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. In particular, you will find faculty are committed to outstanding teaching, scholarship, 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 University, Mankato a modern institution on the move, 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:

• The Julia Sears Residence Community will open in  the fall of 2008 and completion of Ford hall in the Trafton Science Center will be completed during fall 2008.
• 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.
• Continuing a tradition, two students and one administrator received Fulbright Scholar Awards for the 2007-2008 academic year.  Minnesota State ranks among the top producers of Fullbright Scholars.
• Minnesota State Mankato fields 23 intercollegiate athletic teams, including Division I WCHA men's and women's hockey and in Fall 2008 joins the Division II Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.  Over 500 student athletics participated in athletic competitions and include All Americans and national champions.
• The College of Business was named on 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 100,500 successful alumni whose Minnesota State University, Mankato degree is a lifelong symbol of pride and achievement.

Sincerely,

Richard Davenport
President