students were very aware of behaving in such a manner as to avoid notice as the whole school usually heard about it at once. In later years, I found that I hadn't escaped his notice after all and neither did many of his students. He was very kind and supportive of my efforts over the years. He will be missed and remembered fondly.

In the year of 2004-05 the University will be celebrating Northern's 75th Anniversary. For a little school that had an uphill struggle to get started and seems to have had to fight for so long to stay open, 75 years of providing educational opportunity is an extremely significant achievement. The very fact that the doors have remained open for thousands of north central Montana students for 75 years is testimony to the cooperative efforts of the community of Havre, many key legislators, and the loyalty and commitment of alumni and friends. A campus committee has formed and is planning to make the entire year memorable. You participation and assistance is needed to make an appropriate recognition possible. If you have any ideas for special activities that you think folks would come back to attend or if you can assist us financially, your support is always appreciated. Soon you will receive a letter that outlines what is planned and provide an opportunity for you to participate. If you have never participated in supporting Northern, now is a wonderful time to begin.

Your Association Board of Directors are a hard working, committed group who make everything we do possible. Without this alumni newsletter, or the fourteen scholarships, or the multiple activities annually, Northern's voice would be much smaller. Your support through our annual phonathon is what keeps it going. When our students call you, please remember that they are our own students and they aren't selling you anything except an opportunity to provide us with your current mailing information, to inquire about campus activities and events, and to support our efforts at whatever level that you feel is appropriate. We will provide an opportunity for you to send a donation, prior to the start of the calls, or to let us know that you do not want a call.

Thank you for your loyal and faithful support of MSU-Northern and her students.

Judy Bricker '69  

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