The Spur

Alumni Plaza Plans Revealed at Kickoff

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

On Friday, the Southwest Minnesota State University Alumni Association officially announced that they will undertake the Alumni Plaza project. Currently, this future plaza is a green space located near the RA facility and Student Center. Administrators felt this would be a good place for the project after conducting a survey that showed the entrance to the Student Center was the most commonly used entrance.

Bands Bang at End of Year Bash

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Approximately 160 students attended the End of the Year Bash at the Student Center Courtyard last Thursday night, April 24. Volunteers from Student Activities Committee and Residential Hall Association organized the event.
"We had wonderful volunteers," Jenna Lukes, the contemporary music chair of the SAC; "The lines were crazy.

Sandager Elected Student Association President

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Brittany Sandager won the Student Association presidential race over sole contender Ann Koptizke, election results confirmed April 16. Campaigning lasted between April 7 and April 10.
Sandager and Kopitzke collected 150 signatures to get on the ballot. Campaign strategies included word of mouth and online communication.

Torture Survivor Speaks on Forgiveness

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Geda Yonas, a survivor of political torture in Ethiopia, delivered a message of forgiveness, tolerance and economic empowerment at Southwest Minnesota State University on April 24.
The talk was dedicated to the memory of former SMSU professor Eric Markusen, who worked to expose genocide in Darfur.

Dan Snobl Retiring from SMSU

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

"Spirit is stronger than disability." These are the words quoted by none other than Dan Snobl, a man who really believes in it from his heart and soul. Snobl, who has been working at Southwest Minnesota State University as the Director of Physical Medicine, is retiring next semester after 37 years of dedicated service.

Farewell and Revelations of Chris Mato Nunpa

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Most things must come to an end and to Chris Mato Nunpa, retiring is stirring up mixed emotions. Mato Nunpa is an associate professor of Indigenous Nations and Dakota Studies at Southwest Minnesota State University. He received a degree in higher education with a supporting field in American Indian Studies.

Governor's "Night Out" Ball Held

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The district 5M3's second Annual Governor's Night Out Ball took place on Saturday, April 26, 2008 in the CC Ballroom at Southwest Minnesoat State University. It was a celebration of the eleventh Anniversary of Lions Worldwide Induction Day. The program started at 5:30p.

In True Minnesota Fashion, A Long Goodbye

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Religious Center Column:

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Concert Choir Gives SMSU Another Fine Performance

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Haunting, powerful, touching. The music evoked a variety of emotions, exploring universal themes such as the relationship between music and the soul, anxiety, assurance and the religious Latin Masterworks. The acoustics in the church magnified the emotion of the music.

Iron Pour: Coming to a Parking Lot Near You!

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Southwest Minnesota State University is once again hosting an iron pour at the end of the spring semester this year. To set the mood for the iron pour, SMSU alumni and musical group Swingin' Hard Combo will be performing live. Flames, sparks and music are sure to make a night to remember for all of SMSU.

Professors at Play

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In addition to the many artful, musical and literary events from students this past week and a half has held for the Southwest Minnesota State University campus, the faculty are also getting into the fun.
To name a few of the faculty that are contributing to the second Annual SMSU Fine Arts Celebration: art professors Jim Swartz and John Sterner are to participate in an iron pour this weekend, English professors Susan McLean, Marianne Zarzana and Liz Blair gave readings, art professor Bob Dorlac gave a talk on landscape paintings and Dr.

Baseball's Bitter Sweet Games

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Late season snow has become the norm in southwest Minnesota this month, again forcing the Southwest Minnesota State University baseball team north to find greener pastures or ball fields, as it were. This weekend's series against Bemidji State was cut in half and played at Veteran's Field in Minnetonka.

Continued Wins for the Softball Team

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

On April 23, it was announced that the Mustang softball team is ranked third in the North Central Region and thirteenth nationally. Those announcements came a day after Southwest clinched the NSIC title with two wins over Upper Iowa University.
Amanda Johnson was dominant from the pitching mound in both games, throwing a combined 10.

Incoming Wrestlers for the Expansion of the Team

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Monday, April 28, head wrestling coach Jesse Nelson announced the addition of 17 wrestlers to the Southwest Minnesota State University wrestling team: ten incoming freshman and seven transfers. Among the transfers are two coming from NCAA Division I programs: Jordan Rozeboom joining the program from Michigan State University, Tony Klosterboer coming from North Dakota State University.

SMSU Tennis Finishes Second at NSIC Championship

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The Southwest Minnesota State University Women's Tennis team saw action in the NSIC Championships this past weekend at Baseline Tennis Center in Minneapolis. They finished second in the contest with 54 points, only four points behind Winona, who won the championship.

Two SMSU Golfers Named Second Team All-NSIC

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Announcements came from the NSIC this week that Abby Oakland (JR) and Melissa Lackas (SO) have been named second team All NSIC Conference. This was after a vote by the ten head coaches.
Oakland a native of Fulda, Minn. earns all NSIC honors for the third straight year.