Montana Tech Chaplain Father Patrick Beretta to deliver commencement address
Father Patrick Beretta to deliver Montana Tech’s fall commencement address
Father Patrick Beretta, parish priest at St. Patrick and Immaculate Conception Church and chaplain at Montana Tech—will deliver the commencement address at Montana Tech's fall commencement ceremony Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026.
Beretta will address graduates during the 10 a.m. ceremony in the university's Health, Physical Education and Recreation Complex (HPER), followed by a reception for graduates and their families in the Student Success Center.
Beretta, whose career has spanned education, hospitality, community leadership and ministry, said he was surprised when Chancellor Johnny MacLean invited him to speak.
"I was deeply moved, honored, and humbled when the chancellor reached out to me," Beretta said. "It was entirely unexpected."
Born and raised in Paris to an Irish mother and Italian father, Beretta was educated in France, Ireland and Rome. He briefly taught ethics in Ireland before moving to the United States, where he held a leadership role in continuing education at Lynwood Medical Center.
He later transitioned to the hospitality industry, spending 22 years in the field and earning the Southern California Restaurant Writers' 2021 Restaurateur of the Year award. He has also written for The Huffington Post and served as chair of the Carroll College Board of Trustees. His research interests include history, theology, resilience and the cultural arts.
Since arriving in Butte, Beretta has been actively involved in community initiatives. He founded the annual Butte Local Heroes Celebration, partnered with local government and public health officials to launch a community response to the fentanyl crisis, and recruited volunteers to assist with COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
Throughout his life, Beretta said several guiding principles have helped him succeed, including maintaining high standards without compromise, avoiding defensiveness, welcoming complaints as opportunities for growth, and transforming disappointments into opportunities and grief into gratitude.
As Montana Tech's chaplain, Beretta said he has developed a deep appreciation for the university, its students and its connection to Butte's mining heritage.
"I think very highly of our students. To me they represent some of the best of the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders," Beretta said. "They are very respectful and appreciative and highly motivated."
“I also appreciate the history of the institution and its tight connection to the city of Butte and its rich mining history,” Beretta said. “Finally, the views from the campus are incomparable. I feel very much at home every day when I visit.”
Beretta said he also values the friendships he has built with Montana Tech faculty and staff as well.
In his message to graduates, Beretta hopes to emphasize the importance of maintaining high standards, embracing unexpected opportunities, and treating others with respect.
"Allow life to surprise," Beretta said. "Be entirely committed to practicing the respect of others."
He also encourages Orediggers to become involved in their communities and find meaningful ways to serve others.
"Get involved in your community. Volunteer in areas that are of interest to you," Beretta said. "Learn that compassion is not weakness, it is power. Don't demand respect, work hard at earning it."
Montana Tech's fall commencement ceremony will be livestreamed on the university's YouTube channel for those unable to attend. Additional information is available on the Montana Tech commencement webpage.