MSU President's Newspaper Column
March 7, 2026
Leadership grounded in good people
As Mayville State University’s president, my focus includes strategy, administration, and big picture decision-making. Together with my team, I am responsible for shaping and safeguarding the institution’s vision, which includes guiding long-term planning, ensuring financial stability, advocating for resources, strengthening partnerships, and keeping the university aligned with its mission. There’s a need to balance the demands of today with the needs of tomorrow, and decisions that affect students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the broader community must be made.
These are all extremely important responsibilities that I take very seriously. Adding to the wide variety of functions involved, I’ve found that being MSU’s president is much more than budgets, strategic plans, or the work that happens in meeting rooms. At the heart of higher education is a human element. People are fundamental to everything that happens at our university.
It’s important to me that I’m not seen as just a distant executive. It is my goal to be a visible, approachable presence woven into daily campus life. This not only enriches my work and my life, but it also strengthens the fabric of the university community.
Taking the lead from the university’s motto, “The School of Personal Service,” my role is rooted in service to others. It’s a role where the greatest accomplishment is helping others find their paths, fulfill their potential, and succeed.
I love having the opportunity to interact with good people who are kind when I make my way around campus. Sharing a word of encouragement, a laugh, or simply a friendly greeting is the highlight of many of my days. To be a fan in the stands at athletic events or to be a player on the field or floor during intramural sports fills my cup. I beam with pride when I attend musical and theatrical performances where students and others showcase their talents. Spending time with students during activities like casino night, grocery bingo, and the annual lip sync contest refreshes my spirit.
Being well-connected allows me to see the success of others, which brings me great happiness. This success may be in the student who overcomes obstacles and walks across the commencement stage; the faculty member whose research or teaching positively impacts lives; the staff member who advances in their career; or the alumni who carry Mayville State’s brand of personal service into their careers and communities. I’m their biggest and loudest cheerleader. The victory belongs to them, but the joy is shared!
Truly, the best part of my job as president is being around good people who represent all sectors of the university, individuals who have the university’s best interests among their priorities. Mayville State University is more than an organization. It’s a collection of people who care deeply about making the university and the world a better place.
My experiences during the recent annual trip to Arizona for activities with alumni and friends are a perfect example of how much it means to be among good people. It is uplifting to find out first-hand how energized they are about the great things happening at Mayville State. I always return from this trip feeling refreshed and excited about the work we are doing, and very grateful for our friends who support us every step of the way.
On our close-knit campus, relationships are personal, genuine, and deeply meaningful. Each day brings the opportunity to connect with good people in ways that remind me why my work as president matters. Their dedication, spirit and kindness make this role not just a responsibility, but a joy. I say it often, but I think it’s important and worth repeating: With personal service as our driver, “Mayville State’s best days are ahead of us.” Creating a sense of belonging and opportunity was important when the institution was founded in 1889 and it will be in 2089 and beyond as well.