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Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
Marlene (Viseth) Kensrud
1975 Mayville State Graduate
Marlene Kensrud has been described as “one of those professionals you just hope will come your way” as she has demonstrated exemplary excellence in improving public education. Her amazingly diverse skill set has enabled her to be knowledgeable about teacher evaluation systems, professional development, hands-on-learning and other fundamentals of good schooling. She has been an English and German teacher, a principal, a director of special education, and a vice president of scheduling and student information for a school system. Nationally, she has been a change agent on various levels, always looking to “improvement” as a goal. She has been cited for her work ethic and her impressive ability to work with principals, teachers, and students alike. Her expertise in curriculum, instruction, leadership, special education, state and federal policies, and finance and the ability to work with multiple cultures is noteworthy. In addition to her degree from Mayville State, she earned an M.S. degree in special education from the University of North Dakota. She also earned credits in NDSU's education administration doctoral program. She is an active member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and is highly engaged in the Council for Exceptional Children. “Outstanding educator” is a well-deserved accolade for extraordinary service to her profession.
Alan O'Neil
1979 Mayville State Graduate
Making significant contributions to improving healthcare in rural areas has earned Alan O'Neil, MSU Class of 1979, state and national recognition. His impressive resumé cites his commitment to improving healthcare by expanding services, affecting positive personnel management, sharing financing expertise, dedication to continuing education and as an advocate for service to rural veterans. A consummate, versatile professional, he enhances his background as a member/board member/officer in state and national professional healthcare organizations. He has provided exemplary service at institutions in North Dakota and Alaska and as a consultant in many western states. He has been a guest speaker at regional and national events, discussing hospital finance and operations. Looking to the future of healthcare, he co-authored an article on Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare that was published internationally. He provided financing and design leadership with several healthcare construction projects in North Dakota, including being the lead person on the construction of the Unity Medical Center in Grafton, N.D., where he is the CEO. The facility has won many “best” awards during his tenure. In addition to his business degree from Mayville State, he earned an MBA degree from the University of Mary. Time and again, his “personal service” approach has improved healthcare at many levels and in many places.
Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame Inductee
Bruce Belseth
1981 Mayville State Graduate
Bruce Belseth transferred to Mayville State from Fergus Falls Community College and played football for the Comets in 1979 and 1980. After graduating in 1981 with a major in elementary education and a minor in coaching, he accepted a teaching job at Sleepy Eye, Minn. In his 33-plus years there, he taught second, third, and fourth grades and coached various levels of football, basketball, and baseball. He was an assistant baseball coach for nine years and the head coach for 18 years. The Indians in the Tomahawk Conference won or shared championships and placed well in other tournaments. The Indians were the Class A champions in 2000. He was named Class A Coach of the Year in 2000 and was the conference coach of the year nine times. The Minnesota High School Baseball Coaches Association 2023-2024 Hall of Fame and Award recipients event included Belseth, who was honored with the Jim Dimick/Retired Coaches Award. He continues to be involved in athletics as an umpire in several sports and in June 2025 was named an umpire for the High School Baseball All-Starts Series. Belseth has been praised for his ability to communicate with all age groups and for his dedication to developing the best teams and players to play the game the right way.
Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees
1999 Baseball Team
Head Coach Scott Berry's 1999 baseball team compiled outstanding stats, with a win-loss record of 42-5, a pre-season ranking of No. 20 in the NAIA, and a No. 22 ranking in the final poll. They were second in the NAIA with an ERA of 3.39 and were ranked sixth in batting average with .370. NDCAC All-Conference honors went to Dave Meyer, Jeremy Strand, Gerald Butt, Jason Fraser, Chris Moreside, and Dan Swift. Strand, Swift, Butt, and Meyer earned All-Region honors. The All-Region Player of the Year was Dan Swift.
Swift was named NAIA First Team All-American, while Meyer, Strand, and Butt were NAIA Honorable mention awardees. Swift was also the NDCAC Most Valuable Graduating Senior.
Chris Moreside, Jaret Valainis, Mike Mihulkla, Kevin Penny, Mark Cerney, and Ray Wareham were named NAIA Scholar-Athletes. The 1999 team was named the College Male Team of the Year by the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. Meyer, Brad Anderson, Swift, and Butt went on to play professional baseball.
