Spring 2009 TODAY Column

As President of this great university, I am proud of our many faculty, staff and student accomplishments during the past academic year. They include the following: We added a third doctorate, the Doctor of School Psychology (Psy.D.) degree which meets the standards of the National Association of School Psychologists and the American Psychological Association. Nine candidates are registered for the new program.

We established the Glen Taylor Nursing Institute for Family and Society, which will generate research focused on improving family and society-based healthcare. The Institute, an endowed chair and Becky Taylor Fellowships in Nursing are all made possible by a generous gift from Glen ’62 and Becky Taylor. Finance and facilities staff were recognized by the Chancellor’s Office for excellence in Financial Management, Excellence in Facilities Management and Outstanding Service by an individual (Larry Kohanek, Planning and Construction).

We were named academic partner and the Minnesota headquarters in an international renewable energy institute that facilitates idea and technology exchange between Sweden and the United States. We also hosted the first International Bioenergy Days, a six-day conference designed to jumpstart bioenergy commercialization and technology transfer initiatives between the United States and Sweden.

Our College of Education, together with our Mathematics faculty, has been named to lead a new academy to improve science and math teaching techniques for K-12 teachers in south central Minnesota. We reported nearly a 5 percent increase in students of color over a six-year period, beginning in 2002 when I announced that increasing diversity was to be our number-one goal.

Our theatre students and athletes have performed exceptionally well at the national level this year (You’ll read more about our National Champion Women’s Basketball team in this issue.) During the past year, twenty-nine current and emeriti faculty published thirty-nine books and musical scores. A list of authors is located at http://lib.mnsu.edu/archives/info/authoris.html These highlights indicate the breadth and depth of our commitment to solving problems and making a real difference for the people and places around us. We have also achieved a milestone this past year in 7700 France Avenue in Edina, our new educational site largely serving working adults and nontraditional students in the metro area. You’ll read more about 7700 France in this issue of TODAY.

Achievements like these evidence our tradition of educating students in the very best way we can with the resources we have—a commitment that endures despite hardships, economic or otherwise. Just as the University is re-adjusting its budget to meet economic challenges, I’m certain that alumni and friends are examining their own budgets and making changes as well. All of us know and understand that certain investments are vital. They can lead not only to eventual economic recovery, but to the kind of comfort and prosperity we all hope to enjoy and pass along to future generations. A contribution to Minnesota State Mankato today has the benefit of helping students immediately, while investing in the future as today’s students move forward to take their place among leaders seeking solutions for global issues.

We’re determined to continue our work, and we hope you’ll decide to be a part of it through much-needed financial support. Please consider a gift to Minnesota State Mankato at this critical time, no matter the size. You’ll be helping a great University continue its tradition of excellence in the classroom and beyond.