Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSU or MNSU), also known as Minnesota State, is a public comprehensive university located in Mankato, Minnesota. The university sits atop the bluff of the Blue Earth River valley, approximately 75 miles (121Â km) southwest of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Established in law as the Second State Normal School in 1860, it officially opened as Mankato Normal School in 1868 and is the second oldest member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. It is also the secord largest public university in the state, and has over 116,000 alumni worldwide. It is the most comprehensive of the seven universities and is referred to as the flagship of the Minnesota State Universities and Colleges system. It is an important part of the economy of South-Central Minnesota as it adds more than $452 million to the economy of Minnesota annually.
Minnesota State offers 130 undergraduate programs of study, 75 graduate programs and 4 doctoral programs. Students are served by 750 full-time faculty members creating a 21:1 student to faculty ratio. In addition to the main campus, it operates two satellite campuses: one in the Twin Cities suburb of Edina and the other in Owatonna. Through the College of Extended Learning it provides bachelor's degrees at the Normandale Partnership Center and programs online through an online campus.
History
Early years
The State Legislature recognized the need for an education center in southern Minnesota by 1858. In 1860 it authorized the development of a state run normal school and Mankato was selected for the site. Through the efforts of local attorney/state legislator Daniel Buck, the newly formed City of Mankato donated $5,000 and raised $5,000 in bonds for the founding of the second state normal school, Mankato Normal School. The first classes were held in 1868 with an enrollment of 27 students. The institution's original mission was to train and educate teachers for rural schools in southern Minnesota. During this early period, Mankato Normal School provided educational certificates and a majority of students were women. In relation to this focus on women's education, Mankato Normal School is noted as the first public college in the United States to be headed by a woman, suffragette Julia Sears, in 1872. Controversially Julia Sears was hired, then subsequently demoted and finally fired. Students and some residents were upset at this and a protest was held. This became known as the Sears Rebellion which lasted until Sears left the school for a professorship at Peabody Normal School.
State Teachers College
By 1921, the school had grown significantly to the point that it began to offer 4 year bachelor's degrees. As a result, it was renamed the Mankato State Teachers College. Enrollment then dipped during World War II and the college refocused its extension programs on providing education to members of the Works Progress Administration and Naval Corps.
Rapid post World War II expansion
During the post World War II period, student enrollment expanded greatly. The original university buildings were then located in what was known as the Valley Campus. It was located geographically down the hill in lower Mankato. The size and footprint of the Valley Campus could not sustain the space needed to handle the growing student body. By the late 1950s work began on constructing an entirely new, modern campus atop the river valley bluff. This became the Highland Campus. A new experimental school called the Wilson Campus School was built on the Highland Campus to research and apply new teaching methods.
Transition to comprehensive university
By 1957, the mission of the institution had broadened to comprehensive 4-year college education, the state legislature changed the name of the college to Mankato State College. The following years saw additional enrollment growth. The Valley Campus was eventually sold to a private developer and the Highland Campus grew in size. By the 1960s the institution had grown so fast and so large that there was a bill created in the State Legislature to designate it the University of Southern Minnesota and later a bill by Representative Mike McGuire would have renamed it Minnesota State University. These were proposed long before the popular television show Coach (TV series) aired. It was proposed to be a second and independent state university equal in stature to the University of Minnesota at a time when there was only one research institution. There was significant opposition from the University of Minnesota and from Governor Karl Rolvaag at the time. In 1975, the college successfully made the case to transition to comprehensive status and was renamed to Mankato State University. This change reflected a further 40% growth in the student body to 12,000 students by 1972. Following this period was a movement toward increasing the number of available programs including science, technology, engineering, health sciences and others. The university became more comprehensive in its programmatic offerings.
Change to Minnesota State University
In 1995, the seven state universities were transferred to the newly created Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system by the state legislature. Shortly after this, the University was renamed Minnesota State University, Mankato in 1998 in recognition of its significant contribution to the state's higher education system. This name change was also intended to broaden recognition of the university in the Midwest region. Dr. Richard Rush, then the President of the University had famously stated about the name change that: Our goal is to make this University the other great public university in Minnesota, this marked a significant change in direction in the history of the institution, one that would later be realized as it fought for the authorization of being able to award doctoral degrees. It was during this time that the institution began to refer to itself as Minnesota State.
In 2007, in another major milestone â€" the University was authorized to begin offering applied doctoral degrees.
