John Kriesel Brings Message of Resilency and Positively to Nov. 4 Motivational Speech
Campus News

John Kriesel Brings Message of Resilency and Positively to Nov. 4 Motivational Speech

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On Dec. 2, 2006, while stationed in Iraq, John Kriesel lost both his legs and his two closest friends when their Humvee triggered 200 pounds of explosives. His story of resiliency and positivity in the aftermath will be the focus of his Monday, Nov. 4, motivational speech, “Still Standing, Still Smiling.” Sponsored by the Centennial Student Union and Radio Mankato (Kriesel is a frequent guest on KFAN’s Power Trip Morning Show), his 7:30 p.m. presentation will be in the CSU Ostrander Auditorium. The event is free to the public.

A Diverse Group of Students Take Viewers on a Video Tour of the Centennial Student Union
Campus News

A Diverse Group of Students Take Viewers on a Video Tour of the Centennial Student Union

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A new promotional video for the Centennial Student Union features a diverse group of students sharing the services, sights and sounds of the students’ House of Serendipity. Created for the CSU by staff and students with the IT Solutions Video & Digital Team, the 4:45-minute video features 23 different student hosts moving through key areas of the CSU. View the video on the CSU Serendipity YouTube Channel.

New Documentary Follows Past Decade’s Rise of the Spirited Maverick Machine
Campus News

New Documentary Follows Past Decade’s Rise of the Spirited Maverick Machine

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Among the gems adding to the sparkle of 2024 Homecoming Day at Minnesota State Mankato is the unveiling of a 55-minute documentary, “The Return of THE MACHINE,” tracing the rocketed rise of the Maverick Machine as the musical heartbeat of Maverick spirit. Following the free premiere Saturday, Oct. 5, at 5 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center, the video is available for viewing on the Maverick Machine YouTube Channel.

Maverick Spotlight: Football Star TreShawn Watson Relies on His Pre-Game Prayer Ritual
Athletics

Maverick Spotlight: Football Star TreShawn Watson Relies on His Pre-Game Prayer Ritual

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Star-studded junior wide receiver, TreShawn Watson lit up the month of September with top-notch stats. Even after not playing in the Sept. 28 matchup against Concordia St. Paul, the 6’4, 200-pounder from Chicago, Ill., headed into the Oct. 5 Homecoming game against Sioux Falls with six touchdowns, three coming from a brawl against Bemidji State. In that game, Watson had only five receptions but created three scores for the Mavericks.READ MORE ABOUT #6 ON THE CSU BLOG.

Kendra Youngberg Elected Student Senate Speaker
Student Spotlight

Kendra Youngberg Elected Student Senate Speaker

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Kendra (Draeger) Youngberg was elected Student Senate Speaker during the Sept. 25 regular weekly meeting of the Student Government. Before being elected speaker, Youngberg served as the Legislative Affairs Coordinator and a Graduate Studies Senator. Youngberg of Waseca, Minn., is a May 2023 graduate of Bemidji State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in cellular and molecular biology with minors in chemistry and political science.

BEST Board F’24: Greek Life Gave Alyssa McCullough Confidence, Sense of Purpose & Memories
Student Success

BEST Board F’24: Greek Life Gave Alyssa McCullough Confidence, Sense of Purpose & Memories

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Whether it’s raising funds for sick and injured children or providing positive and calm leadership respected by her Greek Life community, Alyssa McCullough has experienced an “incredibility rewarding” college experience at Minnesota State Mankato. The 2024 president of the Panhellenic Council, Alyssa’s involvement as a Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority member has provided personal growth ranging from leadership and teamwork experience to an individual sense of purpose. Topping her list of accomplishments to date is the post-pandemic return of Mavathon in 2024. The daylong event raised $8,600 for the Gillette Children’s Hospital.

