Minnesota State University Reporter

A place to call home

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

For Kate Baxter, Minnesota State English and Women's Studies major, service is a way of life and she lives it every day. After volunteering with the Red Cross when Hurricane Katrina hit and being involved in other volunteer organizations, Baxter became involved at the Theresa House in 2005 shortly after she moved to Mankato.

Battling butts

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The controversial debate over a campus-wide smoking ban has students split. Although some think a ban would be a good idea for the health of nonsmokers, others feel it would be a violation of smoker's rights.

The same issue exists in the Minnesota State Student Association where, after various meetings with the senate ending up split on the issue, it eventually decided to oppose the ban.

Logged off

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Although memories, GPAs and diplomas all permanently belong to Minnesota State graduates, this is not the case with MSU e-mail accounts.

This year's graduates can expect a notification that their e-mail accounts will be deactivated some time in late October.

Major change

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

New, cutting-edge courses and a consistent curriculum are what Minnesota State keeps in mind when deciding what undergraduate programs to offer, according to Brenda Flannery.

Flannery, assistant vice president for undergraduate studies, said college deans and faculty are constantly evaluating programs within their departments to guarantee quality.

Not much of a wait until graduation 2008

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

For many, years of hard work and memorable experiences of college culminate into a few simple minutes, a walk across stage, a cap and gown and a document in hand.

Minnesota State's graduating students will walk with their diplomas May 10 in Bresnan Arena.

School's out

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the temperature is up and the students� are nowhere to be found. For the Minnesota State campus, summer is in stark contrast to the bustle of activity during a traditional school semester. The decrease in people on and around campus can make for a lonely environment for those sticking around Mankato year-round.

Trafton nears completion

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

While most students at Minnesota State are preparing to pack up and move for the summer, construction workers are completing the Ford Hall addition of Trafton Science Center. The new, three-story building is expected to be completed by late September.

"If you enter the second floor, it will be the same (level) through Ford and Trafton," said John Frey, dean of the College of Science Engineering & Technology.

2007-08: the year that was

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

So it goes: another year of Minnesota State University history made, the institution's 149th academic year coming to a close.

It's been a pleasure covering the 2007-08 school year. We've tried to report campus life with integrity, responsibility and accuracy.

A word from next year's editor

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

I remember back in fall 2006, when I first talked to one of the mass communications faculty at Minnesota State about working at the MSU Reporter. The person I talked to gave me good advice - he encouraged me to apply, but warned me about letting the Reporter take over my life.

So this is finally it, and I've said all I wanted to say

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Turns out I'm not very good at moving on. Like the stubborn veteran with diminishing skills and barely the sense to know his career is over, this is my forced retirement from the Reporter, although it lacks authenticity on several degrees. For one, this retirement is more by default.

The good, the bad, the Reporter

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

For me, this school year has easily been the busiest of my entire life. It's also been the most rewarding, demanding and fun. I won't pretend to believe every MSU student reads the Reporter. I admit that not even the majority does. It's for the minority who choose to be informed - and my own love of journalism - that I have taken on the job of news editor this year.

When the job becomes a drug, it's hard to quit

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

This is it: my last spatter of ink on this beloved rag of journalism.

It hasn't sunk in yet how much I'll miss this job. As I write this, I'm ecstatic to be done. To unload that elephant of responsibility off my shoulders will be a relief, but soon, I'll be fully aware how much this job has become a part of me these past four years.

"What will you remember most from this school year?"

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

MSU extends streak to 18

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The Minnesota State women's softball team extended its winning streak to 18 games Tuesday, sweeping nonconference opponent Upper Iowa 8-5 and 1-0 in Fayette, Iowa.

Senior Abby Wagner collected three hits in the first game, with a two-RBI single in the first inning, adding to the rally.

Buisman not a finalist

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Buisman, Minnesota State's director of athletics, was not named as one of the five finalists for athletic director at Northern Iowa, where he attended school.

The five finalists for the UNI job are Terry L. Wanless of Sacramento State, Barbara G. Walker of Wake Forest, Michael P.

Seven's Swan Song

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Those who have regularly attended Minnesota State home baseball games through the years may have noticed a trend in coach Dean Bowyer's post-game routine. After addressing his team after the game, the 64-year old Bowyer, known by many as Seven (his uniform number), hops on his tractor and drags the infield dirt at the MSU Baseball Complex to get it ready for the next game.

Sports Shorts

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Two former Minnesota State football players were invited to NFL rookie camps Tuesday.

Tight end Jeff Fielder was invited to Minnesota Vikings rookie camp while longsnapper Ryan Pentimalli will work out with the Cleveland Browns.

Fielder caught 39 passes four 429 yards and four touchdowns in 22 games as a Maverick.

Dirty Laundry

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Ali Ramsey: I'm overjoyed as I'm writing this because it's our last Dirty Laundry of the school year. It's still up in the air whether our silly little column will return for another go in the fall. Our editor-in-chief next year, Derek Wehrwein, doesn't seem thrilled with the idea of bringing it back, but his favorite movies are "Star Wars" and "Lord of the Rings," so I know he doesn't have good taste.

Building with bikes

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Recycle, reduce, reuse is a phrase we hear often when throwing away garbage, but not necessarily when we look in our garage. Beau Layman, 27, is a former Minnesota State interior design student doing just that.

Layman takes donated bikes from local thrift shops and restores them into working condition and into works of art as part of an organization called reBIKE.

Ever changing

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

She wrote out the words "I am ever changing," and it took her only a minute to find it - the name she wanted, a name that had meaning to her, a name that captured her essence.

Twenty-eight years ago, she took the name Rea Ching Mingeva.

The name, an anagram of "I am ever changing," is a perfect fit for the Minnesota State painting and drawing professor.

'Baby Mama' mostly hits

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The new comedy "Baby Mama" stars Tina Fey as Kate Holbrook, a 37-year-old single, successful business woman who desperately wants to have a baby. The film is written and directed by Michael McCullers, a "Saturday Night Live" alumnus with Fey.

Holbrook is the vice president of organic food market Round Earth and has spent so much time on her career, she hasn't had time for a family.

Hip-hop showcase to be held at Busters

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

With summer days away, students will be leaving town and not worrying about what local artists will be doing with their down time. Not wanting to waste any of its talent, Minnesota State student-run Entertainment Company will use the time to better its music.

Roster McCabe to perform in Mankato

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

With six guys in a band, you're bound to have a variety of influences, and these different backgrounds can often clash and create an unusual and discouraging sound.

Not the case for Minneapolis' Roster McCabe.

"Everyone brings things to the table," said Drew Preiner, Roster McCabe's rhythm guitarist and vocalist.