November 1, 2024
The annual MSU Foundation Honor Society President’s Dinner, held Tuesday evening, Oct. 22, 2024, gave tribute to many of Mayville State’s generous and faithful philanthropists. The Honor Society includes those who have made lifetime cumulative gifts amounting to $10,000 or more through the MSU Foundation. Gifts include contributions to all projects at Mayville State, including academic scholarships, facility improvements, Comet Athletic Club, Music Makers, and more.
“It is our pleasure to have the opportunity to recognize the members of the Honor Society and to thank them for their outstanding support that is so critical to the well-being of Mayville State University,” said Mayville State University President Dr. Brian Van Horn.
A highlight of the evening for supporters and students alike was the opportunity to interact with one another. Several Mayville State students attended the dinner and were able to visit with and enjoy dinner with members of the Honor Society.
“Many Honor Society members who attended the event have reached out to me to express their happiness with the chance to meet some of the students who are the beneficiaries of the support of our alumni and friends,” said President Van Horn. “The Mayville State campus is filled with young people who are intelligent, kind, thoughtful, respectful, and courteous. I’m thrilled that some of them could join us for the event on Oct. 22. These are special people who make us optimistic for the future.”
Mayville State seniors, Samantha Passa from Barnesville, Minn. and Darrick Frederick from Belcourt, N.D., spoke to dinner attendees on behalf of all students. In addition to sharing some information about themselves and the reasons they are grateful for their Mayville State experiences, they thanked the donors in attendance for their generosity which is helping students achieve their academic goals.
Darrick summed it up well, “I love this place. I cannot thank this place enough for the opportunity that has been given to me. I love the people here, and I couldn’t have found better people who wanted me to succeed as much as everyone in this room.
The Honor Society is organized into clubs based on various giving levels. The Honor Society Bronze Club includes donors of $10,000-$24,999; the Silver Club, donors of $25,000-$49,999; the Gold Club, donors of $50,000-$99,999; the Platinum Club, donors of $100,000-$249,999; the Diamond Club, donors of $250,000-$499,999; the Ambassador Club, donors of $500,000-$749,999; the Legacy Club, donors of $750,000-$999,999; the Founder Club, donors of $1,000,000-$1,999,999; the Comet Club, donors of $2,000,000-$4,999,999; and the 1889 Club, donors of $5,000,000 or more.
The honor roll currently includes more than 250 benefactors, including individuals, couples, businesses, matching gift programs, and other organizations, who have given a cumulative total of $10,000 or more over the years.
Over the last year, the Edson and Margaret Larson Foundation became the first member of the Comet Club with cumulative gifts of more than $2,000,000.
New members of the Founder Club this year are the Comet Athletic Club and the McGillis Family, Larry & Dixie McGillis and Corey and Tracy McGillis. New to the Platinum Club are Delbert and Marlys Hlavinka and Brent and Jennifer Kohls. Steve and Marion Baker have reached the Gold Club level, and Doug and Vonda Anderson, Gerald Green and Tim and Sue Strand are now in the Silver Club.
This year, several new members joined the Bronze Club. They are Kerry Fernholz, Brent and Michelle Hella, Rick and Shirley Herbel, Michael and Amanda Jordan, and Robert and Nancy Zimney.
“We are so very fortunate to be blessed with loyal alumni and friends who truly care about Mayville State University and who give of their financial and other resources to support the university,” said Lon Jorgensen. “This steadfast support is crucial to Mayville State’s success.”
The 2024 Honor Society president’s dinner was sponsored by Bell Bank Wealth Management. Happy Harry’s Bottle Shops of Grand Forks and Fargo contributed as well.
If you’d like to make a financial contribution to Mayville State University or are interested in learning more about the MSU Foundation Honor Society, please call the MSU Foundation at 701-788-4687.
Photo captions
Top: Mayville State students Darrick Frederick (left) and Samantha Passa each gave remarks during the Honor Society Recognition Dinner program. On behalf of all Mayville State students, these two representatives thanked Mayville State’s generous donors who, through their financial support, are helping students achieve their educational goals.
Second: Mayville State University President Dr. Brian Van Horn (left) congratulates Marion Baker on her new membership in the Gold Club of the Honor Society. Marion and her late husband, Steve, are long-time supporters of Mayville State.
Third: On behalf of the McGillis family, Tracy (left) and Corey (center) McGillis accept their award showing their family’s membership in the Founder Club from President Van Horn (right). Dixie and Larry McGillis were unable to attend the Oct. 22 event.
