With the renovation of Mayville State’s historic Northwest Hall complete, the building, now known as the Edson and Margaret Larson Alumni and Leadership Center, is open and fully functional, serving as a place for business and social gatherings, as well as housing the offices of the MSU Foundation and Alumni Association.
Completion of the renovation triggered a focus on beautification of the grounds of the facility. A great deal of landscaping work was completed around the perimeter of the building last summer in preparation for the grand opening of the facility during Alumni Days held in June of 2014. Volunteer landscaper and Mayville native Lute Simley drew up the plans and with some help from a handful of other volunteers, he got the job done.
This included the establishment of the Clenora Quanbeck Memorial and Library Honor Garden. A brass sculpture featuring two children reading on a park bench, along with a planter filled with red geraniums, Miss Quanbeck’s favorite flower, were installed. This tribute to Quanbeck, former Mayville State librarian and dorm mother, is located at the southwest corner of the Larson Center and was funded by alumni and friends who made memorial gifts in her honor.
Plans for the Military Honor Garden, which will be located on the lawn south of the Edson and Margaret Larson Alumni and Leadership Center, are well underway. This monument will feature a life-sized bronze eagle in flight sculpture, flags, night lighting, and memorial gardens surrounded by sidewalks. All five branches of the military will be represented on granite plaques. This beautiful and meaningful project will be a tribute to Mayville State faculty, students, and community men and women for their patriotic service in America’s Armed Forces.
Martin Johnson, 1966 Mayville State graduate and Corporal, USMC, and Emil “Buck” Bedard, 1965 Mayville State graduate and Lieutenant General, USMC, are heading up the project. Funds raised toward the project completion have nearly reached the halfway mark. Once the fundraising goal of $40,000 has been met, construction will begin.
Gifts of any amount are welcome. Veterans will be honored, in part, through the placement of granite plaques in the memorial structure. A gift of $500 or more will provide the donor with a plaque engraved with the name, military branch, and year(s) of service of the veteran to be honored.
For more information on how can get involved with the Military Honor Garden project at Mayville State University, go to www.mayvillestate.edu/militaryhonor or contact Dena Bergstrom at the MSU Foundation, dena.bergstrom@mayvillestate.edu or 701-788-4864.