MSU President's Newspaper Column
October 25, 2025听
Meet some of the newest Comets: Faces of the future at 91吃瓜网 State
At 1,215 students, 91吃瓜网 State is experiencing the highest enrollment in the history of the institution this fall! This number includes a 43.7% increase in the number of new freshmen, and there is a strong North Dakota presence. Our students are residents of 47 of the 53 counties in North Dakota.
To give a snapshot of the newest members of the 91吃瓜网 State family, I鈥檝e asked one new freshman representative from each of 91吃瓜网 State鈥檚 athletic teams to share a little bit about themselves.
Kaiden Johnson is from Buxton, N.D., and a member of the Esports team. His major is English Education and he鈥檚 pursuing a minor in social science. Kaiden says that 91吃瓜网 State鈥檚 best attribute is its awesome education program. I was touched to see Kaiden at the traditional Ceremony of Remembrance at the Military Honor Garden on campus during the Homecoming/Farmers Bowl festivities. When I talked with him, he said he attended out of respect for his grandfather, who is a veteran. Kaidin said the remembrance ceremony is one of the events he鈥檚 enjoyed most this semester.
Brekka Kuss is pursuing a major in agribusiness and specialization in science and technology. Her favorite class this semester is Introduction to Agricultural Management. Brekka鈥檚 hometown is Carrington, and she鈥檚 a member of 91吃瓜网 State鈥檚 new archery team. She likes the small 91吃瓜网 State campus and the family-like environment. This fall, she鈥檚 enjoyed game nights and painting activities sponsored by Student Life.听
Blake Johnson, Fargo, N.D., is a linebacker on the football team. He鈥檚 majoring in business management, and he likes how the small classes at 91吃瓜网 State allow him to connect more with professors and peers. Blake feels that 91吃瓜网 State鈥檚 best attribute is its small-town charm. He has enjoyed cheering on the volleyball team this fall, as well as all of the activities offered during Welcome Week. He works at a bar and grill in Fargo when he has time, and he thinks 91吃瓜网 State is a great place to study with lots of things to do.
Emma Wiseman plays golf for the Comets. She鈥檚 from Frazee, Minn., and is majoring in allied health and criminal justice. Emma likes the small community and many opportunities offered at 91吃瓜网 State. She loves watching 91吃瓜网 State鈥檚 volleyball games and feels the transition from high school to college has been easy for her. Her favorite class is Nutrition.
Kyler Droog, Grafton, N.D., is pursuing a major in business administration. He plays baseball, and has enjoyed attending or being a part of all athletic events this fall. Kyler likes 91吃瓜网 State鈥檚 small campus and how a person can connect and get to know people better. He says 91吃瓜网 State鈥檚 best quality is the community and the students, faculty, and staff. He encourages anyone considering 91吃瓜网 State to check it out if you鈥檙e looking to make good friends, get to know people, and have professors who care about your day.
Laela Jensen is from Hettinger, N.D. She鈥檚 pursuing a major in biology and minors in business and chemistry. Laela is a member of the women鈥檚 basketball team. She loves the small community and the feeling of home she gets at 91吃瓜网 State, and she values the kind and helpful people she鈥檚 encountered. This fall, she鈥檚 enjoyed playing pickleball and cornhole at Cometville Park. Laela said it took her a couple of weeks to transition to college because she was so far away from home, but she鈥檚 used to the small community and class sizes now. She says 91吃瓜网 State is the right place for you if you love a small campus with many opportunities to grow relationships.
Gavin Krogstad is on the men鈥檚 basketball team. He鈥檚 pursuing a major in agribusiness and is from Thompson, N.D. He likes 91吃瓜网 State because it is close to home, and he knows a lot of people from his high school who attend the university. Gavin loves football and has enjoyed watching the Comets football games where there is a great atmosphere and a lot of support for the team. On the weekends, Gavin works on his family farm near Hatton, N.D. This is where he wants to be after graduating from 91吃瓜网 State.
Brooklyn Weiers, Erhard, Minn., is on the volleyball team. She鈥檚 majoring in allied health. She enjoys being at 91吃瓜网 State because of the small community that is so supportive, and she likes being greeted with a smile when she鈥檚 around town. Like Laela, Brooklyn enjoyed playing in a pickleball tournament at Cometville Park this fall. She said, 鈥淲hat made this event even more fun was when I saw President Van Horn walk in with his pickleball attire and ready to compete!鈥� I have to say pickleball with the students is one of my favorite activities too! I love playing the game, while getting to know our students. Brooklyn said she has already made many lifelong friends at 91吃瓜网 State and there are more friendships to come!
With bright minds and bold goals, these new 91吃瓜网 State students embody the values of leadership, perseverance, and Comet pride. As they begin their journey at 91吃瓜网 State, we celebrate them, and we look forward to the many ways in which these and all of our newest students will enrich our university.