The SMSU Podcast

SMSU will host the 12th annual Ag Bowl Scholarship Invitational this week. The event is spearheaded by the SMSU Ag Club, with Hannah Myers and Madison Douvier coordinating the day's events. On Friday over 1,300 high school FFA students will compete in a wide variety of FFA competitions, along with a chance to receive scholarships from SMSU. The event kicks off at 7:30 am in the RA facility and wil...

With Tropical Night taking place Angela Lee, Director of Alumni Relations and Outreach, is on to talk about what is happening for the Alumni returning to campus. Angela also goes over what’s happening at the new “Elizabeth Lockwood Alumni Center” and the changes happening.

As the second half of the school year gets underway financial aid is something high school seniors should be aware of. There have been quite a few changes that have been made to the application process and Director of Financial Aid, Natasha Boe goes over what those changes are and some of the misconceptions that surround financial aid.  If you have questions on how to get started or if you are loo...

We kick off the new year by discussing the Mustang Pathway Program with Jeet Sausen, Associate Director of the program. She talked about how the program started and the success it has generated for SMSU.  The Mustang Pathway is the only program of its kind in the state, across both public and private higher education. The program serves historically underprivileged students and provides an alterna...

In today's episode, the VP for Government Relations, Communication & Marketing, Bill Mulso goes over his history at SMSU as he retires after working at the university for 35 years. Marcy talks with Bill about some of their best memories as students along with going over SMSU's most monumental changes throughout the years.

On this today's episode, the Director of Choral Activities, Music Education, and Music Theory at SMSU, Stephen Kingsbury, goes over the upcoming trip to Prague and Vienna the SMSU Chorale will be taking over Christmas break.   For more information on how to get involved with the SMSU Chorale and other vocal groups at SMSU contact Dr. Kingsbury through email at Stephen. Kingsbury@smsu.edu or give h...

On today's episode, Associate Professor of Biology Alyssa Anderson and Associate Professor of Exercise Science Mostafa Hehazy give an update on the 18th Annual Undergraduate Research Conference which took place on November 29th in the campus of SMSU. Anderson and Hezahy tell us a little bit more about their role as co-organizers of the events and their duties at SMSU. Anderson also talks about the...

On today's episode, Communications and Marketing Office Graduate Assistants, Juliana Villa and Jennifer Aguilar give us an update on their responsibilities as content strategists for SMSU social media channels. Juliana, a native from Colombia, and Jenny a native from Minnesota, talk to us about their roles, challenges they faced, and how they come up with ideas for SMSU social media channels, spec...

On this week’s episode, the Director of Bands at SMSU, John Ginocchio, gives us an update on the upcoming schedule of music events heading into winter break. Dr. Ginocchio tells us a little more about the different concerts and events taking place in the upcoming weeks. There are three concerts in November, on the 16th, the 20th, and the 30th. Coming in December, the SMSU Band, SMSU Chorale, and S...

Charlotte Wahle, director of admissions, was our guest for the KMHL Campus Update on these week's episode. Wahle, spoke to us about new programs that can help students with tuition costs for those who qualify. She also discussed the Southwest Guarantee, the North Star Promise Scholarship, and other SMSU scholarships available for current and new students. Charlotte also pointed out that tuition is...

On today's episode, SMSU Director of International Student Services and Global Studies, MayLee Moua-Vue, gives us an update on the upcoming International Education Week starting on Monday, November 13, 2023. Moua-Vue also talks about her role as director of the CIE, the current international student population, and the different opportunities SMSU students have to study abroad.  MayLee discussed t...

Theatre Professor and director, Sheila Tabaka, and student actor for the role of Jo March, Bryn Mongeau, give us an overview of the play Little Women.  They speak on the novel the play was based on and what they’ve enjoyed about bringing this beloved story of the March sisters to the SMSU main stage. Sheila covers the costuming challenges of a Civil War-era story. Bryn speaks about her character a...

On this week's episode, Southwest Minnesota Orchestra (SMO) music director, Dr. Daniel Rieppel, and Kris Gruhot, cellist and a member of the SMO board give us an update on their upcoming concert schedule and information.  The opening concert for the Orchestra season is on Sunday, October 22, and will feature music by Composers who faced adversity. The concert will also be dedicated to celebrating...

