MSU President's Newspaper Column

April 16, 2022

A bustling campus

Though it doesn’t look much like it outdoors, the hustle and bustle of spring has sprung on the Mayville State campus. The flurry of activities that goes along with the end of the spring semester is well underway.

Area high school music students have spent some time on campus during the last few weeks. We were honored to host the large group music contest on March 15, and the small groups performed for judges on April 7. We love having the high school students with us on campus.

Last week, on Friday, April 8, the Mayville State Division of Education hosted the North Dakota Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (NDACTE) conference on the Mayville State campus. About 140 faculty members, staff, and students representing Mayville State and other North Dakota institutions of higher education participated. NDACTE provides leadership on issues related to professional education, with primary focus on teacher education. Pre-service teachers have the opportunity to be involved, which provides valuable experience for those who are just about to begin their careers in the field of education.

Tables du Jour is back this year! The event features dining tables elaborately decorated by hosts/hostesses. Themes range from elegant to fun and whimsical. We’re delighted that there will be 28 tables and guests to fill them at the brunch event scheduled for the morning of April 23. A preview event is also planned for the Friday evening before, April 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. The preview event is open to the public and refreshments will be served. Cost to attend is $10 per person, payable at the door.

First Person Shooter, a difficult and complex look at emotional abuse, bullying, and the tragedy of being an outcast, will be presented at Mayville State University April 21, 22, and 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Old Main Theatre. The play, written by Don Zolidis, is being directed by Mayville State student Phillip Maritato. Mayville State students Dominic Ott, Rebecca “Becca” Sauvageau, and Maisy Skalicky have leading roles. The performances are free and open to the public.

The MSU Music Department spring concert is set for Sunday, April 24 at 2 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public. I hope you’ll attend for a time of musical enjoyment and an opportunity to support our student musicians.

A banquet for senior athletes is also returning in 2022. We haven’t been able to hold such an event since 2019. The banquet is set for the evening of April 28. MSU Dining Services will provide the meal and a program to recognize the athletes will follow.

Our annual employee recognition dinner is planned for Wednesday evening, May 4. We look forward to honoring our employees who are marking milestones in years of service at five-year increments. This year we’ll recognize Yvonne Cannon, Jade Erickstad, Pamela Johnson, Ted Stoa, and Darren Tighe for five years of service; Jessica Amb and Fred Strand for ten years of service; Robyn Hanson, Billie Jo Jacobson, Bryan Karolus, Mindy O'Connor, Dustin Olson, Kayla Smith, and Misti Wuori for 15 years of service; Mandi Domier, Pam Eberle, and Dean Kostuck for 20 years of service, Tom Gonnella for 25 years of service, Ann Willeson for 30 years of service; and Kevin Hanson and Beth Swenson for 35 years of service.

We are preparing for Commencement 2022 on Saturday, May 14. The decision has been made to move forward with the event using the protocols established prior to the coronavirus pandemic. This means we will not be limiting the number of guests each graduate may invite to share in the day with him or her. In addition, there will be plenty of room for all faculty to join the graduates with seats in the main auditorium throughout the ceremony. We had taken for granted the gift it is for not only graduate family members and friends, but also Mayville State faculty and staff, to celebrate with Mayville State’s newest graduates. The Alumni Association will host the traditional graduation brunch prior to commencement exercises.

There will be lots happening in the next few weeks, yet one can image that it will seem like no more than the blink of an eye before we’ll have wrapped up the spring semester and summer classes will begin. By May 23, the summer session will be underway. As they say, “Time flies when you’re having fun!”