April 6, 2026
91³Ô¹ÏÍø welcomed Governor Kelly and First Lady Kjersti Armstrong to campus Thursday, April 2, 2026, for a visit highlighting the renovation of Old Main and the university’s newly established archery program.
A guided tour of Old Main, MSU’s historic cornerstone building, kicked off the visit. The building is currently undergoing a complete renovation. 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State President Dr. Brian Van Horn and university and PCL/Community Contractors (Construction Manager at Risk) leaders shared the story of the building’s transformation, emphasizing the care being taken to preserve its architectural legacy on the exterior while updating interior spaces to better serve the students of today and tomorrow.
The Governor and First Lady, along with Governor’s office staff, saw classrooms, gathering spaces, and offices, gaining a firsthand look at how the revitalized building will support teaching, learning, and community engagement.
During the 2023 legislative session, 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State was fortunate to be granted $52,254,901 in state funding for the renovation of Old Main. The renovation is transformational, not only for the building, but also for the entire university, community, and region.
Following the Old Main tour, guests joined university representatives and the Comets archery team for lunch at Norsemen Hall in Portland, N.D., where the team practices and prepares for competitions. Governor Armstrong, 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State President Dr. Brian Van Horn, and 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State First Lady, Nina, joined the archery team for some friendly archery shooting games.
Governor Armstrong’s visit provided an opportunity to highlight 91³Ô¹ÏÍø State’s strong tradition, vibrant campus life, and commitment to student success while offering a memorable and engaging experience for all involved.
