Master’s in coaching of aport program ranked 14th in nation

Southwest Minnesota State University’s master’s degree program, physical education: coaching of sport, has been ranked 14th in the nation by SportsManagementDegreeHub.com for 2019.

The rankings are based on affordability, flexibility and academic prestige. Just 15 programs were ranked, and SMSU is the only Minnesota institution on that list.

SMSU’s program’s curriculum is guided by the National Association of Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) coaching standards. These standards are met through 34 credit hours delivered within 12 courses where project-based learning, practicum experiences, and portfolio building prepare students to delve into successful coaching careers.

In its synopsis, Sports Management Degree Hub said, “The program is unique in its employment of features and standards designed to elevate graduates above their competition. … The program also provides personal mentoring and counseling to help students navigate the coursework, projects and portfolios in such a way as to most benefit their personal interests and career goals.”

Sports Management Degree Hub seeks to help students, teachers, coaches and other professionals in their search for degrees, certifications and educational programs that reward intellectual curiosity, tangible skills, leadership, coaching, sports performance, fitness and more.

“To be named one of the top programs in the nation is an incredible honor,” said Frankie Albitz, physical education professor at SMSU. “We’re very proud to be recognized this way.”

More about the ranking can be found at: https://www.sportsmanagementdegreehub.com/top/the-15-best-online-masters-in-coaching-education/

SMSU’s bachelor’s in psychology ranked 13th in the nation

Southwest Minnesota State University is ranked 13th in the nation for the Best Affordable Psychology Degree Programs in 2019 by Affordableschools.net.

SMSU is the only Minnesota college/university in the rankings.

Affordable Schools explores and connects people with the best affordable colleges. Its mission is to help students make smart, higher education choices.

This ranking considers average cost of attendance and student-to-faculty ratio. The initial list was narrowed down to schools with a total tuition rate of $15,000 or less. Affordable Schools also based the ranking on student-to-faculty ratio, as most students report higher satisfaction and higher retention rates in schools with smaller class sizes.

Affordable Schools’ synopsis of SMSU’s degree reads: “Southwest Minnesota State University offers students the chance to complete an affordable bachelor’s in psychology, a low-cost program that was designed to prepare students for the general field. This economical psychology degree program also has an exciting new offering, the community psychology and health promotion major, which debuts this year. Students in this 120-credit hour program will find that the affordable degree focuses on research and theory, setting the foundation for graduate work. Students will also have the chance to complete research projects alongside faculty, many of whom are practicing psychologists, participate in the school’s Psi Chi and Psychology Club organizations, and even have the chance to present at nationwide conferences.”

Jeffrey Kolnick, Social Sciences Department chairman, stresses that, “The psychology program is indeed affordable, but what makes it special is the quality of the experience that students receive from the outstanding faculty. Not only are the psychology faculty experts in their field, but they take the time to mentor their students. What you earn at SMSU is better than a degree you would get at many times the price. If you are looking for a degree in psychology, look no further than SMSU.”

SMSU ResHALLoween, Saturday, Oct. 26

The Southwest Minnesota State University Residence Hall Association (RHA) will host ResHALLoween from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 in various residence halls on campus.

ResHALLoween allows children from the community that are grades preK-6 a chance to trick-or-treat through the residence halls of SMSU. There will be a wide variety of board game-themed houses, lots of candy, and fun for all! All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Children are asked to wear their Halloween costumes and provide their own bag or container for candy.

Admission for the event is one non-perishable food item or $1 per child. Donations will be split between the Kitchen Table Food Shelf and the SMSU food shelf, called the Mustang Market.

Non-ticketed parking will be available around campus, and on the south side of Birch St. Do not park in the Foundation Apartment lot or other reserved parking spots.

Check-in for the event will be in Commons Central, and there will be directional signage. Commons Central is where children will get their event wristband.

If you have any questions, contact RHA@SMSU.edu.

SMSU Theater season opens with ‘Anne of Green Gables’

The first show of SMSU Theater’s 52nd season is “Anne of Green Gables” by Sylvia Ashby, based on the book by L.M. Montgomery.

Performances are Nov. 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 3 and 10 at 2 p.m. Show tickets are $10 and are available at www.SMSUtickets.com and at the door. All performances are in the SMSU Fine Arts Theatre, with free parking available in lot B-1. The Friday, Nov. 1 and Thursday, Nov. 7 performances are free to SMSU students with a valid student ID. A pre-show dinner option is available for the Saturday performances, Nov. 2 and 9, at an additional cost of $22.

Red-haired, high-spirited, wildly imaginative orphan Anne Shirley is cherished by generations of readers. Anne’s famous adventures, and characters from the beloved book, come to vibrant life on stage in this show that will engage and delight the whole family.

