Mayville Normal School (1889–1925) Mayville State Teacher's College (1925–1964) Mayville State College (1964–1965) State University of North Dakota at Mayville (1965–1987)
Classes began in 1889, with funds for the current Old Main a building provided by the Second Legislative Assembly in early 1891, where classes were initially held in 1894. In 1926, the State Board of Higher Education authorized Mayville State to grant a Bachelor of Arts in education. The Mayville Normal School thus became Mayville State Teacher's College, providing general education and offering a four-year degree. Successive additions strengthened the curriculum; and as enrollment grew, new buildings appeared.
In 1948, the B.A. in Education became a B.S. in Education and the first non-teaching Bachelor of Arts was offered in 1961. In 1973 and 1982, Mayville State College established programs in business administration and computer studies respectively. In the early 1980s, the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of General Studies became available. The present name, Mayville State University, was approved by the legislature in 1987.
Campus
In 1985, multiple campus buildings were recognized by the National Register of Historic Places with the creation of the Mayville Historic District.[1]
On April 9, 2010, the university broke ground on "the first state funded building in more than 40 years." Agassiz Hall, the largest residence hall has been remodeled to provide suite- and apartment-style living accommodations for men and women. An addition to the science and library buildings is providing a new home for the Division of Education and Psychology. Great progress continues to be made on a state-funded HPER project, which involves replacement of the 1929 Old Gymnasium and expansion of classroom and lab/practice space for Sports Management, Fitness and Wellness, Health Education, and Physical Education majors.
Mayville State competes in six intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball and football; while women's sports include basketball, softball and volleyball.
Men's basketball
The Mayville State Comets men's basketball team finished runner-up at the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Tournament in 2007. This is the only men's basketball team in North Dakota history to play in a national collegiate championship game. Head coach Darren lead the team to back to back to back tournament championships.
Mayville State volleyball made a national tournament appearance in 2021. The program has had several all-american players. The newest All American includes Honorable Mention Elora Passa.
^Plummer, William; Floyd, Larry C. (2013). A Series Of Their Own: History Of The Women's College World Series. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States: Turnkey Communications Inc. ISBN978-0-9893007-0-4.