MSU President's column for Traill County Tribune
April 27, 2013
Mayville State offers many opportunities for involvement
The 2012-2013 academic year is coming quickly to an end. The flurry of semester-end and year-end activities is in full swing. As always, the spring is a very busy time.
The ninth annual “Tables du Jour” event held last weekend was an overwhelming success. Thirty-four elaborately decorated tables were showcased for the enjoyment of about 275 men and women who enjoyed table viewing, a silent auction, and a delicious brunch meal. I extend my personal gratitude to Kim Lauf and Shireen Grinager for their work with this highly successful event from its beginning nine years ago; to Sheryl Vinje, Faye Helm, and Jackee Lerol for coordinating the Friday preview event; to Betsy Ewen, Gaylene Johnson, and Bonnie O’Keefe for coordinating the silent auction; to all the hosts and hostesses who gave of their time, talent, and other resources to ensure that the event would be better than anyone could expect; and to all who attended and enjoyed the event. It was a wonderful morning! The money raised will benefit the music department at Mayville State.
Speaking of the music department, the spring concert is coming soon. It is planned for Sunday, May 5 at 2:00 p.m. in the Classroom Building Auditorium. There is no admission charge and everyone is welcome to attend. The MSU Foundation and Music Makers will host a social in the Campus Center Luckasen Room following the concert. All who attend the concert are encouraged to stay for that and to enjoy refreshments while listening to Mayville State’s jazz band.
The Mayville State Theatre Department’s tradition of holding performances for area elementary school children continued this week. Charlotte’s Web was performed for children Thursday and Friday. A public performance is scheduled for Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. All tickets are $5.00 and will be sold at the door Saturday evening.
The annual Academic and Student Senate Awards Program will be held Saturday, May 4 in the Classroom Building Auditorium. Students will be recognized for outstanding academic and extra- and co-curricular achievements, and scholarship recipients, student leaders, and academic award-winners will be honored. The students and their families have been invited to join in the celebration. The program will begin at 2:00 p.m. in the Classroom Building Auditorium. A reception will follow in the Luckasen Room.
The next weekend will be marked by Mayville State’s annual commencement exercises, on Saturday, May 11. Keynote speaker will be Mayville native and Mayville State graduate Michael Holmes. Holmes is Deputy Associate Director for Research at the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC), University of North Dakota (UND). We expect that about 90 graduates will participate in the ceremony that begins at 2:00 p.m. in the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse. The event is open to the public.
Summer school classes will begin May 13, the Monday morning following commencement. Mayville State is offering many convenient and flexible opportunities for those who wish to pursue summer classes. To find out more, go to www.mayvillestate.edu/summerschool.
There will be lots of activity on campus throughout the summer. The STEM department will be hosting several events, including a camp for kids. There will be a number of camps for grade school and high school athletes as well. Mayville State will again host the Shrine Bowl athletes and coaches the week before their annual match-up in Fargo.
Alumni and friends will have lots of opportunities to get involved this summer too. The annual golf events begin May 10 when the Comet Football Golf Scramble is held at the Mayville Golf Course. The MSU Golf Classic will be held in the Detroit Lakes, Minn. area June 7 and 8. The Comet Athletic Club Harvey McMullen Open is scheduled for Friday, July 26, at the Mayville Golf Club. For more information about these events, go to www.mayvillestate.edu.
Another highlight of the summer will be Mayville State’s annual Alumni Day celebration on Friday, June 21, which is being planned in conjunction with Mayville-Portland’s Summerfest. Activities for the day will include a campus open house, ice cream social, social to honor Mayville State’s 2013 retirees with 20 or more years of service, a variety show, and a social for alumni and friends. A highlight of the day will be the annual Alumni Association Awards Dinner, where this year’s Distinguished Alumni and Distinguished Service Award recipients will be honored. Dr. Debra Follman, Dr. G. Daryl Nord, Dr. Rodney Strand, and Merle Boucher will each receive the Distinguished Alumni Award. Curt Almlie will receive the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his work with Mayville State’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Information about Alumni Day activities will be available soon at www.mayvillestate.edu/alumniday. In the meantime, if you have questions, please call 701-788-4750.
I encourage you to mark your calendars and take advantage of the many opportunities Mayville State offers throughout the summer and all year long. We look forward having you on campus.