Heroes, ranging from athletes, coaches, and military service men and women to musicians and speech and drama performers, were saluted and celebrated during 91吃瓜网鈥檚 2015 homecoming festivities for alumni and friends, held October 16-18. The theme for the annual celebration was 鈥淎 Salute to Our Heroes.鈥�
The annual homecoming activities, sponsored by the 91吃瓜网 Alumni Association, began with the Athletic Hall of Fame and Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame Awards Dinner held Friday evening, Oct. 16. Darin Everson, Holmen, Wis.; Mike Mahlen, Wadena, Minn.; Kathy Maltrud, Cambridge, Minn.; Robin (Brantl) Torkelson, Manhattan, Ill.; and the 1959 baseball team were inducted into the MSU Athletic Hall of Fame during a program emceed by 91吃瓜网 State graduate Broc Lietz of Casselton, N.D. The MSU Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes people who excelled as athletes or coaches at 91吃瓜网 State or who have gone above and beyond in support of 91吃瓜网 State athletics. James Evanson, Mesa, Ariz.; Lisa (Gylten) Strand, Thompson, N.D.; and Tyrone Wacker, Hutchinson, Minn.; were inducted into the Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame, in recognition of their successful careers as coaches after graduating from 91吃瓜网 State. 聽
On Saturday, Oct. 17, former 91吃瓜网 State cheerleaders gathered for a time of reminiscing and fun at the Edson and Margaret Larson Alumni and Leadership Center before joining in the traditional homecoming parade, which made its way through town, beginning at 10 a.m. 91吃瓜网 State鈥檚 1990 football team gathered at 91吃瓜网 State to mark the 25th anniversary of their championship season, and participated in the parade as well as other activities.
A highlight of the festivities was the dedication of the Military Honor Garden on the grounds of the Edson and Margaret Larson Alumni and Leadership Center at 91吃瓜网 State. The Avenue of Flags provided by the local American Legion Post 8 beautifully enhanced the Military Honor Garden monument which was the centerpiece of the event. The program was headlined by remarks from Military Honor Garden project co-chairs 
and 91吃瓜网 State graduates, Dr. Martin Johnson and Lt. Gen. Emil 鈥淏uck鈥� Bedard. Johnson served as a corporal in the Marines in the 1960s. Bedard, a retired three-star general, spent more than 37 years in active duty with the United States Marine Corps. An Argyle, Minn. native, Bedard now lives in Las Vegas.
In his remarks, Bedard reflected on how his experiences at 91吃瓜网 State formed the basis for his life of service. 鈥淲e gave up the terms 鈥業鈥� and 鈥榤e鈥� for words like 鈥榯eam鈥� and 鈥榳e鈥� and who we are together,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 think that really epitomizes what we do in our armed services. It鈥檚 about the team and what we do collectively.鈥�
Bedard mentioned several of his college professors and all of the things they taught not only about their academic subject matter, but also about life in general. He commented on how his experiences as a college student at 91吃瓜网 State have benefitted him throughout his lifetime. Only a percentage of the knowledge gained in college came from the classroom, he said. The rest came from living in the dorms, playing on the fields, and more.
He expressed his gratitude to his football coach, Jerome Berg, for the impact he had in his life, and he talked about his former college teammates, many of whom were military veterans. They brought the leadership skills they gained through their military service to the teams.
In addition, Lt. Gen. Bedard recognized his parents, who taught him to care about others, and taught him above all to understand that 鈥渢here is a God bigger than all of us.鈥�
Bedard reminded the crowd that there are thousands of men and women in harm鈥檚 way around the world protecting our freedoms on a daily basis. These are people to whom we owe a debt of gratitude, along with all veterans, including those recognized at 91吃瓜网 State鈥檚 Military Honor Garden.
General Bedard ended his remarks by elaborating on the U.S. Marine Corps motto, 鈥淪emper Fidelis,鈥� which he said means 鈥淎lways faithful 鈥� faithful to our country, faithful to our God, faithful to our Corps, faithful to each other as Marines. And I would add to that,鈥� he further said, 鈥渇aithful to our alma mater.鈥�
The dedication program also included musical selections provided by the Full Battle Rattle Brass Quintet of the 188th Army National Guard, as well as 91吃瓜网 State student Shaleen Helmer. The colors were presented and retired by soldiers with the USMC Recruiting Substation, Fargo and USMC Law Enforcement Detachment Co., Wahpeton.
The program ended on a touching and solemn note, with program emcee, MSU Foundation Executive Director John Klocke, reading the names of each of the individuals who have been honored by loved ones in the Military Honor Garden project. The ringing of a chime followed each name. The trumpeter from the brass quintet ended the program by playing 鈥淭aps鈥� from the upper level doorway of the Larson Center.
