MSU President's Column
July 5, 2025
Grateful for those who serve for the benefit of the greater good
Each year on July 4, we celebrate Independence Day, America’s birthday. The holiday commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The Declaration of Independence famously proclaims that all men are created equal and endowed with certain unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These are among the many privileges we enjoy as Americans.
As I think about these rights and privileges, I am drawn to thoughts of the military men, women, and families who have and continue to make sacrifices to protect our freedom and the rights for which our nation stands. These people are worthy of our enduring gratitude. Their commitment, work, and sacrifices for the greater good could be compared to the concept of personal service. These are people who are serving all of us as Americans, putting the needs of our country above their own.
I have learned that 80 years after his death, the skeletal remains of a Mayville State alumnus Irvin Ellingson were recently identified through new DNA technology. Irvin, a native of Dahlen, N.D., attended Mayville State Teachers College from 1937 to 1939. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces (the air arm of the U.S. Army during and immediately after World War II) at age 22. He was 25 when he died.
On April 14, 1945, Irvin was working as a radar observer on a bombing mission to Tokyo when the plane was shot down. He parachuted to safety but was captured by the Japanese army and held captive at a Japanese prison along with 61 other American service members. When the prison caught fire about a month later, no American prisoners survived. Ellingson was among 37 who died in the fire and were buried as “unknowns” at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.
Irvin’s nephew, Lon Enerson, a 1972 Mayville State graduate, has led his family’s effort to bring Uncle Irvin’s remains home, helping to close the circle of the family’s huge sacrifice in the loss of their loved one.
This is a lesson in a family’s commitment to the personal service that we at Mayville State hold in the highest regard. Irvin made the ultimate sacrifice in serving his country, while his family endured the pain of losing him, again, a sacrifice for the greater good. Lon’s work in helping to ensure that Irvin’s remains could come home to be buried alongside his parents and other siblings was definitely an act of personal service to his family.
Many alumni served their country either before or after their attendance at Mayville State. These are people who understand the concept of personal service very well and live it every day.
One such person is Dr. Martin Johnson, who served his country as a Marine Corporal. Marty spent his career serving his alma mater as a faculty member and chairman of the Division of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, as well as athletic director. Together with his wife, Diane, he continues to serve Mayville State and our students as a supporter of academic and athletic scholarships. Marty plays an important role as a committee member of the Athletic and Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame. In addition, he and his friend, fellow-Marine and Mayville State alumnus, Emil “Buck” Bedard, are co-chairs of the Mayville State Military Honor Garden project. This special place on the Mayville State campus honors all U.S. Military veterans, including those who are Mayville State alumni.
Someone else who comes to mind is Harlan Johnson, a veteran of the Air Force. Harlan is currently serving as American Legion District Commander for this area. He is extremely involved in local activities of the American Legion, serving in a leadership role in color guard activities, and spearheading the Leon Mosher Post #8 Avenue of Flags project. The group often displays flags at funerals and memorial services for veterans, as well as for other special occasions. Harlan not only serves the community in his military-associated work, but he is also a wonderful supporter of Mayville State. He was very active in the work of the Comet Athletic Club for years, and in that role served as president and a leader who established the Sportsmen’s Raffle, a highly anticipated and successful annual fundraiser for Comet Athletics, and one of my favorite events. Harlan is a talented woodworker who has donated some beautiful pieces to benefit Mayville State and its students through the Farmers Bowl Auction.
I salute Martin and Harlan, Mayville State alumni who have served the greater good through their work with the military and who have embraced the virtue of personal service beyond their military service. They are making the world a better place. Thank you for your service, gentlemen! And thank you to all who have given of themselves so that we as Americans can enjoy our rights and freedoms and celebrate America each and every day, and especially on the Fourth of July. We are grateful.