1999 was a remarkable season played by a remarkable team.
Members of the team were Rylie Brantl, Brad Anderson, Ray Wareham, Mike Mihulka, Jason Lauritsen, Brady Schwab, Dan Salander, Matt Mutcheson, Mark Cerney, Bryson Kuzek, Craig Hanson, Dallas Everson, Jeremy Strand, Dan Swift, Kevin Penny, Gerald Butt, Dave Meyer, Jason Fraser, Wade Gilbertson, Ryan Haines, Jaret Valainis, Craig Johnson, Chris Moreside, Aaron Kliniske, Garrett Magner, and Shawn Malley. Head coach was Scott Berry. He was assisted by Joel Barta and Jeremiah Reuter.
Larry Omdahl
1973 Mayville State Graduate
At Mayville State from 1969-73, Larry Omdahl played basketball in 1970 and baseball for four years under Coach Al Meyer. He was named all-conference three times, NAIA all-district three times, and was given Mayville State's four-year athletic award. He was team captain in 1973. He was inducted into the North Dakota State Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in 2023. What he especially treasures is the memory of the team chemistry, their work ethic, and their allegiance to one another. He carried Coach Meyer's “team concept” when he taught and coached after graduating. With a double major in mathematics and physical education, he taught and coached at Emerado, Lankin, Pisek, and Park River high schools in North Dakota. He was the head boys basketball coach in Lankin for 10 years, at Ford-ville-Lankin for one year, and at Park River four years. A man of deep faith, he is a lay minister in his church in Fordville, N.D.
Dave Ouradnik
1972 Mayville State Graduate
A versatile athlete, Dave Ouradnik (Mayville State 1968-72) played football, basketball, and baseball in his freshman year and both football and baseball for the next three years. He earned NDCAC All-Conference recognition in football and All-Conference and All-District honors in baseball. He was the co-captain of the 1972 baseball team. His 1970 team was inducted in the MSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994. With a major in physical education and a minor in social science, he taught and coached football, basketball, and baseball at Carrington (N.D.) High School before leaving the field to begin a 47-year career in the finance industry. He brought his business acumen back to Mayville State as a member and chairman of the MSU Foundation Board of Directors, where he was instrumental in helping review policies, procedures, and structure that resulted in a pivotal juncture in the life of the Foundation.
DeMarcus Rideaux
2007 Mayville State Graduate
DeMarcus Rideaux is glowingly described by coaches and former teammates not only for his “blue-chip all-American” talents as a football player, but for the ways he impacted so many while he was at Mayville State, playing three seasons before graduating in 2007. As a cornerback and special teams player, he was a team captain for two years and was twice named All-DAC. He led the conference in interceptions his first season. There was “nothing he couldn't do on the field,” according to head coach Jody Ford. He demonstrated what it means to be a true leader as he inspired and uplifted those around him, always giving his best and exhibiting hard work and dedication in whatever he did, making fast friends along the way. After leaving Mayville State he went on to spend time with the Cincinnati Bengals. Using his experience, coupled with a major in exercise science and sports management, he has a massage therapy business in Arizona.
Scott Terry
1993 Mayville State Graduate
Scott “Cooter” Terry's career as a Comet was short (1989-90), but distinguished, as an accomplished player who led the 1990 team to win the NDCAC football championship. Before attending Mayville State, he attended NDCSC for auto body technology and worked in a body shop before earning an A.A. degree from Brainerd CC. He played football at both schools. Described as the heart and soul of the Comet team, he lettered both years, was the team captain in 1990, was the “Player of the game” three times and made the “Hit of the Game” five times, was the “Comet Pride” winner for 1990, and the “Defensive MVP” in 1990. In 1990, he was named NDCAC All-Conference as a linebacker and earned NAIA All-District 12 honors as a linebacker as well. He finished his football tenure as an assistant football coach for the 1991 and 1992 seasons. A North Dakota Air National Guardsman since 1981, he was activated for Desert Storm and Hurricane Katrina Relief and was deployed to Iraq, Jordan, and twice to Kuwait. After working for the Adjutant General's Department at the Air National Guard Base in Fargo, Chief Master Sergeant Terry retired from the military in 2022 after 41 years of service.
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