Dr. Brian Van Horn, President | Mayville State University
Dr. Brian Van Horn, President | Mayville State University
Dr. Merwin and Myrna Lyng, along with Jim Lyng, will be recognized during Mayville State University's Homecoming 2025 celebrations. The university will honor the Lyngs at the Homecoming Awards Dinner on Friday, September 26, at 6 p.m. in the Campus Center Luckasen Room.
The event will include the naming of the Dr. Merwin J. and Myrna Lyng Department of Mathematics and the grand opening of the Jim Lyng Hall of Fame. Other honorees at the dinner are Marlene (Viseth) Kensrud and Alan O’Neil, recipients of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award; Athletic Hall of Fame inductees Larry Omdahl, Dave Ouradnik, DeMarcus Rideaux, Scott Terry, and the 1999 baseball team; and Bruce Belseth as an Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame inductee.
Dr. Merwin J. Lyng taught mathematics at Mayville State for four decades and was recognized for his commitment to mathematics education through textbook writing and participation in national and international conventions. He also conducted research on mathematics education in China and the former USSR. Upon retirement, he was named “Professor Emeritus of Mathematics.” Mrs. Myrna Lyng is also a former faculty member known for her volunteer work at MSU.
According to Mayville State University, "Separately and as a couple, Dr. Merwin J. and Myrna Lyng have had a profound influence on the college and beyond." The university also notes their "generosity includes substantial financial support for Mayville State and its athletic and cultural programs, as well as decades of faithful attendance at 'all things Comet.' Their financial support includes endowing the Merwin and Myrna Lyng Family Mathematics Scholarship. The philanthropy will continue as they have named MSU a significant beneficiary to their estate."
Both were previously honored with the Mayville State University Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award, while Dr. Merwin Lyng also received the association's Distinguished Alumni Award.
Jim Lyng’s bequest funded the digital Jim Lyng Hall of Fame located in Lewy Lee Fieldhouse’s foyer, which provides interactive access to information about past Athletic Hall of Fame honorees. The release states: "Jim Lyng named the college a beneficiary in his will and that bequest provided the funding for the digital Jim Lyng Hall of Fame, which can be seen in the foyer at the front entrance to Mayville State’s Lewy Lee Fieldhouse." During his 32 years working in athletics facilities management at MSU, he supervised approximately 2,000 student workers.
He was also awarded the Mayville State University Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award for his service.
Tickets for the Homecoming Awards Dinner are $30 each and must be purchased in advance through www.mayvillestate.edu/homecoming2025 or by contacting foundation@mayvillestate.edu or calling 701-788-4864.
The full schedule for Homecoming/Farmers Bowl events is available online at www.mayvillestate.edu/Homecoming2025.
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