MSU President's Newspaper Column
September 19, 2026
Honoring alumni who make a lasting difference
We are CometProud of this year’s Homecoming honorees. They are Performing Arts Hall of Fame inductees Teresa (Berry) Agnes, Portland, N.D., Dr. Jane Braaten, Bismarck, N.D., and Charity Stegman, Cavalier, N.D. Distinguished Alumni Award recipients are Patti (Eastgate) Aanenson, Larimore, N.D., Kasie (Braaten) Windfelder, Navarre, Fla., and Rammie (Braaten) Olson, Fargo, N.D., and Distinguished Service Award recipients are Tom Capouch, Portland, N.D., and Lowell Nelson, Grand Forks, N.D. Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame inductees are Andy Braaten, Carrington, N.D., Jeryl “Murph” Thompson, Drayton, N.D., Brad Walsh, Bismarck, N.D., and Jennifer (Hegna) Walsh, Bismarck, N.D., and Athletic Hall of Fame inductees are Nancy (Johnson) Berg, Pierre, S.D., Chuck Bush, Zeeland, Mich., Wade Grinde, Spring Grove, Minn., and Kermit Johnson, Davenport, N.D.
These Mayville State alumni have achieved impressive individual accomplishments, and when considered as a whole, the stories of this group of alumni tell a bigger story, one that stretches far beyond awards, careers, championships, and titles. The common thread is impact. What stands out about these honorees is not simply what they have achieved personally. It is also about the way they have leveraged their education, talents, and experiences to create opportunities for others.
Across the region and beyond, Mayville State alumni are helping shape schools, strengthen communities, lead businesses, mentor young people, improve organizations, and inspire the next generation. Their work illustrates the far-reaching influence of a university whose graduates have long embraced the values of personal service, leadership, and community engagement.
In education, Mayville State graduates are influencing thousands of students and educators. In North Dakota alone, more than 800 Mayville State graduates are teachers or administrators in K-12 schools.
From educational leadership in North Dakota to school administration in Florida, our alumni are helping establish learning environments where students can succeed and educators can thrive. Leaders such as Patti Aanenson and Kasie Windfelder have devoted their careers to creating opportunities for young people and advancing excellence within their schools and professional organizations.
In athletics, the impact extends well beyond wins and championships. MSU Athletic Hall of Fame and Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame inductees have spent decades teaching perseverance, teamwork, discipline, and character through coaching and mentorship. Whether in Minnesota classrooms and gymnasiums, North Dakota communities, or youth sports programs across the region, their influence can be measured not only in trophies, but also in the lives of students and athletes they have helped develop.
The business and financial sectors tell a similar story. Several honorees have built careers in banking, accounting, and financial services while also serving as volunteers, community leaders, educators, and philanthropic advocates. Their expertise has strengthened organizations, supported economic development efforts, guided nonprofit initiatives, and helped communities grow. Through volunteer service, financial stewardship, and civic leadership, they have shown how professional success can be paired with a deep commitment to the public good.
Our 2026 Homecoming honorees demonstrate that Mayville State’s influence is not confined to a campus in northeast North Dakota. The university’s impact can be seen from the Red River Valley to Minnesota, South Dakota, Florida, and well beyond. They are helping shape the future of the places they call home. Their collective legacy exemplifies what happens when a university prepares graduates not only for successful careers, but also for meaningful lives of service and leadership.
Their stories serve as a powerful reminder that the true measure of success is not simply what one accomplishes, but the positive difference he or she makes in the lives of others.
