From Alumni Association Director Dear Alumni, I was thinking about Montana State University's new graduates. Just a few weeks ago you were living in apartments, studying for finals, playing frisbee, going to the popular hangouts and enjoying life in Bozeman and at MSU. Then along came graduation, and you and your friends have scattered to all parts of the country. In my work as alumni director, I have had the opportunity to see long-time college friendships that continue to grow over the years. It is amazing how many fishing and hunting trips, golf adventures, shopping excursions, ski vacations, round robin letters/e-mails and informal get-togethers happen between old friends; friendships that started during college days and have become richer and even more meaningful over the years. I hope that you maintain your college friendships. It will give continuity to your life amidst the many changes that you'll face. You'll make a transition from college to career, and it is sometimes overwhelming. You can talk to your friends about your experiences, and they'll share their own. Those friends who you shared crazy times with are now ones who give you confidence and a sense of stability. They provide an outlet for relaxing and recreation while you are pouring your energy into a new job, apartment hunting and learning about your new environment. That outlet might come by getting together, or it might be a phone call or an e-mail. Graduation is a time for new beginnings. Maintaining ties with college friends doesn't mean you should continually tie yourself to your years at Montana State, constantly reliving those experiences. You'll find new friends in the place where you work, at the gym where you work out, in the things that you do within the community. It is amazing though, how, over the years, those college friends remain at the core of your heart and soul. It was a wonderful time of your life, one where you accepted challenges and became your own person. Those friends helped you to do just that. You'll probably find that what you learned with old friends will be a good foundation for your new friendships. I hope when you said your farewells before and during graduation, you made a commitment to stay in touch. Time and distance do not need to be barriers as long as both parties are willing to make the commitment to staying in touch and honoring it. Who knows what that friendship will mean to you throughout the years? I've seen college friends make an annual trek back to Montana for a camping trip. Children of college friends have become friends, and I've seen pictures of kids wearing the worn MSU sweatshirt that belongs to mom or dad. I've witnessed the height of friendship when a group of guys and gals gather for a friend's wedding and dance and laugh all night long. I've seen the agony when a friend has passed on and everyone from the circle has gathered together to grieve. I've seen motor homes filled to the brim with old friends who have traveled a long distance to return for a Cat/Griz weekend. Business cards have been exchanged and new job opportunities discovered after a conversation between college friends. Warm and genuine embraces can be seen throughout Homecoming weekend. There is just nothing like your old college friends. I dedicate this letter to each of you who made good friends while you were at Montana State. I hope that you take a minute to think of those folks and how much they mean to you, regardless of how often you see each other. Old friends...talking about old friends. Here's to you! Jaynee Drange Groseth, '73, '91 Executive Director, Montana State University Alumni Association P.S. The Alumni Association Online Community is a way for you to stay in touch. Your password for registration is located on the mailing label of your Summer Collegian.