Alumni Award: Rolly Muller '85 to Receive Paxton Service Award

Published Monday, September 14, 2026

Rolly Muller '85

For Rolly Muller ’85, service to Southwest Minnesota State University has never been something extra. It has simply been part of who she is.

That steady commitment is being celebrated this year as Muller receives the John and Kathy Paxton Alumni Service Award, which recognizes alumni whose dedication, generosity, and service have made a lasting impact on SMSU.

“I was surprised,” Muller said of learning she had been selected for the award. “I asked, ‘So can I find out who nominated me?’”

Muller graduated from SMSU in 1985 with bachelor's degrees in Business Administration and Marketing, as well as an associate degree in Office Administration. A Marshall native, she transferred to SMSU after briefly attending St. Cloud State, a decision that would shape both her career and lifelong connection to the University.

In August 1986, she joined SMSU as an office administrative assistant in Health, Physical Education, and Athletics. Over time, her work became centered in Athletics, where she served as Senior Woman Administrator and Assistant Athletic Director beginning in 1994. In 2015, she transitioned to the role of Assistant to the Academic Deans. After 38 years of service, she retired in July 2024.

During nearly four decades at SMSU, Muller became known as someone who could be counted on to keep things running smoothly. In Athletics, she worked with conference and NCAA committees, regional ranking committees, postseason administration, budgeting, eligibility, ticketing, game management, booster club support, and Minnesota State High School League tournament coordination. She also served on numerous campus committees, search committees, union committees, technology committees, and the University calendar committee.

“To me, a lot of what I did was just my job,” Muller said. “But I always tried to go above and beyond to do the best that I could and to treat people well.”

That commitment often extended beyond her formal responsibilities. Among her favorite memories was coordinating Minnesota State High School League tournaments, events that required extensive planning and long hours.

“The high school tournaments was a lot of coordination,” she said. “You were having multiple events day after day after day.”

The effort became a family tradition. Muller’s husband, Chuck, and their children regularly helped with concessions, ticket taking, and event support. Even in retirement, she continues to volunteer at volleyball matches and high school playoff games.

“Hosting those high school tournaments, we ran the concession stand,” Muller said. “So Chuck and my kids are out here helping in the concession stand, popping popcorn.”

Her dedication to service extended beyond campus as well. Through her church, she has served on the church council, as council secretary, and on the worship and music committee.

The award is especially meaningful because Muller personally knew John and Kathy Paxton and worked with them during her years in Athletics. She remembers their enthusiasm for SMSU, support of students and athletics, and involvement in campus traditions.

“What makes it kind of extra special for me was that I worked with John and Kathy when I was in Athletics,” Muller said. “It just kind of makes it special that you know who the award is named after and I got to work with them.”

Muller said one of the most rewarding parts of her career was building relationships across campus and throughout the Marshall community. Boosters, business partners, and community members often sought her out because they trusted she would help them find answers.

“If there was ever an issue or if they ever had questions, they always came to me because they knew if I didn’t know the answer, I would get the answer for them,” she said.

She credits many colleagues and mentors for shaping her career, particularly former Athletic Director Butch Raymond.

“Butch was very supportive,” Muller said. “He was the one who really made me more of an administrator. He got me very involved with the NSIC and the conference stuff.”

Looking back, Muller describes SMSU as a place defined by relationships and shared purpose.

“There have been so many good people that we worked with,” she said. “I worked with a lot of people for a lot of years.”

Her legacy reflects the spirit of the John and Kathy Paxton Alumni Service Award: faithful service, quiet leadership, generosity of time, and a deep commitment to Southwest Minnesota State University and the people it serves.

Alumni and friends are also invited to attend The Southwest Celebration on Friday, Oct. 2. The event will honor all of the 2026 Alumni Award recipients, showcase exciting projects taking place across campus, and officially kick off Homecoming Weekend. This year’s award recipients include Sandy Culhane ’78, Jordan Schuft ’16, Rolly Muller ’85, and Jenna Kruse. [Read article] To attend the Southwest Celebration, register by September 25. Tickets are $50: https://www.smsualumni.com/homecoming/the-southwest-celebration-registration.html

For the full lineup of events, visit: https://www.smsualumni.com/homecoming/