May 3, 2022
Mayville State University alumnus Thomas Capouch will deliver the annual commencement address at Mayville State University Saturday, May 14. The commencement ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. at the Mayville State University Lewy Lee Fieldhouse. The ceremony is open to the public.
Current graduates Taylor Reilly, Hoople, N.D., and Josiah Walker, East Windsor, N.J., will speak on behalf of the graduating class.
Mayville State’s graduation day festivities will begin with the traditional graduation brunch, hosted by the MSU Alumni Association. The event will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Campus Center Luckasen Room. Graduates Rylee Heil from Harvey, N.D. and Alex Dralle from Stanley, N.D. will speak on behalf of the MSU Class of 2022. The members of the graduating class will be the guests of honor, and thanks to the generosity of Bell Bank, graduates and their families will attend the brunch free of charge.
Mayville State University Graduation Brunch Student Speaker Biographies:
Alex Dralle will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree, earning majors in accounting and business administration. She has been employed at Mayville State as a student intern, and she was named a 2021-22 Mayville State Student of the Year. A non-traditional student, Alex and her children, Kendyl and Korbyn, enjoy building meaningful connections and being a part of the Mayville-Portland community. A native of Stanley, N.D., she is the daughter of Cristi Trulson.
Rylee Heil will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. On campus, she has been active as a member of the women’s basketball team, Student Education Association, and Campus 
Crusade, as well as the music program. She has shared her vocal musical talents by serving as soloist for a number of Mayville State programs and events. Rylee has assisted the community as a volunteer and is a 2021-22 Mayville State Student of the Year. Her parents are Doug and Kim Heil from Harvey, N.D.
Mayville State University Commencement Speaker Biographies:
Keynote Speaker
Thomas (Tom) Capouch, Portland, N.D., is Market President for First State Bank. Previously, he served as president of The First and Farmers Bank of Portland from 1992 to 2017. Tom began his career in the banking industry as a high school student and continues to share his knowledge with others as a faculty member of Dakota School of Banking and Schools of Banking. Tom also served as an adjunct instructor in business at Mayville State from 1998 to 2012.
Capouch is a faithful supporter of the Mayville-Portland community, where he is currently secretary/treasurer of the May-Port Economic Development Committee, youth advisor at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, secretary and past president of the Portland Commercial Club, and treasurer and past president of the MSU Foundation Board of Trustees.
Tom was named the 1994 May-Port High School Businessperson of the Year and the 2002 Northwestern Financial Review Rising Star for North Dakota. He received the Greater North Dakota Association Leadership Award in 2005 and the Mountain Plains Business Educators Distinguished Service Award in 2006.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Mayville State University in 1984, earning a major in business administration and minor in accounting. In the spring of 1990 he earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Moorhead State University. Tom earned his Series 7 Stockbroker License in 1994. He is also a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking and Financial Managers School, Commercial Lending School, and Dakota School of Banking.
Tom and his wife, Nancy (von Ruden), are parents to Ryan (wife Maggie) and Ross.
Student Commencement Speakers
Taylor Reilly is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in social science. A four-year Dean’s List student and scholarship recipient, she is graduating with summa cum laude honors. She was selected to receive the Dennis Kost Outstanding Achievement in Secondary Education Award this spring. Taylor has been involved on campus as a lifeguard and as a member of the women’s basketball team, Student Education Association, and Peer Leaders. She was named an NAIA Scholar-Athlete in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Taylor has given of her time and talents as a community and church volunteer. Her parents are Brian and Stacey Reilly from Hoople, N.D.
Josiah Walker is graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree, earning a major in business administration and minor in biology. He is a Dean’s List honoree and Mayville State Student of the Year award recipient. Josiah played football for the Comets and served as the team’s captain for four years. He is a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Club and served as the group’s president for one year. He has volunteered his time with the Student Athlete Advisory Committee Trick or Treat with a Comet project and Comet Athletic Club 3-on-3 basketball tournaments. Josiah is the son of James and Deidra Walker, East Windsor, N.J.