MSU President's Newspaper Column
July 25, 2026
New beginnings and lasting legacies
As the calendar turns to August, there is a familiar sense of anticipation on the Mayville State University campus. Residence halls will soon fill with students. Athletic teams will return to practice. Faculty and staff will be putting the finishing touches on preparations for another academic year.
The first signs of the new year will be evident when members of the Comet football team arrive on campus on August 3 as they begin to get ready for the 2026 season. The Comets will open their schedule on the road at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa, on August 29 before their first home game of the season on September 12. The Comets will be hosting University of Minnesota Morris on that day.
Volleyball will also be back in action soon. The Comets will play an exhibition match at Minot State University on August 18 before traveling to Sioux City for the Siouxland Invitational August 21-22. Fans will get their first opportunity to see the team at home when Mayville State hosts Montana Tech on September 4.
While students and athletes prepare to return, the Mayville State family is looking ahead to some favorite annual traditions. The Homecoming and Farmers Bowl festivities will again be combined this year and are scheduled for September 18 and 19. Alumni, friends, students, and community members can expect a weekend filled with celebration, connection, and Comet pride. Learn more about what is planned at www.mayvillestate.edu/Homecoming2026.
Before that, supporters will have opportunities to help two Mayville State athletic programs through annual golf events at the Mayville Golf Club. The Around the Horn Golf Tournament, which benefits Comet Baseball, is set for August 7. Information is available at www.mayvillestate.edu/aroundthehorn. The Gridiron Club’s annual tournament will follow on August 15, supporting Comet Football. Details can be found at www.mayvillestate.edu/gridirongolf.
Academically, the fall semester officially begins on August 24, with classes starting at 4 p.m. that day. The first full day of classes will be August 25 as students settle into routines, reconnect with friends, and begin the opportunities and challenges that a new semester always brings. It’s not too late to enroll for the fall semester! Visit www.mayvillestate.edu or email recruitment@mayvillestate.edu to learn more.
As exciting as these preparations are, we are also reminded that life rarely unfolds exactly as we expect.
We recently learned of the passing of Gary Stordahl, who died on July 13. Gary began working in Mayville State’s facilities services department in 2003 and retired late in 2025. Many members of the campus community knew Gary, not because he looked for attention, but because he was always there.
Working nights and countless weekends throughout the years, Gary quietly helped keep campus functioning. He was dependable, kind, and unfailingly consistent. He showed up every day and took pride in doing his work well. The Mayville State campus is better because of Gary’s care and dedication.
Universities often celebrate milestones, championships, and accomplishments, and rightfully so. Yet, institutions are truly built by people like Gary, individuals who work behind the scenes, ask for little recognition, and leave an imprint through their daily actions and steadfast commitment.
As we get ready for the excitement of another academic year, we also pause to remember and appreciate those who helped make Mayville State what it is today. We were fortunate to have Gary as part of our family for more than two decades. It is easy to imagine that somewhere beyond this life, he is still doing what he loved, tinkering, fixing something, lending a hand, and making things just a little better than he found them.
The coming weeks will bring new beginnings, fresh opportunities, and plenty of activity across campus. As always, we look forward to welcoming students back to Mayville State and celebrating another year of learning, competition, service, and community. Along the way, we will also carry forward the memories of people like Gary Stordahl, whose quiet dedication helped make this place feel like home.