As a senior Lilli Lewandowski took on headfirst the role of coordinator for the Student Activity Committee (SAC). In this episode she goes on to talk about the many events that SAC will be having during homecoming. As a student leader and member of the cheer team she speaks on challenges that may come from such a busy week. She encourages students to attend events during this fun-filled week. Not...

On this week's episode, Head Coach of SMSU's Esports Team, Spencer Louwagie, gives us a rundown all things Esports at SMSU.  Spencer talks about the new sparks that came from starting the team from the ground up. He goes over what Esports is all about, what competitions look like, the team itself and how his role as a coach has changed his approach. For more information about the Esports Team plea...

On this week's episode, Director of the Center for Civic and Community Engagement, Melissa Scholten, gives us an update on the upcoming annual Mustangs Give: Day of Service. This year's Day of Service is on October 11, 2023.  Melissa talks more about how and when it started, the goal of the activity, and more about the volunteers she has seen during the past few years. She also gives an update on...

On this week’s episode, Scott Ewing, Assistant Director of Student Activities, gives us an update on SMSU’s upcoming Family Weekend. Starting on Friday the 22nd and finishing the 24th, Family Weekend at SMSU features a variety ofevents for families to enjoy, including soccer, volleyball, and football matches; Planetarium show; Chemistry Club liquid nitrogen ice cream; Drama Club improv; Family wee...

On today's episode, SMSU Foundation Director of Annual Giving, Meredith Swan, gives us an update on SMSU's upcoming 2023 University Gala, which will have the theme of "Starlight Gala." Meredith tells us some interesting things about the history of the Gala and the recent changes it has been through. She also gives us an inside of the food, the people involved, and the program for the evening.  Dur...

On this week's episode, Devin Gorter, SMSU Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs, gives us an update on SMSU Athletics and The Mustang Club. Devin also tells us about SMSU fall sports (football, volleyball, soccer, cross country, and E-sports) and their seasons. During away games, Mustang fans can follow our athletes with the NSIC network. Devin mentions what students and Mustang suppor...

On today's episode, Dr. Erin Kline, the new Assistant VP for Equity and Inclusion/Campus Diversity Officer, gives us an update on SMSU’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Dr. Kline explained the values, mission, purpose, and goals guiding our efforts to create a welcoming and fulfilling college experience. She said that fostering innovation, new perspectives & experiences, and volu...

On this week's episode, Kelly Hanson, SMSU Director of Dining Services, gives us an update on the different campus refreshments in SMSU dining locations, focusing on making the spaces more comfortable for students and enhancing the social atmosphere in various places. Kelly also tells us about the rebranding of SMSU's coffee shop, now called "Gold & Brew" (serving Starbucks Coffee), and what a...

On today’s episode, Charlotte Wahle, the new Director of Admissions at SMSU, gives us an update about her new role, what students can expect during this year’s Gold Rush Days, and other activities the admission department at SMSU has in place to help students acclimate to their new college lives.  SMSU Gold Rush Days are from Thursday, August 17th, to Sunday, August 20th. The full schedule can be...

This week's episode featured guests Dr. Daniel Rieppel and Anna Sigríður Helgadóttir, Mezzo Soprano, from Reykjavik, Iceland. They talked about the upcoming Southwest Minnesota Orchestra Concert "The Idea of North" and the re-premiere of Ísland, originally written for Bill Holm by composer Christopher Kaufman. Also on the show was Pioneer PBS producer Dana Conroy to preview the upcoming film scree...

On today's episode, Dr. Stephen Kingsbury, SMSU Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities and Dr. Stephen Hamilton, a noted concert organist currently based out of the twin cities are here to give us an update about SMSU Chorale plans and upcoming performances. To know more about SMSU Chorale, contact Dr. Stephen Kingsbury by email Stephen. Kingsbury@smsu.edu or by phone 507-537-7247. S...

On today's episode, Meredith Swan, SMSU Foundation Director of Annual Giving, talked about the upcoming M4L (Mustangs for Life) Day of Giving on Thursday 27, 2023. M4L Day (Mustangs 4 Life Day) will bring together alumni, friends, students, parents, faculty, and staff for Southwest Minnesota State University's Second Annual Day of Giving. This is a 24-hour online fundraising event full of opportun...