Mayville State University’s highest awards were bestowed upon four distinguished alumni and friends during Mayville State University’s Alumni Day celebration held Friday, June 23. Richard Balstad, Wichita Falls, Texas, and Donald Cavalier, Crookston, Minn., each received the Distinguished Alumni Award. Mike Bakken, Mayville, received the Distinguished Service Award. Jeff Braaten was honored with the Distinguished Service Award posthumously. His daughters, Rammie Olson, Fargo, N.D., and Kasie Windfelder, Navarre, Fla., accepted the award on his behalf.
The awards were presented at the annual Alumni Association Awards Dinner which was held in the MSU Campus Center Luckasen Room. The program was emceed by Alumni Association board president Cindy Petersen. Greta Paschke led the audience in the singing of the Mayville State school songs.
Alumni Day 2017 festivities began with an ice cream social on the lawn at the Edson and Margaret Larson Alumni and Leadership Center. The event was hosted by the MSU Alumni Association board. The First and Farmers Filharmonic ensemble provided music for all to enjoy. The beautifully landscaped Military Honor Garden provided a lovely backdrop for the occasion. The Avenue of Flags provided by the local American Legion Post 8 beautifully enhanced the garden.
Guided campus tours gave visitors an opportunity to see the physical improvements that have been made on the campus over the last several years. Birkelo Hall was open for those who were interested. The building is being renovated for use as a living and learning community for high-achieving students.
Alumni Day 2017 wrapped up with a social for alumni and friends at the Mayville Golf Club.
“Alumni Day 2017 was a time for reminiscing and recognizing folks for their wonderful accomplishments. We are grateful for the opportunity to be together and to show our appreciation,” said Beth Swenson, MSU Director of Alumni Affairs. “Mayville State University is truly a special place because of the countless alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and students who are a part of the MSU family.”
Photo captions:
Top: The 2017 Distinguished Alumni and Distinguished Service Award recipients were honored at the annual Alumni Association Awards Dinner held at Mayville State Friday evening, June 23. Pictured from left to right are Rammie Olson and Kasie Windfleder, who accepted the Distinguished Service Award on behalf of their dad, Jeff Braaten; Glenn Thoreson, who accepted the Distinguished Alumni Award for his friend Richard Balstad, who could not attend the banquet; Distinguished Service Award recipient Mike Bakken; and Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Don Cavalier.
Bottom: The First and Farmers Filharmonic brass ensemble provided musical entertainment for those who attended the MSU Alumni Association ice cream social held on the lawn outside the Edson and Margaret Larson Alumni and Leadership Center.