On a surprisingly snowy day in March 2024, leadership from Marvin, the 113-year-old manufacturer of premium windows and doors, traveled from the company’s headquarters in Warroad, Minnesota, to NDSU. CEO Paul Marvin and senior vice president of human resources Val Johnson arrived on campus to commemorate Marvin’s premier partnership with the NDSU College of Engineering.
This partnership was catalyzed by Marvin’s investment in the Richard Offerdahl ’65 Engineering Complex, which will open its doors in fall 2026. As part of their visit, Paul and Val were invited to tour NDSU’s existing engineering spaces, meet with campus leadership, and learn more about opportunities to partner with the NDSU College of Business.
As Paul and Val were guided through the materials processing lab, Paul approached every student he encountered. I followed along, taking photos and listening while Paul asked each student their name, major, year in school, and what they enjoyed most about their area of study. From there, the conversations wandered in various directions, covering their hometowns, what inspired the work they were doing, and their future goals — both personal and professional.
Avery Hodell ’24, ’25 chats with Marvin CEO Paul Marvin and senior vice president of human resources Val Johnson during their NDSU tour.
After learning about each student, Paul would share some insight, opportunity, or connection to Marvin, ask the student if they had employment lined up after graduation, and share that Marvin was hiring and would be lucky to have them. It was not a sales pitch, but a genuine extension of care and opportunity.
Witnessing these interactions, I was struck by Paul and Val’s energy: wise, thoughtful, conscientious, intentional, and people-centered. From that point on, my curiosity about Marvin only grew.
This story is recent, but Marvin’s partnership with NDSU began more than 30 years ago when Marvin opened its first manufacturing facility in the Fargo area. Under the pillars of invest, engage, and employ, Marvin has fostered a unique and purposeful relationship with NDSU and its students ever since.
“We’ve long valued the reciprocal relationship between Marvin and NDSU, where students, the community, and our company collaboratively thrive,” Paul said. “Innovation is critical to our long-term commitments and success, and graduates of NDSU arrive at Marvin with core competencies and the curiosity needed to create impact in modern manufacturing careers.”
Marvin employees have given guest lectures in NDSU classes, participated in mentorship programs through the College of Engineering and College of Business, guest-starred on the student-led Power to Sell podcast, and judged fourth-year architecture students’ studio designs. The company frequently participates in NDSU’s career expos and hires NDSU students for its summer internship program.
“Marvin’s collaboration with NDSU has been 30 years in the making. Along the way, it’s developed into a deeply meaningful and mutually beneficial partnership,” Chris Barta, Marvin’s vice president of fiberglass operations who also serves on the NDSU College of Engineering Advisory and Advancement Board, said.
“Over the years, we’ve welcomed hundreds of interns from the College of Engineering, many of whom joined Marvin in full-time roles,” Chris added. “In fact, we have more than 150 NDSU alumni on our teams today. The early relationship that took root decades ago between Marvin and NDSU has led us to this important milestone in our partnership.”
Marvin is also engaged in other areas of NDSU. Chris Stith, Marvin’s vice president of human resources, serves on the NDSU College of Business Advisory Board. The company has identified academic programs where they could create connections and recruit more talent, including human resources, finance, supply chain management, and sales. Across disciplines, Marvin sees students and young professionals as an essential part of the company’s future.
“We’re embracing this moment to imagine what’s possible alongside these students,” Val said. “They arrive with fresh eyes, fearless ideas, and a way of seeing the world that challenges and inspires us. The real opportunity is inviting the students to help shape the next chapter of the Marvin story.”
Eager to create even more opportunities for the next generation of leaders, Marvin hosted a sales competition, the Frozen Showdown, at its headquarters in Warroad. In February 2025, students from NDSU and the University of Minnesota Duluth, along with campus and NDSU Foundation partners like me, were invited to experience Marvin and the Warroad community firsthand while gaining educational and networking opportunities.
One of the most valuable experiences our students had was the chance to connect with a wide range of Marvin employees, who were, in equal parts, committed, knowledgeable, passionate, intentional, and inviting.
From tours of Marvin’s headquarters, showroom, and hometown of Warroad to pre-competition preparation and the judges panel, each interaction between students and members of the Marvin team offered a glimpse into the company’s values, its culture, and the quality of life in Warroad.
“Marvin is such a unique company with how much they genuinely care and want to do good,” Amanda Waletski ’25, a finance and business administration graduate who participated in the Frozen Showdown, said. “The sales competition felt so personable and specifically tailored to [us] students.”
Marvin debuted the newly renovated north wing of its headquarters facility in February 2024, just one year before our arrival for the Frozen Showdown. Blending modern, intentional design with deep respect for tradition, every detail paints a picture of Marvin’s future while honoring a story about its history.
The company’s legacy of innovation and leadership is rooted in its founder, George G. Marvin, whose community-focused vision evolved into a thriving nationwide business thanks to an ongoing commitment to quality and a belief in putting people first.
Today, Marvin is a global leader in window and door manufacturing, and George’s values continue to ring true. At Marvin, thinking differently isn’t just about products — it’s about people, and the recognition that progress happens when unique perspectives come together to solve challenges in new and creative ways.
Whether it’s integrating sustainable materials, reimagining workspaces to foster collaboration, or investing in talent that brings fresh insights, Marvin is committed to evolving with intention.
Marvin’s Warroad headquarters is more than just an office — it’s a hub for ideas. With open spaces, natural light, and a seamless connection to Warroad’s remarkable landscape, Marvin has created an environment that promotes creativity and well-being.
This philosophy is evident in Marvin’s sprawling manufacturing spaces as well. By blending safety and efficiency with deep-rooted values, the company has created an environment where employees can elevate their work, challenge assumptions, and drive the business forward. The manufacturing floor is more than a plant — it’s a testament to Marvin’s belief that when people are given the space to innovate, great things happen.
At the NDSU Foundation, one of the things our president and CEO, John Glover, consistently reminds the team is that our north star is support to campus. When we have the opportunity to collaborate with industry partners like Marvin to support student success — in the classroom and in their careers — we are delivering on our mission. Together, we answer the call to help prepare NDSU students for whatever the future holds, whether that be in research, industry, or simply the way they make people feel.
Marvin’s intentionality and thoughtfulness toward its employees, guests, and the Warroad community are equally evident in its partnership with NDSU. The company is actively collaborating with the University and Foundation to ask and explore essential questions that will shape the future of both education and industry.
What do students need in order to learn and thrive in college so that they can meet their career goals? How do we best invest in, support, and prepare them for their futures?
As NDSU President Dave Cook often emphasizes, and genuinely believes, “Industry partnerships are the future of higher education.” The University’s partnership with Marvin is a strong example of why that’s such a positive and promising direction.
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