MSU President's Newspaper Column
January 25, 2025
Success for university and community inherently connected
We are immensely grateful for the many ways in which the local community and the communities beyond support Mayville State University. On the flip side, it is the goal of the university to serve the local community, region, and state. We are blessed to have exceptional town and gown relationships. This attribute makes for a better university and a better community. One cannot overlook the importance of the integral role each plays in the success of the other.
Community amenities make a difference for individuals making their higher education decisions. Mayville State students have access to many facilities and activities that contribute to a happy way of life. They include opportunities for golf, archery, watching a movie at the local theater, using the ice rink, and axe throwing. The community offers a water park, sledding hill, Rainbow Gardens, disc golf, and other parks and recreational facilities. The availability of local eateries, the bakery, and other businesses where groceries, hardware items, and pharmacy and medical services are available, is very important. Places of worship and the congregations of people who bring them to life are invaluable. These amenities contribute to the total package that goes along with being a Mayville State student.
Conversely, Mayville State offers opportunities for members of the community. They include use of the campus swimming pool and availability of swimming lessons, as well as use of the Wellness Center. The community is always invited to join us on campus for musical performances and athletic events, and various special events, including the Farmers Bowl activities, formal dances, holiday celebrations, and more. The campus provides a nice environment for walking and biking. Countless numbers of K-12 students and their teachers, advisors, coaches, and families from the area come to the Mayville State campus for athletic tournaments, conferences, music contests, and a wide variety of opportunities to broaden their horizons.
The recent collaboration between Mayville State and the Mayville Park Board has provided for a beautiful new pickleball facility that offers cornhole and basketball options as well. This has been a win-win for the community and the campus. It makes me happy to see how our students and community members love spending time there, and they often do that together, building strong relationships.
Community businesses need employees, and Mayville State students need jobs … another win-win. One can find Mayville State students working at the Luther Memorial Home, American Crystal Sugar, the local area food and drink establishments, Farmers Co-op Elevator, SRS Commodities, and more. Local farmers often hire Mayville State students to help on their farms.
Mayville State provides excellent employment opportunities for members of the community and beyond. Whether these employees live in the community or elsewhere, they all contribute to the economic vitality of the area.
“Economic Contribution of the North Dakota University System in 2020 and 2021,” a report by North Dakota State University researchers Nancy M. Hodur and Dean A. Bangsund, was released in 2023. The report contains a section on each of the NDUS institutions, including Mayville State.
The report shows that Mayville State University operations and student expenditures (direct effects) in FY2021 combined were $34.8 million. Total economic contribution (direct plus secondary) was $62.4 million. Direct employment at Mayville State University was 356 jobs in FY2021. Business activity from Mayville State University expenditures and spending by students supported secondary employment of 181 jobs. Total direct and secondary employment was 537 jobs in FY2021. There is no question that the university is having a big economic impact.
It would be easy to go on and on about the positive impact Mayville State has in the community, region, and state, as well as with a long list of people, volunteers, and supporters who help to make Mayville State University the special place it is. We sincerely appreciate each and every one who plays a part in this win-win success story. Almost to a person, when students are asked what they value in their Mayville State experience, they talk about the community. In my mind, that says it all.