MSU President's column for Traill County Tribune

February 8, 2014

 

Events provide opportunities for alumni and friends to connect

 

The Mayville State University Alumni Association is an organization sponsored by the Mayville State University Foundation for the purpose of addressing alumni concerns, organizing alumni activities, and enhancing public relations of Mayville State University. The Alumni Association board of directors is responsible for organizing and carrying out a number of activities each year, including homecoming and the graduation brunch. In addition, the group plans and hosts a number of social gatherings for Mayville State University alumni and friends.

Members of the MSU Alumni Association Board include Dean Krogstad, Wadena, Minn., president; Cleone Whelan, Crystal, N.D., vice president; Cindy Petersen, Mayville, secretary; Kelly Morrison, Mayville, Pam Soholt, Mayville; Lori Nelson, Portland, N.D.; Doug Anderson, Cavalier, N.D.; Ron Carlson, Minnewaukan, N.D.; Meghan Hovde, Portland,; Lucia Jacobson, Leeds, N.D.; Kurt Skodje, Faribault, Minn.; Herb Thomson, Grand Forks, N.D.; and Beth Swenson (ex-officio), Hatton, N.D. I am an ex-officio member of the board.

When the board met on January 25, plans were made for the upcoming 125th anniversary Alumni Days celebration which will be held June 20 and 21, in conjunction with Mayville-Portland’s annual Summerfest, June 19-22. We at Mayville State are excited to partner with community groups for this extra-special celebration. The members of the Lions Club are now finalizing Summerfest plans, and we look forward to sharing in the great activities they have planned.

Mayville State’s plans for Friday, June 20 include the official grand opening of the Edson and Margaret Larson Alumni and Leadership Center, followed by a picnic and celebration. Cynthia Kaldor and Doug Anderson are organizing an alumni art show and a reception to honor the artists. There will be campus and departmental open houses and tours, as well.

The alumni board’s agenda on January 25 included selection of the Distinguished Alumni and Distinguished Service Award recipients for 2014. These folks will be the guests of honor at a reception planned at the Larson Center Friday afternoon, June 20. This will be followed by the annual Alumni Association Awards Dinner at the MSU Campus Center Luckasen Room.

A musical program is being planned for the evening of June 20, and the day will wrap up with socials for alumni and friends in the downtown establishments. Details about these activities will be available soon.

Mayville State’s activities for Saturday, June 21 include a reunion for former Red Caps baseball players, a reunion of friends of Terry Kemmer, and a reunion of former Mayville State employees of Bob Brown, including those who worked with Bob at the Bookstore, in athletic training, and in the financial aid office. The grand finale for the day will be an all-class reunion. All Mayville State alumni and friends are invited to join in this special time of socializing.

The Alumni Association and Mayville State’s Enrollment Services department are teaming up to bring the Mayville State story to alumni and friends in the Grand Forks and Fargo areas. Socials for alumni and friends are planned at the Italian Moon in Grand Forks Tuesday, February 25 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A social is also being planned in Fargo on March 20, when the state Class B girls basketball tournament will be held there. In addition, a social is being planned at Mayville State on February 14, when the district boys basketball tournament will be held at the MSU Lewy Lee Fieldhouse. Alumni and friends are invited to join in the fun at the MSU Campus Center Luckasen Room from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. that day. Pizza will be served, along with cupcakes to celebrate Mayville State’s 125th anniversary. Campus tours will be available as well.

A number of other activities are being planned for alumni and friends in the next several months. The annual Traill County/MSU Luncheon in Mesa, Ariz. will be held February 11. Tables du Jour, the annual fund-raiser for music at Mayville State, will be held on April 26. A preview event will be held the evening of April 25. The MSU Classic will be held in the Detroit Lakes area June 13 and 14. Looking toward fall, mark your calendar for the 2014 Comet Athletic Club Sportsmen’s Raffle on September 6 and Homecoming festivities on October 3, 4, and 5. A date for Farmers Bowl festivities is yet to be determined.

Mark your calendar for May 17, the day of Mayville State’s commencement and graduation brunch. We are thrilled that Senator John Hoeven plans to attend commencement and serve as our keynote speaker this year. We will have the privilege of presenting Senator Hoeven with the Mayville State University Distinguished Service Award at that time, in recognition of his support for Mayville State University.

We who have a connection to Mayville State share a unique bond. It is great to be able to get together to enjoy special times. Thank you to all who work diligently to make these events possible and to all who attend and make them successful. For more information about any of these events, you may contact Beth Swenson, Director of Alumni Affairs, at 701-788-4750 or beth.swenson@mayvillestate.edu. Watch as details for the 125th anniversary celebration unfold at www.mayvillestate.edu/125.