MSU President's Newspaper Column
August 1, 2026
The power of a welcoming community
We are in the final weeks of preparing for students to arrive for the new academic year, and we anticipate a potential housing crunch. The limited availability of housing in the community has caused many of our upper-class students, who might otherwise have lived in rental properties in the community, to seek on-campus housing.
We’re monitoring the housing situation very closely. As of early this week, only 18 beds were available in our residence halls. It’s imperative that we do everything possible to ensure every student has a place to live. We are carefully evaluating all available options on campus while also exploring opportunities that may exist off campus.
The situation prompts me to think about times in history when finding a place to live while attending college often depended on the kindness of a community. For generations of Mayville State students, that kindness could be found right here in Mayville-Portland. Families routinely opened their homes to students in need of a place to stay, offering spare bedrooms, finished basements, and welcoming spaces where young people could live while pursuing their education. What started as a practical solution to housing needs became something far more meaningful, a reflection of the close-knit relationships between the university and the community it calls home.
In many cases, students became more than tenants. They become part of the family. I’ve heard stories about the Bowyer twins, Don and Dean, from Ada, Minn., who stayed in the basement of Harvey and Rusty McMullen’s home while they attended Mayville State in the 1960s. They were welcomed into the everyday life of the McMullen family and became friends and role models for the young McMullen children. I can only imagine the stories shared when those involved reminisce about that special time together.
Many students arrived in Mayville knowing few people. Yet, they quickly discovered they were surrounded by neighbors who cared about their success. Families invited students to share meals, celebrate holidays, and become part of everyday life. What started as a housing arrangement often grew into lifelong friendship, as it did for the McMullens and the Bowyers. For students who were far from home, these relationships provided a sense of belonging and support during some of the most formative years of their lives.
The generosity of community residents helped shape the character of Mayville State University. It showed that education is not only about classrooms and campus buildings, but it’s about an entire community invested in helping young people thrive. The partnership between town and gown created an environment in which students felt welcomed, valued, and encouraged to pursue their goals.
That tradition of welcoming others is one of the many reasons Mayville-Portland has always been more than a college community. It’s a community that treats students like family.
The kindness of the community continues to be one of Mayville State’s greatest strengths. Students often mention the impact local residents have had on their experience. Community members worship alongside students at area churches, cheer for them in their athletic and academic endeavors, welcome them into holiday celebrations when they cannot travel home to their families, provide scholarship assistance and employment opportunities, and more.
As I’ve shared over the past few years, addressing the shortage of housing options in our community remains a critical priority. This challenge affects not only our students but also our faculty and staff. We are grateful for the work of the Traill County EDC and the others who were involved in the recent housing survey and who we know are working hard to find meaningful solutions. At Mayville State, we are equally committed to addressing both immediate housing needs and the long-term housing challenges that will accompany continued growth and success.
As we meet these challenges head-on, we know that it will take a great team effort. While we work to prepare for today and plan for the opportunities of tomorrow, we also celebrate the generations of people who have helped shape Mayville State. We remember the families who offered more than a room. They offered friendship, encouragement, and a home away from home. Their kindness strengthened the bonds between the university and the community and created a legacy of care that continues to define the Mayville State family today.
If you are interested in hosting a Mayville State student or have a housing option to offer within the community, please contact Rhonda Nelson, Dean of Student Affairs, at 701-788-5208 or rhonda.nelson@mayvillestate.edu.