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Campus Notes for July 3

Schools

University of North Dakota announces spring 2025 graduates More than 1,700 students graduated from the University of North Dakota (UND) this spring, in ceremonies whose speakers included the governor of North Dakota and a former Minnesota Vikings tight end — both of whom are UND alumni. Ceremonies were held across successive weekends, culminating with the Spring General Commencement on May 17 at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks. Cullen Murphy of Minneota received a bachelor of arts in English, cum laude.

SMSU Briefs for June 28

Schools

SMSU dean’s list announced for spring semester Southwest Minnesota State University announced the dean’s list of students recognized for academic achievement during spring semester 2025. An undergraduate student who completes 12 or more A-F graded credits and achieves a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher will be considered for the Honors dean’s list. If a 4.0 grade- point average is achieved, the student will be on the High Honors dean’s list. Local students on the list are: High Honors Canby: Tracie Hansen, Ethan Thovson, Laura Zeurmens Dawson: Jada ...

Joyous parking lot moment reminds that some holy work looks different

Faith

The other night I was leaving work, just as the evening sun was taking its turn downward. Another 12-hour day at the emergency shelter, a typical schedule these past 10 months as we’ve worked to turn things around. I was pulling out of our parking lot, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw one of our emergency shelter guests gesticulating wildly out my driver’s side window. But not in a menacing way. Rather, you could see their broad smile as they waved their arms over their head to get my attention. I braked and rolled down my window, and heard the guest shout, “I get ...

Politically motivated violence doesn’t come from Jesus

Faith

We are living in the most politically violent period in our country since the deadly 1960s. Assassinations, shootings, physical and verbal intimidation. The list is long. Just in recent history, an extremist shot and killed a Minnesota state representative and also shot another state legislator and his wife in one shooting spree. The home of the governor of Pennsylvania was set on fire while he and his family were inside. A man was charged with attempting to kidnap the governor of Michigan. Another politically motivated man tried to assassinate the candidate who would become our ...

Campus Notes for June 17

Schools

Ridgewater College announces spring semester 2025 dean’s list Ridgewater College announced its dean’s lists for spring semester 2025. To be included on the dean’s list, a student must maintain a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher and be enrolled in at least nine credits and meet certain other criteria. Balaton: Kiley Griesse; Canby: Tahlia Theisen; Clarkfield: Oliver Marquart, Braden Nelson; Cottonwood: Simon Gravley, Madison Smith; Granite Falls: Drew Almich, Adam Stengel, Luke Streblow; Hanley Falls: Owen Cherveny, Jaselen Jimenez, Austin Pringle; Hazel Run: Luke Kluver; ...

SMSU Foundation’s M4L Day raises $91,000

Schools

On May 1, the SMSU Foundation hosted the 2025 M4L Day (Mustangs 4 Life Day) with alumni, friends, students, parents, faculty, and staff rallying for Southwest Minnesota State University’s fourth annual day of giving. This year’s event raised $91,049 from a total of 390 donors. The 24-hour fundraising event is conducted entirely online. The platform allows Mustangs from across the country and around the world to support areas that mean the most to them. Gifts of all sizes become eligible for bonuses throughout the day. This year $15,000 bonuses were awarded. Fifty-four of the 57 ...