Early today, following my morning run, I was sitting on the deck looking out toward the island on Big Turtle Lake.
I was interrupted in the middle of a sip of coffee and carefully set down the Bemidji Pioneer. A beaver was swimming out front, dragging a huge tree branch. It was slow going but he had a mission and kept "plugging away" across the channel toward the island. I was mesmerized by the large, V-shaped wake rolling across the still water as he eventually swam out of sight. Watching him reminded me how ingenious, energetic and industrious beavers can be!
Through the years we have always prided ourselves on the quality of our graduates at Bemidji State University. They are well prepared as they complete a well designed and outstanding "beaver management program." Beavers know that life is holistic, that it requires a rich "liberal arts" to experience the good, the true and the beautiful. Beavers also know that they have to do at least one thing extremely well to be productive in society. Living in harmony, pursuing the unknown, appreciating others, serving passionately, and acting with conviction... that describes a Bemidji State Beaver!
Our "beavers in training" continue to amaze me as I walk through campus, observe their work and see them perform. Last week at commencement, we celebrated another milestone of excellence. Our faculty and staff are congratulated for the great work they do in meeting the "high beaver standard."
At homecoming each year, we are again reminded how well our "seasoned" beavers are performing in life and we recognize a chosen few for their excellence as "distinguished beavers."
There is one other dimension to maintaining high standards in a beaver colony. It starts at the beginning with our Enrollment Management leaders who do an outstanding job in "Beaver Control." They are diligent in carefully selecting beavers that will prosper at Bemidji State. Congratulations to all! There can be no "lazy beavers" in our midst.
