Minnesota State University Reporter

A custodian full of conversation

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Every morning before the sun rises, Mel Crane parks his '91 Chevrolet behind Minnesota State's Performing Arts Center and makes his way to the Centennial Student Union for the start of his 6 a.m. shift.

Crane has called the CSU his workplace since January of 1980, when he started his job as a custodian.

Building toward a badge

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Minnesota State senior law enforcement major Paul Larson wasn't cut out for a cubicle. Instead, he chose a career where no day is the same, danger comes with the uniform and there is a real opportunity to make a difference and save lives.

But Larson isn't in it for completely altruistic reasons.

By his own admission

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Although students end up in many different places after their time at Minnesota State, everyone starts off in the same spot - the Admissions Office.

Walt Wolff, MSU's Director of Admissions, is at the head of it all. Wolff began his career at MSU in 1982 in the Career Development Center and later became the assistant director.

Close to the cosmos

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:00:00 GMT

On the third floor of Wissink Hall is a tiny, cluttered space. It's a fitting office for a man who studies the universe, astronomy professor Steve Kipp. He's closer to the cosmos up there. His small office reveals droves of books titled "Starwatch" and "Planetary Geology" that stretch wall-to-wall.

Leaving a visual legacy

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Small-city news can play a large role in the lives of community members. Mankato certainly isn't the smallest or largest city in southern Minnesota, but one man from the Mankato Free Press continually makes small, local stories appear larger than life through photography.

On behalf of 15,000 students

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Many students recognize his name and are familiar with his work, but who really is the man behind the Minnesota State Student Association?

Ryan Anderson, the president of the MSSA, is a senior political science major who has been involved with student government virtually his entire time at Minnesota State.

Putting personal experience to use

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:00:00 GMT

As a former Minnesota State student, activist Jess Flatequal struggled with coming out.

Now, she has found the perfect fit in her career as the MSU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Center director.

Her love of art and commitment to fighting for LGBT causes has helped strengthen her identity and brought her to the rewarding position she currently has.

The chase for knowledge

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:00:00 GMT

"The unexamined life is not worth living."

The quote is from Socrates, one of the world's best-known classical philosophers, and one that sums up the mentality of one of Minnesota State's more entertaining professors: the Philosophy Department's Dr. John Humphrey.

All of life's lessons

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Most people take life and many things in it for granted.

Not Janet Rother, though.

Rother works as a nursing assistant at the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Mankato, where she helps care for elderly sisters or sisters facing health problems.

Her job makes her confront on a daily basis issues many might prefer to not think about.

Far from home

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Cezara Talmaci says there is one question people always ask her when they hear she is an international student: "How do you like America so far?"

She estimates that at least 100 people have asked her that very question so far, but Talmaci doesn't mind.

According to Talmaci, the people she has met in America are generally friendly, nice and easy to talk to.

Getting into the swing of things

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Ian Novak regularly finds himself in the middle of a dance floor surrounded by college girls.

This is a constant reality for the Minnesota State freshman at Swing Dance Club, an organization where the guy to girl ratio isn't even. Most days there are a lot more girls than guys to go around.

Keeping up with the Carpenters

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:00:00 GMT

They almost never met, Kristy Carpenter because she nearly didn't go and Brett Carpenter because he turned in his registration late.

But seven years ago, the two found themselves at an anti-tobacco conference in De Moines, Iowa. They sat together on the four-hour bus ride home and, despite living 45 minutes apart, soon began dating.

Raised to respect

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Bill Bowser � MSU's top-ranked ROTC cadet Bill Bowser is heralded as the top-ranking cadet in Minnesota State's ROTC program. But don't tell him that. The sports management graduate student is as humble as he is driven and takes very little credit for his own achievements.

Teaching to his own tune

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Gerard Aloisio � Music professor Gerard Aloisio walks up and down the aisles of the Performing Arts Hall, looking as many of his pupils in the eye as he can as he lectures about the great music producer, Phil Spector. Aloisio steals his students' attention with every hand motion and waving of his arms as he illustrates Spector's "wall of sound.

