Commencement 2020
Friday, Sept. 25 - 2 p.m. - MSU Lewy Lee Fieldhouse
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing guidelines associated with it, it was not possible to hold an in-person commencement ceremony at Mayville State University in May, as scheduled. Instead, the decision was made to delay commencement until Sept. 25, 2020, providing an opportunity to give graduates the kind of recognition they deserve as they mark this important milestone in their lives. The information contained on this page relates specifically to the 2020 commencement exercises.
Due to social distancing considerations, seating at the ceremony will be limited. Seating is limited to 176 guests. While we want to accommodate all who wish to attend, please know that there will be room for 176 guests. The ceremony will be available via live stream at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/msucomets/.
Please note that these are the most current plans for Commencement 2020. As we know, the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic can change quickly and we may need to adjust plans accordingly. Any changes will be posted promptly to this web page.
Coronavirus Pandemic Accommodations
Use of masks or cloth face coverings will be required of all commencement participants and audience members. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available for attendees in the lobby of the fieldhouse. In consideration of guidelines provided by the State Board of Higher Education and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mayville State University requires that all individuals on Mayville State University property or participating in official university events wear a face covering to contain potentially contaminated droplets while indoors.
Temperature check kiosks. Current Mayville State safety practices will be implemented for this event and we ask that all attendees self-monitor for potential symptoms. Temperature check kiosks are available in the fieldhouse lobby for self-screening purposes.
Social distancing guidelines will be followed. Chairs for graduates and faculty members will be situated to allow for social distancing of 6' between people. Audience members must also social distance. Gymnasium bleachers will be marked, allowing seating with 6' of distance between individuals. Family groups may sit together, but must allow 6" between their family group and others.
Schedule for the Day
11 a.m. - Graduation Brunch - Campus Center Luckasen Room
The MSU Alumni Association is hosting your first official alumni event on Sept. 25! Make plans to bring your families and enjoy a delicious brunch prior to the ceremony in the Campus Center Luckasen Room. RSVP will be required. To help facilitate social distancing, families are invited to stop by to eat any time during the 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. time period and will be seated as space allows for social distancing.
Due to the COVID-19 situation and to assist with following social distancing guidelines, there will not be a formal program.
Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Gate City Bank, the meal is provided free of charge to all who attend. Use of masks or cloth face coverings is required and social distancing guidelines will be followed. If you intend to attend the brunch, you must RSVP at www.mayvillestate.edu/gradbrunch.
12:30 p.m. - Procession Lineup - Wellness Center Gymnasium
Graduates, faculty, and platform party guests are asked to meet in the Wellness Center Gymnasium. This is where you'll get into the proper order for the processional. Please be prompt. It takes a while to get everyone organized.
2 p.m. - Ceremony Begins - Lewy Lee Fieldhouse
Upon arrival, all degree candidates should follow this procedure:
• Report to the Wellness Center gym any time after 12:30 p.m., but no later than 1 p.m. Check in to receive your name card and instructions. A copy of the commencement program will be on your chair in the fieldhouse.
• Line up and be ready for the processional 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the ceremony.
• The president will lead you from the assembly area into the fieldhouse approximately five minutes prior to the beginning of commencement.
• You will be directed to your assigned seating and will remain standing until directed to be seated.
Click here to download specific instructions regarding the procession and other commencement details.
Click here to download a schematic showing the commencement ceremony seating layout.
Keynote Speaker
Keynote speaker is Dr. John Lyng, 2001 Mayville State graduate. Dr. Lyng is Board Certified in EMS medicine and Emergency medicine and is a nationally registered paramedic. He practices as an EMS physician through work as a medical specialist on the Minnesota Task Force 1 urban Search and Rescue Team and as a medical officer on the Minnesota-1 Disaster medical Assistance Team. From 2010 to 2019 he served as the medical director for North Memorial Health Ambulance & Air Care, and continues to work clinically as an emergency physician at North memorial Level 1 Trauma Center in Minneapolis, Minn. and at several suburban and rural Minnesota hospitals.
Student Commencement Speakers
Student commencement speakers will be Taylor Skjordal and Jennifer Pageler.
Caps & Gowns
Are you all set with your cap and gown? If not, please contact Cheryl at the bookstore for assistance, cheryl.angen@mayvillestate.edu.
Class of 2020 Time Capsule
Members of the Class of 2020 are invited to submit items for a time capsule that will be stored at the alumni center. Plans are to have an opening of the time capsule in 25 years. Mark your calendar and plan to come "home" to Mayville State for a big class reunion in 2045!
Digital items (pictures, news articles of interest, photos of campus, COVID statistics, photo of the front cover of a class textbook, etc.) can be submitted to stacy.buchl@mayvillestate.edu. Please include as much information as possible when submitting photos. Examples would be dates, names of anyone pictured, location of picture, event name, area of campus, etc. how about taking a short video of yourself sharing where you see yourself in 25 years? Please state your name at the beginning. The video should be one minute or less. All digital content will be put into a slide show and saved on a flash drive that will be included in the time capsule.
Physical items should be small and include things like trinkets, brochures from campus, list of popular songs for the year, graduation program, etc. They can be dropped off any time at the Larson Alumni Center. There will also be a place to leave them at the graduation brunch event in the Luckasen Room on Sept. 25. If you wish, you can mail your items to MSU Foundation, Class of 2020 Time Capsule, 330 Third St. NE, Mayville, ND 58257.
Commencement Bulletin
Click here for a copy of the Commencement Bulletin.
Web Streaming
The live stream of the commencement ceremony has been archived at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSV1hDNEfpw.
Photographs
Jacobson Studio will serve as the official commencement photographer. There will be an opportunity for you to purchase photos. The photographer will be taking a formal photo of each graduate as they exit the stage. For more information, call 701-788-2611.
Photos are now up and available for purchase on the Jacobson Studio website:
https://www.jacobsonstudio.store/graduation-109/2020-msu-commencement-9-25-2020/.
Classes and offices on Sept. 25
So that faculty may be a part of the commencement festivities, classes will be canceled beginning at noon on Friday, Sept. 25. Offices will remain open. In consideration of space constraints and the need to social distance, we ask that staff and current students watch the commencement ceremony live stream, rather than attend the festivities in person. Find the live stream at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSV1hDNEfpw.
Overnight Accommodations
The Mayville Hometown Inn has limited accommodations. you may call them at 701-788-9081 to check availability and possibly be added to a waiting list.
Questions?
Please submit your questions regarding Commencement 2020 to Sharyl Hanson at sharyl.hanson@mayvillestate.edu.