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Alumni & Friends Honored at Mayville State’s Homecoming Weekend Festivities

For alumni, homecoming is about renewing acquaintances and connecting with their alma mater and the people who helped to make the college experience meaningful for them. Over the weekend of October 9-11, recollections of college days and expressions of thanks were heard over and again as Mayville State alumni and friends gathered to celebrate their commonalities and the accomplishments of fellow alumni and friends.

Former Mayville State standout athletes Stan Barta, Michigan, N.D.; Pam Huston, Wausau, Wisc., Gordon Leduchowski, Winnipeg, MB; Tim Pratt, Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Jason Schwabe, Thompson, N.D.; were welcomed to the ranks of the Mayville State University Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday evening, October 9. Dawn Cruff-Kartes, West Fargo, N.D., Mayville State graduate and member of the MSU Athletic Hall of Fame, was emcee for the annual Athletic Hall of Fame Awards Dinner held in the MSU Campus Center Luckasen Room. Introducing this year’s inductees were Harvey McMullen, Mayville, N.D.; Sandy Rehling, Pelican Rapids, Minn.,; Paul Twenge, Excelsior, Minn.; Vern Spitzer, Fargo, N.D.; and Scott Berry, Mayville, N.D.

Mayville State University Athletic Hall of Fame inductees fall into the following categories: athlete, team, Mayville State coach, Mayville State athletic staff, or honorary member. In order to qualify for induction, athletes must have graduated from or left school at Mayville State at least ten years prior to induction, and have earned two letters in one sport or one letter in two or more sports. The Mayville State University Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee chooses inductees from a pool of nominations submitted to them throughout the year.

Homecoming day, October 10, began with a ceremony officially recognizing the naming of Mayville State’s former College Drive to Stan Dakken Drive, in honor of Mayville State and city of Mayville celebrity Stanley Dakken. Mayville State University President Dr. Gary Hagen and Mayville mayor Don Moen took charge of the ceremony, which included the unveiling of a new street sign located across the street from the front entrance of Mayville State’s Lewy Lee Fieldhouse. Beaming from ear to ear, Stanley summed up the occasion in simple, but meaningful expression, a quality for which he is so famous, “It’s a perfect day and Mayville is a perfect town.”

Stanley Dakken has been an icon on the Mayville State campus for more than sixty years. He has made many friends in Mayville State students, and has rarely missed a sporting event held at the university. He was awarded the first-ever honorary degree from Mayville State University on July 28, 2001, during a three-day celebration held in Mayville-Portland in honor of Stan’s 65th birthday.

Mayor Moen’s remarks at the naming ceremony included a proclamation that read as follows:

WHEREAS: Long-time Mayville citizen, Mr. Stanley Dakken, has been a source of inspiration and stability to Mayville and to Mayville State University, AND

WHEREAS: Stan has long been an ardent supporter of Comet athletics, especially the basketball team, AND

WHEREAS: Mayville State University is recognizing Stan in conjunction with Homecoming 2009, AND

WHEREAS: Recognition will include naming the street formerly known as “College Drive” to “Stan Dakken Drive,”

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that the city of Mayville is pleased and proud to participate in the recognition ceremony and to support a street named in honor of Stan within our city limits.

(Signed by Richard Forsgren, president of the Mayville City Council, and Donald A. Moen, mayor.)

Broc Lietz, Casselton, N.D.; William Rindy, Fargo, N.D.; and Thomas Seymour, Minot, N.D. were this year’s recipients of the Mayville State University Distinguished Alumni Award presented at the annual Alumni Association Awards Luncheon held at noon on Saturday, October 10, in the Luckasen Room of the MSU Campus Center. Mayville State Alumni Association board president Kelly Morrison of Mayville, N.D. was master of ceremonies. Presenters of awards were Terry Kemmer, Mayville, N.D., Merwin Lyng, Mayville, N.D., and Robert Thorsness, Galena, Ill.

The Distinguished Alumni Award goes to graduates of Mayville State who have been leaders in their fields for a minimum of ten years. The Mayville State University Alumni Association Board of Directors chooses the recipients of the award from a pool of nominations submitted to the board throughout the year.
Mayville State University hosted Jamestown College in the traditional homecoming football game on Saturday afternoon. The Comets fell behind early and were never able to bounce back and gain the needed momentum. The Comets lost the game by a score of 49-13.
Activities for Saturday, October 10 culminated with the “Salute to Harvey McMullen” program held as part of the All-Alumni Homecoming Social held at KT Hall in Portland, N.D. that evening. Old friends and new gathered to thank Harvey for the role he has played in their lives and the life of Mayville State University. Mayville State University Alumni Association board member Pam Soholt, Mayville, N.D., emceed the program. Offering their comments were Mayville State President Dr. Gary Hagen, and Mayville State graduates Allyn Fagerholt, Fargo, N.D., Bill Brady, Fargo, N.D., and Stan Barta, Michigan, N.D.

Dr. Harvey McMullen, Mayville, N.D., began his 27-year career at Mayville State in 1961 as the dean of men, as well as a teacher and coach. Over the years, he became a Mayville State icon, serving as Dean of Men, Dean of Students, professor of education and Student Senate advisor. He was an assistant coach in football, basketball, and baseball, and an outstanding ambassador for Mayville State, recruiting and helping to retain countless numbers of students. Mayville State bestowed Dr. McMullen with the title Emeritus Dean of Men, and he was honored with the Mayville State University Distinguished Alumni Award in 2007. He has also been an active member of the Mayville community.

The Mayville State 1959 N.D.I.A.C. championship football team also gathered for a reunion at the KT Hall on the evening of October 10. Those who attended included Ken Towers, Grand Forks, N.D.; Bert Olson, Cavalier, N.D.; Vern Spitzer, Fargo, N.D.; Stan Barta, Michigan, N.D.; Clint Lein, Larimore, N.D.; Graydon Rostberg, Hutchinson, Minn.; Darryl Gulbranson, Mayville, N.D.; John Koppy, Grand Forks, N.D.; and John Brayton, Fargo, N.D.

Additional homecoming events included an open house at the Northern Lights Arts Gallery, featuring the work of Mayville State graduate Janice Overmoe Tingum, Grand Forks, N.D.; various socials; the homecoming parade; tailgating; and a volleyball alumni 4-on-4 tournament. Homecoming VIPs, including this year’s homecoming queen, Rachel Heppner, Munich, N.D., and homecoming king, Matt Mueller, St. Cloud, Minn., and the royal court were recognized at halftime of the homecoming game. Members of the royal court included Mitch Schwindt, Sacred Heart, Minn., Jake Maki, Deer River, Minn., Ashley Haines, Hillsboro, N.D., Chad Palowski, Arthur, N.D., Kimberly Norby, Pembina, N.D., Samantha Agnes, Portland, N.D., Betsy Winkler, Fosston, Minn., Kelsey McDowell, Brainerd, Minn., Matt Ford, Cavalier, N.D., and Jake McLain, Chadron, Neb.

Homecoming 2009 events ended on Sunday afternoon, October 11, with a homecoming concert presented by the Mayville State University Concert Band and Choir, directed by Mike Bakken.

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