MSU President's Newspaper Column
October 4, 2025
A Stellar Week for Comet Nation!
Mayville State Farmers Bowl met Homecoming for a combined celebration the week of Sept. 22. It was a week packed full of things to do as students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and community members came together to recognize our roots as Comets while celebrating the agricultural way of life in our area. Our respect for what the faming industry does cannot be overstated.
Students are at the heart of all we do at Mayville State, and many worked hard to support the various events that were planned for alumni and the community, as well as all students. They most definitely helped to ensure that things went smoothly. Our students, faculty, and staff make me Comet Proud every day!
Student activities for the week began with naming of the 2025 Homecoming Court. They were selected through a nomination process and vote in which students, faculty, and staff participated. The members of the Court were Andrea Majchrzak, Albany, Minn.; Anthony Johnson, Mandan, N.D.; Lindsey Tulla, Bovey, Minn.; Tyson Snagg, Northlakes, Queensland Brisbane; Lily Riley, Pierz; Craig Albuquerque, Sukhumvit Bangkok; Kinsey Hanson, Mayville, N.D.; Daniel Suda, Halstad, Minn.; Noelle Erickson, Argusville, N.D.; and Cole Fischer, Clarkfield, Minn. Lindsey Tulla and Anthony Johnson were named this year’s queen and king at an announcement made at the volleyball game on Thursday, Sept. 25. Congratulations to all! This is a great honor for a fine group of students.
The Student Life folks organized several activities for students throughout the week, including a dodgeball tournament, the ever-popular lip sync contest, and poster making and face painting to help Comet fans get ready to cheer for their team in home volleyball games on Sept. 23, 25, and 26. Supporters were out in force, and the Comets came out on top in very exciting games against Dickinson State and Bismarck State.
By Friday, alumni and friends were beginning to enjoy the Homecoming/Farmers Bowl festivities, which kicked off with tours at Old Main, where interested individuals could see for themselves the major building renovation that is underway.
Record attendance marked the recognition of several Mayville State alumni and friends at the Homecoming Awards Dinner held Friday evening. It was my honor to formally recognize the naming of the Dr. Merwin J. and Myrna Lyng Department of Mathematics. Merwin and Myrna have made a profound impact at Mayville State in terms of their work, volunteerism, support, and their financial gifts which include the Merwin and Myrna Lyng Family Mathematics Scholarship and a significant estate gift. Jim Lyng, Merwin’s brother, was recognized for his thoughtful estate gift that has resulted in the new digital Jim Lyng Hall of Fame, where Mayville State’s Athletic Hall of Fame and Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame inductees are honored. Jim’s gift also established the Jim Lyng Flat Tire Scholarship, which is helping students who are facing unexpected financial challenges.
At the banquet, we also honored Distinguished Alumni Award recipients Marlene (Viseth) Kensrud and Alan O’Neil. This year’s Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame inductee, Bruce Belseth, along with Athletic Hall of Fame inductees Larry Omdahl, Dave Ouradnik, DeMarcus Rideaux, Scott Terry, and the 1999 baseball team, were guests of honor too. It was a special evening highlighted by lots of Comet Pride.
We were thrilled to have the Mayville State choir and instrumental ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Cyril Myers, Jr., and accompanied by Julie Twedt, provide musical selections for the traditional Ceremony of Remembrance at the Military Honor Garden. This solemn recognition of our military heroes was followed by celebratory moments including the Homecoming/Farmers Bowl parade, tailgating, the traditional corn on the cob and hot dog feed, and the Comets vs. Arizona Christian football game. The grand finale of the weekend celebration was a very successful Farmers Bowl Auction, the proceeds of which will benefit the students of Mayville State.
I’ve heard from countless Homecoming/Farmers Bowl participants who were impressed with the events and the record attendance. (We estimate that as many as 5,000 people participated throughout the weekend.) Alumni commented on the impressive campus facilities improvements and the polite, courteous, and gracious students they encountered. The positive momentum at Mayville State University is undeniable, and I am happy beyond words that so many alumni and friends were able to experience that positivity first-hand.
There are many to thank for planning, organizing, and carrying out a big celebration like this. Many of our employees have worked extremely hard, as have the members of the MSU Alumni Association Board, the community, and a plethora of others, including our students. We are grateful for all who played a role in the success of Homecoming/Farmers Bowl 2025. Their good work culminated in a “Stellar Week for Comet Nation!” (To see photo highlights of the Homecoming/Farmers Bowl celebration, go to www.mayvillestate.edu/homecoming2025scenes.)