MSU President's column for Traill County Tribune
November 21, 2015
Tradition will usher in the holiday season
As the holiday season approaches, we think of traditions we have come to look forward to year after year. One of those traditions is the Mayville State University Madrigal Feast, which is held every-other year on the first weekend of December. The feast will be held on two nights this year, December 4 and 5. Entertainment will be presented by the MSU Madrigal Singers and Wellington Winds, a.k.a. the Mayville State Music Department, under the direction of Michael Bakken.
Those who attend can expect an evening of Renaissance dining and entertainment, courtesy of their hosts Lady Barbara and Lord Phillip of Nottingham. Dinner, cooked and served by the MSU Dining Services staff, will include a choice of Cornish game hen, roast beef, or fettuccine marinara. Guests can also expect to be treated to wassail, turkey legs, potatoes, and flaming pudding.
The first madrigal feast at Mayville State was held in 2005. This is the seventh time a madrigal feast has been held at Mayville State. I anticipate that this year’s event will be every bit as wonderful as those of the past, and I encourage you to get your tickets for the feast as soon as possible, if you haven’t done so already.
A limited number of seats are available, and you must make your reservation by Monday, Nov. 23. Tickets sell for $35.00 each and can be purchased at the MSU Bookstore or in the MSU Foundation office, or you may purchase tickets online at www.mayvillestate.edu/madrigal. For further information, please call 701-788-4687. Proceeds from the madrigal feast will go to Mayville State University’s music department.
The Mayville State women’s basketball team will continue their tradition of coordinating a holiday toy drive this year. Would you like to provide a toy for an area child who may not otherwise receive a Christmas gift? We invite you to support the team in their efforts to help children who are less fortunate. Each person bringing a new, unwrapped toy to upcoming home basketball games and will be admitted to the game(s) free of charge on that day. The drive will take place on four game days. The men and women will play games against Waldorf on Saturday, Dec. 5, beginning at 4 p.m. and against University of Minnesota-Morris on Friday, Dec. 18, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The men will be playing games versus Morningside Saturday, Nov. 28, beginning at 3 p.m., and versus Bellevue Friday, Dec. 11, starting at 7:30 p.m. All games will be played in the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse. Please help the Comets reach their goal of collecting 100 toys.
The Cometeers are continuing their tradition of sponsoring a food drive for those in need from November 9 through 24. If you’re interested in supporting this cause, you may drop off non-perishable food items at the Campus Center Snack Bar or the mailroom in the lower level of Old Main. We’re very proud of our students who are stepping up to assure brighter holidays for others, and we hope you’ll feel inclined to join them in their efforts.
The Edson and Margaret Larson Alumni and Leadership Center will be decked out for the holidays and the MSU Foundation staff would love for you to stop by for a holiday treat between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. on Dec. 14, 15, or 16. The coffee pot will be on. Ask your friends to join you for a visit to the alumni center where you can enjoy a taste of the holidays. Everyone is welcome!
We have so much for which to be thankful at Mayville State. One of the most cherished of our many blessings is our Mayville State family. This family is made up of many wonderful people; including faculty, staff, students, parents of students, alumni, community members, and other friends. It is these people who make Mayville State the great place that it is, and we take great pleasure in celebrating special times together. We look forward to sharing special times with you.