KMSU Minnesota State Mankato Stories

A talk with DaVonte McClam, who ushered in the University's first Veterans Career Fair

A team of guidance counselors, principals and others from high schools in six countries were on campus recently for a week’s visit. Their goal was to get a closer-than-usual look at what MSU has to offer students in their countries.

April 15, 2026 - KMSU's Broadway expert, Herb Kroon, chats with Brian Zins and Danielle Duffey from the MSU Alumni Relations Department about an exclusive MSU Alumni and Friends performance of Guys and Dolls at Chanhassen Dinner Theaters on April 26.  You'll hear all about what will be happening at the event, which features MSU alumni in the performance.  Please go here to purchase tickets.

Corrie Eggimann and Josh Barclay from the MSU Department of Performing Arts stopped by KMSU to tell us all about Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka, which runs April 9 through April 19 in the Ted Paul Theatre at the Early Center for Performing Arts, Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Junior Kelli Flink spent two months sifting through 100 years’ worth of student journalism at Minnesota State Mankato.She did that in order to create what’s on the walls outside the Marilyn J. Lass Center for Minnesota Studies in the Memorial Library: A display of 22 front pages of the University newspaper over the past century.

A piece on the Leadership Live! series on campus.

March 11, 2026 - Minnesota State University, Mankato  President Dr. Edward Inch stops by KMSU to update us on the Armstrong Hall Replacement project. 

The MSU Maverick Dance Team again took national competition honors. What's the secret? Their coach and a four-year member talk about it on this episode.

The Civil Engineering department at MSU now has a piece of equipment that gives students a hands-on way to learn about the limits of iron and  and concrete beams -- a jump from the theoretical to the practical thanks to the towering force load analyzer. 

Corrie Eggimann and Elleandra Maloney from the MSU Department of Performing Arts stopped by KMSU to tell us all about The Cherry Orchard, which runs February 19-March 1 in the Ted Paul Theatre at the Early Center for Performing Arts, Minnesota State University, Mankato.

A conversation with MSU psychology professors Drs. Emily Stark and Karla Lassonde, co-hosts of the new podcast "Brains vs. Beliefs: Debunking Psychological Misconceptions." The podcast takes on common beliefs such as "opposites attract," the effects of the full moon, and reliability of polygraphs and discusses the research disproving these widespread assumptions. 

In 2019, Bhushan Dharmadhikari started at Minnesota State University, Mankato to teach courses in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Technology. He wound up being instrumental in creating a new major.

Corrie Eggimann and Landon Hudson from the MSU Department of Performing Arts stopped by KMSU to tell us all about The Birds, which runs January 29-February 8 in the Andreas Theatre at the Early Center for Performing Arts, Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Talking Today is a show devoted to showcasing the feature stories published by MSU's Today magazine (mnsu.edu/todaymagazine). This episode highlights Liz Miller, a professor of art at MSU who was awarded the selective Loghaven Residency in Knoxville, Tennessee for fall of 2026. Here, Miller talks about her recent ongoing project called "Atlas," in which she turns discarded items from roadsides into colorful and thoughtful works of art.  

Nov. 13, 2025 - Minnesota State Mankato is hosting a Geography Colloquia featuring  Save the Boundary Waters Executive Director, Ingrid Lyons, about the threats to the Boundary Waters on Friday, Nov. 14, from 2:00 - 3:15 pm in the Centennial Student Union's Ostrander Auditorium. The Geography Colloquium is the longest running speaker series at Minnesota State University.

October 28, 2025 - Minnesota State Mankato will host Anton Treuer, author of Everything You Wanted to Know about Indians but were Afraid to Ask. Treuer, a professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University whose book was selected as a "community read" for Indigenous People's Day. A number of events have been held to discuss Treuer's writing, and he will be in Mankato as a keynote speaker on Nov. 14, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. in the MSU Centennial Student Union ballroom. American Indian Night events will follow. 

Oct. 15, 2025 - Dr. Nancy Fitzsimons, Professor of Social Work at Minnesota State University, Mankato discusses her newly released book, "Flipping the Story on Violence: People with Intellectual Disability and Allies Leading the Change."  This book challenges the ableism and intersecting “isms” that drive the violence experienced people with intellectual and other disabilities. She shared her story with KMSU's Karen Wright.

