A special graduation week event, Founders' Day at Montana State University Northern, recognizes and honors individuals who promote the ideals of service and excellence. This is a special time when alumni, friends, faculty, and students gather to rekindle the spirit of campus life and pause to reflect upon the people, places, and events that have helped create an environment for lifetime learning and participation in the Northern tradition of excellence.

MSU Northern Founders' Excellence Awards were presented to Bob Bachini, Jim Hall and Kirk Miller. They have received outstanding recognition within their own professional fields and/or contributed to the growth and development of the campus.

The presentations took place during the Founders' Excellence Dinner Friday, May 5th, 2006 in the Student Union Building Dining Room at 7:00 p.m.

Bob Bachini was born in Havre where he attended both elementary and high school and graduated in 1952. In 1956 he married Shirley Levengood, who was a student from eastern Montana attending Northern Montana College. Bob and Shirley have one daughter, Linda Miranti, and three college age grandchildren.

In 1957 Bob began working for the Great Northern Railway where he worked until he retired from Burlington Northern in 1995. While with the railroad, he worked as a brakeman and conductor. He served as a legislator in the Montana House of Representatives for six terms from 1982 1995, where he was a strong supporter of education. He was the Chairman of the House Business & Industry Committee for one term and the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee for one term. Bob currently serves as a legislative lobbyist in Helena for several trade associations as well as a volunteer lobbying for senior citizen groups and MSU Northern.

One of Bob's interests is the development of academic and vocational programs at MSU Northern, and he became involved in fundraising for the college and served as a Foundation Trustee. He has always been very effective in support of Northern.

Jim Hall was born in Golden Valley County, northwest of Billings. His parents moved to Havre when he was a child. Jim grew up and was educated in Havre, where he graduated from high school in 1952. After attending Northern Montana College for two years, where he majored in business administration, he attended the University of Montana for

one year. In 1957 he married Helen Pankratz, whom he met at Northern. Jim and Helen had three children, two of whom attended Northern.

After school and during the summer, Jim spent time working in the auto parts business. Eventually these jobs led him to being chosen president of Valley Motor Supply and Motor Parts Warehouse. He oversaw 34 Valley Motor Stores in Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota. In the 1980's the Halls moved to Billings where Jim was the head of purchasing for Carquest Auto Parts stores which he continued to do until 1990. He then retired after 46 years of work in the automotive parts business.

Jim was a member of the NMC Booster Club, selling advertisements and working during basketball tournaments. He spent time working with instructors and students during VICA contests which brings students from all over Montana and introduces them to Northern. Jim and Helen have established an automotive scholarship for upper classmen.

Dr. Kirk Miller is a professional educator serving the students of Montana for the past 25 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator. He has been a member of the Montana Board of Public Education since appointed by Governor Racicot in 1995. In 2002 he was reappointed to the board for a second seven year term by Governor Martz. He was elected Chairman of the Board in 1999 and continues to serve in that role. Dr. Miller is currently the Superintendent of Havre Public Schools, serving the Havre community since 1996. He began his education career as a seventh grade math teacher at Livingston Jr. High in 1981. Kirk earned his bachelor's degree in Secondary Education in mathematics and chemistry from Northern, a masters from MSU Bozeman, and a doctorate from MSU Bozeman.

Kirk has been a member of the Northern Montana Health Care Corporate board of directors, the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors, and the Local Emergency Planning Committee for Havre and Hill County. He served as president of the Northern Montana College Alumni Association from 1985 to 1990. He is one of the founding directors of the Havre Public Schools Education Foundation.

Kirk married Nancy Clawson and together they reside in Havre and have three children. Kirk is committed to serving the citizens and students of Montana in both the public school environment and through his work on the state Board of Education.