Trio of faculty members promoted at SMSU

Three faculty members have recently been promoted at Southwest Minnesota State University.

Within the College of Arts, Letters and Sciences, Dr. Jeffrey Bell has been promoted from associate professor of exercise science to full professor. He has been at SMSU since 2010.

Dr. Sara Fier has been promoted from associate professor in counseling and testing services to full professor. She has been at SMSU since 2000.

Dr. Eric Doise has been granted tenure, and promoted from assistant professor of English to associate professor. He has been at SMSU since 2013.

According to the Inter Faculty Organization (IFO) contract, “To be awarded tenure, the faculty member must demonstrate a record of positive performance and professionally competent achievement over the duration of the probationary period that is consistent with the goals and objectives of university.”

SMSU’s bachelor’s in hospitality degree ranked 7th nationally

Southwest Minnesota State University is ranked 7th in the nation for Best Affordable Hospitality Degree Programs in 2019 by Affordableschools.net.

Affordable Schools explores and connects people with the best affordable colleges. Affordable Schools does not just look at price, but provides profiles of affordable public and private schools 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.

Affordable Schools’ synopsis of the program reads: “SMSU confers an affordable bachelor of science in hospitality management that includes a concentration in event planning and management, hotel administration, or culinary management as part of the degree. All three concentrations provide students with opportunities to build upon their management and leadership abilities, problem-solving techniques, critical thinking skills, customer awareness, and financial analysis skills. Students gain hands-on experience in SMSU’s state-of-the-art kitchen laboratories while catering on- and off-campus events. SMSU also encourages students to participate in collaborative activities such as attending the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago and the International Hotel, Motel, and Restaurant Show in New York City. Professional and student associations provide additional learning opportunities outside of the classroom such as SMSU’s Student Hospitality Opportunities (SHO) Club. The low-cost four-year degree program prepares students for careers in resorts, restaurants, hotels, and other recreational and hospitality facilities.”

To learn more about the SMSU Hospitality Management program check out their webpage: https://www.smsu.edu/academics/programs/hospitality/index.html

SMSU’s mathematics and statistics degree ranked 14th nationally

Southwest Minnesota State University was ranked 14th in the nation for Best Affordable Mathematics and Statistics Degree Programs in 2019 by Affordableschools.net.

Affordable Schools explores and connects people with the best affordable colleges. Affordable Schools does not just look at price, but provides profiles of affordable public and private schools 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.

Affordable Schools’ synopsis of the program reads, in part: “Southwest Minnesota State University has an affordable Mathematics B.A., mathematics education B.S., or applied computational mathematics B.S. Headed by Dr. Dan Kaiser, the 120-credit, HLC-accredited low-cost degree program shares core courses from Linear Algebra to Differential Equations. Undergrads may also join the STEM Club, utilize Geometer’s Sketchpad software, secure 12-week internships like Securian Financial, receive the Abacus Fund Scholarship, and explore Sweden.”

To learn more about the SMSU Mathematics and Statistics program check out their webpage: https://www.smsu.edu/academics/programs/mathematics/index.html

‘A Very Prairie Christmas’ concert Dec. 7

The Southwest Minnesota State University Music program will perform “A Very Prairie Christmas,” at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, in the Schwan Community Center for the Performing Arts at Marshall High School.

The concert will feature the Jazz Ensemble, Bella Voce, Men’s Glee Club, SMSU Chorale, and the SMSU/Community Concert Band.

Tickets are $5. Children 5 and younger are free.

SMO ‘Holiday Cheer’ concert Dec. 12

The Southwest Minnesota Orchestra, celebrating its 50th anniversary, will present its annual “Holiday Cheer” concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at First Lutheran Church in Marshall.

The concert will feature the return of Te-Chiang Liu, the longest-reigning concertmaster in SMO’s history. Also performing will be Riley Cardona, soprano soloist. The Prairie Arts Chorale will join the Southwest Minnesota Orchestra for parts of the “Messiah,” as well as the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

The concert is one of the orchestra’s best-attended events of the year. Refreshments will be served in the Fellowship Hall following the event.

The concert is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be taken following the concert.