Names
The University has previously been named:
- Mankato Normal School: 1868â€"1921
- Mankato State Teachers College: 1921â€"1957
- Mankato State College: 1957â€"1975
- Mankato State University: 1975â€"1998
- Minnesota State University, Mankato: 1998â€"present
Organization and administration
The university is organized into 8 discipline specific colleges. Academic programs, schools and extended learning are divided among them. These units are:
In addition to the academic units, there are several other research centers and state created units:
Academics
Minnesota State Mankato currently offers 130 undergraduate programs of study, 13 preprofessional programs, and 75 graduate programs. The university provides a comprehensive education, each undergraduate program of study includes general requirements for students to learn mathematics, writing, cultural diversity, speech, information technology and the environment. As part of its quality education, it is also one of the top producing universities in the country of its type that participates in the Fulbright Scholar program. It has produced 8 Student awards in the past 10 years and over 37 Fulbright Scholars in the past 30 years.
It also has an online learning campus that offers both undergraduate and graduate programs of study that can be completed fully online. Each year over 3,000 students graduate from the university. On average over 3,000 bachelors, 600 masters, 50 specialist and 10 doctorate degrees are awarded yearly during commencements that occur in Spring and Fall. The campus Career Development Center reports that 85% of graduates find employment in an area related to their field, and 90% of graduates were employed or continuing their education within 12 months of graduation.
Accreditation
The university is accredited by 26 national and regional accrediting agencies. A shortlist of these include accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission, American Association of University Women, American Board of Engineering and Technology, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Notable programs
Minnesota State has a history of creating new programs to meet the demand of new and developing fields. It has the only accredited bachelor's degree program in Aviation and supplies pilots to the entire region. It was the first institution in the United States to offer a Master of Fine Arts degree in Forensics. It has one of the first and oldest continuing program in Experiential Education. It also offered one of the first interdisciplinary programs in Urban Studies and Local Government Management.
Some of the notable programs include:
- Aviation and Airport Management program is the only nationally accredited aviation program in the State of Minnesota. Enrollment has grown over 60% over the last several years. Minnesota State has a strategic role in providing the training for all of the professional pilots trainees in the State of Minnesota. Graduates are often hired to work in nearby states as the program also serves the needs of the region.
- Master of Arts Program in Industrial and Organizational Psychology â€" In the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology last rankings of graduate programs, the program ranked first in students' ratings, fifth in program resources, and 7th in program culture. The I/O Department also runs their own consulting company entitled The Organizational Effectiveness Research Group.
- Master's degree in Experiential Education â€" The master's degree in Experiential Education is the oldest graduate degree program in experiential education in the United States. This program was originally started in 1971, as a joint venture between the University and Minnesota Outward Bound School.
- Doctor of Psychology in School Psychology â€" The Psy.D. Program is NCATE accredited, and, trains students to attain certification to practice as school psychologists or pursue other doctoral level employment such as university teaching. The program operates a clinic on campus, and has a history of providing school psychology services to primary and secondary school students in Belize.
Enrollment
Minnesota State commonly has a student profile that consists of a cross section of society. It includes a large percentage of residential full-time students. It currently attracts the second largest number of incoming Minnesota freshman each year. For the past several years (2013â€"2016), the institution has rolling admissions with an acceptance rate of 65.5%, and the average accepted student ACT score ranges from 20â€"25.
After Fall 2012, the university has become the largest university in the Minnesota State System system according to the total number of full-year equivalent students (14,443), as St. Cloud State (13,938) has a significantly larger percentage of PSEO and part-time students that causes a headcount to be higher.
Campus of Minnesota State University
The Minnesota State University campus currently contains 30 buildings spread over 303 acres. The campus includes on campus housing in the form of dorms for 3,000 residents, academic buildings, a main library, a music library, two astronomy observatories, experimental research stations for alternative and renewable energy, a recreation center, an athletics complex, a student center, an administration center and over 50 acres of athletics fields including the American football Blakeslee Stadium. The Minnesota State Mavericks men's and women's hockey teams also utilize and have administrative space at the Verizon Wireless Center and the All Seasons Arena located off campus.
Satellite campuses
Edina Campus
This campus is located at 7700 France Ave. S. in Edina, Minnesota and serves a diverse student body from the southwest Twin Cities metropolitan area. Program offerings at this campus include 12 undergraduate programs including bachelor's degrees, bachelors completion programs, undergraduate minors and teaching licensure. The College of Graduate Studies offers 23 graduate programs including master's degrees in Accounting, Engineering, Education Leadership, Community Health, Human Services Planning and Administration, Business Administration (MBA), Master of Public Administration (MPA, Nursing, School Health Education and Special Education. Doctoral studies are available at this location for the Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Doctorate in Nursing Practice programs. Additionally, the Edina Campus also provides continuing education and outreach for areas in engineering, nursing, teaching and urban studies.