The long road to fulfilling a goal

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Peter McGahey � Women's soccer coach Peter McGahey was originally a mass communications major with an emphasis on public relations. It wasn't until his senior year of college while in an internship that he realized his job on the side, coaching youth soccer, was what he really wanted to keep doing.

The perfect prescription

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Aspiring pharmacists at Minnesota State, look no further: the Pre-Pharmacy Club wants you.

Although no doctorate program for pharmacy exists at MSU, students interested in chemistry or biology can meet with the pre-pharmacy club as a way to quell their curiosities.

The vegan way

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:00:00 GMT

In the fall of 2007, Dave Sieberg was interested in joining an animal rights group at Minnesota State, but there wasn't one. So, he took the initiative and started his own, called MSU Animal Rights Concern.

The group focuses on raising awareness about animal rights and veganism at MSU, but its main priority is to create a community for vegans and vegetarians on campus.

A tough task to follow

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The Mankato Loyola baseball team has a tough task ahead of it this season. After all, how does one improve on perfection?

Perfection is what Loyola achieved last season in conference play, where the Crusaders went 12-0. They finished 18-3 overall, but have only two seniors returning this year and a few holes to fill.

Blue streak

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

JOSH HEBRINK staff writer The Blue Earth Area girls track and field team is back to defend the South Central Conference for a second straight season and possibly take home a state title. Last year, the Buccaneers dominated the SCC, moved on to take the Section 2A title and finished runner-up in the Minnesota Class A true team state meet.

Bombs away for Mavericks

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Thirty-three. That is how many years in a row the Minnesota State baseball team has won more than 20 games. The only thing is that MSU has had former head coach Dean Bowyer there for 32 of those years. 2009 will start a new chapter for the Mavericks as new head coach Matt Magers takes over, but that doesn't necessarily mean a new tradition.

Conference titles in MSU's sights again

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Just like Minnesota State's indoor track and field team's season, it will be the same names leading the Mavericks outside this spring.

Katelin Rains may get the majority of the headlines when it comes to the team, but it's sophomore Lauren Stelten who helps make up the double-headed monster that makes up the Mavericks' pole-vaulting group.

Cougars face challenges as they enter season

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

KYLE RATKE

assistant sports editor

The Mankato East softball team will face some challenges if it plans to compete in the Big Nine Conference. One of those challenges is to fill the huge hole left in the pitching rotation after the graduation of pitcher Laura Vanderhoof.

Drive for success

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Beginning the 2008 fall golf season, the Bethany Lutheran College men's team was off to a hot start after taking home two first-place finishes in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference action.

But the Vikings lost momentum when it mattered the most as the team could only manage to reach bronze after taking third in the UMAC championship rounds.

Eagles hope to soar to state again

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

REPORTER STAFF

When it comes to Valley Conference softball, once again, expect to see Maple River near the top of the standings.

The Eagles, who took the Class AA consolation championship in 2008, haven't lost a conference game in more than three seasons.

Eagles look to maintain edge

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

JOSH HEBRINK

staff writer

It may be to early to tell which high school baseball team in the South Central Conference has the upper edge going into the 2009 season, but all signs point in favor of the returning champion New Ulm Eagles.

The Eagles dominated the SCC last season with a perfect conference record of 9-0 and proved their talent by pushing further than any conference opponent in the postseason before falling to Pipestone Area 4-2 in Section 3AA.

East looks to rebound from 2008 campaign

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

KYLE RATKE

assistant sports editor

After accumulating only five wins in 2008, the Mankato East baseball team is eager to hit the diamond for another season and a fresh start at proving its contender status in the Big Nine Conference.

"Our kids are really looking forward to this season and they're really working hard," said East head coach Dan Quame.

