Centennial Student Union Blog
MavPASS, a rapidly growing Minnesota State Mankato student support program in which students help students learn difficult content in challenging courses has received national recognition. The program will receive the Exemplary New Supplemental Instruction award for 2024 from the International Center for Supplemental Instruction. The award will be presented at a June conference in Baltimore, Maryland.
Relive your childhood on February 20 at 7 p.m.! Steve Burns, the former host of Blue’s Clues is coming to campus to give a talk on burnout.
Dr. Brenda Flannery has been named interim vice president for student success and engagement at Minnesota State Mankato, effective Jan. 2. Flannery, who served as dean of the College of Business from July 2011 to June 2023, was appointed to the interim position vacated by Dr. Lynn Akey. Akey was named chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside effective Jan. 2.
Being a leader sometimes means making tough decision. The best leaders make those decisions and maintain the respect of others without asking for it. Morgan Rusler’s nominator saw that in her and thought it deserving of BEST Board recognition. “She has not sought out recognition for her accomplishments and contributions, and this honor would be very befitting of her during her last semester at MSU. Morgan has been an exemplary student leader, and there aren’t many I would consider as deserving of this honor as she is.”
In the BEST Board nomination of Masaki Hara, he was recognized for his assistance to incoming international students, particularly from Japan. His trustworthiness helps him gain the confidence to lead others. “Masaki has been a leader with Bridges International for the past 2 academic years. He helps organize community building events and is always a welcoming face to new international students joining Bridges events. If he says he’ll do it, he will,”
BEST Board honoree, Ryan Leistikow, found a path to his career in Recreation and Parks Leadership through his involvement with the Student Events Team. That passion for keeping others engaged grew during the pandemic when, as President of the Student Events Team, he lead planning and coordination of virtual events. For Ryan, that involvement was an extension of his Maverick Pride.
Wambdi Wapaha, which is Dakota for Eagle Staff, is the new name for the Centennial Student Union space formerly known as the Lincoln Lounge. In the Dakota tradition, the Eagle Staff is a ceremonial staff adorned with the feathers of the sacred eagle.
Sarah Anderson, 19, a junior at Minnesota State Mankato, was crowned the 2023 Miss Minnesota USA on Sunday, July 30, at the annual pageant in Burnsville.
Anderson from Maple Grove, Minn., will now represent Minnesota at the 72nd MISS USA pageant in September at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nev.
Shane Zylstra, Maverick football single season (2019) and career record-holder for pass receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, suffered a serious knee injury during Detroit Lions training camp. Early prognosis suspected the injury was season ending for Zylstra with an expected six-month recovery.
Jenny Vetter, Maverick Women’s Soccer standout, has signed a professional contract with the Racing Power Football Club in Portugal. The former Maverick reports to the team in July.
Minnesota State Mankato announces the retirement of Rick Straka, Vice President for Finance and Administration, effective February 6, 2024. Straka has served in his current role as Chief Financial Officer since 2006. The search for a new vice president seeks to fill the position by the end of the Fall 2023 semester.
Scott Olson, president of Winona State University and former Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Minnesota State Mankato, is the unanimous choice as new Chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. Minnesota State Mankato is the largest university within the Minn State system which also includes Winona State. Olson takes over as Chancellor on Aug. 1.
Jalen Sample, former Maverick wide receiver, has signed as an NFL undrafted free agent with the Washington Commanders. It is the third consecutive year that a Maverick made it into the NFL.
Minnesota State Mavericks are the sixth seed in the NCAA II regional baseball tournament. The Mavericks face Southern Arkansas. It is the Mavericks’ 40th appearance at the NCAA Tournament.
The University’s production of Wounded Healers, a theatrical story of Black Persistence written, composed and directed by Dr. Timothy Berry, received seven national awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
Dariia Hozhenko returned to Ukraine to spend the winter break with her mother. A physics graduate student and teaching assistant from Ukraine, Dariia now has a deeper, more personal understanding of joy after facing the misery and terror of war in her homeland.
Minnesota State University, Mankato’s 47th annual Dr. Michael T. Fagin Pan African Conference, scheduled for Feb. 16-17, invites participants to “examine their individual and collective contributions to the formation and sustaining of unadulterated BLACK JOY.”
Minnesota State Mankato contributes more than $827 million to the state economy, President Edward Inch believes the numbers show just how strong of a partner MSU is to the local and statewide industry.
Dessa will be among the Spring Semester list of artists appearing with the Music Performance Series hosted by the Music Department. The spring series first performance features Pieta Brown on Tuesday, Jan. 31, at 7:30 p.m. in the Halling Recital Hall.
Trevor Braget is the new program coordinator for the CSU Maverick Bullpen. Overseeing one of the largest university game rooms in the country, Braget returns to the CSU after previously serving as the technical services graduate assistant. Among his first actions as program coordinatore was the creation of a new maverickbullpen Instagram page.