Owatonna Campus
Located on the southwest side of Owatonna, Minnesota, the Owatonna College and University Center was established on 27 acres by the state to meet the needs of college graduates in the Owatonna area. This site is a collaboration of Minnesota State University, Mankato, South Central College, and Riverland Community College to provide lower division liberal arts, career and technical education, and upper division and graduate-level studies in one location. On average 4,000 students attend this location for-credit coursework.
Normandale Partnership Center
A partnership center was established in 2012 to offer several targeted bachelor's degree in the southwest Twin Cities area at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minnesota. This partnership was an extension of the existing demand in the area that expertise from Minnesota State could offer through flexible technology, online learning and offering staff at Normandale Community College. Currently bachelor's degrees are offered in Communication Studies, Elementary Education, Integrated Engineering, Special Education and Applied Organizational Studies. Plans to offer additional coursework is in place for the future at both the Partnership Center with Metropolitan State University, and in collaboration with the Edina and Mankato Campuses.
Student life
There are more than 200 academic student groups, intramural sports, leadership and religious organizations, honorary and professional fraternities and sororities, and special interest groups that students can join. There is also an active Panhellenic Council and Intrafraternity Council. Several active fraternities are located nearby campus including Phi Kappa Psi, Sigma Nu, Lambda Chi Alpha, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Delta Chi. Active sororities include â€" Alpha Chi Omega, Gamma Phi Beta, Alpha Sigma Alpha and Sigma Sigma Sigma.
Student government
The Student Senate provides leadership and policy action as an advisory council to the student body. It oversees student activity fees allocations, hires a student legal aid, communicates with the university faculty and leadership, provides grade appeals, awards a yearly scholarship and operates a textbook rental/reserve program for commonly requested books.
The Minnesota State Student Association represents Minnesota State University, Mankato students at the Institutional, Local, State and Federal governing levels through listening to and voicing the thoughts, ideas, and concerns of all students. It advocates on behalf of university students along with the Minnesota State University Student Association.
LGBTC Resource Center
Minnesota State University, Mankato has the second oldest LGBT resource center for students in the nation. This center, originally named the "Alternative Lifestyles Office", was founded by Mankato alumnus James Chalgren in 1977. The current director of the Center is Jessica Flatequal. The Center is located in the Centennial Student Union and is an independent office within the University Student Affairs. Minnesota State was also voted as one of the top 100 campuses in the nation for GLBT students according to The Advocate.
Student housing
Freshman and sophomore students are encouraged to stay in the on-campus student housing. Students may optionally choose to participate in the Learning Community Program. This program provides a structured environment for incoming first-year students to join a residence hall that supports their academic success by placing them with students from the same major, provides major specific study sessions led by senior students and provides direct connections with faculty and staff.
Athletics
The athletic teams are known as the Minnesota State Mavericks with school colors of purple and gold. More than 500 students participate each year in athletics each year for the University. It offers teams in men's and women's hockey and basketball, football, baseball, golf, women's swimming, track, cross country, women's tennis, wrestling, soccer, golf, volleyball, and softball. The men's and women's ice hockey teams both compete in the NCAA Division I Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA), along with four other Minnesota-based college teams. Other university athletic teams began competing in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference of NCAA Division II in 2008â€"09 following the disbandment of the North Central Conference.
The school mascot is Stomper, the Maverick, an caricature of a wild steer. He is known for helping to rally the fans and crowds at sporting events through various antics. He can be seen as part of giveaways and other competitions and is often playfully waving to children. Several events, locations and areas are named for Stomper.
Minnesota State athletics teams have placed favorably in national competitions in NCAA Division II athletics in several sports including hockey, football, baseball, women's basketball, men's basketball, men's track & field, wrestling, women's soccer and softball. Since 1993 the Mavericks have captured the most individual national championships out of all sixteen colleges and universities in the Northern Sun Conference. The 2015 Season marked the 14th straight year that the Mavericks have finished in the top 25 in the country in the national standings and seventh time Minnesota State has posted a top-five placing for the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup. It has also won the NSIC US Bank All-Sports Award 4 times and placed 2nd 2 times during the last six-year period of the 2008â€"2015 competition seasons.
