Speeches

Remarks by Governor Judy Martz
MSU President Geoffrey Gamble Inaugural
October 10, 2001

Check Against Delivery

Dr. Gamble - I bring greetings and congratulations to you from the State Capitol. As Governor of Montana, I thank you for your willingness to serve as a leader - and to ensure that the "Last Best Place" continues to offer the best educational opportunities.

I commend you for pulling your chair up to the table to participate in moving Montana forward. We - all of us together - have an opportunity to keep our students from leaving this state.

We can and will develop good paying jobs in a quality environment. And with you at the helm of Montana State University, we will accomplish that goal in new and different ways.

Our students are our greatest natural resource. That is why our partnership with MSU is so critical. We cannot just create good paying jobs in Montana - we must continue to produce students with the right knowledge and skills to fit those jobs.

We must not only teach our students general principles, but we must guide them in paths that help them to develop quality businesses, and we must tap into and develop the entrepreneurial attitude that lies dormant in this state. We must partner with businesses to ensure that our educational system fits today's fast-paced world.

Dr. Gamble, you have clearly demonstrated that you share those same goals.

So, as you formally join this great institution of higher learning - I feel as though I'm welcoming an old friend.

We have already had the opportunity to work together on legislative issues, on educational funding, and on moving our state in a direction that benefits all Montanans.

You have already won the respect of Montana's leaders because you are honest - you lead with integrity - and you are not afraid to take a stand for what's right for this institution, for your students, faculty, and staff - and for our state.

I bring greetings and best wishes. And I bring a commitment that we will continue to work together to create an environment that allows our students to experience a great education, and to stay in Montana.

Congratulations, and God Bless.

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