MSU President's Newspaper Column
April 26, 2025
Old Main renovation is at the center of a bright future at Mayville State
We are beyond happy about the amazing transformation of our flagship building, Old Main. The $52,000,000+ project is well-underway and is on time and on budget. We are grateful for the North Dakota legislature and all who have supported this project that will be life-changing for the university and its students, as well as the community and counties that surround us. This project will help us to make an even greater impact in our great state of North Dakota.
To date, excavation of the entire west side of the building has been completed. The next step will be to waterproof the foundation walls and install drain tile on that half of the building. Excavation will continue along the east side of the building, followed by waterproofing and drain tiling there as well. This will keep the moisture away from the new structure.
Throughout the renovation process, there have been a few surprises, but nothing that has caused a major hurdle. During the interior abatement work, it was discovered that there have been several fires in the building over the years. One was documented in Dr. James Neilson’s history of Mayville State, but the others were unknown. The excavation process has revealed a few surprises as well. Crews uncovered a couple of cisterns that needed to be dug out and filled in. A tunnel was also discovered near the north entrance to the building.
Soon, crews will pour the foundation for a beautiful new entrance that will be completed on the north side of Old Main. The entrance will be complemented by a welcoming seating area and lovely landscaping. The historic smokestack that is located in this area will be lighted and add to the ambience that will highlight the space.
Footings and foundations for the bookend additions on the east and the west ends of the building will soon be poured. These additions will house the stairwells and new mechanical space.
Interior demolition is complete and some of the framing for the rebuilding process has begun. Work is also underway on the fourth-floor conference center. This beautiful new space that features multiple windows will provide the perfect vantage point from which to view the entire campus.
While this construction-related work is underway, people are working to order the items that will be needed to help make the building functional when it is complete. This includes the purchase of the audio visual and networking equipment and more. Knowing that the country’s tariff situation will impact these needed items, we’ve gotten out in front and purchased the items so that pre-tariff pricing can be secured. It’s all locked in and vendors have agreed to hold the items until we need them. I commend our employees for being aware and making sure we can be good stewards of the funding that has been provided. By the end of this summer, a committee comprised of various constituent groups will have made furniture selections as well for the beautiful new space.
When I think about how quickly a year passes, I also think about how before we know it, we’ll be looking at a completed Old Main renovation project and moving into a beautiful state-of-the-art facility in the summer of 2026. I can only imagine the excitement that will surround what will be monumental in the history of our beloved Old Main and Mayville State University.
The renovation of Old Main has been a catalyst for a time of renewal and positive momentum at Mayville State University. Several upgrades to the campus facilities are already being enjoyed by the university family and our guests. We experienced a substantial increase in enrollment for the Fall Semester of 2025, with a final official headcount of 1,134, an 8.2% increase over Fall 2023. Students are happy with their Mayville State Experiences! This is evidenced in our outstanding retention rate which was at a record high of 81% in the Fall of 2024, coming after the previous record high of 67% set in the Fall of 2023. We are working hard to provide programs and graduates who can impact the workforce needs of our state.
The future is bright, and we are grateful for the opportunity to let the Mayville State University light of positivity shine!
Stay up-to-date with the Old Main project at www.mayvillestate.edu/oldmain.