Centennial Student Union Blog
Abdalla (Abdul) Mohamed, Lead Building Assistant with the Centennial Student Union Operations Team, has gained responsibility and respect through his attention to detail, strong work ethic, positive attitude and a genuine caring nature. The high standard he sets for himself inspires others to do the same. Learn more about Abdul in the CSU Blog.
“Be grEAT,” a new mini-documentary following Maverick Basketball’s Malik Willingham premieres Friday, Sept. 13, at 6:30 p.m. in Ostrander Auditorium Directed by Ben Stelter, a recent Bethany College graduate and national award-winning videographer, the film follows Malik’s final year as a Maverick and a life’s journey culminating in the 2024 NCAA DII National Championship. MORE DETAILS AT blog.mnsu.edu/csu
In her BEST Board nomination, Sofia Melendez was recognized for strong leadership whether it was among the Fraternity & Sorority Life Community and her Sigma Sigma Sigma chapter or as a Residential Life Community Advisor. “Sofia demonstrates a great deal of charisma and works well with many different groups of people,” her nominator stated. “She is direct and to-the-point, yet always respectful. She handles her responsibilities with tact and diplomacy, even when what she is tackling is a difficult situation. She also acts with integrity and strives to do the right thing.”
For more than a decade, Minnesota State Maverick student athletes have advanced one campus awareness program–the Mental Health Green Bandana Initiative. Participating MSU students heighten mental health awareness by tying a green bandana to their backpacks.
For the fourth time in a row, Minnesota State Mankato was named “Best University” and the Mavericks were Minnesota’s “Best College Sports Team” in the annual Star Tribune Minnesota’s Best Listing. The University and Mavericks have claimed the Gold Award every year since the contest started in 2021.
The Mavericks #13 bring a road victory to their Sept. 7 home opener after toppling #22 Northwest Missouri State 36-22 at a Thursday, Aug. 29, Show Me State Showdown. The Mavericks host Bemidji State on Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. in Blakeslee Stadium.
Crossroads Campus Ministry, next to the Performing Arts Center is serving up another year of “Lunch4A$1”. Every Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters, MSU community members can enjoy $1 lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In recommending Amalia Sharaf for the BEST Board, her nominator was impressed with her multitasking abilities. “Quite frankly, I don’t know how Amal does all that she does,” her nominator said. “Her impact and reach is felt both on campus and beyond. Not only is she an outstanding leader, but she is also fully engaged in pursuits related to her academic journey.” At MSU, Amalia’s campus involvements include Student Government, MavPASS, writing for the Reporter, Honors Program, Research Assistant, Graphic Designer for the Kearney Center, and more.
Per show student tickets are $5 for a full slate of 2024-25 main stage, studio and dance performances by the Department of Theatre & Dance. Shows include musicals “Cabaret” and “Cinderella,” fall and spring dance concerts along with “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “Lend Me a Soprano,” “The Winter Tale,” “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] [Again],” “Escaped Alone” and “Heroes of the Fourth Turning.”
FORERUNNERS: While the first three Mavericks to compete in Olympic track and field events didn’t reach the medal podium, their forever title as “Olympic Athlete” exemplifies what’s possible when channeling talent, training and dedicated perseverance. Denisha Cartwright (the Bahamas), Jabez Reeves and Emmanuel Matabi (Liberia)–set the bar for future Mavericks. Welcoming home Cartwright and her country’s fellow athletes, The Bahamas Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture said it best: “Only a small percentage of athletes worldwide earn a chance to compete on this prestigious stage. It reflects years of grit, sweat, hard work and relentless training.”
On the move and looking for something healthy? A new Smoodi scan-and-go nourishing option has been added to the MavAve food court in the Centennial Student Union. The unit offers healthy pre-mixed vegan and gluten-free selections with various fruit mixes and two protein servings. Two blending tubes avoid the possibility for allergen cross-contamination. Selections can get a “boost” with four different flavor additives. Each serving offers a free bamboo straw. The frozen servings range from 70 to 380 calories and are priced from $4.99 to $7.99.
Dr. Anthony Bettendorf has assumed the Director of Residential Life role at Minnesota State Mankato, effective July 1. He oversees all aspects of Minnesota State University’s residential life program encompassing five building complexes (four owned and one master-leased), 2,900 students, and a budget in excess of $27M.
Coming off their 2024 D2 national championship, the Minnesota State Mavericks men’s basketball team will face the DI University of Kentucky Wildcats in an Oct. 29 exhibition game in Lexington, Ken.
Maverick men’s hockey tallied 28 points to top a Rink Live scorecard ranking the “half-decade best’ among D1 hockey programs thus far into the 2020s. Despite not winning a national champion the Mavericks beat out Denver, the two-time national title holder, largely due to its conference titles
JULY 19 – Representing the Bahamas, Denisha Cartwright, Maverick and D2 record holder in the women’s 100-meter hurdles, placed fourth against four of the world’s best at the 2024 Holloway Pro Classic in Gainesville, Fla., as Olympic athletes prime for the Paris games. At the event, former Maverick, Emmanuel Matadi, racing for Liberia, set a new Liberian national record in the 100-meter dash, with a time of 9.91 (wind legal) to win the men’s 100-meter dash.
The public is invited to a FREE outdoor viewing of the movie, “Interstellar” on Thursday, July 25. at 9 p.m. in the CSU Amphitheater located between the Centennial Student Union and the Memorial Library. Popcorn, candy and beverages will be available for purchase. Alternative weather date is Friday, July 26. The event is hosted by Student Activities with assistance from the Centennial Student Union.
July 16 – A yearly tradition of BBQ prepared by Maverick alum Pat Nelson, owner of Big Boned BBQ on Aug. 1 concludes a summer of fun planned for the campus and Mankato community by Student Activities at Minnesota State Mankato. Pre-order your $8 Maverick Meal Deal by noon on Tuesday, July 30.
JULY 1 – Five Minnesota State women’s hockey team players and three coaches will represent the Mavericks in Lake Placid, New York Aug. 4-11 for the Women’s National Festival. Jenessa Gazdik, JuliAnna Gazdik, Sydney Langseth, Jamie Nelson and Whitney Tuttle will be among 45 collegiate women’s hockey players participating. Coaching staff for this year’s festival includes MSU Head Coach Shari Dickerman, Associate Head Coach Jeff Giesen and Assistant Coach Mackenzie Bruch.
MAY 28 – The Nickerson Conference Room, CSU 238, received a virtual meeting upgrade. The space now features six large floor monitors in a 360-degree arrangement along with two oversized wall monitors. The room matches Zoom-enabled classroom and meeting rooms in the CSU and across campus.
APRIL 14 – Alpha Chi Omega Sorority was the 2023 Chapter of the Year at Spring Greek Awards. Abi Saha with Sigma Chi and Alyssa McCullough with Sigma Sigma Sigma were named respective Marie Bruce Fraternity Man and Sorority Woman of the Year. Crystal Watts, assistant director for Community Engagement, was the Order of Omega Staff Member of the Year.