Mayville State alumni and friends had opportunities to take a tour of Old Main, which is currently undergoing a major renovation project. The project is set for completion in July of 2026.
Several were honored during the Homecoming Awards Dinner held Friday evening, Sept. 26. President Van Horn formally announced the naming of the Dr. Merwin and Myrna Lyng Department of Mathematics at Mayville State. Marlene (Viseth) Kensrud and Alan O'Neil each received the Distinguished Alumni Award; Bruce Belseth was inducted into the Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame; and Larry Omdahl, Dave Ouradnik, DeMarcus Rideaux, Scott Terry, and the 1999 baseball team were inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame.
The Mayville State choir and instrumental ensemble performed "The Star Spangled Banner" to open the traditional Ceremony of Remembrance at the Military Honor Garden. During the program, the choir also sang "In Flanders Fields," accompanied by Julie Twedt. The groups were directed by Dr. Cyril Myers, Jr.
Members of the Alumni Association board accompanied Distinguished Alumni Award recipients Alan O'Neil and Marlene Kensrud in the parade.
The 2025 Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame and Athletic Hall of Fame inductees participated in the parade.
Members of the Mayville State baseball team walked along the Homecoming/Farmers Bowl parade route carrying signs acknowledging the sponsors of the 2025 Farmers Bowl Auction.
The Comets women's softball team cooked and served corn on the cob and hot dogs following the parade and before the football game.
These Mayville State alumni were happy to be "home" for the festivities.
A huge crowd of Comets fans were at Jerome Berg Field to support their team.
The area at the west end of the stadium was packed with Comets fans on deck to cheer for the Comets in the Homecoming/Farmers Bowl football game.
The Comets women's basketball team ran the "Mystery Box Raffle" at the Farmers Bowl Auction.
All of the children and grandchildren of Merwin and Myrna Lyng, as well as their great-grandson, accompanied Myrna at the Homecoming Awards Dinner, where the formal announcement of the naming of the Dr. Merwin J. and Myrna Lyng Department of Mathematics was made. In addition, the Jim Lyng Hall of Fame and the Jim Lyng Flat Tire Scholarship were acknowledged. These are gifts from the estate of Jim Lyng, Merwin Lyng's brother and long-time custodian in the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse. Merwin and Myrna Lyng both graduated from Mayville State. Merwin was a faculty member in the Division of Mathematics for 40 years, serving as division chair for part of that time. Myrna served in both faculty and staff positions for 13 years. She continues to generously volunteer her time and talents for the benefit of the university. The Lyngs have made significant gifts to Mayville State through the endowment of the Merwin and Myrna Lyng Family Mathematics Scholarship. They have also named Mayville State a beneficiary of their estate.
Scott Terry, Chief Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force (retired) and 1993 Mayville State graduate, assisted with the Ceremony of Remembrance by tolling a bell after the reading of the names of those honored within the garden.
Colten Hurst, a Mayville State junior from Cavalier, N.D. played "Taps" at the conclusion of the Ceremony of Remembrance. He is pictured here with Mayville State Music Director Dr. Cyril Myers, Jr.
President Brian and First Lady Nina Van Horn followed the color guard, leading the Farmers Bowl Parade.
Mayville State graduate Wayne Garrett celebrated his 90th birthday with a tailgating party hosted by his family at "The Grove." The Garretts also participated in the parade and had a great time commemorating a special milestone for a special person. He is pictured here with his wife, Darlene.
The Mayville State volleyball team prepares for their 50/50 blitz.
Mayville State alumni Connor Fields, Terry Bachmeier, and Logan Sherva.
Dennis Biliske volunteered his auctioneering services for the annual Farmers Bowl Auction, the grand finale for the combined Homecoming/ Farmers Bowl celebration.
Mayville State Peer Leaders Jeanette, Mackenzie, and Rylee helped out at the Farmers Bowl Auction.
Mayville State alumni Jeanie and Tom Pahl and their son brought their mini donut trailer to the weekend festivities. They provided a complimentary bucket of mini donuts for every table at the Homecoming Awards Dinner. Jeanie also created a lovely Comets Baseball theme T-shirt quilt for a raffle. The drawing was held at the Farmers Bowl Auction. Duane Rindy was the lucky winner of the quilt.
The Pahls donated the proceeds of their mini donut sales over the weekend to Comets Baseball. Tom Pahl is shown on the left after having presented Mayville State Head Baseball Coach with a gift of $1,000 for the team.
