MSU President's Newspaper Column

January 1, 2022 

Thankful for success in 2021, we turn the page to an exciting 2022

As 2021 comes to a close, we reflect with grateful hearts on all that has happened and turn the page to what we know will be an exciting 2022. We have been blessed with many opportunities to make an impact as we educate the leaders of tomorrow. We look forward to continuing this important work as we develop new programs and more that will give us additional tools to assist with the workforce needs of our region, state, and country.

The need for teachers and nurses is great in North Dakota. Our teacher education and nursing program faculty are working hard to help fill the gap by educating individuals who are interested in pursuing these careers. The leaders and faculty of these departments stay sharp and are on the cutting edge of all the latest advancements so that when our graduates are hired, they hit the ground running and are ready to share the latest in their fields. We congratulate the Division of Nursing for achieving CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) accreditation for the new Master of Science in Nursing program and the Division of Teacher Education for their work to launch a new Master of Education program in the coming spring semester.

Our students are learning from faculty who are not only instilling the knowledge needed to be successful, but also the values that will serve them well as they pursue their lives as leaders in their careers and communities. In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic which has brought challenges to student recruitment, enrollment has continued to be stable and our FTE (full-time equivalent) enrollment for the Fall Semester of 2021 was one of the highest ever. We are Comet Proud of the impact we are having in North Dakota and across the United States.

Mayville State students have opportunities to participate in music and drama performances, as well as athletics, student government, and a variety of clubs and organizations. These experiences help to form well-rounded individuals, giving them lifelong skills and memories.

A new Media Club is giving many students opportunities to hone their interests and skills in all kinds of media while helping to share the good word about the great things happening at Mayville State. Mayville State Collegiate DECA chapter members are consistent winners of competitions, not only on the state level, but nationally and internationally as well. Through grant-funded programs, several of our students have been making a difference in the world of scientific research. Our Comet athletic teams continue to represent us very well.

We are thrilled that the North Dakota Legislature has approved Challenge Grant funding again. Through the program, gifts to scholarships at Mayville State are eligible to receive a 50% match. Mayville State has been allotted a total of $700,000 in grant funding to be used from July 1, 2021 through December 31, 2022. We are so very grateful to our many alumni and friends who have already made gifts that qualify for the match. This has the potential to make a huge impact for the university and for our students.

The North Dakota Legislature also funded a $1.6 million natural gas-fueled heating plant for Mayville State. Preliminary work is underway with the goal of having the plant operational for the 2022 heating season.

Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and friends and thoughtful guidance from our MSU Foundation board of directors, the MSU Foundation is experiencing record success. This tremendous success translates to success for the university as a whole, as well as individual students.

The 2021 fall semester ended in mid-December. With finals wrapped up, we bid our farewells to several seniors who had completed the requirements for graduation. We know they are well-equipped to do well and we wish them all the best as they set out make a difference in their careers and the communities in which they live.

The future is bright at Mayville State University. We thank our friends and neighbors for the part they played in making 2021 a fantastic year. We look forward to partnering with you to bring our beloved university to greater levels of success in 2022 and beyond.

As we turn the calendar page, we know that many high school seniors will be taking a serious look at where they will make their college homes next fall. If you know of someone who would benefit from a Mayville State education, please encourage them to take a look. You can learn more at www.mayvillestate.edu or arrange for a campus visit by calling 701-788-4842.