“Anne of Green Gables” is directed by Assistant Theater Professor and SMSU Theater alumnus Mike Lenz of Cottonwood, who is also the scenic and lighting designer and the technical director. Theater Professor Sheila Tabaka of Marshall is the costume designer. Theater Professor Nadine Purvis Schmidt of Estelline, S.D., is the producer. Cat (Caitlin) Schmidt, a senior theater arts major from Arlington, is the stage manager. A. James Gully, a freshman political science major from Marshall, is the assistant stage manager. The cast includes:

• Emmanuel Ale, a sophomore theater arts major from Nigeria, as Mr. Phillips and Cecil.

• Tailer Benson, a freshman theater arts and broadcast & digital media double major from Elk River, as Anne Shirley.

• Brady Berg, a sophomore English and education major from Wells, as Mr. Spencer and Frank.

• Lindsey Brace, a 2017 SMSU graduate and early childhood special education teacher from Marshall, as Marilla Cuthbert.

• Sariah Cheadle, a senior English literature and theater arts double major from Fulda, as Mrs. Rachel Lynde. Cheadle is also a costume shop assistant.

• Olivia Chester, a freshman early childhood education major and music minor from North Mankato, as Tabitha Sloane.

• Doria Drost, a first-year master’s business administration (MBA) student from Rushmore, as Mrs. Blewett.

• Leah Graham, a senior theater arts major and studio art minor from Sebeka, as Gerry Buote.

• Zyairr Johnson-Landoll, a freshman theater arts major from Sturgis, S.D., as Gilbert Blythe.

• Joy Krosschell, a sophomore psychology major and finance minor from Wells, as Prissy Andrews.

• Allie Lamote, a sophomore communications studies and theater arts double major and marketing minor from Marshall, as Ruby Gillis.

• Danny McDonnell, a senior theater arts major from Jordan, as Matthew Cuthbert. McDonnell is also the sound designer.

• Avianna McFarquhar, a junior theater arts and marketing double major from Marshall, as Diana Barry.

• Noah Patterson, a sophomore elementary education major from Albertville, as the Station Master and Earl.

• Alayna Peterson, a freshman justice administration major from Karlstad, as Gertie Pye.

• Sidney Pitzl, a junior graphic design major from Wabasso, as Mrs. Barry.

• Mary Jean Porter, a sophomore theater arts and professional writing double major, studio art and music minor from Marshall, as Miss Stacy.

• Paul Ragan, a senior history and secondary education major and theater arts and acting and directing minor from Fosston, as Moody MacPherson.

• Raxson Rax, a senior theater arts major from Milan, as Charlie Sloane.

• Elizabeth Ripple, a senior communication arts and literature education major, human resources minor from Owatonna, as Katherine Williams.

• Madelynn Singsank, a freshman pre-vet major from Belgrade, as Lucilla Harris.

• Lillian Tabaka, a Marshall High School freshman from Marshall, as Milly Andrews.

• Elizabeth Zoya, a junior theater arts major from Maplewood, as Josie Pye.

The pre-show dinner option available on Nov. 2 and 9 is an add-on option for $22 (for a total price of $32 for dinner and the show), and must be booked by the Monday prior to the event either online at www.SMSUTickets.com or by calling the Theater Office at (507) 537-7103. The dinner features a menu created and prepared by the SMSU Student Hospitality Opportunities (SHO) Club. The dinner seating will be 5:45-6:15 p.m. in Individualized Learning 116, the Culinology/Hospitality Restaurant.

“Anne of Green Gables” is presented through special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company.

Visiting Writer Angela Trudell Vasquez Nov. 6

Angela Trudell Vasquez will read her poetry at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, in the Whipple Gallery at Southwest Minnesota State University.

Her reading is a part of the Visiting Writers series at SMSU.

Vasquez’s new collection of poems from the book, “In Light, Always Light,” honor the illuminating power of poetry, but speak expressively of racial injustice and the dark “inherited grief” that is its offspring. The poems include history, endurance, and remembrance of survival of migrant ancestors who worked hard for a future in a new country.

Vasquez is an Iowa native whose roots go back to the late 1800s when her family emigrated from Mexico with the Rock Island Railroad. She received an MFA in poetry from the Institute of American Indian Arts in 2017. Her work has been published in Taos Journal of Poetry, Yellow Medicine Review, Raven Chronicles, and Cloudthroat. She has poems on the Poetry Foundation’s website and was a Ruth Lilly fellow as an undergraduate at Drake University. She has new work forthcoming from RED INK: International Journal of Indigenous Literature, Arts & Humanities and the South Florida Poetry Journal. In 2018 she was a finalist for the New Women’s Voices series and her book, “In Light, Always Light,” was published by Finishing Line Press in May 2019. She guest edited the spring 2019 edition of the Yellow Medicine Review with Millissa Kingbird, just released.

The reading is free and open to the public. It is co-sponsored by the Creative Writing Program and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

For more information, contact Judy Wilson at Judy.Wilson@SMSU.edu.