MSU President's Column for Traill County Tribune

January 4, 2020

Thankful for wonderful opportunities in 2019, we turn the page to an exciting 2020

As 2019 comes to a close, we reflect with grateful hearts on all that has happened and turn the page to what we know will be an exciting 2020. We have been blessed with many opportunities to make an impact as we educate the leaders of tomorrow. We look forward to continuing this important work as we develop new programs and more that will give us additional tools to assist with the workforce needs of our region, state, and country.

The need for teachers and nurses is great in North Dakota. Our teacher education and nursing program faculty are working hard to help fill the gap by educating individuals who are interested in pursuing these careers. The leaders and faculty of these departments stay sharp and are on the cutting edge of all the latest advancements so that when our graduates are hired, they hit the ground running and are ready to share the latest in their fields.

Our students are learning from faculty who are not only instilling the knowledge needed to be successful, but also the values that will serve them well as they pursue their lives as leaders in their careers and communities. Breaking our all-time enrollment record this last fall, at 1,212 students, we are Comet Proud to know that we are having a greater impact than ever before in North Dakota and across the United States.

Mayville State students have opportunities to participate in music and drama performances, as well as athletics, student government, and a variety of clubs and organizations. These experiences help to form well-rounded individuals, giving them lifelong skills and memories.

Our Collegiate DECA chapter members are consistent winners of competitions, not only on the state level, but nationally and internationally as well. Mayville State members are always at the top in terms of citizenship and community service as well. DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.

Through grant-funded programs, several of our students have been making a difference in the world of scientific research. They have been working on things like using wheat bran to strengthen plastic and purify water, as well as determining how elements found in local bodies of water could be tied to the occurrence of cancer. Students have had the opportunity to present their findings at symposiums in North Dakota and out of state as well. This is a rare and extremely valuable experience for undergraduate students, and we couldn’t be happier for our students who are working together with our talented faculty to be a part of this.

Comet Athletics represented us very well this year. Among the highlights are seeing the beginning of a new era in Comet Football. The Comets women’s basketball team claimed the North Star Athletic Association conference championship last March, as did the men’s basketball team, who also went on the represent Mayville State in the national tournament. Our volleyball team had a good 2019 season, advancing to the semi-final round of the conference tournament. Several individuals notched remarkable feats, including May-Port CG graduate and Mayville State senior Jaden Warner, who was selected as the conference's defender-of-the-year for the second consecutive season, as well as a third team All-American by the NAIA and the AVCA, among other accolades. Comets Softball played the first games ever on the Mayville State campus last spring when we were able to configure a playing field on the turf at Jerome Berg Field. Baseball continued their tradition and ended the season with seven players being named NAIA Scholar-Athletes. In addition, baseball alum Nick Anderson has made us all proud with his remarkable accomplishments as a Major League Baseball pitcher.

We are thrilled that the North Dakota Legislature approved Challenge Grant funding again. Through the program, gifts to scholarships at Mayville State are eligible to receive a 50% match. Mayville State has been allotted a total of $700,000 in grant funding to be used from July 1, 2019 through December 31, 2020. We are so very grateful to our many alumni and friends who have already made gifts that qualify for the match. This has the potential to make a huge impact for the university and for our students.

The 2019 fall semester ended in mid-December. With finals wrapped up, we bid our farewells to several seniors who had completed the requirements for graduation. We know they are well-equipped to do well and we wish them all the best as they set out make a difference in their careers and the communities in which they live.

The future is bright at Mayville State University. Thank you to our friends and neighbors for the part they played in making 2019 a fantastic year. We look forward to partnering with you to bring our beloved university to greater levels of success in 2020 and beyond.

As we turn the calendar page, we know that many high school seniors will be taking a serious look at where they will make their college homes next fall. If you know of someone who would benefit from a Mayville State education, please encourage them to take a look. You can learn more at www.mayvillestate.edu or arrange for a campus visit by calling 701-788-4842.