Larry McGillis will receive the inaugural honorary Master of Science in Leadership degree from Mayville State University, according to a May 8 announcement. The university is recognizing McGillis for his leadership and longstanding support of both the institution and the Mayville-Portland community.
McGillis, who grew up in Edmore, North Dakota, attended Mayville State in the early 1960s and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1967. After nearly a decade teaching music education, he went on to own and operate MayPort Insurance (Hub). Throughout his career as a businessman, he has consistently contributed to community initiatives alongside his wife Dixie.
The couple has served in various leadership roles that have supported local organizations including schools, churches, arts programs, and recreational facilities. They have also established several endowed scholarships at Mayville State University such as the Larry & Dixie McGillis Music Makers Scholarship Endowment and the McGillis Family Academic Honors Endowment. Their philanthropy extends to projects like artificial turf for Jerome Berg Field and the Military Honor Garden. The family is part of the MSU Foundation Honor Society which acknowledges significant financial contributions.
“Mayville State University and the Mayville-Portland community are stronger because of Larry McGillis and his family. Their leadership, kindness, and generosity have made a profound and lasting difference,” said Dr. Brian Van Horn, President of Mayville State University. “Through their benevolence they have transformed the lives of countless students and graduates, individuals who, in turn, are making a positive impact across North Dakota and beyond. We are deeply grateful to Larry and Dixie McGillis and their family. One of the most remarkable things about the McGillis family is their unwavering commitment to leading initiatives that benefit both the university and the community. In each case, they are among the first to give, truly living the values they so generously support.”
Mayville State University nurtures an inclusive setting that encourages intellectual exploration while fostering excellence through engaging learning environments; it also builds partnerships with communities for economic growth according to its official website. The university offers undergraduate degrees as well as master’s programs featuring hands-on experiences; it belongs to both accredited bodies such as Higher Learning Commission along with specialized recognitions for its education and nursing programs.
