Elise's 1st semester....

Well, the first semester of my college career is officially in the books, and what a first semester it has been! Not only has my friend list on Facebook grown, but I’m now 17 credits closer to a diploma :)! After several hours of studying, I passed all of my finals with ease and managed to get grades that pleased both my parents and me.
Southwest has been the perfect place for me to spread my wings during my first semester at college. At my home away from home I’ve met some great new friends that have made the transition to college much easier. SMSU is the perfect size for me to meet new friends but not get lost in the crowd or become just a number to my professors.

Now that I’m back home for the holiday break, I miss those friends and my life back at SMSU. I’m looking forward to taking on a new schedule next semester with different classes and more friends to enjoy my college experience with.

Update from Tony

Hey everyone,

I'm just sitting at home with some friends over Christmas break talking about our first semester at college. I'm pretty sure I had the best semester at SMSU. It is hard to believe that it is already over. I kept busy with school, homecoming, Mustang Traditions, football, basketball, and volleyball games. We had a snow day last semester that all my friends were jealous of. So of course there were snowball fights. In Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) we started a new group called Mustang Maniacs with T-shirts, fan of the game, and lots of free food. Each year SMSU also has Casino night were there is a casino set up in the Centers. There were a ton of students who showed up for that. We had a deer feed in Ocean Blvd after Thanksgiving break.
Finals week went really well. I ended up not having to take any finals because of my grades or we took them the week before. I found that going to class and paying attention makes college a lot easier. I stuck around school rather than going home and hung out with friends and worked a little bit in the Office of Admission. Having break is nice but I can't wait for the next semester to start up and see everyone again. Also Hawaiian Night is coming up on January 30th. The hype is huge so I'm very excited to experience the famous Hawaiian Night.
Stay classy, Tony

Spring Advising, Men's Basketball, etc

Hey everyone! Yesterday I met with my academic advisor to choose classes for the Spring Semester. My advisor was really helpful in giving me suggestions for classes that I should take as a freshman so that I have a good balance of the required Liberal Arts Core classes as well as classes that I need for my major. I really appreciate that my advisor took the time to get to know me, and I got the impression that he really cared about how my first semester at SMSU is going so far. There are a lot of options to consider when choosing which classes to take but with the help of my advisor, I think I got it narrowed down!

The SMSU men’s basketball team kicked off the season with an exciting win last Tuesday, and the Mustang Maniacs were out in full spirit on the sidelines! A lot of my fellow Mustang Traditions residents were decked out in their bright yellow t-shirts in support of the Mustangs. Athletic events are always a blast when everyone is pumped up, and it sure helps that the team is off to such a great start!

Tonight there is a dance at the Centers! So much to do here at SMSU! =)

>>EliSE<<

Elise's Week

Greetings everyone!

This week has seemed to fly by! On Tuesday, I watched the SMSU men’s basketball exhibition game against St. Olaf. Of course, the Mustangs won, and it was a great game to take in! I am looking forward to a lot more Mustang basketball action in the months to come! Yesterday, my roommate and I went to the Coffey Anderson concert here on campus. There were a lot of students who attended this free event, which was put on by several campus religious groups. Tonight we plan on seeing William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream put on by SMSU students. Tonight, opening night, the show is free to SMSU students! We love free entertainment!

Keep it classy!

~Elise

Juno's Post

Hi Everyone. It's Juno!
The fall break was awesome. The International Student Organization put on a two-day-trip to Duluth. Even though the weather was chilly, fifty four international students had lots of fun. Shopping at the Mall on our way back was exciting too. Getting back to classes after a long weekend was kind of hard, though. The pumpkin carving at the ISO office was exciting, too. Twenty eight Thai delegations came for the event. We all had fun carving pumpkin for Halloween. Bingo gave many students a chance to win gifts after the pumpkin carving. We are all waiting eagerly for the next event by ISO - International Art Festival.

Hey everyone!

