The “power of scholarships” was the theme for the annual brunch hosted by the MSU Foundation for Mayville State University scholarship recipients and their families, together with the scholarship donors. Nearly 100 people attended the brunch which was held Saturday morning, Oct. 27 in the MSU Campus Center Luckasen Room. Gate City Bank was the first-ever financial sponsor for the event.

Student speakers were freshman Stephanie Wieler from Walhalla, N.D. and senior Adam Petkau from Morden, Manitoba. Mayville State University Distinguished Alumni Award recipient and 1963 graduate Ole Aarsvold, Blanchard, N.D., addressed the audience regarding the importance of scholarships for students in pursuit of their educational goals and dreams. 

Through the generosity of Mayville State University alumni and friends, the MSU Foundation was able to award academic and/or athletic scholarships to 350 students for the 2012-2013 academic year. Scholarship awards total $290,515. In addition to the scholarships provided directly through the work of the Foundation, athletic scholarships totaling $187,732 were made available to 140 student-athletes. Funding for these scholarships is made possible through the efforts of the Comet Athletic Club, a gift from Connie and Gary Tharaldson, and the fund-raising projects of Mayville State’s athletic teams.

For 2012-2013, Honor and Leadership Scholarships totaling $96,000 were awarded to 74 freshmen, 20 transfer students, and 10 returning students. Endowed and restricted scholarships amount to $100,125 distributed in 198 awards. Mayville State awarded Dollars for Scholars matching awards totaling $4,350 to 16 returning students.

In 2011, Mayville State University began offering scholarships to students who had enrolled in Mayville State dual credit courses while in high school. To be eligible for the dual credit scholarship, a student must have earned a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 in his or her dual credit courses taken through Mayville State, and enroll in Mayville State University as a full time student the fall after graduating from high school. The amount of the scholarship is equal to the tuition paid for dual credit courses taken while in high school, not to exceed $1,000 each year for two years. The amount of the scholarship varies, depending on the number of credits a student earned as a dual credit student and the amount of dual credit tuition paid. Dual credit scholarships totaling $12,940 were awarded to 16 freshmen this year.

Nelson Family Scholarships have been awarded to eight non-traditional students. The total amount awarded for 2012-2013 is $41,000. The Nelson Family Endowed Scholarship was made possible through a $1 million donation from a generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous. The gift, received in November of 2011, is the largest single monetary gift ever received by Mayville State University. The purpose of the scholarship is to help non-traditional students, ages 25 and older, achieve their goals. The assistance is especially geared toward those individuals who may be changing their paths in life or changing careers. A special emphasis of the scholarship is to promote the concept of volunteerism, leadership development, and out-of-classroom experiences for the scholarship recipients. This scholarship is renewable.

Seventy-six Mayville State students are the recipients of music participation scholarships totaling $35,500. The scholarships have been funded through a gift from Ewen Farm and proceeds of the annual Tables du Jour event and Traillblazers concert, as well as other fund-raising efforts.

“The scholarship brunch provided a wonderful opportunity for scholarship recipients and scholarship donors to connect,” said MSU Director of Development John J. Klocke. “We are grateful to our many generous alumni and friends who are helping to make dreams come true for college students through their financial contributions in the form of scholarships.”

For more information on how you can support scholarships for Mayville State University students, go to www.mayvillestate.edu or call the MSU Foundation at 701-788-4687.