Photo by Mike Lamb Southwest Minnesota State University President Connie Gores, right, welcomes Diane Taylor, left, and Karen Sweetland, center, to the President’s Holiday Social Monday evening inside SMSU’s conference center.

MARSHALL — “Have you seen the book that just came out?” Southwest Minnesota State University President Connie J. Gores asked a guest arriving at the President’s Holiday Social inside the SMSU Conference Center.

“Phenomenal stories of the impact the university has had on so many people — thousands of people,” she said.

The event held Monday night is an annual event. But Gores pointed out that this event, as well as others held at the university this past semester, continued to celebrate SMSU’s 50th anniversary. The book Gores referred to was produced by SMSU staff and was on display as guests entered the room.

“It’s been a remarkable 50th,” Gores said. “It’s been so much fun celebrating the 50th and hearing the stories and reveling in the memories people have in the way this institution has changed their lives.”

Gores explained the President’s Holiday Social is a way for the university community to celebrate the holidays and honor community members.

The social offered a lot to eat — including shrimp cocktail, bacon wrapped cheese dates, Caprese Italian bruschetta, Brie Raspberry Phyllo Cup, cranberry salsa cinnamon pita chips and lots of desserts. A beverage station offered a variety of wines including “The Mustang 50.”

“It’s a great to meet people in the community — people we haven’t seen in awhile,” Marshall City Councilman John DeCramer said, as he walked in with his wife, Judy.