The SMSU Podcast
The official podcast of Southwest Minnesota State University. A curated catalog of academics, athletics and alumni.
Episodes
Campus Update Ep. 113 | Tropical Night and Hall of Honor with Assistant Athletic Director Kelly Loft
This week, Kelly Loft joins the show to go over all of the fun activities that are happening on campus during Tropical Night weekend, including the Hall of Honor Inductees, going over the inductees and their allocations during their time at SMSU, and where they’re at now!
Kelly also goes over what is going on this weekend, which includes both the men’s and women’s basketball games on Friday and Saturday....
This week, we cover all of the events and opportunities that The Office of Diversity and Inclusion at SMSU is hosting in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This year’s theme is “Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way” and features educational and volunteer opportunities to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Events include the Vernon Jordan Documentary Screening (in-...
Our very own Julie Walker has been awarded the, McKnight Heart of Community Honor! The honor celebrates people who are the pulse of Minnesota’s caring and connected communities. It is named for Virginia McKnight Binger, the Foundation’s first board chair and the daughter of McKnight’s founders, William and Maude McKnight.
Julie Walker is an Associate Professor of Communication Studies program, Assistant ...
Applying for college can be difficult for families. Charlotte Wahle breaks down what families and you, as a student, should be doing at this point in the year. Make sure to get ready for Winter Discover Day on January 17th! This is a great opportunity to meet your possible roommate and get to know the campus and what classes may look like at SMSU!
This episode highlights the 20th Annual Undergraduate Research Conference at SMSU. Professors Dr. Alyssa Anderson and Dr. Mostafa Hegazy and Keynote speaker Dr. Emily Deaver join the conversation to discuss:
- The purpose and impact of the conference on student learning and professional development.
- How undergraduate research fosters critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.
- Opportunities for students to present their wo...
This episode celebrates Global Entrepreneurship Week with guests Marsha Grimes-Rose, Assistant Professor in SMSU’s NorthStar School of Business, and the Associate Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). They dive into:
- What Global Entrepreneurship Week is all about and why it matters for students and the local community.
- Opportunities for students to explore entrepreneurship and innovation through SMSU progra...
In this episode, Jamie and Wesley review all the events happening on campus related to SMSU’s International Education Week celebration.
The week kicks off on Monday, November, 17th with an International Potluck starting at 4 PM and Tuesday through Thursday each night a student has put together a presentation representing their home country, Nepal: Tuesday, November 18 at 4:00 PM, Malawi: Wednesday, Novem...
In this episode, Tony Nubile, SMSU’s Director of Facilities, drops by to chat about the recent floor repairs in the RA Facility. He shares what sparked the project, how the team approached it, and what goes into maintaining campus spaces as safe and functional as possible. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the kind of work most people don’t see—but definitely benefit from.
Tony also discusses how the Facilities crew works around stu...
This episode features Professor of Theatre and Costume Designer Sheila Tabaka and SMSU theatre student Caleb, who discuss the university’s upcoming production of Pride and Prejudice and Sleepy Hollow. The conversation explores:
- The creative process behind adapting Jane Austen’s classic novel for the stage.
- Insights into costume design, character development, and the collaborative nature of theatre at SMSU.
- Caleb’s experience a...
In this episode, Dr. Daniel Rieppel previews the upcoming Southwest Minnesota Orchestra concert, highlighting the musical selections and themes that will shape the performance. He discusses the significance of the featured composers, the emotional and historical context behind the music, and what audiences can expect from this season’s opening concert.
The episode also celebrates Dr. Rieppel’s 25th anniversary as the orchestra’s ...
In this episode, Charlotte Wahle, Director of Admissions at SMSU, joins the show to ease the worries of going through the college admissions journey. Whether you're a high school student, parent, or educator, this conversation offers valuable insights into:
- What students should know before applying to college
- Key deadlines and tips for navigating the admissions timeline
- How SMSU supports prospective students through personaliz...
The SMSU Creative Writing and English Program hosts prominent authors on campus as part of its ongoing Visiting Writers Series. This semester, SMSU is proud to welcome Heid E. Erdrich for a public reading on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 7:00 pm in Charter Hall 201. Erdrich is the author of nine books of poetry and prose as well as a teacher and curator.
Her reading is the first installment of the visiting writer series for the 2025-26 ac...
Homecoming 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting celebrations yet at Southwest Minnesota State University! In this episode, Hannah Abel, Director of Alumni Relations and Outreach, joins us to preview the full slate of events happening on campus.
🏟️ Highlights include:
- Saturday Morning Mustang Radio Show – Kick off the day with live updates from Mustang Athletics coaches and staff at Extra Innings & Varsity Pub...
This week, SMSU highlights Cecelia Parmeter, a dedicated Culinology student, who shares her experience helping launch this semester's Mustang Kitchen on campus. The episode explores:
- Cecelia’s journey through the Culinology program at SMSU.
- The vision and purpose behind the Mustang Kitchen.
- Insights into the hands-on learning opportunities the kitchen pr...
This week, we have Ashton Ayres, Assistant Director of the Student Center at Southwest Minnesota State University, join us to talk about Family Weekend and other exciting campus events. Ashton highlights the variety of activities planned for students and their families, including:
- Athletic events like football, volleyball, and soccer games.
- Student-led entertainment, su...
This week we have Nadine Purvis Schmidt, SMSU Theatre Professor, to talk about her performance during her sabbatical this semester! The show is titled “Apples in Winter“, written by Jennifer Faucet, and is a single performer show, and Nadine goes over what all goes into preparing for a one performer show. The show is free admission with a free-will donation and will be performed on September 24th and 25th at 7:30 pm i...
This week, we have Hannah Abel joining us to cover a few of the events happening on campus that the community should definitely be aware of!
First, we discuss the incredible opportunity presented by the Women’s Leadership Conference and its impressive lineup of speakers. The conference will be held on September 18, 2025, starting at 8:00 a.m. If any SMSU students are interested in attending, the sign-up ...
This week, we introduce SMSU’s Interim President, Dr. David Jones, who brings 14 years of experience from Minnesota State University and looks to continue the success that SMSU has had over the past few years in enrollment. Dr. Jones reviews his journey that has led him to SMSU and what he and his family are excited about in Marshall, Minnesota.
This week, President Kumara Jayasuriya has served as Southwest Minnesota State University’s president for six years, starting in 2019. We discussed his successes at SMSU with him and what he will miss most. He will retire after the 2025 spring commencement. President Jayasuriya will be greatly missed here on campus as he helped grow SMSU during his tenure.
This week, we have Alyssa Miessner, Assistant Director of Development, on to talk about the Fourth Annual M4L Day of Giving. The event is to call upon the Mustang Family to support current Mustangs in a variety of different ways! There are timed challenges, matching goals, and so many other opportunities to support SMSU!
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