Campus News 2021

A new exhibit in the Lyon County Historical Museum features Southwest Minnesota State University as part of a number of exhibits on the newly-renovated second floor.

SMSU alumnus Satyajit Dattagupta has climbed the college admissions ladder quickly.

If Ben Nwachukwu had a nickname, it would be "The Answer Man." An SMSU alumnus, Nwachukwu works in the IT Department at SMSU, as an Information Tech Specialist 2. The title does little to explain what he does on a daily basis, and how he makes life easier for the entire Mustang Family.

An extremely young Southwest Minnesota State University Forensics team took the Minnesota Collegiate Forensics Association (MCFA) Limited Entry division state championship on Feb. 21.

Finals. It's a word that strikes fear in the hearts of many Southwest Minnesota State University students. It's almost that time again. Class assignments, large projects, exams, and due dates all creep up quickly. Balancing school alongside work commitments, a social life, and other responsibilities are a few of the many stressors college students are faced with at the end of the fall semester.

Jenna Zeug developed an interest in speech way back when she as a student at Holy Redeemer School in Marshall. Zeug is a sophomore History Education major and the daughter of Joe and Bobbi Zeug from Marshall. She placed in two categories at the recent Minnesota Collegiate Forensics Association (MCFA) state tournament, where her Southwest Minnesota State University team won the limited entry championship.

Accounting Professor Glenn Bayerkohler, in his 33rd year at Southwest Minnesota State University, has been named the 2021 Cathy Cowan Award winner.

Southwest Minnesota State University alumna Deeann J. Griebel has made a commitment that will provide $1.8 million for the Student Success and Advising Center and scholarships. Deeann's investment will allow for the creation of new tutoring and mentoring programs to ensure all students have the support they need to become successful graduates.

Southwest Minnesota State University Professor of English Dr. Judy Wilson has been named to the Associated Writing Programs (AWP) Board of Directors.

The Southwest Minnesota State University Enactus group is partnering with the Tracy Area Animal Rescue (TAAR) to raise $20,000. That $20,000 will then be matched by a husband and wife with strong ties to TAAR.

Southwest Minnesota State University has been ranked third in the country in the small public university class by Military Friendly® Schools.

A student-operated restaurant, "Taste @ Southwest Minnesota State University," will open to the public on Nov. 4.

Activist Bobby Seale said there's sometimes a wide gap between perception and reality regarding the Black Panther Party, which he co-founded with Huey Newton in October, 1966. "The whole thing was about political power," he said.

Amy Schmiesing is the new Head Athletic Trainer at SMSU, and she's ready to continue the outstanding leadership shown by her predecessor, Laura Crowell.

The Southwest Minnesota State University Education Program has been awarded numerous No. 1 rankings for affordability — nationally, in the Plains States, and in Minnesota — by TeachingDegreeSearch.com.

Southwest Minnesota State has been ranked third nationally as a Military Spouse Friendly® School.

"Brown & Bold: Bringin' It Home" is the theme of the 2021 Southwest Minnesota State University Homecoming the week of Oct. 4-10.

Kandy Noles-Stevens, Assistant Professor of Education/College Now, said the near-$1 million United States Department of Education (DoEd) grant awarded to the Minnesota State system for Open Education Resources (OER) textbooks and materials "could be a game-changer for Education students" at Southwest Minnesota State University. The grant is for $978,332 over three years and will establish the "Opening Opportunities for Teacher Education" program. The program will create open textbooks and Open Education Resources (OERs) for Education students in six core courses. That, in turn, will provide significant savings for students while maintaining or improving student learning outcomes.

Being a classroom leader is something SMSU senior Hailey Nierling aspires to be professionally. She is getting plenty of hands-on experience as she pursues that goal.

Msutangs Give: A Message From the President

In a lot of ways, Dr. May Lee Moua-Vue is a surrogate mother for the international students at Southwest Minnesota State University. Moua-Vue is in her second year at the university as the Director of International Student Services and Global Studies, and after a year navigating COVID-19 restrictions, she's looking forward to a more 'normal' experience as she assists international students to SMSU.