Entire conference to improve

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Norwood-Young America softball coach John Lambrecht may have said it best when describing the Minnesota River Conference.

"Well, it's hard to say," he said.

The Raiders took third, along with Holy Family Catholic, finishing with an 8-4 conference record.

Experience key in conference race

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

With the Gopher Conference softball season underway this week, people have made their predictions about which teams will finish atop the standings in May.

The biggest factor will be who is returning more starters from last season's teams.

Defending Gopher champion Faribault Bethlehem Academy has lost most of its starting lineup including six All-Gopher Conference picks from 2008.

Experienced Scarlets have unfinished business

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The Mankato West softball team may have started and ended its season with a loss, but in the 25 games in between the Scarlets were pretty good.

West lost a nonconference game to start last season to Apple Valley 3-2, but won every game after and became Big Nine Conference and Section 2AAA champs.

Five or six teams compete for Tomahawk title

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Not much has changed in the Tomahawk baseball conference from last year.

Five teams finished better than .500 in the conference, and the top three - Sleepy Eye St. Mary's, New Ulm Cathedral and Wabasso - combined for just 10 conference losses.

This season should see more of the same.

Gustavus trying to avoid another second-half slump

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

When Gustavus Adolphus concluded its 2008 season with a record of 21-18, there was a slight feeling of disappointment among the players. After starting 10-0 the Gusties failed to continue their consistent play and were knocked out early in the MIAC playoffs to St.

Gusties face big expectations

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Entering his fourth season as the Gustavus Adolphus head softball coach, Jeff Annis has compiled quite the resume. A 93-27 record over the last three seasons, including a 57-9 record last season, has put the Gustiess among the elite teams in the MIAC conference.

It takes two

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Laura Michaletz is the pitcher and Lizzy Karp is the catcher - and together, says Laura Olson, they form the catalyst for the Mankato Loyola softball team.

The two are juniors. Karp has been starting since eighth grade and Michaletz pitched the majority of the Crusaders' games last season.

Loyola rebuilding, but favorite

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

There is little doubt this spring about who will be the favorite in the Gopher conference. The Mankato Loyola baseball team was undefeated in conference play last year with a 12-0 record and scored nearly nine runs a game.

Other than Mankato Loyola, four teams had winning records last year.

MSU golf getting used to outdoors

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Minnesotans know the weather in the state of 10,000 lakes is unpredictable. As for the Minnesota State men's and women's golf teams, they are finding out first hand.

It's already April and both squads have spent more time in closed confines swinging clubs than seeing action on the links, where the actual game is supposed to take place.

Oakes' arm leading Jordan

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

With two teams that advanced to the state tournament in 2008 and Minnesota's highest-recruited pitcher in the same conference, it will be a tall challenge for other teams to keep up.

Yet, coaches from Le Sueur-Henderson and Sibley East remain optimistic about staying competitive with the Minnesota River Conference's top baseball teams.

Pitching leading West baseball

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The offense of the Mankato West baseball team might not be what it was in the early 2000s, but the Scarlets are still finding ways to win games.

The Scarlets haven't won a conference title since 2003 and finished fifth in the Big Nine Conference last season.

Salfer stands out on small team

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

There might not be a lot of athletes on the Wabasso track and field team, but don't think they won't put in a good effort.

The Rabbits have just eight athletes on the roster, while the other Tomahawk teams have many more. Head coach Alan Dewey said that the effort will be there, however.

Testing the training

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The Sports Institute opened in May of 2007 and is geared toward the performance enhancement of youth, high school, college and professional athletes. Before beginning a training program, all athletes completed a pre-test to assess their initial speed, power and agility.

Tomahawk throwdown

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Coaches Bob Mertz and John VanLoy share a similar view of the Tomahawk Conference.

"We play in a pretty tough conference," says Mertz, who heads the New Ulm Cathedral softball team. "We'll see some pretty good competition."

"The Tomahawk Conference," says VanLoy, the coach of Wabasso, "gets you ready for postseason play.

