Fine Arts Celebration

Happy Spring!!

Things have been crazy here on the campus of SMSU! As classes come to a close and finals are starting, it’s about this time of year when students go NUTS! Thankfully, the campus has provided a plethora of opportunities for students to stay active, be involved, and have fun! This year marks the 5^th Annual Fine Arts Celebration at SMSU put on by the Department of Art, Music, Speech Communication and Theatre, along with the Creative Writing Program and the English Department. Events began on April 1^st and will continue through the week until May 7^th; events range from special guests like Dana Yost who did a reading on April 6^th, to the performance of musical Lucky Stiff, to the Southwest Minnesota Orchestra Liszt Festival Concert. Along with these events include readings from SMSU professors Susan McLean, Marianne Murphy Zarzana, and Liz Blair; The SMSU Forensic Showcase and student readings also were included in the celebration.

One of my favorite things about the Fine Arts Celebration is all of the exhibits in the William Whipple Gallery, which is located right next to the Library. Throughout the celebration, there have been a number of amazing displays presented in the gallery; the Art Graduation Exhibit displays a lot of the graduating seniors’ portfolios as well as collections by various artists. My absolute favorite collection is done by senior artist Kate Fineran, whose collection includes a number of ceramic safari and jungle animals, a safari spread, an animal print canvas, as well as ceramic animal masks; the pieces alone are phenomenal, but the collection as a whole is simply amazing.

The Fine Arts Celebration has been just one of the great opportunities that SMSU provides for its students during this time of year. I absolutely love the spring and all of the fun activities that go on during this hectic time of year; keep on keeping on and finish strong!

Kelly Fitzgerald
Junior - Marshalltown, IA

Getting Ready to Play Ball!

Hey Everyone!
Wow! I can't believe it is the ending to another year. Just a few weeks left until finals and then summer! YAY! It is a bittersweet feeling for me, seeing as it is the end of my Junior year. With only one year to go, I am excited for a new stage in my life, but also dreading the day I leave my second family. SMSU has brought many wonderful people and opportunities into my life. And sooo many awesome memories I will cherish forever.
As I said before, OMG finals are right around the corner! But that doesn't mean we don't have any fun around here. The weather is looking up, which bring everyone outside to enjoy it. This week we played kickball, night games and were able to get out to grill and have a bonfire or two. This weekend everyone is hoping to finally come out and cheer on our SMSU baseball and softball teams. Since we have not had the best weather, this will be the baseball team's home opener. Hope the weather decides to cooperate this time!

Have a great rest of the school year and a rockin summer! Live it up!

GO MUSTANGS!

Erin Weller
Junior - Brooten, Minnesota

Relay for Life!

This is an exciting time of year for everyone as spring is coming with summer soon to follow! T-20 days until classes are over and finals begin. We just had advising day on campus, so all of the classes were canceled and students were advised all day by the faculty. This is one of my favorite times of year, not only because the English Department offers free lunch, pop, and dessert, but also because I get to work with my faculty advisor to plan out my schedule for the next semester; because I’m a junior this year, next year is my senior year, and it’s crazy that I can SEE THE END! These last three years have seriously flown by; I can remember everything so vividly and everything seems like it has happened within this past year! (I still feel like a freshman)

I love this time of year because everyone is looking forward to their summer vacations, and everyone always seems to be in a great mood! This time of year things are moving at a million miles per hour, and there are so many activities and events going on that keep everyone on their toes.

This weekend Relay for Life will be held in the RA Facility here on campus. Different teams will set up “camp sites” all around the gym, and people will be walking the track all night long. I’ve participated in this for the last two years with the Women’s Soccer Team and it is an absolute BLAST!

There are games, activities, food, walking, fellowship, and a Relay for Life Ceremony where a number of cancer survivors are honored. It is such a rewarding experience that everyone can be a part of, especially knowing that all proceeds are going to a phenomenal cause!

I hope that everyone is starting to get spring fever and is having just as much fun as I am in this crazy season! Finish STRONG!!!

Kelly Fitzgerald

Junior - Marshalltown, IA