The Minnesota State fight song is The Minnesota State Rouser also known as the Maverick Rouser. It is played at all the athletics events as well as other events along with the school song The Minnesota State Hymn. The Minnesota State University Marching Band is called the Maverick Machine it drives enthusiasm and school spirit at athletics events.
Minnesota State was the traditional location of the summer training camp for the Minnesota Vikings National Football League team for 52 years. Each year over 60,000 fans traveled to Blakeslee Stadium on the Minnesota State University campus athletics grounds to watch team practice, fireworks, signing events, fan meet and greet and other events. In 2017, the Vikings ownership announced they would end the annual tradition as they built a new facility in Eagan to be completed in 2018. A single scholarship was named by the Vikings at the school after the termination of the camp. Critics decried that the Vikings team did not further assist the university, either with repairs to the stadium or further commemoration of the long running tradition.
Facility renovations and upgrades
The Taylor Center opened in the Fall of 2000, and was made possible by the donations of alumnus Glen Taylor. The 4,800-seat facility houses Maverick basketball, volleyball and wrestling teams. The MSU Admissions office is also located here and the 5,000 square-foot Hall of Champions showcases the University's proud history. In addition to MSU athletic events and other sporting activities, Taylor Center also hosts MSU commencement ceremonies, major concerts and lectures.
Expanded Outdoor Athletic Facilities were constructed in the very southern portion of the campus including over 20 acres of new baseball fields, a soccer field, a jogging track, a trail, and experimental wind power facilities were completed in 2008.
In Popular Fiction
A fictitious Minnesota State University was the main setting for the popular sitcom Coach, with its teams nicknamed the Screaming Eagles. However, the show was filmed and portrayed by University of Iowa and other colleges. At the time the television show was filmed the institution was still under the previous name, Mankato State University.
Notable alumni
- Adrienne Armstrong â€" Record producer, clothing designer, and wife of Billie Joe Armstrong of the band Green Day
- David Backes â€" NHL forward, Boston Bruins, Team USA (Vancouver 2010)
- Bob Barrett (politician) â€" member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, also the Director of Market Research for the Hazelden Foundation.
- Adrian Battles â€" NFL guard, Green Bay Packers
- Lou Bellamy, founder of Penumbra Theatre Company
- Bob Bird (politician) â€" Alaskan Republican politician and organizer
- David Bly â€" member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
- Jerilyn Britz â€" professional golfer, Minnesota State Maverick Athletics Hall of Fame
- LaMark Brown â€" Wide Receiver for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League
- Ryan Carter â€" NHL forward, New Jersey Devils, 2006â€"07 NHL Stanley Cup Champion (Anaheim Ducks)
- Jim Dilling â€" High jumper, 2007 USA Outdoor Champion
- Barbara Fister â€" author, blogger and librarian
- Brandon Girtz â€" 2007 NCAA All-American wrestler, current Mixed Martial Artist for Bellator
- Lt. Gen. Dennis Hejlik (USMC) â€" Commanding general of Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, and Marine Forces Command
- Tim Jackman â€" NHL forward, Calgary Flames
- David M. Jennings â€" Former Speaker of the House, Minnesota House of Representatives
- Jon Kalinski â€" NHL forward, Philadelphia Flyers
- Travis Morin â€" Professional hockey player and American Hockey League MVP
- Brad Nessler â€" Sports commentator, ESPN/ESPN on ABC
- Zach Palmquist â€" NHL defense, Minnesota Wild
- Melissa Peterman â€" Actress, Reba (TV series)
- Gary J. Schmidt â€" Assemblyman, Wisconsin State Assembly
- Stephanie Schriock â€" President, Emily's List, Former Campaign Manager for Senator Al Franken (D-MN)
- Grant Stevenson â€" NHL forward, Augsburger Panther of the DEL
- Steve Strachan â€" Former Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, Former Sheriff of King County, Washington
- Glen Taylor â€" Founder, Taylor Corporation and Owner, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Adam Thielen â€" NFL Wide Receiver, Minnesota Vikings
- Arthur S. Thomas â€" Chief of Chaplains of the U.S. Air Force
- Steven Wagner â€" NHL defenseman, Adler Mannheim
- Andy Welti â€" Representative, Minnesota House of Representatives
- Cedric Yarbrough â€" Actor, Reno 911!
See also
- List of colleges and universities in Minnesota
- Higher education in Minnesota
References
External links
- Official website
- Minnesota State Athletics website