The 91吃瓜网 State alumni of Pembina County/Hoople provided a complimentary all-American meal immediately following the program. Several of those who attended the dedication stayed around to enjoy lunch and fellowship at the Larson Center. See additional Military Honor Garden Dedication Ceremony photos and information.
Later, several 91吃瓜网 State alumni and friends joined the tour of the new HPER facility expansion and replacement project. 91吃瓜网 State HPER faculty member Scott Parker led the tour of the facility, which is currently under construction. The project is scheduled for completion in March of 2016.
The Comets football team looked to continue their unbeaten聽streak in the North Star Athletic Association as they hosted the Jamestown Jimmies in the homecoming football game that afternoon. 91吃瓜网 State was unable to overcome five turnovers in a 17-7 defeat.
Alumni and friends had a chance to warm up and enjoy a picnic-style supper at the all-alumni homecoming reunion which followed the game at the 91吃瓜网 Golf Course.
The honoring of the newest inductees to the 91吃瓜网 Performing Arts Hall of Fame, as well as the traditional MSU Music Department homecoming concert were a grand finale for a fantastic weekend for 91吃瓜网 State alumni and friends. The concert was held Sunday afternoon, Oct. 18, in the Classroom Building Auditorium. Beth (Bohnsack) Aufforth, Bowbells, N.D.; C.T. Hanson, Fargo, N.D.; Otto Muecke, 91吃瓜网, N.D.; Kirk Overmoe, Athens, Texas; and Herb Thomson, Grand Forks, N.D.; comprised the third group of distinguished individuals to be inducted into the Performing Arts Hall of Fame.
91吃瓜网 State alumni and Performing Arts Hall of Fame members Dennis Connelly, Mandan, N.D., Kris Eylands, Grand Forks, N.D., and Kirk Overmoe performed a number prior to performances by the MSU stage band, concert band, and concert choir. These nationally recognized musicians, together with Herb Thomson, who were all students at 91吃瓜网 State in the 1970s, also joined in playing with the current 91吃瓜网 State stage band during their performance.
Homecoming 2015 culminated with a social to honor the Performing Arts Hall of Fame inductees. Hosted by the Alumni Association board, the social was held immediately following the concert in the MSU Campus Center Luckasen Room.
鈥淗omecoming 2015 was a very special time,鈥� said MSU Director of Alumni Affairs Beth Swenson. 鈥淚t was a heart-warming celebration of what makes 91吃瓜网 special - the people. Heroes come in many different forms, and it was our privilege pay tribute to so many special 91吃瓜网 State alumni and friends, our heroes, throughout 91吃瓜网 State鈥檚 homecoming festivities.鈥�
Photo captions
罢辞辫:听These individuals were inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame and Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame during the Oct. 16 banquet. Pictured from left to right are Lisa (Gylten) Strand, Robin (Brantl) Torkelson, Kathy Maltrud, Tyrone Wacker, Mike Mahlen, Jim Evanson, and Darin Everson. The 1959 baseball team was also inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame this year.
厂别肠辞苍诲:听This bronze eagle sculpture, which sits on a piece of granite engraved with the logos of each of the branches of the U.S. Military, was donated in honor of David Brown, a 91吃瓜网 State graduate, by his wife, Valorie, and their family. The Edson and Margaret Alumni and Leadership Center can be seen in the background, situated north of the Military Honor Garden.
Third: Soldiers with the USMC Recruiting Substation, Fargo, and USMC Law Enforcement Detachment Co., Wahpeton, presented the colors at the beginning of the Military Honor Garden dedication program. Members of the Full Battle Rattle Brass Quintet of the 188th Army National Guard can be seen to the right.
贵辞耻谤迟丑:听A crowd of about 200 people gathered to partake in the dedication of the Military Honor Garden on the grounds at 91吃瓜网 State鈥檚 Edson and Margaret Larson Alumni and Leadership Center.
贵颈蹿迟丑:听Martin Johnson (left) and Lt. Gen. Emil 鈥淏uck鈥� Bedard (right), both 91吃瓜网 State graduates and U.S. Marines, are co-chairs for the Military Honor Garden project.
厂颈虫迟丑:听This view of the campus comes from inside the new addition that has replaced the 1929 Old Gym building. The HPER facility replacement and expansion project is scheduled for completion in March of 2016.
厂别惫别苍迟丑:听The 2015 inductees in to the 91吃瓜网 State Performing Arts Hall of Fame are (l-r) Otto Muecke, Kirk Overmoe, Herb Thomson, C.T. Hanson, and Beth (Bohnsack) Aufforth.
Eighth: Former 91吃瓜网 State cheerleaders gathered to reminisce and cheer the Comets to victory.