The SMSU Podcast

In this episode, Charlotte Wahle, Director of Admissions at SMSU, joins the show to ease the worries of going through the college admissions journey. Whether you're a high school student, parent, or educator, this conversation offers valuable insights into: What students should know before applying to college Key deadlines and tips for navigating the admissions timeline How SMSU supports prospecti...

The SMSU Creative Writing and English Program hosts prominent authors on campus as part of its ongoing Visiting Writers Series. This semester, SMSU is proud to welcome Heid E. Erdrich for a public reading on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 7:00 pm in Charter Hall 201. Erdrich is the author of nine books of poetry and prose as well as a teacher and curator. Her reading is the first installment of the visiti...

Homecoming 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting celebrations yet at Southwest Minnesota State University! In this episode, Hannah Abel, Director of Alumni Relations and Outreach, joins us to preview the full slate of events happening on campus. 🏟️ Highlights include: Saturday Morning Mustang Radio Show – Kick off the day with live updates from Mustang Athletics coaches and staff at Ex...

This week, SMSU highlights Cecelia Parmeter, a dedicated Culinology student, who shares her experience helping launch this semester's Mustang Kitchen on campus. The episode explores: Cecelia’s journey through the Culinology program at SMSU. The vision and purpose behind the Mustang Kitchen. Insights into the hands-on learning opportunities the kitchen provides. Make sure to reserve your spot! Clic...

This week, we have Ashton Ayres, Assistant Director of the Student Center at Southwest Minnesota State University, join us to talk about Family Weekend and other exciting campus events. Ashton highlights the variety of activities planned for students and their families, including: Athletic events like football, volleyball, and soccer games. Student-led entertainment, such as improv performances by...

This week we have Nadine Purvis Schmidt, SMSU Theatre Professor, to talk about her performance during her sabbatical this semester! The show is titled “Apples in Winter“, written by Jennifer Faucet, and is a single performer show, and Nadine goes over what all goes into preparing for a one performer show. The show is free admission with a free-will donation and will be performed on September 24th...

This week, we have Hannah Abel joining us to cover a few of the events happening on campus that the community should definitely be aware of! First, we discuss the incredible opportunity presented by the Women’s Leadership Conference and its impressive lineup of speakers. The conference will be held on September 18, 2025, starting at 8:00 a.m. If any SMSU students are interested in attending, the s...

This week, we introduce SMSU’s Interim President, Dr. David Jones, who brings 14 years of experience from Minnesota State University and looks to continue the success that SMSU has had over the past few years in enrollment. Dr. Jones reviews his journey that has led him to SMSU and what he and his family are excited about in Marshall, Minnesota.

This week, President Kumara Jayasuriya has served as Southwest Minnesota State University’s president for six years, starting in 2019. We discussed his successes at SMSU with him and what he will miss most. He will retire after the 2025 spring commencement. President Jayasuriya will be greatly missed here on campus as he helped grow SMSU during his tenure.

This week, we have Alyssa Miessner, Assistant Director of Development, on to talk about the Fourth Annual M4L Day of Giving. The event is to call upon the Mustang Family to support current Mustangs in a variety of different ways! There are timed challenges, matching goals, and so many other opportunities to support SMSU!

This week, the first STEM Symposium will be taking place on campus, featuring keynote speaker Dr. Trachette Jackson, Associate Vice President for Research, DEI Initiatives, and University Diversity and Social Transformation at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The topic of her keynote is “Mobilizing Mathematics”.

The Natural History Museum is located in the Science and Math building on SMSU's campus. The Museum recently underwent a facelift with the help of both Katie and Alyssa, who gathered funding and helped see the completion of the new Natural History Museum. The Museum has many more interactive spaces and engaging displays that you won't be able to keep your eyes off—ranging from usable microscopes t...

The English department puts on the creative writing series to showcase what students can do once they earn their degree at SMSU. Nick Northrup, aka Crowfather, is this year’s featured guest. Nick and Jesse go over how SMSU can help students make a career with a creative writing degree, along with Nick’s journey at SMSU and how his experiences here have helped him get to where he is today!

Throughout April, SMSU hosts events featuring many of our different programs, including English, Music, Theatre, and more! Each area on campus has different events to highlight the work students do!

This week we get a preview of this spring's Theatre performance, “SHOUT The MOD Musical”. Sheila and Olivia go through the process of what it takes to get a musical up and running, talking about everything from costumes to stage direction and choreography!

This week, we walk through the different concerts that will be put on with Dr. Daniel Rieppel and the Music Department as a whole! We also go over some work that Dr. Rieppel has been working on with the Bill Holmes Documentary

This week, we go over questions you might have about the FAFSA and what you’ll need to do in preparing for college! We also discuss other options besides just filling out the FAFSA.

This week, Housing sign-up has opened for on-campus residents starting on the 25th with Juniors and moving down through future students. Jerry goes over everything students need to know and may have questions about when it comes to living on campus and how many opportunities students have to save money while living on campus through the opt-on advantage plan!

This week, SMSU has brought back one of our alumni, Cassie Williams ‘07/’16, for a poetry reading on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 6:30 in the Whipple Gallery on campus! Cassie’s writing covers all aspects of her life, from her work advocating for marginalized groups to her life as a woman of color and mother to five children. Michele spoke about her work in Access Opportunity Success and support...

This week, Broadcasting & Digital Media Majors Seely Stockmoe and Landon Kruse join the show to highlight the Mustang Blueprint Podcast, a student-run podcast highlighting self-improvement, college life, and entrepreneurial opportunities in the local area! Seely and Landon talk about how the podcast came to be, along with their involvement and passion for creating content and bettering themsel...

This Saturday is Tropical Night, and activities are happening all day. Athletics will start the day with their hall of honor event at 10:30 a.m. The Alumni Association will host a social event in the RA Facility starting at 3:30 p.m. and continuing through the basketball games. Anyone is welcome to enjoy the Mustang Ale! The Women's game begins at 5, and the Men's game will follow at 7! 

The Ag Bowl Scholarship Invites over 1,500 high school students from across multiple different states in the Midwest, including Wisconsin! The students start the day off bright and early with an introduction to the university in the RA facility and spend the entire day competing in a wide range of FFA competitions! In addition to their competitions, students also compete for scholarships to attend...

With the start of the spring semester, future college students begin to feel the pressure of applying for scholarships, writing college admission essays, and trying to navigate filling out the Fasfa. This week, Taylor McKittrick goes over why, when looking at SMSU, none of that worries students or their families. Taylor goes over what students should have ready to go by this point in the admission...

This week, Charlotte Wahle joins us to discuss the college admissions process and what you need to know as a parent! We also discuss why you might want to consider SMSU, with its great scholarship opportunities, small class size, and affordable tuition prices!

This week, Dr. John Ginocchio joins us to discuss the many concerts SMSU is involved in during this holiday season! The activities start as early as December 3rd with the SMO Holiday Cheer concert. The Festivities will start right before finals week with the annual Tuba Christmas Concert on December 14th. You can find the full list of concerts at https://www.smsu.edu/academics/programs/music/conce...