The SMSU Podcast

We’re back after Spring break with SMSU Student Body President Sam Lund. Sam goes over his journey at SMSU, recapping what led him to choose SMSU, how he dealt with online learning through the pandemic, and how important it is to be involved on campus.
Sam also goes over what he’s been up to the past few weeks and the great opportunities that have come his way due to his work in student government and his large involvement on campus.

This week we call up SMSU alumni Wokil Bam who earned a degree in environmental science and chemistry and a minor in biology from SMSU in 2012.
Since then he’s been busy studying and researching earning his master's from LSU in 2015 and his Phd in 2021. Since June 2023, Wokil has worked with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) as a postdoctoral investigator, geochemist, radiochemist, and chemical oceanographer. 
Over the past few months, Wokil has been on a research voyage to Antarctica and New Zealand. 
This won’t be his first research cruise, in total Wokil has spent over 300 days at sea doing research over the past two-and-a-half years. 
If you’d like to know more about Wokil’s research or how he found his way to SMSU go check out; https://www.smsu.edu/today/articles/2024/01-18-2024_wokil-bam-oceanresearch.html

On this week’s episode, Vickie Abel gives us an in-depth look into what challenges SMSU students face and how Accessibility Services helps give them the best opportunity to succeed. Vickie is also the coordinator for the Mustang Market which helps provide basic living items ranging from food to hygiene products. If you would like to donate to the Mustang Market there is a drop off location at the Alumni and Visitor Center

This week we are joined by Karalyn Closs and Cameron Peterson, students enrolled in the culinology program at SMSU. The on-campus restaurant, “The Mustang Kitchen”, is preparing to open its doors every Tuesday this semester with their first night of service being February 20. Service will run 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm with the last order going in at 7:30 pm. Full details on the restaurant and menu items can be found at: www.smsu.edu/go/mustangkitchen .

On this week’s episode, Dr. Rieppel lets us in on a “grand” update for the music department at SMSU. This past fall the department gained possession of a baby grand piano through funding from the SMSU Foundation.
On February 12, The Southwest Minnesota State University Music Program presents “Pairs and Doublings” a dedication recital for the new baby grand piano featuring Dr. Daniel Rieppel. The recital is set for Monday, February 12, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Theatre at SMSU.

SMSU will host the 12th annual Ag Bowl Scholarship Invitational this week. The event is spearheaded by the SMSU Ag Club, with Hannah Myers and Madison Douvier coordinating the day's events.
On Friday over 1,300 high school FFA students will compete in a wide variety of FFA competitions, along with a chance to receive scholarships from SMSU.
The event kicks off at 7:30 am in the RA facility and will run until 1pm, taking place all over campus. If you are interested in volunteering at the event sign up here:
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=xscRULQKq0ae9PrnSpIaf3H8_cXWW8RFgCvFIFtJ3_NUQk1UTENZOUVTSTM5TEVWMFRBSk5FOEpIOC4u

With Tropical Night taking place Angela Lee, Director of Alumni Relations and Outreach, is on to talk about what is happening for the Alumni returning to campus.
Angela also goes over what’s happening at the new “Elizabeth Lockwood Alumni Center” and the changes happening.

As the second half of the school year gets underway financial aid is something high school seniors should be aware of. There have been quite a few changes that have been made to the application process and Director of Financial Aid, Natasha Boe goes over what those changes are and some of the misconceptions that surround financial aid. 
If you have questions on how to get started or if you are looking to apply you can go to the SMSU website https://www.smsu.edu/campuslife/financialaid/applying-for-financial-aid.html 

We kick off the new year by discussing the Mustang Pathway Program with Jeet Sausen, Associate Director of the program. She talked about how the program started and the success it has generated for SMSU. 
The Mustang Pathway is the only program of its kind in the state, across both public and private higher education. The program serves historically underprivileged students and provides an alternate entry through a five-week summer program. Students who successfully complete the program are automatically admitted in the fall semester at SMSU. 
Dr. Erin Kline and Jefferson Lee IV spearheaded the program in 2019 with the full backing of President Kumara Jayasuriya. Sixty-one students have completed MPP with 63% of those students going on to enroll in spring classes. 
If students are interested in joining the Mustang Pathway program, follow the link below or reach out to Jeet at the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=xscRULQKq0ae9PrnSpIafyVfqB9wrXxAvNruw2AQ401UMVZQNUZOSUFXMlFRNkZUVTBUTE9NTklVTi4u

In today's episode, the VP for Government Relations, Communication & Marketing, Bill Mulso goes over his history at SMSU as he retires after working at the university for 35 years. Marcy talks with Bill about some of their best memories as students along with going over SMSU's most monumental changes throughout the years.