Following a silent phase, Minnesota State University, Mankato has unveiled a capital campaign called "The Future State."  On September 24th, there was a public launch event in Taylor Center on campus.  KMSU's Dwayne Megaw attended the event and tells us more...

Sept. 17, 2025 - Dr. Nick Riley is an internationally-known chemistry professor from the University of Washington, whose research is helping to revolutionize our understanding of biological systems and disease mechanisms. He spoke at Minnesota State Mankato for the 35th annual Leonard A. Ford Lectureship on Sept. 17, 2025.

May 1, 2025 - The College of Business at Minnesota State University, Mankato is adding a Sustainability Course to its MBA program. College of Business faculty, Dr. Brenda Flannery discusses the importance of this new course to discuss sustainability in business companies and their impact  on the environment or society. In addition to driving social and environmental change, Flannery says sustainability initiatives can contribute to an organization's overall success.The course will be open to community members as well as students pursuing their MBA. Sign up for fall semester starts now.

April 10, 2025 - Less than 1% of native prairie and savanna ecosystems exist today. That's why Kim Musser, co-director of the Minnesota State Mankato Water Resource Center and Henry Panoswitch, founder of Prairie Enthusiasts have developed a stewardship program to get youth involved in nature to protect our natural heritage.

Rebekka Jay joins Aaron on Radio A La Mav to chat about the Student Government Open Forum coming up on Wednesday, April 2, at noon  in the Hearth Lounge of the CSU building.

March 26, 2025 - April marks the fourth annual "Research Month" at Minnesota State Mankato. Students Clara Johnson (Nursing) and Linden Anthony (Elementary Ed) talk about their research and their role as ambassadors for the Research Apprenticeship Program which aims to recruit more students to conduct research. There are a number of events in April which will allow the public to see the type of scholarship and research that takes place at MSU.

March 25, 2025 - As a 22-year-old intern, Andrew Herr asked Glen Taylor for a million dollars. And he got it! Herr talks about how Taylor let him make mistakes as an intern which resulted in him becoming the CEO of Rembrandt Foods,  a leading egg company. Herr was the guest speaker at Minnesota State Mankato's "Richard Schmitz Food Entrepreneurship Series" for The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and shared his success story with students and the public.

March 13, 2025 - In June 2024, the Rapidan Dam suffered catastrophic failure when floodwaters tore around the west end of the dam, eating away the shoreline and sending a century's worth of sediment stored behind the structure down the river. Dr. Phil Larsen, co-director of Minnesota State Mankato's Earth Systems Laboratory and MSU alum Dr. Zach Hilgendorf received a National Science Foundation grant to study how the river has altered the environment, and provide information to communities across the nation about what to expect in future dam failures.

Feb. 6, 2025 - MNSU Urban Studies Professor Dr. Paul Prew’s research and personal interests revolve around the growing concerns regarding the destruction of our environment.  KMSU's Karen Wright talks with Prew about how we can understand this global crisis in the capitalist world-system and what we, as individuals, can do to make a difference.

Jan. 15, 2025 The Kessel Peace Institute at Minnesota State University Mankato and the Greater Mankato Diversity Council have teamed up to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with a movie premiere featuring King's 1961 visit to Mankato. Kessel Peace Institute Director, Jameel Haque discusses the event set for Mon. Jan. 20, 2025.

Jan. 15, 2025 Minnesota State University System Chancellor, Dr. Scott Olson, is touring the state to meet with the media to discuss the System's FY2026-27 biennial request. He spoke with KMSU's Karen Wright about the role Minnesota State plays in meeting workforce needs, and discusses key elements of the legislative request.

Jan. 8, 2025 The Crossroads Campus Ministry serves many with their food outreach program that includes "Campus Kitchen". Pastor Jenna Couch talks about the organization's fundraiser called, "A Day in the Life of Crossroads", with the aim to keep up with the growing food insecurity faced on the campus at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Oct. 22, 2024 Mankato Native and MNSU Alum, Maha Abouelenein, is now recognized as a global communications expert, entrepreneur, and author of "7 Rules of Self-Reliance" and is the MNSU College of Business keynote speaker on Tues. Oct. 22, 3:30-5 p.m. at the Ostrander Auditorium. She shares her secrets to success. The event is free and open to the public.

Kendra and Nolan from MSU, Mankato Student Government join Radio A La Mav host Aaron talking about a Candidate Fair happening Wednesday, October 23rd from 11am to 1pm on Mav Ave in the Centennial Student Union.

