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MSU Northern farewell to long‑time chancellor; local leaders press regents to greenlight BA in community arts production
Summary
Chancellor Kegel celebrated a long tenure and listed campus projects; later, many Havre residents and community leaders urged the Board to approve planning for a BA in community arts production to build rural cultural, nonprofit and mental‑health capacity.
Chancellor Tyler Kegel used his final Board of Regents appearance at MSU Northern to recap more than four decades of service and to highlight campus projects designed to attract and retain students.
“Serving this institution for the last 12 years as chancellor without a question is the greatest honor in my life,” he said, listing investments the campus has completed — including a diesel tech center and a locally funded $3,000,000 stadium project — and describing the Aurora Complex (a health and recreation center) now in final design.
During the public comment period, more than a half dozen community leaders, faculty and arts advocates urged the regents to approve work on a proposed BA in community arts production at MSU Northern. Supporters, including museum and community leaders, described the proposed program as a rural‑oriented degree combining creative practice with nonprofit leadership, grant writing, fundraising and event management.
“Community arts production would better position local leaders of tomorrow to strengthen our arts and humanities organizations, which are integral to the sustained vitality of Highline communities,” Sam French, director of the Blaine County Museum, told regents. Recruiters and local employers said the curriculum could supply staff for regional cultural organizations, media, schools and community‑health initiatives.
Regents did not vote on a program today; public comment was recorded for campus planning and the formal request‑to‑plan process. MSU Northern presenters said they have local surveys and letters of support and that many proposed program elements draw on existing campus strengths.
Next steps: The campus will continue the request‑to‑plan process with OCHE and the board, providing demand analyses and implementation details as requested.
