MSU President's Column for Traill County Tribune

January 21, 2017

Traill County-Mayville State alumni and friends luncheon is February 14

 

The annual Traill County-Mayville State reunion luncheon will be held in Mesa, Ariz. on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017. My wife, Debbie, and I will attend the luncheon once again this year, and spend a few days in Arizona visiting with some wonderful Mayville State alumni and friends.

The Traill County-MSU reunion has been an annual event for many years. Current and former residents of Traill County gather each February in sunny Arizona to reminisce and “catch up” on the latest in Traill County and to find out what is new at Mayville State University. It is a pleasure for us to have this opportunity to visit with many Mayville State alumni and friends.

Some of the people who attend the annual event are current or former Mayville-Portland or Traill County residents. Others who attend have only one connection to Mayville and Traill County, their attendance at Mayville State. Many luncheon attendees spend only the winters in Arizona and have another home where they spend the rest of their time, while others are full-time Arizona residents.

This year’s luncheon will be held at the Apache Wells Country Club in Mesa, Arizona. Socializing begins at 11:00 a.m., and lunch will be served at noon. The program will include music provided by MSU Director of Development John Klocke and his wife, Jan. There will also be a time of reminiscing about life in Traill County and North Dakota. It will be my privilege to bring greetings from Mayville State and to share the most up-to-date news from the university during the program.

Joe Dunn, Mayville State graduate and Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, Bemidji, Minn., is coordinating the luncheon again this year. In the spirit of helping to facilitate this annual event, which is a decades-old tradition, the staff of the MSU Foundation is also assisting with arrangements.

Cost of the luncheon is $25.00 per person. Reservations are required and must be pre-paid. Make check payable to MSU Foundation and mail to the MSU Foundation at 330 Third Street NE, Mayville, ND  58257. Luncheon reservations may also be made online at www.mayvillestate.edu/arizona. The deadline for reservations is February 4. If you have questions or concerns, you may contact the MSU Foundation staff at 701-788-4864 or alumni.mail@mayvillestate.edu.

While in Arizona, Debbie and I also plan to spend time with as many Mayville State supporters as time will allow. It is a great honor to get to know some of Mayville State’s best friends and supporters. We are blessed with a big family of advocates who sincerely care about Mayville State and the students we serve.

I am always amazed at the number of people from our area that can be found in the Mesa area. Having so many alumni and friends in one place makes communication easy and the reception warm. I am indebted to the many people who plan and organize this event each year and am appreciative of their continuing devotion to Traill County and Mayville State University. These gatherings provide camaraderie and a time to reflect. What could be better than the thoughts of “home” to warm you up on a winter’s day?