MSU President's Newspaper Column
October 23, 2021
Campus visits give a first-hand look at what it means to be part of the Mayville State family
We had the pleasure of welcoming many prospective students and their family members to campus during our Visit Days Thursday and Friday, Oct. 21 and 22. These days coincided with the dates of the annual Minnesota Education Academy conference and the North Dakota Council of Education Leaders fall conference, which meant that school was not in session for North Dakota and Minnesota K-12 students. This made it more convenient for those interested in learning more about Mayville State to visit the campus.
Visit Days gave us an opportunity to roll out the red carpet for our visitors, and our campus visitors were able to get a first-hand feel for what it means to be a member of the Mayville State family.
Activities each day included a campus tour and lunch in the cafeteria. Enrollment Center employees shared general information about applying, enrolling, paying for college, and more. In addition, representatives of academic divisions were able to give information about what their divisions have to offer. There was one-on-one time available for academic division representatives, the Enrollment Center team, coaches, and others representing areas such as Collegiate DECA, Science Club, Math Club, and more.
Tuesday, Nov. 9 will be another big day for welcoming visitors and prospective students to campus. The Division of Science and Mathematics will be hosting two events, a math competition for area students, as well as Agribusiness Activity and Research Day.
Activities such as these align with our “Comet Stars” initiative. The idea is to connect with regional populations and provide information, services, or resources. “Comet Stars” gives people an opportunity to benefit from the knowledge base of our faculty, staff, and students. Through the initiative, we are encouraging, celebrating, and promoting Mayville State University’s innovation, expertise, and creative activities with the citizens of North Dakota and beyond.
Our faculty are extremely talented experts who have so much to share. Their wide variety of interests and expertise are fascinating and are making a positive impact on campus and in the world. They not only have the highest academic credentials, they also have the real-world experiences and interests that can make learning come alive for students and others.
High school students who participate in the Agribusiness Activity and Research Day will take part in interesting and informative sessions led by Mayville State faculty. Sessions and presenters are as follows: Animal Genetics and Biotech - Dr. Michael Kjelland, Professor of Biology; Plant & Soil Interaction for Maximum Crop Production - Dr. Khwaja Hossain, Professor of Biology and INBRE Researcher; Farm to Fork and the Miles In-Between - Jeff Hovde, Instructor of Biology; and Using Drones to Improve Agricultural Production and Efficiency - Dr. Thomas Craig, Assistant Professor of Geography.
As an added bonus, North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring will be on campus Nov. 9 to provide a keynote address for Agribusiness and Research event participants, as well as Mayville State students, faculty, and staff.
Did you know that Wednesday, Oct. 21 was observed nationwide as Financial Aid Day? Financial Aid Day reserves the third Wednesday in October to honor the role financial aid professionals across the United States play in helping students realize their dream of attaining a college education. Without dedicated financial aid administrators, many students would not be able to pursue higher education due to a lack of necessary information, counseling, and aid. We at Mayville State tip our hat to Financial Aid Director Susan Cordahl and her office assistant Karen Haarsager. Their efforts in helping students and their families are very much appreciated.
In closing, I give a shout out to our area high school students who are making the most of their school days. Academics are first and foremost, and we also commend you for participation in all kinds of leadership activities, including FCCLA, FBLA, FFA, music, theater, speech, athletics, and so much more! Know that your friends at Mayville State University rejoice in your accomplishments. As you are considering a college home, please come visit us at Mayville State University so you can see for yourself the opportunities that are available to you right here at “home.” We invite you to visit campus any time. To schedule a campus tour and an opportunity to visit with faculty and/or staff in your interest area, go to www.mayvillestate.edu/visit or call 701-788-4842. We look forward to seeing you!