The SMSU Podcast

Dean of Students/Associate VP of Student Affairs Scott Crowell gives us an update as Tropical Night approaches. SMSU celebrates Winter Meltdown with a series of events Feb. 6-11, 2023. This year’s theme is “It’s Time to BeReal at SMSU.”

Winter Meltdown is an annual SMSU tradition. A time for students, faculty, staff, and alumni to participate in fun activities to help beat the ‘winter blues.’ The week culminates with the traditional Tropical Night basketball games and alumni social.

SMSU is a four-year public university offering a high quality education in the liberal arts and professions to prepare you for a life that is successful both personally and professionally. SMSU has grown into a university of choice with high national rankings, producing scholars who become the leaders, thinkers, and entrepreneurs of the future.

20 sports | 1 team.

Southwest Minnesota State University's Director of Athletics Jen Flowers provides an update as the winter seasons of Mustang Athletics continues, while the spring competition schedule is fast approaching. 

Flowers, who began her duties on July 1, recently completed her third season as the commissioner of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and has spent 15 years in administrative roles at the intercollegiate level. She becomes the first female Director of Athletics in University history to oversee both the women’s and men’s programs.

SMSU is a four-year public university offering a high quality education in the liberal arts and professions to prepare you for a life that is successful both personally and professionally. SMSU has grown into a university of choice with high national rankings, producing scholars who become the leaders, thinkers, and entrepreneurs of the future.

Minnesota State Chancellor Devinder Malhotra explains the $350 million funding request the system is proposing during the 2023 legislation session for the FY2024-2025 biennial budget.

Chancellor Malhotra engaged with campus leaders, stakeholders and community members at 12 different listening sessions across the state to help understand and formulate the proposal.

The resounding theme derived from the sessions was that investing in Minnesota State is an investment in the future economic vitality of the region and prosperity of the communities in which the system’s colleges and universities are located in. 

The $350 million dollar proposal focuses on three main efforts:

1. A tuition freeze and an expansion of open education resources

 The upcoming legislation session presents a unique opportunity for the state to make an investment in higher education and make direct impact on Minnesota State’s ability to meet the need of students and workforce needs across the state of Minnesota. 

#DiscoverEngageLead | #LetsRide

This week's guest is Kris Gruhot '92, a member of the Southwest Minnesota Orchestra (SMO). Kris joins us to talk about the SMO's upcoming performance "Holiday Cheer" at Holy Redeemer Church on Tuesday, December 6. 

SMO's mission is to provide the people of southwest Minnesota an opportunity to hear and enjoy a wide variety of live symphonic music. 

Dr. Daniel Rieppel is the musical director of the SMO. The SMO is a regional ensemble made up of area community members, area high school students, and SMSU students and faculty. As the only orchestra of this type in 100 miles, the SMO is a unique asset to the region. To learn more about SMO visit their website: https://www.southwestminnesotaorchestra.org/home

Valerie Messner, a senior accounting & finance double-major from Hancock, Minn., talks about her involvement in Mindful Meals as the SMSU Enactus President. Mindful Meals is a student-led organization creating sustainable solutions to address the problems of food insecurity in rural Minnesota communities.

The organization’s mission is to serve underserved members of the community with love and dignity. To learn more about the effort, how to volunteer or to donate go to www.mindfulmeals.com

Southwest Minnesota State University is a four-year public university offering a high quality education in the liberal arts and professions to prepare you for a life that is successful both personally and professionally. SMSU has grown into a university of choice with high national rankings, producing scholars who become the leaders, thinkers, and entrepreneurs of the future.

#DiscoverEngageLead | #LetsRide

Southwest Minnesota State University is a four-year public university offering a high quality education in the liberal arts and professions to prepare you for a life that is successful both personally and professionally. SMSU has grown into a university of choice with high national rankings, producing scholars who become the leaders, thinkers, and entrepreneurs of the future.

#DiscoverEngageLead | #LetsRide

Southwest Minnesota State University is a four-year public university offering a high quality education in the liberal arts and professions to prepare you for a life that is successful both personally and professionally. SMSU has grown into a university of choice with high national rankings, producing scholars who become the leaders, thinkers, and entrepreneurs of the future.

#DiscoverEngageLead | #LetsRide

Southwest Minnesota State University is a four-year public university offering a high quality education in the liberal arts and professions to prepare you for a life that is successful both personally and professionally. SMSU has grown into a university of choice with high national rankings, producing scholars who become the leaders, thinkers, and entrepreneurs of the future.

#DiscoverEngageLead | #LetsRide

Southwest Minnesota State University is a four-year public university offering a high quality education in the liberal arts and professions to prepare you for a life that is successful both personally and professionally. SMSU has grown into a university of choice with high national rankings, producing scholars who become the leaders, thinkers, and entrepreneurs of the future.

#DiscoverEngageLead | #LetsRide

Southwest Minnesota State University is a four-year public university offering a high quality education in the liberal arts and professions to prepare you for a life that is successful both personally and professionally. SMSU has grown into a university of choice with high national rankings, producing scholars who become the leaders, thinkers, and entrepreneurs of the future.

#DiscoverEngageLead | #LetsRide