MSU President's Newspaper Column
December 27, 2025
Thankful for an outstanding 2025, we look forward to a bright new year in 2026
A new year is upon us! As 2025 comes to a close, we reflect with grateful hearts on all that has happened and turn the page to what promises to be a bright 2026. We have been blessed with many opportunities to make an impact as we educate the leaders of tomorrow. We look forward to continuing this important work as we develop new programs and more that will give us additional tools to assist with the workforce needs of our local area, state, region, and country.
Mayville State experienced record enrollment growth this fall, including a headcount AND a full-time equivalent (FTE) figure greater than any recorded in the history of the university! A record number of North Dakota residents is included in the final official headcount of 1,215. Residents of 47 of North Dakota’s 53 counties were enrolled at Mayville State University during the fall semester that has just come to a close.
The spirit of positivity that is radiating from Mayville State University is truly unmistakable. MSU is moving in great directions and is the university of choice for so many local students. Many of the attributes that have made Mayville State exceptional since its establishment in 1889 are alive and well today, and an eye to the future is keeping these attributes fresh for the students of today.
Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and friends, the Mayville State University Foundation is experiencing many firsts. As of Oct. 31, MSU Foundation assets were at an all-time high of $21,712,575, and the endowment balance was at $12,148,272. The MSU Foundation board has approved the highest allotment of scholarship dollars ever in 2026-27, $805,610.
Financial support for our athletic teams is outstanding. The Comet Athletic Club allotted the highest amount ever for scholarships in 2025-26, $285,000. We are grateful to the Comet Athletic Club board members for their tireless support for Comet Athletics.
Over the last several years, the North Dakota Challenge Grant has been multiplying the impact of the generosity of our alumni and friends who very thoughtfully provide scholarship resources for our students. For the current biennium, the legislature has made $1.32 million available in matching funds for Mayville State University, up from the $1.1 million allotted in the last biennium. We are fortunate to have already exhausted more than half of the challenge grant funds available for the biennium, thanks to the generosity of our alumni and friends whose private scholarship gifts are being matched at a rate of 50 cents on the dollar.
Challenge Grant support from the state has made a huge impact at Mayville State in the past and continues to do so today. It’s not too late to leverage the impact of Challenge Grant Funding for this biennium! The entire matching grant pool must be used by Dec. 31, 2026 per legislative guidelines. For more information, contact MSU Foundation Executive Director Dr. Lon Jorgensen at lonny.jorgensen@mayvillestate.edu or 701-788-4787.
The future is bright at Mayville State University. We thank our employees, students, friends, and neighbors for the part they played in making 2025 a fantastic year. We look forward to continuing these important partnerships that will help to bring our beloved university to greater levels of success in 2026 and beyond. Our best days are ahead of us at Mayville State University.
As we turn the calendar page, we know that many high school seniors are taking a serious look at where they will make their college homes next fall. If you know of someone who would benefit from a Mayville State education, please encourage them to explore Mayville State.
Great scholarships are available! You can learn more about scholarship opportunities and all that Mayville State has to offer at www.mayvillestate.edu/makeitmayville or arrange for a campus visit by calling 701-788-4842. We are eager to welcome new Comets to the family!