MSU President's Newspaper Column
November 7, 2026
Investing in students, strengthening futures
At Mayville State University, scholarships do more than help students pay for college. They open doors to opportunity, remove financial barriers, and empower students to pursue their educational and career goals with confidence. For many students, scholarship support makes the difference between simply hoping for a college education and successfully earning a degree.
The impact of these gifts extends far beyond the classroom. Scholarships help attract talented students to Mayville State, strengthen the future of our university, and invest in the leaders, professionals, and citizens our communities will depend on for generations to come.
Equally important, they create meaningful connections between donors and students, linking generosity with opportunity in a way that changes lives. The following letter written by Mayville State student Lacey Mathiowetz to Dr. Mike and Marilyn Worner, benefactors of the Worner-Schuler Scholarship at Mayville State, offers a glimpse into that impact and shows how Lacey’s educational journey has been made possible and enriched through scholarship support.
“Thank you so much for selecting me as a recipient of the Worner-Schuler Scholarship. I am immensely grateful for your support, and I will continue to pursue excellence in the classroom and beyond at Mayville State University.
“I am the oldest of four children, with two brothers and one sister. We grew up on a farm just outside of Sleepy Eye, Minn., where I learned the value of hard work and responsibility. I enjoy helping on my family’s farm, as well as two other farms in the area. When I am not working or doing schoolwork, I spend my time playing softball. Softball has been one of my greatest blessings, and I am so thankful to continue my career here at Mayville State.
“I am currently a senior pursuing a B.S.Ed. in English Education with a coaching minor. I love working with people and I hope to instill strong values in the children entrusted to my care through teaching and coaching. In addition to my academic work, I serve as one of the softball captains, am involved in CRU, coordinate meetings for the Newman Club, participate in choir, and work as a resident assistant. These roles have allowed me to invest deeply in the Mayville State community and build meaningful relationships across campus.
“Your scholarship will help me pay for my education, allowing me to dedicate more time to my schoolwork and to the people I encounter through my various positions. This semester, I will be student teaching, and I am excited for all that the experience will bring. After graduation, I plan to pursue a graduate degree while serving as a graduate assistant softball coach.
“Once again, thank you for selecting me for this scholarship. Your investment in my education means so much to me, and I do not take it lightly. I will continue to pursue academic excellence and represent Mayville State with pride. Thank you.”
The gratitude expressed in Lacey’s letter represents just one student’s appreciation, but it echoes the feelings of countless Mayville State students whose educational journeys have been shaped by scholarship support. For donors, the true value of a scholarship is not measured in dollars, but in the opportunities it creates in the life of the student it helps to transform.
As the MSU Foundation prepares to kick off its annual Academic Scholarship Drive in the coming weeks, we invite those who share a passion for student success to consider becoming part of this legacy of generosity. To learn more about how you can make a difference, visit www.mayvillestate.edu/academicscholarships.