MSU President's Column for Traill County Tribune

April 20, 2013

Alumni and friends play a significant role in Mayville State's success

 

Mayville State University is truly blessed to have friends in near and far places. Our alumni and friends are located in all parts of the state, country, and even the world. Comet pride shines brightly from Mayville-Portland and throughout the land. The significance of the support of alumni and friends cannot be underestimated. These people play an integral role in the success of Mayville State University and our students, and we are sincerely grateful to each and every one of them.

The Mayville State University alumni and friends of Pembina County/Hoople are some of the most stalwart supporters of Mayville State. They have stepped up to help in so many ways. They speak highly of the institution. They encourage their young people to enroll as Mayville State students. They provide financial assistance. Their unwavering support for Mayville State has made a difference to the organization as a whole, and to the individuals who have benefitted from a Mayville State education.

For 21 years, the Pembina County/Hoople alumni have sponsored a scholarship fundraiser. This annual activity is complete for this year, and as a result $4,100 will be awarded to five Mayville State students from the Pembina County/Hoople area. Over the years, the group has raised a cumulative total of almost $63,000 and awarded scholarships to 192 students.

The alumni and friends of Pembina County/Hoople have also committed their financial support for the naming of a room in the Edson and Margaret Larson Alumni and Leadership Center. These special friends have backed the MSU Alumni Association’s project that will bring Mayville State’s historic Northwest Hall back to life and provide an alumni and leadership center in doing so. Because of their support, an area located in the lower level of the building will be named the Pembina County/Hoople Room. In addition, various individuals have given of their resources to other projects within the project, including the restoration of a step, restoration of windows, purchase of screens for windows, landscaping projects, and more.

From its beginning, the annual MSU Farmers Bowl Auction has been the beneficiary of generous gifts of auction items from the people of Pembina County/Hoople. Auction items have included everything from travel packages to jewelry and home décor items to handmade quilts, afghans, and jewelry. These auction items have without a doubt had a huge impact on the ongoing success of Mayville State’s Farmers Bowl Auction.

Alumni in Pembina County/Hoople also lend their support in terms of friend-making opportunities. They have hosted a number of socials and golfing events over the years, inviting representatives of Mayville State to join them for food, fun, and a chance to share the news of what’s happening on the campus. On the flip side, these folks are regular attendees and participants at social and fund-raising opportunities hosted in the Mayville-Portland community, including After Hours socials, Tables du Jour, Farmers Bowl, and the Holiday Gala.

We appreciate the support we receive from all of our alumni and friends, no matter where they are, and I wish I could recognize them all individually here, but of course that is not possible. These folks have our utmost respect. We truly appreciate all that they do. From the bottoms of our hearts, we say “thank you” to our alumni in the Pembina County/Hoople area, and to all of our alumni and friends.