Aaniiih Nakoda College honors 2015 Graduates

The 2015 Aaniiih Nakoda College Commencement Ceremony was a wonderful honoring of the 38 graduates.

Angela McLean, Montana’s 31st Lieutenant Governor gave a very inspiring speech directed to the graduates. She graciously thanked all who were present to celebrate the graduate’s accomplishments. Acknowledging the challenges they had to overcome, “Many of you had to overcome obstacles, sometimes you have to go around, under and over and at times just push them out of the way.” She told the audience of her perspective and life history of overcoming obstacles and saying yes to challenges. President Carole Falcon-Chandler gifted the Lieutenant Governor with a beautiful satin star quilt.

The Fort Belknap Indian Community Council President, Mark Azure and council man Curtis Horn handed out the Fort Belknap Tribal Scholarships to students.

Annette Vander Ven, ANC Math/Computer Instructor is retiring after 25 years of teaching was also honored with a satin star quilt. When asked what she was planning on doing now she stated, “I am going to sleep in, drink coffee after 5 p.m. and do whatever I want!”

Many students were surprised by being nominated for special awards, Lacey Kulbeck received the President’s Student of the Year Award.