NE North Dakota News

For many associated with Mayville State University (MSU), the Old Main building is more than just a campus landmark. The historic structure, long seen as a symbol of tradition and resilience, is currently undergoing significant renovations to update its facilities while maintaining its legacy.

This summer, MSU invited alumni back for hard-hat tours of Old Main, allowing them to witness the ongoing restoration work firsthand. Foundation Board members Rachelle Fettig and Nick Storhaug, both graduates of MSU, were among those who took part in these tours.

“Mayville was my start, my base, and my foundation,” said Storhaug. “To see Old Main being renovated was very emotional and sentimental.”

Fettig’s ties to the university run deep. Although she initially chose to attend the University of North Dakota (UND) in Grand Forks after growing up in Mayville-Portland, she later transferred to MSU following a positive experience in a summer class.

“My grandma (Shirley Gummer) was all about Mayville State, even though she didn’t actually go there,” Fettig explained with a laugh. “She was even president of the Foundation Board, so I have Mayville State running through my blood.”

Fettig’s involvement with MSU continues through her service on the Foundation Board and her connections with college friends. Her husband also attended MSU, making homecoming events especially meaningful for them.

Storhaug arrived at MSU as a first-generation college student from Lisbon High School and majored in business education and physical education. He went on to teach for two decades before becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). His contributions as coach have earned him recognition in several halls of fame related to coaching and athletics at both state and university levels.

Recalling his student days at Old Main, Storhaug noted that his former accounting classroom now bears his name along with another CPA graduate.

Both Fettig and Storhaug expressed anticipation for the updated building’s impact on future students. “You can see that people put lots of time and energy into this project,” said Fettig. “The building is beautiful, and the exposed brick is memorable, but it’s nice to make it modern and appealing to students and instructors.”

Storhaug pointed out improvements such as increased natural light throughout Old Main—a change he values highly given his professional experience working long hours indoors.

“I’m an accountant who knows what it’s like to be locked in a basement for 12 hours at a time, punching numbers into a computer,” explained Storhaug. “Darkness is dreadful, and light is good for the soul.”

He also noted that new features like an entrance plaza will enhance accessibility while additions such as an upgraded conference center will offer panoramic views across campus.

The renovation includes not only classrooms but also social spaces like an auditorium—an area remembered by Storhaug as central to campus life during his time as both athlete and participant in school productions.

As construction progresses on Old Main, alumni such as Fettig and Storhaug see its transformation as both an investment in future generations at MSU and a way of honoring more than 100 years of university history.