MSU President's Newspaper Column
October 2, 2021
Employees are the heart and soul of Mayville State University
On the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 28, we had the pleasure of doing something we’ve been waiting to do for a long time. We were able to recognize our outstanding Mayville State University employees at a dinner. It has been our tradition to hold a dinner to recognize employees in the spring of the year. Safety concerns related to the COVID-19 Pandemic have forced us to forego this event for the last couple of years.
While it is extremely important to keep our guard up and to do all that we can to mitigate the spread of the virus, the vaccination of many has helped to stabilize the situation on campus and in this area. This has played a part in easing the comfort level associated with holding an event such as the employee recognition dinner. Much care went into the planning and preparations for the event in an effort accommodate social distancing to the extent possible.
Mayville State University is blessed to have exceptional employees who are committed to making a difference for our students. Mayville State’s motto is the “School of Personal Service,” and it is our employees who bring life to this ideal that we as members of the Mayville State family hold dear. It is a privilege to formally recognize them and their day-to-day efforts.
Since we’ve not held the event in a while, we played a bit of “catch up” at the Sept. 28 dinner. Each year we recognize employees who have reached milestones in five-year increments. This fall, we recognized those who would have normally been recognized in the spring of 2020 and the spring of 2021.
Years of service honorees for 2020 were: Marissa Blaufuss (5), Alex Herman (5), Leta Holsinger (5), Becky Jorgenson (5), Meggi Mitzel (5), Jon Nygard (5), Katie Richards (5), Michelle Warren (5), Andi Dulski-Bucholz (10), Christine Gonnella (10), Robert Johnston (10), David Moeller (10), Scott Parker (10), Lisa Rakowski (10), Khwaja Hossain (15), Dennis Hutter (15), Shannon Hofer (20), Mary Trudeau (20), and Scott Berry (40).
Years of services honorees for 2021 were: Mallory Angen (5), Lynn DiLivio (5), Kelly Ehlears (5), Abby Hjelmstad (5), Cody Hunter (5), Tracy Juhnke (5), Nicole Midstokke (5), Joni Oveson (5), Jeffrey Powell (5), Mariesa Ulrich (5), Leslie Durkin (10), Jessi Hegg (10), Alison Kaiser (10), Erin Lord Kunz (10), Karen Peterson (10), Robert Tangsrud (10), Teresa Wright (10), Craig Keating (15), Robert Kozojed (20), Timothy O'Brien (20), Connie Kaldor (25), and Bradley Papenfuss (30).
We also recognized a number of recent Mayville State retirees at this week’s dinner. These important individuals have invested so much of their lives to making Mayville State University the best it can be.
Those retirees who would have been recognized in the spring of 2020 are Kristi Lentz (10 years of service), Tom Moen (45 years of service), Karoline Jacobson (43 years of service), and Keith Stenehjem (22 years of service).
Retirees who would have been recognized in the spring of 2021 are Carolyn Baker (16 years of service), Donna Gutschmidt (18 years of service), Lois Karlstad (11 years of service), Shirley Hanson (28 years of service), Alice Rice (16 years of service), and Pamela Soholt (44 years of service).
Honoring the people who are the very heart of our university is important. When you sum it all up, the words “dedication” and “commitment” come quickly to mind. On Sept. 28, we formally recognized 51 current employees and retirees and a grand total of 693 years of dedication and commitment to Mayville State University. The service of these people has helped to shape the university as we know it today.
I extend my sincere congratulations to all honorees who have reached remarkable milestones. I could not be more thankful for all Mayville State employees. It is what they do every day year in and year out that makes Mayville State University a place where people can thrive, learn, and grow personally and professionally.