Char-Koosta News

The late Gerald "Jerry" D. Slater was posthumously inducted into the Libby High School Hall Fame on April 14, 2008. Jerry was born in Libby on January 20, 1943. He graduated from Libby High School in 1961. Jerry passed on October 7, 2002 after a courageous eight-year battle with cancer. He was an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

This rare honor was the centerpiece of Libby High School's 2008 Induction Ceremony of Honor Society students. Twenty high school scholars were inducted. They were introduced individually as they stood on the ceremonial stage. The backdrop was dawned with stars and draped with a famous quotation coined by Aristotle: "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence therefore is not an act but a habit." These wise words set the tone for the evening.

Walter Loren Kemp, MD, delivered the keynote address. Dr. Kemp graduated from Libby High School in 1989. He is currently employed by the Department of Justice of the State of Montana where he serves as the Deputy State Medical Examiner, Forensic Science Division. Dr. Kemp also continues to serve as Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology at the University of Texas Southwestern, where he completed his residency in 2002.

In his keynote address, Dr. Kemp shared three nuggets of wisdom that he has learned during his life. They are universal and instructive for all.

First, choose a career where you will do what you love and love what you do. This is a key to success.

Second, realize and appreciate that you are no better than any other person. Always try to treat everyone as your equal; if you lose your ego, you will learn to do this.

Third and most important, always do more than what is asked of you. When you do things you do not have to do, you get noticed or recognized. In his infinite wisdom, Jerry too learned and lived these golden nuggets of life.

Dr. Kemp ended his compelling speech by offering two inspirational guideposts. First, you are the only person in life who can tell yourself whether you can or cannot achieve academically. Second, hard work, enthusiasm, dedication, and persistence can accomplish things that intelligence cannot. "I would like to believe it was my enthusiasm and dedication that have made me stand out, because

Traveling to Libby from the Flathead Reservation to honor Jerry were Lois Slater, Jerry's wife, her daughter Nicki Krahn and son Justin, Jackie Scottilini, Jerry's sister, Mike O'Donnell, Dwight Billedeaux, Lewis Barnaby, and Bob Peregoy.

A memorial scholarship fund has been established at Libby High School in honor of Jerry. Also as noted, Salish Kootenai College has established the Jerry Slater Memorial Scholarship Fund. Any one wishing to contribute to the SKC fund may contact Lois Slater, Director of Development, at 275-4820. All donations are tax deductible.

Libby High School student Katie Horelick gave the "Introduction of Distinguished Graduate Hall of Fame Inductee, Gerald D. Slater." Ms. Horelick read the following tribute to Jerry.

"Gerald ("Jerry") D. Slater was born January 20, 1943. He was an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation, always proud of his Native heritage. After a courageous eight-year battle with cancer, Jerry passed on October 7, 2002.

Jerry attended Libby High School, graduating with the Class of 1961. In 1972 he received a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a year later earned his Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling with an emphasis on Pupil Services for Native American students. The University of Montana awarded both degrees. Early on, Jerry realized the power of education and the impact it could have on the reservation community. Native American students were always his number one priority. To them he dedicated his illustrious and selfless career at the elementary, secondary, and postsecondary levels of education.

During has admirable 30-year career in Indian education on the Flathead Reservation, Jerry became distinguished by his numerous outstanding "firsts." He was the first elementary guidance counselor in the St. Ignatius Public School system. In 1974 he co-founded the Two Eagle River School, the Tribes' alternative high school where he served as principal for four years. During 1978-79, Jerry served as the inaugural director of the Native American Graduate Fellowship Program at Montana State University, which graduated 52 Indian students with masters' degrees in education over a five-year period. To this day, many of these master's level Native educators continue to serve Indian students on Montana's seven Indian reservations, and throughout Indian Country nationally.

During 1979-80 Jerry served as the Acting President of Salish Kootenai College, which he co-founded with President Joseph McDonald. Thereafter, Jerry served as the college's first Academic Vice President for nearly a quarter of a century. Throughout his tenure, he spawned and oversaw the development of all of the college's academic and vocational education programs. As an administrator, Jerry was very caring, encouraging, and supportive of Native students.

As a developing institution, the College had several lean years. This never prevented Jerry from moving ahead. He routinely found innovative ways to secure funding that helped the College develop and flourish. Indeed, his creativity, dedication, and persistence helped put the College on the national map as a higher education institution of excellence. In this light, he contributed significantly to the widespread recognition of Salish Kootenai College as the flagship institution of the nation's 34 tribal colleges.

Over the years, Jerry personally assisted many hundreds of Native American students as they matriculated to the postsecondary educational level. Without question, his keen intellect and endless energy helped many to succeed. During his time at SKC, well over 1,500 Native American students graduated with associate or bachelors degrees, or with certificates in career and technical education. In his honor, the Jerry Slater Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to remember his undying dedication to and belief in the great potential of Native American students.

The Creator blessed Jerry with a beautiful mind and loving spirit. By all accounts, he was one of the most humble, compassionate, and empathetic individuals born into this wonderful world. He always took time to actively listen to people, one of the greatest gifts of humankind. We all miss Jerry, but we know his spirit remains with us to give us courage, strength, and guidance to continue the marvelous example he set for all of us."

The Official Publication of the Flathead Nation online

Jerry Slater inducted into Libby High School Hall of Fame