It’s back to classes again today after a nice, long mid-semester break. While I was away on break, I found myself missing all my buddies from SMSU, and I’m honestly glad to be back. Like many students around campus, I found myself bringing from home my warmer winter wardrobe back to Marshall. The whether isn’t so much of a problem, though, because of the interconnected buildings that allow SMSU students to stay warm inside for most of the day. Just another perk to being a Mustang! I’m looking forward to a Halloween party in the dorms this Saturday along with more Mustang volleyball action at home!

Until next time… peace from Elise :)

Tony's Homecoming

Hey everyone its Tony again!
Homecoming was a great time except the Mustangs lost a tough one to Augie. :'( OBC dominated in the resident hall spirit contest with our awesome Mardi Gras decorations. On Tuesday the homecoming royalty was hypnotized. Lots of laughs. Mustang Karaoke Idol was a blast and full of a lot of talent on Wednesday. Friday Night I worked at the Gala. It's a big dinner fundraiser that a bunch of alumni go to and bid on auction and silent auction items. Saturday was the game. Classes are still going well, but mid-semester break is Thursday and Friday so there won't be classes!

Introducing: Brittaney Collins

Hi name Brittaney Collins; I am from Miami, FL and I’m in my fourth year here at SMSU. I am a double degree in Public Administration and Business Administration with a minor in Political Science. Over the past four years I have been involved in SMSU Ambassadors, BSU, and the Homecoming Leadership Team just to name a few. But as of right know I am only in one club, which is the SMSU Showstoppers (hip-hop dance & step) that I started my freshman year in 2006. I also teach hip hop dance at Southwest School of Dance. I also had the privilege of planning the 2009 Homecoming Parade. SMSU has done so much for me in the four years that I have been here. Faculty and staff are great; I can talk to them about anything not just school. I have had the pleasure of being called my name, which may sound silly but my goal was to not be another number and here at SMSU I am not. I have learned so much here at SMSU and I plan to take it all with me.

Juno Malla's post

Hi Everyone,

I'm Juno Malla and this is my first blog. I am from Kathmandu, Nepal. I came to SMSU in spring 2009. My major is Business Administration. The first semester in college is always so exciting for everyone. As an International student I get to have different experience to study with students from all around the world. English was the second language in my home country, but after coming to United States, I had to make english as my first language. It took me a while to be adjusting with different system of education in United States because back home we don't have quizzes and paper due every week. I took twelve credits my first semester, so it wasn't difficult for me to adjust with it.

I am also associated with ISO ( International Students Association). I am volunteering as secretary for ISO. ISO has been the home to me, ISO has done its best to make Southwest my "home-away-from-home." ISO has been organizing many volunteery Programs and has helped to adjust to the culture and encourage us accomplish our academic and career goals. We have exciting program coming up this weekend.October 10th is Homecoming Coming Parade and we hope to have fun.

Elise!!

Hey everyone! Thanks for taking the time to read a little bit about me. I’ve never blogged before so hopefully I won’t bore you to death!

I’m Elise Kazmerzak, a freshman Public Relations Major from Lake Preston, South Dakota. Southwest Minnesota State had always appealed to me because of the location and small size. I wanted a school just far enough from home that I could make the trip back, but I wouldn’t feel obligated to make it all the time. I was also looking for a school where I wouldn’t get lost and become just a number to my professors. Southwest is just that place! My professors all know my name and really care about my educational experience here. I wanted to be involved, and I knew that if I went to a larger college I would not be as motivated to try new things. Another draw was the city of Marshall, which is very welcoming, has so many businesses to offer yet its size provides a sense of safety and friendliness. Finally, the deciding factor was that SMSU offered a Public Relations major with very knowledgeable faculty in the areas of radio, TV, speech, and public relations. After my first visit to the campus in April, I knew SMSU was really where I belonged!

