MSU President's Newspaper Column

September 21, 2024 

Enjoying the present and transforming for the future

We’re just a few weeks into the fall semester, and so much has already happened! To say that these are exciting times at Mayville State University is an understatement. Wonderful students are pursuing their educational dreams and goals. Our fantastic faculty and staff are extending the Mayville State brand of personal service as they support the students on their higher education journeys.

As this important work is going on, the physical campus is in the midst of a transformation. By the time the current renovation and remodeling projects are completed in 2026, about 50% of the campus will be “new.”

Mayville State was extremely fortunate to be granted $52, 254,901 in state funding for the renovation of Old Main during the legislative session in 2023. Preliminary work began shortly after and has continued during the months that have followed. The renovation of Old Main will be transformational not only for the building, but also for the entire university, community, and region. Renovation completion is planned for the summer of 2026.

To make way for the next steps in the renovation work, all faculty and staff offices that had been in Old Main are now in temporary locations around campus. It might be a little crowded and inconvenient for a while, but we’re making great progress for the future, so we will make it work.

As a part of this overall project, an elevator is being installed at the Campus Center. The Safety fence is up and work has begun at the east side of the building, where the new elevator entrance will be located. The elevator is needed for accessibility reasons during the time when many offices are located in the upper level of the Campus Center.

The Campus Center is also being remodeled to better accommodate the needs of students. We look forward to a “new” bookstore, mailroom, and student lounge that is being constructed in the northeast corner of the building.

A new gravel parking lot is now complete and ready to use on the east side of campus, as well. The parking lot will help to accommodate the increase in traffic on the east side of campus while Old Main is out of commission.

Just a few finishing touches are left in the beautiful new Legacy Plaza, a project spearheaded by the MSU Alumni Association board and funded by generous alumni and friends who have given of their financial resources. The plaza is located along the main corridor that runs east and west between the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse and the Classroom Building.  We know that students, employees, alumni, community members, and visitors to campus will enjoy this space that includes patios, flowers, plants, trees, seating areas, and more. Comet Pride is everywhere you look in Legacy Plaza. You are invited to experience it for yourself and enjoy a light picnic lunch at Legacy Plaza starting at noon on Sept. 27.

The lunch starts after a celebration of the renovation of Old Main on Friday, Sept. 27. The event will begin with a short program at the south entrance to Old Main at 11 a.m., followed by the ceremonial swinging of the golden sledgehammers inside the building. Please plan to join us for this historic event.

The celebrations of the Old Main renovation and the opening of Legacy Plaza kick off the 2024 combined Homecoming/Farmers Bowl festivities. The Alumni Association board has a full schedule of activities planned Sept. 27 and 28. We thank them for the enormous amount of work they do to plan and execute these activities, as well as all of the work they do in preparation for our guests. We are blessed by faithful alumni board members who are generous with their time and talents.

As I visit with students, I hear lots of excitement for all the physical improvements and the great quantity and quality of student activities that are taking place this year. People are working very hard to make sure our students are engaged and happy both in and out of the classroom. Along those lines, we are considering the possibility of adding some new sports to the traditional lineup. Stay tuned as more information becomes available.

We have much to celebrate! Please join us the weekend of Sept. 27-28 as we celebrate our roots as Comets and the agricultural way of life of the region.