MSU President's Newspaper Column
August 31, 2024
Newest Comets experience personal service from the get-go
The 2024-25 academic year is off to a fantastic start! Saturday, Aug. 24 was move-in day at the residence halls. It was heartwarming to be a part of the crew when faculty, staff, and student volunteers jumped right in to help the students and families as the newest Comets began a new and exciting chapter in their lives.
When the students were settled and families said their goodbyes, a fun-filled and meaningful schedule of activities began, starting with a block party in downtown Mayville. Community organizations and businesses rolled out the red carpet for Mayville State students who had a chance to learn more about what the community has to offer, including job opportunities.
When asked, nearly every Mayville State student mentions the importance of the community in their satisfaction as college students. The block party was a great example of the wonderful relationship that exists between the campus and community. Thank you to all the community members who helped to make this block party a reality as it provided a great introduction and welcome to the community for our students.
Mayville State Welcome Week was filled with all kinds of things for students to do. Activities ranged from a hypnotist show, yard games, karaoke, a class photo, and so much more. I tip my hat to our new Coordinator for Student Activities, Megan Roller, for her hard work and leadership that made it a great week. Peer Leaders and their advisor, Rhonda Nelson, as well as the residence hall assistants and Residence Life Manager, Kylee Fike, and Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Corday Goddard, all played a part in providing a warm welcome for students too.
On Sunday evening, all the president’s cabinet members were on deck to serve a picnic meal for students, and throughout the week, faculty and staff were generous in sharing their time for the benefit of the Mayville State Family. I am grateful.
The football season kicked off with a Thursday evening game when Mayville State hosted Montana State University-Northern. Not only did fans have an opportunity to support the Comets, but they were also able to cheer for May-Port area youth who played a game during halftime. We hope there were some future Comets in the mix. It was great to have them on campus at Jerome Berg Field!
The Comets volleyball team has been playing on the road and will continue to do so until Sept. 19, when they host Dickinson State at home in Mayville. We look forward to filling the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse and cheering for the Comets that evening!
All the goodwill and support I’ve mentioned here boils down to personal service, Mayville State’s specialty and the quality that makes the university special. As I think about the people who have been a part of making this university the special place it is, Dr. Merwin Lyng and his wife, Myrna, come quickly to mind.
The Lyngs have lived their lives exuding personal service and loyalty to Mayville State University, supporting their alma mater to the nth degree. Not only did they faithfully serve the university and its students as employees, but they have also attended countless events and been unbelievably generous with their time and talents in volunteering for whatever the university needs are and have been.
Dr. Lyng served as a member of the mathematics faculty from 1958 to 1998, and he was chair of the department for many years before his retirement. An emeritus faculty member since retiring, Merwin participated in the faculty procession at Mayville State commencement for the 65th time this last spring.
Merwin and Myrna epitomize what it means to be a Comet, and they personify personal service. One can only imagine the impact of their support for the university as a whole and for the individuals they’ve encountered. From the bottoms of our hearts, we thank them.
The Lyngs and many others have made the world a better place, setting the personal service bar very high. I encourage our newest Comets to follow in their footsteps. Their lives will be enriched while they enrich the lives of others. It doesn’t get much better than that.