SMSU

Southwest Minnesota State University Provost Dr. Ross Wastvedt announced today Dr. Jeffrey Bell has been named SMSU Interim Dean of the College of Arts, Letters and Sciences. He will begin his new duties on July 6.

Jenifer Goblish just likes the vibe at Southwest Minnesota State. "There's an energy here. Everyone is accepting, and they go out of their way to make sure you have a good day. It's like a family," she said.

High-achieving high school seniors have been awarded full-ride scholarships to Southwest Minnesota State University as part of the President's Regional Scholars Award program.

Bella Voce and the SMSU Men's Glee Club will soon become Alta Voce and the SMSU Glee Club, respectively. The move comes as part of a broader effort to make it clear that the ensembles are welcoming and supportive of all SMSU students, regardless of gender identity.

"You need to change in order to grow." So says Ezira Tafa, the Southwest Minnesota State University student body president. Tafa is from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and is the youngest of five children. His parents, Hailu Taku and Sakamyelesh Hailu, strongly encouraged their children to pursue higher education. All but one of his siblings earned degrees from institutions in either Europe or Africa. He is the first to attend college in the United States, and he is pursuing a degree in Healthcare Administration and Human Resources.

Southwest Minnesota State University students have been honored for achievement during the 2021 Spring semester of study.

Carter McLaughlin, a senior from Eden Prairie, Minn., has been named the SMSU Newman Civic Fellow recipient for 2021.

Cultures on the Prairie, a virtual conference highlighting the many cultures in the workplace, schools and communities of southwest Minnesota, will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Southwest Minnesota State University President Dr. Kumara Jayasuriya has announced Bruce Saugstad, a 1989 graduate of the University, has been named SMSU's interim Director of Athletics.

The third annual SMSU Agronomy Field Day will be held on Wednesday, July 14 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Jon Knochenmus Center for Innovation and SMSU Agronomy Field Trials Farm site, located on the north edge of Marshall.