Thank you Moorhead

It’s no secret to anyone who’s read my biweekly columns that I am a passionate supporter of Moorhead. So, each year when I’m invited to submit my column early for this special issue, I jump at the chance. I simply can’t pass up the opportunity to express my gratitude to the community that feels more like my “hometown” than anyplace I’ve ever lived.

Given my upcoming retirement, it’s bittersweet to reflect on what I’ve loved most about being part of this community for the past twelve years. The list of things I’m grateful for is long and includes intangible qualities that, while difficult to quantify, add up to a strong sense of belonging and pride.  It also includes some very tangible, practical things that have dramatically improved my quality of life during the past year. It’s inherently inadequate because the whole is much greater than the sum of its parts.  But here are just a few items from my list:

Completion of the railroad grade separation project and the enhancements to Center Avenue. The newly unveiled vision for our downtown. Sidewalk and water tower art. Moorhead High School’s state-of-the-art Career Academy. YES56560 and the vote for a new library and community center. Access to high quality daycare for my dog. Facebook groups that support our local businesses. Strong business and community support for education. Bluestem and Trollwood and The Rourke and Hjemkomst. Our own community newspaper. My Rotary club. Rustica and Thai Orchid and Junkyard and Swing Barrel and Sol Avenue Kitchen. The solar garden. Our city manager and our mayor (who’s a Dragon…just saying). Our downtown Dairy Queen. The Freez. Community support for MSUM. Our resident turkeys.

Happy Thanksgiving, Moorhead.  And thank you for giving me so many reasons to be grateful over the past twelve years.

Dr. Anne Blackhurst served as Minnesota State University Moorhead’s 11th president from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2023.