The Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center was packed to capacity Saturday with Salish Kootenai College graduates seated in chairs on the gym floor and well-wishers crowding the bleachers.

Eldena Bear Don’t Walk, chair of the SKC Board of Directors, reminded students, “you carry with you not only a degree but the hopes and pride of an entire community.”

Interim president Stacey Sherwin spoke about the value of resilience – “let’s face it, you all have degrees in bouncing back … it’s not about being perfect, it’s about persistence.” Faced with the setbacks that life inevitably delivers, she coached them to “laugh a little, learn a lot and lean on your friends and family when you need to.” With that skill set, she predicted, “you will be unstoppable.”

“The world needs what you have,” she added. “Your ideas, your kindness, your courage and your resilience.”

“Give yourself permission to root for yourself, to be proud of yourself,” advised commencement speaker JoRee LaFrance. “… We deserve to thrive in our own communities.”

James Douthwaite, who earned his bachelor’s in Forest Management, was named Student of the Year. During his tenure at SKC, he has maintained a 4.0 GPA, and will pursue a master’s in Forestry this fall at Yale.

Amy Burland, the Early Childhood Education Partnership director, was named Teacher of the Year. She was honored for her long tenure in the education division, dating back to 2001, her successful pursuit of grants, and ongoing support of students and the SKC community.

The Staff of the Year is Kelly Hudson, director of the Center for Prevention and Wellness. She spearheads the annual Women4Wellness health fair, and was praised for her efforts to build “a supportive, inclusive” campus environment.

The college awarded 214 certificates and degrees Saturday. The front rows were comprised of 27 students – 18 who earned Master’s of Education degrees in Curriculum and Instruction and another nine who received Master’s of Science diplomas in Natural Resource Management.

More than 55 students earned bachelor’s degrees in a wide range of fields, including Native Language Teacher Education, Business Administration, Tribal Governance, Nursing, Social Work, Cellular Biology, Environmental Health, Psychology, Early Childhood Education, Hydrology, Tribal Historic Preservation, Wildland Fire, Forest Management and Wildlife and Fisheries.

Around 95 students claimed associate degrees the same areas, plus digital design, fine arts, liberal arts and engineering graphics. Certificates were awarded for completion of training as medical and dental assistants, and in Salish language, highway construction and early childhood education.

Yamncut drummed in the students and faculty and Salish language teacher Klistin Mays gave the invocation in Salish. Before graduates departed to an Honor Song by Chief Cliff, PJ Auld offered a prayer in Kootenai, asking for good health, a safe, successful journey, and that "the Creator guides you in a good way.”

    Salish Kootenai College nursing graduates line up to receive bachelor's diplomas during Saturday's graduation. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
  

    Graduate Kylin Medicine Bull was attired in a full headdress as he received his Associate of Arts in Psychology Saturday at Salish Kootenai College. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
  

    Headman Steve Arca and Headwoman Linda King led the procession of graduates out of the Joe McDonald Center at the close of Saturday's commencement. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
  

    Years of hard work culminated in master's degrees, presented Saturday during SKC's commencement. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)