MSU President's Newspaper Column
July 22, 2023
About goodness and positively impacting others
Thursday, July 13, 2023, was a special day in Mayville State history. This is the day of the formal dedication of the “Connie Rude Memorial Classroom for Infants and Children” at the Mayville State Child Development Programs (CDP) facility on campus. It was an honor and a blessing to have been a part of this wonderful occasion, which made it official. While the room had long been known as “Connie’s Room,” it’s now in the books. I am truly happy to know that Connie’s legacy will always be known at the Mayville State CDP facility.
Connie worked with infants and toddlers at the CDP for 25 years, before retiring in the spring of 2018. She passed away in July of 2022 at the age of 63.
Though I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting Connie personally, since she had retired prior to my arrival at Mayville State in the summer of 2018, I’ve been able to learn some things about her through others. I have come to know that she was what I would consider to be a “salt of the earth” person, someone who quietly went about her daily life making a difference for others without any flashiness or expectation of recognition. Her greatest joy seemed to come from making others happy, whether they were the children she cared for, her fellow employees, or her family.
Connie’s personal contribution to the Mayville community was at its most foundation, familial level. She was grounded in a spirit of service and served with an open heart.
With their generous gift, Connie’s family has also established the “Learning by Heart” endowed scholarship for Mayville State students in pursuit of careers in early childhood. Connie’s legacy of positivity in the lives of children will go on in perpetuity through this scholarship.
We are grateful to Connie Rude’s family for their thoughtfulness and generosity. To have a classroom in the CDP facility bearing Connie’s name and a scholarship that will benefit future college students ensures that the goodness Connie brought to Mayville State and the community will live on always.
“Connie’s Room” was overflowing with love and happiness on July 13. As family members and friends gathered to honor Connie, a person from whom goodness radiated, one could almost feel her presence and imagine how happy she would be about the occasion. Those in attendance included her parents, Andrew and Junice Berg, along with her niece and nephew, grand nephews, and others. July 13 also marked Andrew Berg’s 102nd birthday. How special!
Small things fill my cup, and this event really made me feel better about humanity. Connie made a huge positive impact on many and was never in a position of authority, yet she left a wonderful legacy of kindness and personal service. She helped to make Mayville State special and personal.
Whether it is making a difference for the college students or for the children enrolled in child development programs, giving our customers the best possible experience is what it’s all about at Mayville State. We have been blessed by Connie and other employees who go about their days, quietly doing their work, and making the lives of others better.
I can’t help but think about that person who made a difference for me when I was a college student at Murray State. Miss Jo was a cashier at the cafeteria. She greeted me daily, but not only did she welcome me to the cafeteria, she took an interest in me. She wanted to know that I was happy and healthy. Even when I was having a bad day, she was the kind of person who made me feel better, and she made happy days even happier. To this day I hold her in the highest esteem. I will always be thankful for the influence she had in my life.
Thank you to all the Mayville State employees who are the “Connie’s” and “Miss Jo’s” of the world. You are appreciated beyond measure. Never underestimate the important role you are playing not only in the present, but also in the future.