MSU President's Newspaper Column
September 14, 2024
Join us in celebrating the renovation of historic Old Main on September 27
Mark your calendar and plan to join us at Mayville State on Friday, Sept. 27 at 11 a.m. for a celebration of the renovation of Old Main. A short program will be held at the front entrance on the south side of the building along Third Street, followed by the ceremonial swinging of the golden sledgehammers inside the building. The event is being held in conjunction with Mayville State’s combined Homecoming/Farmers Bowl festivities. Afterward, all are invited to enjoy a picnic lunch in the soon-to-be completed Legacy Plaza on the Mayville State campus.
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.
We are grateful for the support and generosity of the 68th Legislative Assembly whose work made this important project possible. Through the legislative process, our District 20 legislators, Representatives Jared Hagert and Mike Beltz and Senator Randy Lemm, played a key role in underscoring the significance of this project for Mayville State University. We appreciate their work and thank the entire legislative body for their efforts.
The renovation project will modernize this historic building, providing state-of-the-art classroom facilities, greater accessibility, and better efficiency. Students, staff, and faculty will enjoy more classroom and communal space. The renovation honors Old Main's legacy as a cornerstone of the Mayville State University campus, while growing with us into the future as we continue to meet the needs of our students and prepare them for success in the classroom and beyond.
Mayville State University selected Foss Architecture + Interiors to lead the renovation. Additionally, PCL Community Contractors is the Construction Manager at Risk (CMaR). The project is on schedule and completion of the renovation is slated for July 1, 2026.
Stakeholders were given a chance to provide their input last fall and Foss Architecture representatives presented their vision for the project to audiences of students, faculty, staff, and community members in the spring.
The plan is to leave the exterior south side of Old Main intact. The only difference people will notice in viewing the building from the front will be two additions, one on the west end and one on the east end of the building. They won’t be extremely noticeable as they will blend in and match the existing look. There will also be a slight extension at the top of the central tower of the building. This will be needed to accommodate a new elevator that will be located in the central corridor.
A beautiful corridor will tie the north and south sides of the building together from within. Arches will mirror the two-arch entrance at the south side of the building. The open concept provides an impressive feel for this thoroughfare, creating a welcoming, student-centered building.
There are plans for exposing existing brick and beams, giving a sense of history in a building that is providing optimal learning space for the 21st century. A “one-stop shop” for student services will be located in one wing of the building. This is a place where students can take care of their admissions, enrollment, and other needs all in one centrally located area.
Over the summer, all offices in Old Main were moved to other places on campus to pave the way for demolition and construction to begin. The building will need to be completely vacated by October 1.
Please do come by and celebrate with us on Sept. 27 and have a last chance to see our beloved Old Main as so many remember it. The next time you’re in the building, things will look a lot different. We have much to celebrate and look forward to sharing this special time with all Mayville State stakeholders. Stay up-to-date with the Old Main renovation project at www.mayvillestate.edu/oldmain.