MSU President's Newspaper Column
December 8, 2024
Lifting others up … a precious gift for the giver and the receiver
Reflecting on the comments our senior volleyball and football student athletes recently shared when asked what Mayville State means to them has been heartwarming and humbling. I’m happy for the students who are feeling fulfilled and grateful for the Mayville State staff and faculty members who make experiences for students exceptional. I know that the students’ involvement with the community plays a big role as well, and again, I am grateful.
The comments of George Davisson, a senior from Concord, Calif., stuck out for me. When George came to Mayville State as a football recruit, I’m sure he had no idea that his future would hold the possibility of not only earning a bachelor’s degree, but also the opportunity to earn a Ph.D.
George landed a job in the research lab of Dr. Khwaja Hossain, where he found a passion for science. As time went along, and with encouragement from Dr. Hossain, George’s horizons in the world of science and research expanded, and now George has gained an opportunity to earn a doctorate degree without having to pay out of pocket. I’m thrilled beyond words for George.
Maalik Flowers from Las Vegas, Nev., told us that being at Mayville State has been a life-changing opportunity for him. He’ll be the first in his family to complete a college degree. He expressed his extreme pride for this wonderful accomplishment.
It is a privilege to play a part in making a dream like this come true for a student. Our faculty and staff can take great pride in knowing what a difference they’ve made for Maalik and so many others.
Ezera Wouri from Rolla, N.D., expressed his forever gratitude for the family he found in his teammates, the staff, and the Mayville community. In Ezera’s comments, and many others, the feeling of “family” came through. We hear it over and over again. “Mayville State feels like a family.”
It is very clear that our students value the interaction between the campus and community. When asked, nearly every student mentions the community as one of the reasons they are happy with their Mayville State experience. Students are grateful when members of the community talk with them while they are in the local stores and restaurants. The support of community members for Mayville State’s athletic teams and performing and other groups cannot be underestimated. It’s important in so many ways.
Collaborations such as this are teaching lessons in values and civic responsibility. The opportunity to be so closely connected to members of the community sets the Mayville State experience apart and gives a value-added component to earning a college degree. Through their participation, the faculty, staff, and community members are setting examples in the importance of supporting one another.
It seems that the negativity and social unrest in our world are constantly clouding our view of what’s important. We tend to forget that the simple things in life, such as supporting one another and working together for the greater good, should take priority.
At Mayville State, we may not have the material amenities that can make bigger institutions flashy and appealing, but we recognize that the things we do have are extremely valuable. At “The School of Personal Service,” we care about one another and make it our goal to give students the best possible education, which includes the academic requirements, as well as meaningful life experiences. We don’t worry about what we don’t have. Instead, we make the most of what we do have, and move forward with grateful hearts, knowing that through our efforts, the world is a better place.
During this season of gratitude, and always, we give thanks for the opportunity to make a difference by educating the whole student, in the classroom and outside of the classroom. In the process of doing so, we’re lifting others up, and we’re making our own lives better too. These are the gifts that are more precious than gold!