MSU President's column for Traill County Tribune

September 28, 2013

Join in the fun of Homecoming 2013!

 

Homecoming is a wonderful time because old friends are reacquainted as they reconnect with their alma mater. We look forward to renewing acquaintances and making new friends during Mayville State’s homecoming activities in a couple of weeks. Mayville State students will enjoy homecoming festivities throughout the week prior, and special events planned especially for alumni and friends are scheduled for the weekend of October 11-13.

The homecoming weekend festivities will kick off with the Northern Lights Art Gallery open house, scheduled from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, featuring an exhibit titled Sundogs and Sunflowers: Folklore and Folk Art of the Northern Great Plains. The public is invited to view the exhibit and enjoy refreshments. The gallery is located on the upper level of the MSU Campus Center. The gallery will also be open from 1:00 to 3:00 Saturday, October 12, and the artwork will be on display in the gallery through the month of October.

Join us at 6:00 p.m. in the MSU Campus Center Luckasen Room for the annual Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner. Meet this year’s inductees, Allan Larson, Rodney Anderson, Ron Ness, and Cedric Weatherspoon. Michael Sly will be honored posthumously. The day will end with a social at the Top Hat in downtown Mayville, beginning at 9:00 p.m. Join in the party and visit with the members of the Hall of Fame.

The homecoming parade will begin at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 12. Be downtown promptly at 10:00. You won’t want to miss the fun! After the parade and before the game, stop by the tent located outside Jerome Berg Field for the alumni meet and greet. There will be games and light snacks, and the first 100 alumni who stop by will receive an insulated mug commemorating Mayville State’s upcoming 125th anniversary.

Last homecoming, we learned of the financial contribution from the Edson and Margaret Larson Foundation that would help to complete the renovation of Mayville State’s historic Northwest Hall for use as an alumni center. This year, there will be “sneak peek” previews at the newly named Edson and Margaret Larson Alumni and Leadership Center from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, October 12.  

Lunch will be served in the MSU Campus Center Luckasen Room at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. At the luncheon, the Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame inductees Jim Bisenius, Dan Carr, John Hutchison, David Hanson, and Bob Zimney will be recognized for their outstanding careers in the coaching field. The MSU choir will be on hand to perform for you, so come and enjoy the excellent music and join in the singing of the MSU Comet Fight Song.

Dress in blue and white and get out and let your Comet pride shine! Check with the MSU Athletic Department at 701-788-4834 to find out more about the tailgating opportunities near Jerome Berg Field. Football game time is 2:00 p.m. at Jerome Berg Field. The Comets will battle Valley City State University. Come and cheer the Comets on to victory. Halftime activities will include the recognition of this year’s Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame and Athletic Hall of Fame inductees.

All alumni and friends are invited to attend the all-alumni homecoming social at Mayville Golf Club following the game. A picnic-style supper will be served from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The social will continue from about 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Come join in the fun! Everyone is welcome!   

The MSU Concert Choir and Band, under the direction of Mr. Mike Bakken, will present a concert in the Classroom Building Auditorium at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 13. The MSU music ensembles are excited about performing for you. It will be a real treat! 

During the concert, the first inductees to the Mayville State University Performing Arts Hall of Fame will be recognized. They are Merwyn Green (posthumously), Francis Colby, Christopher Jones, the Clark and Joann Ewen family, Dennis Connelly, Vernon Gerig, Jr. (posthumously), Eugene Gaffney, and Olaf Ringerud. Immediately following the concert, the Alumni Association board will host a reception in the Campus Center Luckasen Room to honor the inductees. Everyone is welcome to join in congratulating these individuals.

Please check the MSU website for more 2013 Homecoming details - www.mayvillestate.edu/homecoming. If you have questions, call the MSU Foundation at 701-788-4750. I hope to visit with you at Homecoming 2013!