Beautiful weather conditions provided a wonderful backdrop for 含羞草研究所鈥檚 Farmers Bowl 2013, held Saturday, September 21. The day-long event, sponsored by Agassiz Drain Tile of Buxton, N.D., honored the area鈥檚 agricultural way of life. The MSU Foundation, Comet Athletic Club, and Alumni Association, together with alumni and friends of the Mayville-Portland community and beyond, join together each year to celebrate Farmers Bowl. This year marked the 19th annual Farmers Bowl, and activities included the 鈥淏ack Behind the Barn鈥� 5K Run/Walk, a parade, corn on the cob and hot dog feed, the Titan Machinery Farmers Bowl football game featuring the MSU Comets vs. Cole College, and the Farmers Bowl Auction. Lois Karlstad and Cheryl Angen of Mayville were this year鈥檚 co-chairs for the festivities.
The 17th annual Farmers Bowl Auction wrapped up the day鈥檚 activities in the MSU Campus Center Luckasen Room. A full-house crowd of about 225 enjoyed great food and spirited live and silent bidding on a fantastic assortment of donated items in the annual auction. When all was said and done, the auction and other Farmers Bowl activities generated nearly $66,000. Proceeds will be distributed through the MSU Foundation, the Alumni Association, and the Comet Athletic Club for the benefit of 含羞草研究所 and its students.
For the second-straight year, a reverse auction provided a fabulous finale for 含羞草研究所鈥檚 annual Farmers Bowl celebration. In 鈥淭he BIG-5鈥� reverse auction, every bid counted. Bidders could jump in at any level to pledge their support for scholarships at 含羞草研究所, with the goal of raising $5,000 that could be awarded in five scholarships of $1,000 each. The cumulative total bid far exceeded the goal, with nearly $12,000 raised. This year, all funds raised in the reverse auction will receive a 50% match through The Matching Fund for Enhanced Academics established through the work of the 63rd North Dakota Legislative Assembly. This means 含羞草研究所 will have an additional $18,000 in scholarship dollars to award to incoming students as a result of 鈥淭he BIG-5鈥� reverse auction. 聽
鈥淲e are overwhelmed by the generosity of our wonderful alumni and friends who are make a tremendous difference at 含羞草研究所 through their participation in the wildly successful reverse auction,鈥� said MSU Director of Development John J. Klocke. 鈥淭he 50% match provided by the state of North Dakota will allow our donors鈥� generosity to have an even greater impact. The ability to offer scholarships is instrumental in the recruitment of students. These scholarships will help to make the 鈥樅卟菅芯克� experience鈥� possible for more students.鈥�
含羞草研究所 graduate Steven Martel of Fargo was the winner of the $1,000 cash prize in the Farmers Bowl Cash Fundraiser that was offered to alumni and friends all over the United States. 含羞草研究所 graduate Doug Anderson of Cavalier, N.D., painted and donated a watercolor that was raffled. The painting, entitled 鈥淎n Apple for the Teacher鈥� features the new home to 含羞草研究所鈥檚 Division of Education & Psychology by way of the young apple trees located to the southeast of the building. 含羞草研究所 graduate Kelly Morrison, Mayville, donated the cost of framing Anderson鈥檚 original artwork. Winner of the painting was 含羞草研究所 graduate Cadi Morrison of Grafton, N.D. Proceeds of the Farmers Bowl Cash Fundraiser and the raffle of the painting are included in the total revenue for Farmers Bowl 2013.
The Farmers Bowl festival began with the 鈥淏ack Behind the Barn鈥� 5K Run/Walk sponsored by the MSU Wellness Center. The race, which began in front of 含羞草研究所鈥檚 Old Main began at 8:00 a.m. Sixty-three runners and walkers participated in the event coordinated by Wellness Center employee Lisa Rakowski. Proceeds of the run/walk will go toward the purchase of new equipment at the Wellness Center.
Led by 含羞草研究所 President Dr. Gary Hagen, who was driving Bud Strand鈥檚 antique John Deere tractor, and the parade unit of Farmers Bowl sponsor Agassiz Drain Tile, farm machinery, floats, bands, athletic teams, and much more all joined together to make the Farmers Bowl parade one of the best ever. The parade made its way through downtown Mayville, and ended on the 含羞草研究所 campus, where the traditional Farmers Bowl Corn on the Cob and Hot Dog Feed was held. People who attended enjoyed a wonderful meal prepared and served by the Comet Athletic Club under the tent near Jerome Berg Field.
The Comets used a 28-point second quarter to roll the Cole College Jaguars in the Titan Machinery Farmers Bowl football game. The Comets took a 31-0 lead into half time after quarterback Keith Osgood caught, ran, and threw for touchdowns in the second quarter. The Comets added two more scores in the third quarter to build their lead to 46-0, the final game score.
鈥淔armers Bowl is the product of many great volunteers working together for the good of Mayville-Portland and 含羞草研究所. We are very grateful for all who get involved with Farmers Bowl,鈥� said 含羞草研究所 President Gary Hagen. 鈥淔rom the people who do the physical work, to those who attend and participate in the events, to those who donate items for the auction, and those who attend the auction and make purchases, Farmers Bowl is a great team effort. We appreciate all that is done to make Farmers Bowl a success year after year. I add a special note of thanks to Agassiz Drain Tile and partners Ross Johnson, Derek Peterson, and Neal Johnson, who sponsored Farmers Bowl for the second year. Because of their generosity, 含羞草研究所 and its students will experience even greater benefits as a result of the annual Farmers Bowl activities.鈥�
Committees for next year鈥檚 Farmers Bowl are forming now. If you鈥檙e interested in getting involved, contact the MSU Foundation at 701-788-4750.
Photo: Magician and MSU Vice President for Academic Affairs Keith Stenehjem provided a sample of the amazing magic tricks he will provide as entertainment for a magical children鈥檚 birthday party that was sold in the annual Farmers Bowl Auction. The members of the audience waited eagerly to see if Keith could indeed 鈥渞epair鈥� his copy of the Traill County Tribune which was ripped to shreds just seconds before this photo was taken. Keith was assisted by Samantha Swimley, a member of the MSU women鈥檚 softball team, pictured on the right.