Summer programs offered for MSU students and faculty
The Student Event’s Team is kicking off summer in style with a variety of programs for students and faculty to participate in throughout the summer months. They include a bike ride, sports events, an outdoor movie, and even a tasty BBQ sampling.
“This is an opportunity for [students] to continue to be engaged throughout the summer,” said Bill Tourville, assistant director of Campus Programs. “Students go to class in the summer, they are still here, and we want to provide some things for them. That’s our responsibility.”
The first event kicks off Wednesday at 3 p.m. with the Dam Bike Ride. The 24-mile loop will begin at the Centennial Student Union and ride to the water dam in Rapidan, Minnesota where people can make a pit stop for some delicious pie before heading back. The group will be following the Red Jacket Trail. The trip will take about two and a half hours to complete, said Tourville.
This program is an annual event and usually has a group of 20 to 25 people ride together each year. Three of the assistant directors of Student Activities will be joining the ride this year.
The next event will be an MNSU Night at the Mankato MoonDogs June 15 at 7:05 p.m. Thanks to the MoonDogs, MNSU students will be able to purchase a discounted ticket package for $10, which will include a reserved seat, a meal deal—hotdog, chips, and a drink—and a MoonDogs baseball cap.
This is a new event that people have been asking about for a few years, and Tourville said that it’s nice that MNSU and the MoonDogs were able to work together to make it happen.
Tickets can be purchased in advanced at mnsuevents.com or at the event with a valid MavCARD. Students can purchase up to 5 tickets to give to family and friends.
On Thursday, June 22, the film “Beauty and the Beast” will be playing in the outdoor amphitheater. The movie will start at approximately 9 p.m., or when it is dark enough to play.
The outdoor movies have been a popular event and always has a good turn out, said Tourville. Last year’s showing of Zootopia was attended by 450 people. It is suggested to come early to snag a good spot. People are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs to sit on. Concessions will be available Campus Kitchen and Campus Cupboard will be in attendance accepting donations. Donations of non-perishable food items will be rewarded with a free small popcorn, limit two free popcorns per family.
On Tuesday, June 25, the Student Events Team, Student Activities, and the Centennial Student Union are taking students to a Minnesota Lynx game. The tickets are located in the lower level, Section 115. Students can buy a ticket for $18, while the general public can buy one for $25. The money will cover the cost of bus rides to and from the game. The bus will leave from the CSU at 4 p.m. to make it to the 7 p.m. game.
Last, but certainly not least, the summer program series will end with the 5th annual BBQ Tasting and Demo from a former MSU student, Pat Nelson, who is the owner of Big Boned BBQ. Nelson competes in the local RibFest competition. The tasting and demo will start at 11:30 a.m. and go until 1 p.m. in the CSU Mall.
Last year, a Maverick Meal Deal was offered and sold out almost immediately, so Student Events is offering that same deal again this year. The deal is $6 and comes with a pulled pork sandwich or a brisket sandwich, a side of coleslaw, and a side of cornbread. While tickets can be purchased at the event, Student Events is asking that people preorder if they want a meal so that Nelson will know how much food to prepare. Department orders can be placed in order to cut down on money transactions.
Student Events would also like to plan a film showing with the Minnesota Vikings as they did last year, but negotiations are still taking place.
“We do our best to program with almost no budget. Everything is done on enough money to print,” said Tourville. “The Maverick community doesn’t stop in the summer; it continues throughout the year. The big thing is to come back and enjoy this campus.”
