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Minnesota State University, Mankato
Minnesota State University, Mankato

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Alumni & Friends Testimonials

Page address: https://web.mnsu.edu/giving/stories/alumnifriends.html

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Students holding Thank You signWhy support Minnesota State Mankato?

The following testimonials are from friends and alumni about why they give to Minnesota State Mankato. If you'd like to submit a testimonial, please email annualgiving@mnsu.edu

Please also visit our Campus Drive page for testimonials from faculty and staff.

  • Check out the Minnesota State Mankato YouTube video.
Claudia (Amorim, ’02, ‘06) Roesler

"As a two-time graduate of Minnesota State, I am grateful to my alma mater in numerous ways. Since my most recent graduation in 2006, I have been teaching fourth grade and currently work for Owatonna Public Schools. Teaching is a career that allows me to wake up every morning excited to go to work. I am incredibly fortunate to enjoy what I do, thanks to many gracious alumni whose support got me through college. The initiative of raising funds to support the University provided me with a job throughout my collegiate experience. It also opened my eyes to how important every single dollar is to Minnesota State and it provided me with direct support, such as being awarded the University Advancement Scholarship. Without Minnesota State I would not have been able to live in Mexico, work with the Annual Fund, be a part of the College of Education, a member of the Advisory Council Board, make irreplaceable friends, or meet my fiancé. It is a part of me and that is why I now give back. I know my donation is helping someone else have the time of their life. Each year I give a small, but important gift to the specific area of my choice. I know that my gifts, combined with others, allow the University to be an innovative institution. What has Minnesota State done for you; your career, your personal life, your experiences? Your future gift, like your Minnesota State experience doesn’t have to be about quantity, but quality."

Brian ('01, '04) and Christianne (Oven, '02) Jones

"Christianne and I met on campus and the course of our lives was changed forever... for the better! I worked in the Armstrong Hall Copy Shop and she worked in the Speech Department down the hall; we met making copies. After five and a half years of marriage we still remember our days together at Minnesota State fondly. While we can't afford to sponsor full scholarships or name a building at this point in our careers, we both value the education and experience that the University provided us. The opportunities we had on campus and the people that we met helped us find the rewarding careers that we enjoy today. Giving what we can afford to Minnesota State helps provide a little bit of that same experience for someone else. So many people at the University helped us and it's nice to be in a position to return the favor."

Brian Jones, '01,'04, Presidential Scholar '97-'01

"Minnesota State made a significant investment in me with the Presidential Scholarship. It was easy as a college student to take such an investment for granted and yet the people I met and the experiences that I had on campus were tremendously valuable in my personal development. I feel very fortunate to have found a rewarding career and I want to give something back in return. My goal is to one day be able to sponsor a scholarship for at least one student at the University, but for the time being it is tremendously rewarding to contribute toward the scholarship endowment. Over the course of time my contributions can significantly help students (like I once was) afford a college education."

Tony Wacholtz, ‘05

"After graduating from Minnesota State, I was hired as an editor for Compass Point Books--a children's book publishing company based in Mankato. From working with experts in the field to picking exciting images for each book, I learn something new every day. Minnesota State helped me get to where I am today, which is why I choose to donate to the University. I am able to designate my pledge to the specific departments and organizations that prepared me for the business world. As an alumnus, I feel it's important to give today's students the same opportunities I had as an undergraduate."