My first semester here at SMSU is going great, and I’m keeping busy with radio/TV club, intramural sand volleyball and intramural competitive volleyball. I have helped with the television production of SMSU volleyball games for radio/TV club. A lot of the other members of the club have been busy producing and broadcasting the football games as well. I’ve made some great friends within this group. I am in class with many of these students, so it’s really nice to have those connections. I was in volleyball in high school and even though I wasn’t that good, I really enjoyed the sport, and I knew I would miss it when I went to college. Intramural volleyball has been a great way for me to stay active and involved as well as make some great buddies!

Go Mustangs! More exciting blogging to come!

Tony's first blog

Hey everyone.

I'm Tony, a freshman here at SMSU majoring in business administration. I graduated high school from Dell Rapids, SD. I am living in the Mustang Traditions house (AKA OBC), so when I moved in I met a lot of great people right away. The Mustang Traditions house is a new living community set up by the Alumni Association for students who are outgoing and have a lot of school spirit. We are the crazy ones in the game bibs if you ever come to a game. Orientation was a lot of fun with mud volleyball and all the activities that we did to meet new people were great. Between classes, work-study, mentee work, programs, games, studying, and avoiding the freshman 15 I have been keeping extremely busy this first month of school. I'm really looking forward to Homecoming next week. There will be a lot going on with the theme as Mustang Mardi Gras this year and Mustang Karaoke Idol!

Schoolwork....

Hey it's Adam.
Only a month left of school and the work is starting to pile on. This week is probably one of the busiest of the year. I have to study tonight for a psychology test tomorrow. Then it will be math tonight, because I have to try to take a math test early Wednesday before baseball. Then, to top it all off, I have to finish a research paper for Friday. You just have to take one thing at a time and stay ahead of the work. Oh well, I will be busy, but summer is almost here.

On my way to the Elite Eight!

Hey all-Tegan here.....

These past couple of weeks at SMSU have been extremely exciting! Our Men’s Basketball team has earned its title as the Conference Champion and is now advancing in the NCAA Division II tournament to the Elite Eight held in Springfield Massachusetts. SMSU hosted the beginning of the tourney in the RA facility. I have never seen this much school spirit or enthusiasm at SMSU. SO AWSOME!

Although most of the students were gone for Spring Break, there were a few of us who stayed for various reasons. I have to say though; I am glad I stayed and was able to join the crowd cheering on our Mustangs. Crazy fans with ridiculous outfits, signs, and cheers filled the stands for each game. (Myself included. I happened to purchase bright yellow jeans from Wall Mart and had quite a good time being an SMSU fanatic.) I can’t wait to road trip to Massachusetts and cheer on SMSU’s Mustangs in the eight!!!!!

GO MUSTANGS!

Baseball in Florida!

Hey, this is Adam Thygesen, I am a freshmen here at SMSU. Wow, my week busy leading up to spring break. With practice and a couple of tests, it's pretty easy to say that I am looking forward to spring break and travelling to Florida for baseball. I had two tests on Tuesday, but had something to look forward to with basketball playing at home on Wednesday. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out the way we had hoped. I have lots of work to do coming up next week, as well, including getting a test done which I would've missed because of our flight on Friday. I can't wait to get down and enjoy some 80 degree weather!

SMSU is alive with school spirit this week!

Hi! My name is Tegan Gullikson and I am a junior marketing and graphic design major here at SMSU. Life is pretty busy around here, but extremely fun. I like to stay active on campus and be involved in as many clubs, events, and activities as possible.

This week our Men’s basketball team played Northern State from for the conference championship. WE WON! It was a great game to watch, and an especially fun game to be at. (I am on the dance team, and having a huge audience that is really into the game makes performing a lot more enjoyableJ.)

Anyways, SMSU really is a great place to go to school. Its one thing to go to a Big Ten school and watch the basketball players’ play in a good game, but it’s a completely different feeling when your friends and actual classmates are competing for a conference championship title.

At SMSU you get to know so many people. That is my favorite part of college…the connections I make with friends and professors.

Tegan

Right now I am working in the admissions office. Nothing too special going on, but from here I have to go to baseball practice. Then its time to hit the books and study for a math test in the morning. Hopefully ill get some sleep...