UM President Stresses Importance Of Attending College During Summit

Seth Bodnar, president of the University of Montana, explained during the Fort Peck Tribal Youth Summit the importance of attending college and that individuals can achieve their goals.

Bodnar, who graduated first in his class from the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, opened his presentation by asking the students which ones were planning on attending college. “I want to see everybody’s hands up,” he said.

He then asked the students to provide reasons why attending college is important for their success.

Bodnar explained that everyone has a lot of power inside of them. “College can unlock the power in you. It unlocks the super power you all have.”

He noted that of the University of Montana’s about 11,000 students, about 750 are Native Americans. The university features a Native Americans center and offers American Indian Student Services. The American Indigenous Business Leaders organization is ranked first in the country.

“Our job and goal is making sure all students feel comfortable and at home,” Bodnar said.

He noted there are scholarships and other aid available to help students afford college, including being able to attend tuition-free.

He said some students have expressed that they never realized what opportunities were available until they attended college.

His advice for picking a college is to select a school where a student feels comfortable.

“It’s far away from home, but it feels like home,” Bodnar said.