USC could lead pack in Gopher Conference

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

In a season-long race for the Gopher Conference track and field championship, the rest of the field could be chasing United South Central all spring. That's boys and girls.

The Rebels are favored to win the girls conference title with New Richland-Ellendale-Geneva giving the closest chase.

Vikings off to solid start in '09

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Coming off an impressive 22-15 record, the Bethany Lutheran College baseball team will look to continue climbing the UMAC ladder.

The Vikings are expected to take second in the conference. And have gotten off to a decent start, as they are 8-4.

There were some doubts coming into this season, as they are losing seven starters from last season.

Young Knights

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The Martin Luther College softball team might be extremely young, but so far the Knights' record hasn't reflected their youth.

The Knights have no seniors. They have only two juniors. The rest of the team consists of freshmen and sophomores.

Despite that fact, however, MLC has posted an 8-4 record so far this season - a record that puts the team on pace to improve dramatically on its 11-16 record last year.

Ziegler leads East track and field team

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The excitement around this year's Mankato East girls track and field team is evident. Last year's squad finished fifth in the true team state tournament and returns three of its state competitors from last season.

Senior Maddy Ziegler has been terrific in the long jump in her tenure with the team.

Beat writer blog: The view from the press box

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Beginner's luck. That in a way is how I felt about covering the Minnesota State women's basketball team for the MSU Reporter. If you were to tell me six months ago that the first team I covered would be national champs, I would have laughed.

To be quite honest, my first choice would have been to cover the men's basketball team - high-flying, athletic and a championship contender.

Mankato catches 'Maverick fever'

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Since the middle of the Minnesota State women's basketball team's season, the stands in the Taylor Center slowly added a few more people to the normally quiet 6 p.m. game.

When the NCAA Division II playoffs began in mid-March, the Mavericks saw record numbers in attendance.

Mavericks Final Four bound

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO - Sure, it might not have been the prettiest game for the Minnesota State women's basketball team, as their shooting was off and it seemed like some players felt the nerve of playing on the big stage. But either way, the Mavericks were just as satisfied with the result of their first-ever Final Four appearance as they defeated fourth-seeded Michigan Tech 61-53.

Mavericks national champs

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Sitting at the press table Tuesday afternoon, minutes after beating Michigan Tech to advance to the NCAA Division II semifinals, Alex Andrews said she wanted to be one of the few teams to end her career with a win.

And on Friday, the senior forward's career-high 25 points helped her do so.

Mavericks pick up fans in San Antonio

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO - Even 1,220 miles away, it's never too late to make a new friend, gain a fan, or in the Minnesota State women's basketball team's case - both.

It's been about 10 years since Don and Janis Furness were last in Minnesota, but the married couple of 15 years were regulars in the crowd Wednesday night on the campus of St.

Mavs move on

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO - With the smiles and laughs being shared between members of the Minnesota State women's basketball team, one would've never known that 24 hours ago Heather Johnson played one of her worst games of the season. Luckily for Johnson and the Mavericks, they still found a way to win.

MSU Postseason Awards

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

MVP: Heather Johnson, Joanne Noreen, Alex Andrews A case could be made for any of the three players as team MVP. Johnson was the guard who could score in bunches and her streaky shooting led the Mavericks in the semifinals and finals. Noreen was the steady offensive presence who rarely had an off-game.

Not many coaches can match Gohl's first-season success

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

At about 8 p.m. Friday in San Antonio, Pam Gohl's eight month-long interview process was officially complete.

And she did pretty well.

Gohl was named interim head coach of the Minnesota State women's basketball team on July 31, after Lori Fish took a job at St.

Stepping up at the right time

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO - Liz Trauger started every game for the Minnesota State women's basketball team last season. And although she's never started a game under new head coach Pam Gohl this season, the junior's presence on the floor hasn't deteriorated.