October 11, 2024 The Broken Ladder: How Inequality Affects the Way We Think, Live and Die by author Keith Payne is the "Common Read" book at Minnesota State Mankato. KMSU's Karen Wright talked with Payne and Dean of Library Services, Chris Corley, about the book and its relevance to today's world.

Sept. 26, 2024 Students at Minnesota State Mankato are holding a "Put a Women in Charge" event to encourage fellow-classmates to get out the vote and empower women. KMSU's Karen Wright spoke with Avalon Luehman (Students for Reproductive Justice) and Abigail Andree (College Democrats) about the upcoming concert.

Sept. 4, 2024 Dr. Johnna Leddy, a researcher at U of Iowa holds 32 U.S. patents and studies how electrochemistry will change the energy distribution of the planet. Leddy is the keynote speaker for the 34th Leonard Ford Lectureship at MNSU and explains how her research looks at solutions to lower environmental loads and energy costs through chemistry.

Aug. 27, 2024 Minnesota State Mankato President Edward Inch sat down with KMSU's Karen Wright to talk about the upcoming school year - budget cuts, student enrollment, new programs, the use of A.I. in the classroom and more.

March 28, 2024 "Can We Regenerate Soil Health and Enhance Corn Productivity in the U.S. Corn Belt through Perennial Cover Crops and Poultry Integration”.  It's a long title for a very important research -- saving and improving the soil in southern Minnesota and beyond. Dr. Mriganka De, a soil scientist at Minnesota State Mankato talks about his research which will be presented at the prestigious Douglas R. Moore lectureship on April 1, 2024, 7 - 8:30 p.m. in Ostrander Auditorium at MNSU.

March 26, 2024 Minnesota State University College of Business hosts Hay Debertin, President and CEO of CHS, a global agriculture company, owned by farmers and ranchers across the U.S. He spoke as part of the annual Schmitz Lecture at Minnesota State Mankato.

Feb. 19, 2024 Some students at Minnesota State University Mankato want to bring a resolution before the student senate regarding Free Speech on Campus. Sophomore Cole Koetz joins Kessel Peace Institute Director Jameel Haque about these efforts and obstacles to getting the resolution passed.

September 18, 2023  Heavy Metals in our foods are poisoning us. How big is the problem and what can be done. Dr. Adeyemi Adeleye, from the Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California - Irvine, spoke at MNSU's 33rd Leonard A. Ford Lectureship about his research seeking solutions to this problem and what you can do to help solve it.

Sept. 14, 2023 The Fall 2023 Geography Presentations at MNSU feature many topics related to Climate Change, Sustainability, Recycling, Environmental Justice and more! Professor Don Friend describes the upcoming series of ten programs held Fridays, 3:00 - 4:15 at MNSU (Sept. 15 - Dec. 1) and are open to the public. For details, see:  https://hss.mnsu.edu/academic-programs/geography/geography-colloquia/

The latest edition of Today Magazine is now available.  Minnesota State University, Mankato Director of Content Marketing, and Today Magazine Editor, Joe Tougas, joins us to highlight some of the stories you can read in this edition.

Aug. 25, 2023 President Edward Inch talks about Destination 2030, the strategic plan of Minnesota State University, Mankato and more.

Brian Zins, Director of Alumni Relations at Minnesota State University, Mankato stopped by the KMSU studios to invite everyone to Mavs Night at the Minnesota Twins game on Tuesday, August 15.  Hear about all the fun things he and his crew have planned for the game, including how you can get a commemorative hat to take home.  Tickets are still available by clicking here.

May 24, 2023 Minnesota State Mankato's English Learning Center is seeking host families for Japanese students coming to MNSU for ESL classes Aug. 19 - Sept. 9, 2023. ESL Instructor, Dan Greenwood provides details for this opportunity.

April 18, 2023 The Language Archive is a play is showing at the Minnesota State Mankato Theatre this spring. KMSU's Brittany OKeefe has the story.

April 7, 2023 KMSU's Matt Brown shares the story of MNSU's decades-long theatre director who retired and came back for a final performance  to an audience of many former students and others. This is a story of how Paul Hustoles had a final hurrah after 2020 closed down the theatre season.

March 22, 2023 Minnesota State University Mankato President, Dr. Edward Inch, discusses the future of higher education and how the university is adapting to the needs of students as consumers.