MSU President's Column for Traill County Tribune
September 8, 2018
Thoughts on going home
I’ve had the opportunity this past week to go “home.” While Mayville is my new home, the place where I spent my growing up years will always be “home” too. I think that everyone can relate to the heartwarming feeling of being in familiar places and with familiar faces. It was so nice to spend time with my children, Will and Ella, and my parents, Wilbur and Winnie.
My roots are in rural America. I grew up and spent most of my life so far in southern Illinois and western Kentucky. While the places are different and the faces are different, they are much like what I am experiencing in Mayville, Portland, and all of Traill County, North Dakota. The people are friendly, hard-working, and sincere. The success of all people depends largely on the success of agriculture. I feel very fortunate to have found this special place where I can pursue my career and continue to have that warm feeling of “home.” I’m proud to say that Traill County and Mayville are now my home.
Speaking of going home, Mayville State University’s homecoming festivities will be here soon. Activities for alumni and friends are planned for Sept. 28, 29, and 30. We hope to see many familiar faces, and some new ones too, at all of the events planned.
Festivities will begin Friday, Sept. 28 with a social to honor the Athletic hall of Fame and Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame inductees. The social will run from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the MSU Edson and Margaret Larson Alumni and Leadership Center.
The Athletic Hall of Fame dinner will begin at 6 p.m. in the MSU Campus Center Luckasen Room. This year’s Athletic Hall of Fame inductees are former Mayville State men’s basketball coach Craig Smith and his 2004-05, 2005-06, and 2006-07 teams. David Dose, Maxine Mehus, and David Strand will be inducted into the Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame. The Alumni Association folks encourage you to get your tickets for the banquet as soon as possible. Reservation deadline is Monday, Sept. 17. Call 701-788-4864 or go to www.mayvillestate.edu/homecoming.
Everyone is invited to stop by the alumni center to enjoy refreshments and visit with your friends from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29.
We are delighted to know that Mayville State graduate USMC Lt. Gen. Emil “Buck” Bedard (Ret.) will be joining us for the annual ceremony of remembrance at the Military Honor Garden beginning at 11 a.m. on Sept. 29. There will be a special commendation recognizing the 100th anniversary since the end of WW I and a 50-year commemoration of the Vietnam War. Music will be provided by the First & Farmers Filharmonic brass group, and the Mayville American Legion Post #8 will have their Avenue of Flags on display. A lunch of chili and the fixings will be served in the Larson Center immediately following the ceremony.
All former Mayville State football players are invited to come and check out the new artificial turf at Jerome Berg Field. The Alumni Association will provide refreshments for these folks in the tailgating area outside the field from noon to 2 p.m.
Mayville State will host Waldorf University in the homecoming game which starts at 2 p.m. at Jerome Berg Field. There will be a salute to the military, with the Avenue of Flags on display and the colors being presented by Mayville American Legion Post 8.
Performing Arts Hall of Fame inductees Lynn Schroder, Doug Barta, Conrad Miska, Cynthia Kaldor, Richard Rousseau, and the 1978 Mayville State jazz band will be honored at intermission of the MSU Music Department homecoming concert which begins at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30 in the Classroom Building Auditorium. A reception to honoree the inductees will be held in the Campus Center Luckasen Room immediately following the concert.
I’m sure you’ve heard the expression “Home is where your heart is.” We know that scores of alumni have a piece of their heart at Mayville State University. This place where lives are changed is special beyond compare, and all alumni are connected by a unique bond that brings them “home,” whether in person or in thought. We hope that you’ll join us any time you can, and especially during the Homecoming 2018 festivities Sept. 28-30.