Top 10 moments of MSU women's season

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

10. Pam Gohl becomes Mavericks' 8th head coach

Early in August, former head coach Lori Fish resigned from her position and left to coach at St. Cloud State. Everyone knew the Mavericks had potential, but people were unsure how the coaching change would affect the program.

Walsh, Moe lead unsung backcourt

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO - The Minnesota State women's basketball team has many talented players. A good Mavericks fan has probably heard the names Heather Johnson, Joanne Noreen and Alex Andrews over and over again.

While these seniors deserve a lot of praise for turning the program around and taking it to the Elite Eight, there are two players that have meant just as much to the Mavericks this season: junior point guard Tiffany Moe and sophomore point guard Andrea Walsh.

A second chance at success

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Sometimes students on the brink of college success need just a little push to get them over the edge.

The Mankato College Access Program (MA-CAP)is designed to help these students pursue their academic aspirations through a structured and conducive learning environment.

Freshmen orientation in full swing

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

It's the middle of summer and Minnesota State is humming with commotion. The parking lots are crammed to capacity while campus volunteers frantically shuttle from one building to the next, guiding strings of people toward destinations unknown.

Strangers to the hilltop peer wearily through construction ladders and newly-paned glass, their eyes searching frantically for the purple and gold signs whose bold print promises salvation in the form

of direction.

Inspiring women to lead

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

After previously attending a well-respected Pennsylvania women's leadership institute, four female faculty at Minnesota State wanted to give back to women in the region by offering something similar - an opportunity for women to gain valuable leadership skills right here.

Keeping busy during break

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Free from the chains of weekly quizzes, papers and study sessions, many students at Minnesota State have hit the proverbial paradox that accompanies the open schedule of the summer months - boredom.

Students have begun to arise- after a near-month of post-final partying - from unwashed mounds of used laundry and empty Doritos bags only to find a world full of time and sunlight, but empty of purpose.

MSU lifts Mexico study abroad ban

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Minnesota State is lifting its suspension of academic programs in Mexico following the Center for Disease Control's revised travel recommendations for the H1N1 flu virus.

Effective immediately, students will once again be able to study in Mexico after the April ban.

Youth sports camp to honor Betty Young

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

A new sports camp for youth will feature basketball, soccer, football and track and field for K-12 students. This free camp, the Dr. Betty Young Youth Sports Camp and Clinic will be held June 27 at Minnesota State.

The MSU Athletic Department and the Office of Institutional Diversity will sponsor the program that will be held at Meyers Field House from 9 a.

Two Mavericks drafted

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Two Mavericks were selected in last weeks Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

The first player from MSU taken was junior right-handed pitcher Chris Odegaard. The Arizona Diamondbacks drafted Odegaard in the 23rd round.

The Minnesota Twins picked Odegaard in the exact same spot last year.

Our take

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

I've been on both sides of this issue in the last year or so. At first, I thought it would be a great way to stick it to the Packers and maybe even get past the first game of the playoffs.

But after more deliberation last winter, I started to realize that Brett would be an upgrade at quarterback.

We meet again old friend

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The question has been lingering for more than a year now. Will Brett Favre make the Vikings better? If so, is it worth the risk? The former Green Bay Packer has torched the Vikings many times throughout his career and some fans on both sides just can't see him doing the Lambeau Leap in a purple uniform.

A guide to summer music festivals

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Lollapalooza-- - Aug. 7-9

The highlight of the summer music festival season has to be Lollapalooza.

C3 Promotions, the company behind Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits, really knows how to satisfy upwards of 100,000 attendees with a blend of perfect site planning, great scheduling and diverse talent.

The quick fix

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

"The Hangover" Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms The winner of funniest summer movie (so far) is "The Hangover" from the director of college favorite "Old School." Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms and Bradley Cooper give gut-bustingly funny performances as three guys who lose the Bachelor after a wild Bachelor party in Las Vegas and must find him, except they can't remember anything from the night before.