2000-2009

2000

Northern wins the NAIA National Wrestling Championships for the fifth time.

Chancellor Rao resigns to accept a position at Central Michigan University.

Alex Capdeville, former CEO of the Helena College of Technology, receives an interim appointment as Northern's new Chancellor.

Northern begins offering its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree online. The program will allow nursing students the opportunity to complete their BSN over the Internet while continuing to carry out their work responsibilities.

2001

"A Northern Reflection" book cover

Montana Legislature approves $2 million in bonding for the proposed Applied Technology Center, and authorizes MSU-Northern to seek and secure additional funding from other sources.

Alex Capdeville receives permanent appointment as Chancellor of MSU-Northern.

NMC/MSUN History Book "A Northern Reflection" is completed.

Northern hosts its first "Legends for Lights Pheasant Jamboree." A fundraising event hosted by the MSU-Northern Foundation, the event features NFL legends and benefits Northern's athletic department.

The Student Senate sets up in a 9-hole Folf Course with baskets welded by students and faculty in the welding shop.

2002

Smartboard in CTEC

Starting this year, and for the next 3 years, Northern hosts the NAIA National Championship Wrestling Tournament.

Funded in large part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the Community Technology Education Center (CTEC) opens on the lower level of the Library.

2003

Northern officially receives National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) accreditation.

The Montana Board of Regents approves a new plumbing degree for Montana State University-Northern.

Planning begins for Northern's 75th anniversary celebration with activities planned to take place during the 2004-2005 school year.

2004

Northern wins the NAIA National Wrestling Championships for the sixth time.

In May, groundbreaking ceremonies for the Applied Technology Center are held during the Board of Regents Meeting.

Northern's 75th Anniversary celebration begins with a kick-off birthday party held on the former site of East Hall.

MSU-Northern Graphic Design instructor Norton Pease designed the 75th Anniversary Logo.

75th Anniversary logo 

2005

75th Anniversary celebration events conclude in May with the Founders' Excellence dinner and the 2005 commencement exercises.

Northern adopts a new logo designed to put an emphasis on the word "Northern" and to utilize our traditional seal.

2005 Logo redesign

Northern receives a federal grant for $400,000 to help finish and equip the new Applied Technology Center and the first classes are held in the building during fall semester.

MSU-Northern starts a pep band comprised of students and staff.

2006

In April, a Grand Opening/Open House is held for the Applied Technology Center.

The Federal Government conveys the old BLM office buildings in Lewistown to MSU-Northern to house our new Lewistown campus and the Central Montana Education Center.

Pershing Hall receives a new roof top heating system.

The parking lot between Cowan Hall and the Armory Gym is removed and a new courtyard is installed.

New parking lot is installed north of Hagener Science Center.

Northwest Energy runs the power for the new light poles in the campus courtyard.

Montana Sign Company installed the new campus marque at the upper 11th street entrance to campus. The Student Senate through various concerts and fundraisers paid for the sign.

The Northern Lights Football team defeats Carroll College and takes second place in the Frontier conference.

Northern started the first annual Yuri’s night in honor of the first manned space flight by Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. The event is started by Trygve “Spike” Magelssen and ran for many years.

2007

In February, renovations begin on the former BLM building in Lewistown to turn it into classrooms, labs, and office spaces. In September the first classes stared in the facility, and in October a Grand Opening ceremony was held.

In December Chancellor Alex Capdeville announces his retirement.

The leadership of the We Love Northern Ball moves from the Soroptomists to the Northern Alumni Foundation and is held in March instead of February.

Joe Callahan became the new Interim Provost when Dr. Cheri Jimeno, stepped down from her role as Provost to become the new Campus Executive Officer for New Mexico State University Alamogordo.

Head Football Coach Mark Samson became the new athletic director to replace Dave Gantt who resigned.

On May 1, 2007, William L. Gupton became the new Director of Northern’s Foundation to replace Tom Reynolds who retires June 30.

Rolf Groseth became interim Chancellor.

2008

In May, a pedestal clock is donated and installed by the Havre Rotary Club in the campus courtyard.

On April 1, Former President Bill Clinton visits MSU-Northern to help generate support for Senator Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid for the upcoming June primaries.

During his visit at MSU-Northern, Clinton met with local Tribal leaders to find out the issues that concerned the American Indians in Montana. This was the first-time a former president met with representatives from the five tribes in Northern Montana.

Governor Brian Schweitzer, Tony Preite, and Allen Rider from the 25x25 National Steering Committee came for the official grand opening of the Biodiesel Certification Lab.

The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) renewed MSU-Northern’s accreditation of the associate’s degree in nursing to 2013 without conditions.

Student Senate, under student president Kristiny Lorett, voted to make the polar bear the official school mascot. They were name Aurora and Boris.

MSU-Northern and the MMRS hosts over 300 motorcycle safety professionals in Billings for the National Motorcycle Rider Safety Conference.

Senator John Tester and the Homeland Security Committee conducts a field hearing on the topic “Securing the Northern Border” on July 2.

Tyler Embody is the first Northern plumbing graduate to write and pass the state Journey’s Exam.

2009

Over 400 people attend the 16th annual Cabin Fever.

Joe Callahan was made official provost by MSU President Geoff Gamble and Commissioner of Higher Education Sheila Stearns.

The Career Center launches the Career Express website for employers and employees can share their job needs and opportunities.

Governor Brian Schweitzer and Montana's Director of Commerce Tony Preite, presents MSU-Northern with $990K from the Workforce Investment in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) Program for the Bio-Energy Innovation and Testing Center to train students on an alternating current engine dynamometer.

MSU-Northern hosts the first annual TekNoXpo. It showcased various programs from Northern's College of Technical Sciences and featured the equipment rodeo.

The Folf course was expanded from 9 holes to 20 holes.

The Student Health Services Office moves to the Student Union Building, into the newly renovated facility which was where the bar and grill used to be located.

Northern partners with the town to establish a free bus service for our students who live in Great Falls and Rocky Boy and other surrounding communities to travel to campus.

MSU-Northern partners with Stone Child Community College to develop the North Central Montana Youth Build program. This program provides free training for 80 young people ages 16 to 24 to become construction professionals to build energy efficient homes. Students split their time between the classroom, construction site and working on getting their GED.

Student Senate installs a new brick Bar-B-Q pit on the lawn northeast of the Student Union Building where East Hall once stood. This will be an excellent spot for student and community activities.

Frank Trocki is appointed the new Chancellor of MSU-Northern taking over from interim Chancellor Rolf Groseth.

Cowan Hall receives a new boiler.

MSU-Northern begins a new partnership with Mid-South Community College in West Memphis, Arkansas, in diesel technology. It allowed MSU-Northern to expand its nationally recognized diesel program in a part of the country where diesel mechanics are in high demand.