President's Welcome

Dear Students:

Welcome to Minnesota State University, Mankato! I am delighted that you have chosen to attend our University and am confident that you will find faculty and staff eager to help you achieve your potential in the classroom and in life's experiences. Our faculty are committed to outstanding teaching, scholarship, research, and creative activity and are dedicated to preparing educated citizens for our society. I hope that you will explore the many educational opportunities our University offers you.

Minnesota State Mankato is proud to promote learning through effective undergraduate and graduate teaching, scholarship, and research in service to the State, the region, and the global community. Our strategic priorities reflect this commitment to teaching and learning. Minnesota State Mankato stands out as one of the Midwest's top quality institutions.

Recent accomplishments and awards tell the story:

• Minnesota State is becoming known throughout the state and nation for our research, particularly in renewable sources of energy. We are conducting leading–edge research in production of ethanol from grass, E–20 ethanol conversion kits, and other alternative energy products and sources.
• Recent campus facility upgrades include the remodeling of Trafton Science Center, completing of an Outdoor Recreation project that included four new softball fields, a new outdoor track with a soccer infield, along with other facilities, opening of The Center of Renewable Energy located near Wiecking Center, remodeling of the Centennial Student Union Ballroom, and construction of the Margaret R. Preska Residence Community.
• Forbes magazine ranked Minnesota State Mankato in the top quartile nationally of colleges and universities, and we were the highest ranked MnSCU institution. Additionally, the College of Business was named one of the nation's best business schools by The Princeton Review.
• Our Theatre and Dance and Music programs are consistently recognized for the quality of their performances with students receiving national awards in their performance areas.

I hope this will be a memorable and rewarding year for you at Minnesota State Mankato! I look forward to congratulating you upon your graduation when you will join the more than 105,000 successful alumni whose Minnesota State degree is a lifelong symbol of pride and achievement.

Sincerely yours,

Richard Davenport
President