Campus News 2021

Deeann Griebel still drives to work in the maroon 1975 Chevy Caprice Classic she bought in Pipestone. When purchased, the odometer read 125 miles. Today that number is 368,000. The car has been restored twice, and is on its second engine, third transmission and fourth radiator. It's in immaculate shape. "I smile every time I look at her," said Griebel, a 1980 alumna who recently committed $1.8 million so Southwest Minnesota State University.

Southwest Minnesota State University has been recognized for its commitment to engaged, hands-on education by Colleges of Distinction, a unique guide for college-bound students.

Southwest Minnesota State University has been ranked No. 1 in Minnesota for Most Affordable Online RN to BSN Nursing Program by RNtoMSN.org.

Natasha Boe is no stranger to Southwest Minnesota State University. A 2010 alumna with a double major in Management and Finance, she has made her way home.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Five individuals will receive awards from the Alumni Association as part of Homecoming 2021, with a theme of "Brown & Bold: Bringin' It Home."

The SMSU Writing Center alleviates stress of many students during the academic year, especially during finals week.

"Make the time to connect with people." That's the advice Southwest Minnesota State University student body president Esther Oluborode has for her fellow Mustangs as they pursue their college degree during this global pandemic.

The Southwest Minnesota State University Early Childhood Education Program has been ranked No. 1 in Minnesota by PLEXUSS.

Josh Turek, a 2002 SMSU alumnus and the most decorated wheelchair basketball player in program history, is just about ready to leave one phase of his life, and begin another.

Southwest Minnesota State University student Victor Ayemobuwa from Marshall has been appointed to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Directors as a state university student member.

Southwest Minnesota State University will hold its 53rd Commencement on Saturday, May 8 at 10 a.m. in the R/A Facility on campus. It is also the 50th anniversary of the 1971 Charter Class Commencement.

Veterans Day on November 11 is the day set aside to honor those who serve our country, and sacrifice so much to defend our freedoms.

SMSU English Professor and Director of Creative Writing Dr. Judy Wilson has been appointed to the national board of the Associated Writing Programs (AWP), and will also serve as the Chair of the Midwest Region Council, which represents all the creative writing programs in the Midwest.

The Southwest Minnesota State University Foundation has received a $500,000 gift from Sanford Health to recognize the legacy of former Mustang baseball coach Dr. Jim Denevan.

Southwest Minnesota State University students have been honored for achievement during the 2020 Fall semester of study.

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.