18 Schools Expected Sept. 28 for a Day of Gaming Competition & Family Fun at Esports Invitational
Events & Activities

18 Schools Expected Sept. 28 for a Day of Gaming Competition & Family Fun at Esports Invitational

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Eighteen schools from eight Midwestern states will be represented as gamers gather in the Centennial Student Union Ballroom Saturday, Sept. 28, as Minnesota State Mankato hosts the Third Annual Rockstar Energy Collegiate Esports Invitational. The event is FREE and open to the public. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. with competition running from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Homecoming Kickoff R&B Artist Adam Bohanan among Performers on Season 26 of THE VOICE
Events & Activities

Homecoming Kickoff R&B Artist Adam Bohanan among Performers on Season 26 of THE VOICE

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Adam Bohanan, the Twin Cities singer-songwriter slated to help kickoff Homecoming Week on Monday, Sept. 30, is among performers auditioning during Season 26 of NBC’s reality singing competition, The Voice, premiering Monday, Sept. 23. Bohanan brings his funk, soul and R&B sounds to campus as part of the ongoing CSU Serendipity Music Series. His Sept. 30 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. performance on the Campus Mall is part of the annual Homecoming Week kickoff.

BEST Board F’24: Lexi Pedersen’s Leadership Qualities Advance Student Events Team Visibility
Student Success

BEST Board F’24: Lexi Pedersen’s Leadership Qualities Advance Student Events Team Visibility

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Since becoming the Social Media and Marketing Chair for the Student Events Team, Lexi Pedersen’s communication skills and tenacity helped drive a 400 percent increase in its social media reach. As social media chair, Lexi took a deep dive into social media best practices and began implementing the ideas that led to increased reach and efficiency.

Centennial Student Union Blog Ranks Second Globally for RSS Feeds Sharing News of Interest
Honors and Awards

Centennial Student Union Blog Ranks Second Globally for RSS Feeds Sharing News of Interest

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The Centennial Student Union Blog was listed second globally among the best Student Union RSS Feed sites as compiled by Feedspot in its 2024 listing released Sept. 14. Feedspot’s best Student Union rss feed list is curated from thousands of rss feeds on the web and ranked by relevancy, authority, social media followers & freshness. In releasing its 2024 list, Feedspot credited the CSU Blog for news that “focuses on academic success, alumni spotlight, assistance, campus news, events, fraternity and sorority and more.” The CSU Blog placed second behind the Student Union of the University of Vaasa in Finland.

KEYC Announces That The365 Will Broadcast Remaining 2024 Home Maverick Football Games
Campus News

KEYC Announces That The365 Will Broadcast Remaining 2024 Home Maverick Football Games

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You can now watch the remainder of MSU Mavericks 2024 home football games starting Saturday, Sept. 21, following a partnership announced this week between KEYC News Now and Minnesota State Mankato. The games will be broadcast on The365, which is available over the air on channel 7-3. The365 is also available on select cable providers, including Charter Spectrum on channel 193 or 3271, Mediacom Channel 140, Comcast cable channel 228 and Midco cable channel 595.

‘Your Brain on Porn Illiteracy’ on Sept 24 Is Part of Fall 2024 CESR Programming
Academics

‘Your Brain on Porn Illiteracy’ on Sept 24 Is Part of Fall 2024 CESR Programming

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Dr. Eric Sprankle, presents a noon Zoom lecture, “Your Brain on Porn Illiteracy: Understanding Porn Research, Misinformation, and Moral Panic,” on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Professor of clinical psychology and co-director of the sexuality studies program at Minnesota State University, Sprankle will offer a unique perspective when considering whether pornography can be a healthy medium to consume. His research presentation is part of a fall semester series by the Center for Excellence in Scholarship and Research. 

Early Alert Progress Survey Flags Student Progress as Semester Unfolds
Academics

Early Alert Progress Survey Flags Student Progress as Semester Unfolds

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Starting Sept. 10, undergraduate faculty will be asked to share feedback with you about your progress in classes so far using an Early Alert survey tool in Navigate360. If feedback is submitted for you, you will receive an email in your University MavMail account from MavCONNECT (no-reply@gradesfirst.com). The early alert survey system is designed to give you useful, timely feedback on your performance, and to guide you to resources available to help you.