Scholarships benefit students while strengthening the university

MSU President's column for Traill County Tribune

Scholarships benefit students while strengthening the university

Scholarship assistance is very important to students who are in pursuit of their academic dreams and goals. Through the efforts of the MSU Foundation, Mayville State alumni and friends play a major role in providing financial support for students who enroll at Mayville State University. Students are able to earn scholarships based on academic excellence, as well as involvement in campus and community activities. Having the ability to offer scholarships is important to the university as well, as they help us to recruit and retain students.

On Wednesday, Nov. 13, we will have the pleasure of recognizing the 2013-2014 MSU Foundation scholarship award recipients at a luncheon that is being coordinated by the Foundation. The scholarship recipients and their parents and guests have been invited to attend, along with those who have helped to provide scholarships through their financial contributions via the MSU Foundation. Last year 350 students benefitted from scholarship assistance totaling more than $460,000 which was generated through MSU Foundation activities. We are very proud of all of our scholarship recipients and look forward to recognizing them for their accomplishments. We are grateful to Gate City Bank for sponsoring the lunch through their financial contribution for the second year in a row.

Student recruitment for the 2014-2015 school year is in full swing.  Enrollment services representatives have attended numerous college fairs in North Dakota and Minnesota, and their work continues as they visit high schools sharing the good news of what Mayville State has to offer. Prospective students are visiting the Mayville State campus nearly every day.

The ability to offer scholarships to the prospective students is very important. The competition is keen, and scholarship assistance often makes the difference. As Mayville State University reaches out to prospective students, having the opportunity to offer scholarships can really help us compete for the best students, whether they are academic scholars or students who just need a little help financially. A scholarship for as little as $250 can really make a difference.

To help make scholarship assistance possible, the MSU Foundation has kicked off the 2013-2014 Dream Maker Academic Scholarship Drive for annual scholarship contributions. Appeal letters should arrive in homes across the United States this week. The goal is to raise $133,000 by December 31, and the need has never been more critical. With 1,065 students enrolled this fall, we have experienced record enrollment for the fourth-straight year. To continue this upward enrollment trend, which helps make MSU financially stronger, student scholarship funding is needed.

This year’s scholarship drive is more exciting than ever because all gifts for an academic scholarship (excluding athletic scholarships) will get a 50% match until a total of $133,000 is given, thanks to the North Dakota Higher Education Challenge Fund established by the 63^rd North Dakota Legislative Assembly. Once matched, this $133,000 brings the total to $200,000 in scholarship support. If we can reach our goal, we’ll be able to help 50 more students this year!

A phonathon for the Dream Maker scholarship drive will begin Nov. 14. A team of students will help to raise money and these gifts will also receive the 50% match. Almost all of the student callers have received scholarship dollars in the past and are excited to help with the phonathon, according to Dena Bergstrom, who began her work as annual giving coordinator for the MSU Foundation on Oct. 14.

Thank you to the many Mayville State alumni and friends who have so generously supported scholarships for Mayville State students. We are truly grateful for your investment in Mayville State and in the students we are helping. Together, we are developing successful students and citizens of communities throughout North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, and across the entire United States.

I encourage everyone to join in assisting this effort that has a big impact. For more information about the Dream Maker Academic Scholarship Drive for annual scholarship contributions, contact the MSU Foundation at 701-788-4687.