MSU President's Newspaper Column
October 5, 2024
A stellar week to be a Comet!
Mayville State Farmers Bowl met Homecoming for a combined celebration the week of Sept. 23. It was a week packed full of things to do as students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and community members came together to recognize our roots as Comets while celebrating the agricultural way of life in our area.
Students are at the heart of all we do at Mayville State, and many worked hard to support the various events that were planned for the alumni and community, as well as students. Not only did they help to ensure that things went smoothly for these activities, but, together with staff advisors, they also helped to organize great social activities for their peers to enjoy. Our students, faculty, and staff make me Comet Proud every day!
For students, the week began with the crowning of the 2024 Homecoming queen and king, along with the traditional lip sync contest. The Classroom Building Auditorium was rocking with excitement for these much-anticipated annual events.
Our Homecoming Court this year included the following candidates: Joshua Dixon, Casselton, N.D.; Micaela Kocher, Crosby, N.D.; Connor Fields, Thompson, N.D.; Sarah Vinson, Box Elder; Andrew Roberts, West Fargo, N.D.; Samantha Passa, Barnesville, Minn.; Grant Kocher, Crosby, N.D.; Desiree Lawrence, Hillsboro, N.D.; Brandon Albrecht, Grafton, N.D.; Aubrey Dutton, Box Elder, S.D.; Richie Shelton, Antioch, Tenn.; Erin Mueller, Horace, N.D.; Logan Sherva, Northwood, N.D.; and Miquela Pino, Maricopa, Ariz. After a close vote, Andrew Roberts and Samantha Passa were selected as Homecoming king and queen.
These Mayville State students truly represent the best of the best. They are leaders who are active on the campus and beyond. It is a blessing to know these individuals and I am happy to the nth degree knowing that they were selected by their peers to represent Mayville State University in this way.
By Friday, alumni and friends were beginning to enjoy the Homecoming/Farmers Bowl festivities, which kicked off with the golden sledgehammer event to celebrate the renovation of our beloved Old Main. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the 68th Legislative Assembly for their work that made this project which will be life-changing for our university possible. I thank our local legislators, Jared Hagert, Mike Beltz, and Randy Lemm, who played a significant role in advocating for the project, as well as the entire legislative body and Governor Doug Burgum.
The celebration continued with a picnic lunch at the recently completed Legacy Plaza, located between the Classroom Building and the Lewy Lee Fieldhouse on campus. The beautiful new space includes patios, seating, landscaping, and more for all to enjoy. The plaza represents a commitment to the present and future with a sprinkling of history.
Other weekend activities included the recognition of Performing Arts Hall of Fame inductees, as well as Distinguished Alumni and Distinguished Services Award recipients, and the Athletic Hall of Fame and Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame inductees. The traditional parade, corn on the cob and hot dog feed, pre-game festival, tailgating, and more led up to Mayville State’s exciting win over Valley City State in the Homecoming/Farmers Bowl football game. It is estimated that the crowd on hand may have been the largest ever, and their support was a factor in the Comets defeating VCSU for the first time since 2013. To say that the victory celebration was electrifying is an understatement!
Former players on legendary football coach Jerome Berg’s teams gathered to renew acquaintances and reminisce in various activities throughout the day on Saturday. It was heartwarming to see how the bond these gentlemen share remains strong over the decades, attesting to the positive influence Coach Berg had in their lives.
There are many to thank for planning, organizing, and carrying out a big celebration like Homecoming/Farmers Bowl. Many of our employees have worked extremely hard, as have the members of the MSU Alumni Association Board, the community, and a plethora of others, including our students. We are grateful for all who played a role in the success of Homecoming/Farmers Bowl 2024, and I am happy beyond words to have seen all their good work culminate in a Stellar Week to be a Comet!