MSU President's Newspaper Column
April 18, 2026
An opportunity to support scholarships on Mayville State’s Day of Giving
Thursday, April 30, the MSU Foundation’s 2026 annual day of giving, promises to be a big day for Mayville State University. This special day is designated as a time when alumni, friends, and supporters can come together in gratitude for “The School of Personal Service” and the lasting impact Mayville State has made in their lives.
We invite alumni and friends to consider making a gift on April 30 as a meaningful way to pay forward their appreciation for Mayville State University. Their generosity will directly impact today’s students as they pursue their educational goals and dreams. For many students, a scholarship can be the deciding factor that makes attending Mayville State possible.
Adding to the excitement, one of our generous alumni families has pledged to match all gifts made on April 30 dollar-for dollar, up to $25,000. We are incredibly CometProud and thankful for the thoughtfulness and generosity of this special family. Their commitment, and the support of so many big-hearted alumni and friends, speaks volumes about the strength of the Mayville State community. In addition, all gifts will receive an extra 50% match through North Dakota Challenge Grand funds while those funds remain available.
Gifts made during the Annual Day of Giving will support the Honor Awards Program, which provides scholarship assistance for new first-year and transfer students. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, these awards are now renewable for one year for freshmen, beginning this year. This kind of support helps Mayville State remain competitive in attracting new students while making a college education more affordable.
Private support for scholarships is essential, and we are deeply grateful. In a recent report, MSU Foundation Executive Director Dr. Lon Jorgensen shared that during the 2020-21 academic year, the foundation’s annual scholarship allotment to the university was $299,785. That investment has grown steadily, and for 2026-27 the foundation has earmarked $805,610 for scholarships, an increase of 269% in just six years. Over that time, total scholarship support has reached $3,691,821. This remarkable growth is made possible by the generosity and commitment of Mayville State’s alumni and friends.
Student scholarship recipients are thankful too.
Macy Monson, a freshman from Venturia, N.D., plans to pursue a career as an agricultural loan offer after earning her degree in agribusiness. As a recipient of an Honor Award, she shared, “This scholarship is helping me further my education and start my career with less debt.”
Kael Davis, a freshman from Belcourt, N.D., credits his family for instilling a strong value for education and a desire to pursue a degree in business management. “I chose this path because I want to bring more equity and job opportunities to my community,” he said. “My career goals are to start my own business, whether that’s cutting hair, starting a clothing brand, selling real estate, or all the above. This scholarship is significantly impacting my life by allowing me to focus more on my studies and worry less about financial burdens.” He expressed his gratitude to donors for believing in his potential and investing in his future, adding, “Your support is invaluable, and I am committed to making the most of this opportunity.”
Whether you’re an alumnus or a friend of the university, we encourage you to reflect on how Mayville State has made a difference in your life. Please consider making a gift to the MSU Foundation to help shape the future and ensure that others can experience the benefits of a Mayville State education. You can also help by using your social media platforms to encourage others to get involved. Together, we can make this a truly impactful team effort.
To celebrate the annual Day of Giving and students’ love for Mayville State, the MSU Foundation is teaming up with other campus entities to host a “Party on the Turf” at Jerome Berg Field on April 30. The event will feature yard games, music, a kickball tournament, great prizes and more, putting the exclamation point on another fantastic year at Mayville State University.
To learn more about Day of Giving 2026, make a gift, and/or share your words of support, visit www.mayvillestate.edu/DayofGiving. Thank you in advance for your generosity and continued support for Mayville State University.