The Veterans Honor Scholarship Endowment has been established at Mayville State University. The endowment will be used to fund scholarship assistance to veteran students who are pursuing degrees at Mayville State.
Over the decades, throughout all the conflicts and World Wars, hundreds of veterans from Mayville and Traill County have gone off to serve their country and have then returned home to pursue college education. College students who have served in all branches of the military have walked the campus of Mayville State, and after graduation, have brought that same spirit of service and leadership to their occupations as they brought to their selfless service of country. This endowment was created to honor their service and memory, especially for those who fell in battle.
Lt. Gen. Emil “Buck” Bedard, 1965 Mayville State graduate and retired three-star Marine general, kicked off the establishment of the Veterans Honor Scholarship Endowment with his gift that funded a tenth of the endowment. His friend, former college football teammate, and Marine corporal, Dr. Martin Johnson, and his wife, Diane, have also pledged a major gift to the endowment through a designation in their will. Martin and Diane are also Mayville State alumni.
“We encourage people to consider making a gift to honor a veteran to this very worthy and meaningful cause,” said MSU Foundation Executive Director John Klocke. “This is a great way to honor a special loved one, not only now as we observe Veterans Day, but at any time of year.”
Once the endowment is fully funded, a scholarship will be awarded each year to military veterans who have received honorary discharges and who are attending classes at Mayville State University. Recipients are to be in their freshman or sophomore years and be in good academic standing with Mayville State. First preference will be given to North Dakota veterans, and second preference will go to Minnesota veterans.
The Veterans Honor Scholarship Endowment came as a result of the Military Honor Garden project at Mayville State. Now that the garden is established, a portion of the $500 gifts given to purchase plaques to honor veterans at the garden will be applied to the scholarship endowment, as well as for garden maintenance. Outright gifts are also being accepted for the scholarship endowment. To make a gift or to get more information, go to www.mayvillestate.edu/militaryhonorgarden, or contact Dena Bergstrom at 701-788-4864 or dena.bergstrom@mayvillestate.edu.