30th anniversary University Gala Oct. 11

The 30th annual University Gala will be from 6 p.m.-midnight Friday, Oct. 11, in the R/A Facility at Southwest Minnesota State University.

This year’s decorating theme is Emerald, to mark the emerald anniversary of the event.

The University Gala has been a major fundraiser since its inception in 1989. Proceeds from the event fund scholarships for SMSU students. To date, $900,000 has been raised, and 1,450 scholarships awarded.

The evening will include a full-course dinner by Chartwells, live entertainment, socializing, a live auction and deejay dance.

An online-only silent auction will open for bids starting Oct. 7. Items for bid can be found here: https://SMSUGala2019.givesmart.com. Online bidding will stop at 8:45 p.m. on Oct. 11.

Anyone can bid on auction items; you don’t have to attend the Gala.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet SMSU President Kumara Jayasuriya, 10th permanent president of SMSU who began his duties July 1, along with Minnesota State Chancellor Devinder Malhotra.

Tyler Bowen and Krista Bjella will serve as masters of ceremonies, and entertainment will be provided by the SMSU Jazz Band and Chorale. The dance begins at 10 p.m.

The meal options include:

• Meat: Beef tenderloin with monkfish filet and julienne duck breast, accompanied by green beans and beet root orzo, lightly drizzled with lemon basil pistachio butter.

• Vegetarian: Aubergine burrata (marinated eggplant) with Brussels sprouts, Kale and red cabbage over spaghetti squash, accompanied by red curry glaze.

For more details about this unique evening, or to register, visit www.smsufoundation.org/gala2019.

SMSU’s marketing degree ranked nationally

Southwest Minnesota State University is ranked 14th in the nation for Best Affordable Marketing Degree Programs in 2019 by Affordableschools.net.

SMSU was also the only Minnesota school in the rankings.

Affordable Schools explores and connects people with the best affordable colleges. They help students find an affordable college, one with a solid academic reputation. Affordable Schools’ mission is to help students make smart, higher education choices.

The ranking considered 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. The colleges were given points based on tuition and student-to-faculty radio.

Affordable Schools, in its synopsis of the program, said: “Southwest Minnesota State University is one of the most affordable colleges for a marketing degree. Students can choose from the low-cost bachelor of science in marketing or the bachelor of applied science in Marketing, both of which are 120-credit hour programs that were designed to help them with their careers. Additionally, students can take part in a variety of clubs and organizations on campus, such as the SMSU American Marketing Association Collegiate and the Graphic Design Club, all of which will expand their abilities within the field.”

“We are honored to be ranked nationally for our marketing degree,” said Denise Gochenouer, marketing professor. “Affordability is important today as students seek the best educational value, and our smaller class sizes ensure personal attention they won’t find elsewhere.”