MARSHALL — The Southwest Minnesota State University Foundation and SMSU Alumni Association are hosting the Southwest Celebration on Friday starting at 5:30 p.m. in the SMSU Conference Center Upper Level. The new event will kick off the homecoming weekend.

The event will celebrate the 2024 Alumni Award Recipients, highlight special projects underway on campus, and welcome alumni returning for Homecoming festivities. Each year the SMSU Alumni Association seeks to recognize alumni and friends who have made significant contributions of time, talent or financial resources to help advance and bring positive recognition to Southwest Minnesota State University.

The 2024 Alumni Award recipients include: Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award presented to Doria Drost ’19/MBA ’21 of Sioux Falls, S.D.; Alumni Achievement Awards going to Stephen Klein ’75 of Marshall and Deb (Geiver) Norlin ’84 of Brainerd; and Honorary Lifetime Membership in the SMSU Alumni Association being given to Sen. Gary Dahms of Redwood Falls.

The evening begins with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. with free drinks. The SMSU faculty and students will be on hand from several academic and support programs to showcase the special projects in their areas. A formal dinner and short program recognizing this year’s award recipients will be followed by a homecoming mixer with a cash bar.

The event will have valet parking outside the Conference Center. Tickets are $50 per person and available online at www.SMSUAlumni.com/celebration.

Gold (Graduate of the Last Decade) Award

This award is presented to a graduate of Southwest Minnesota State University. The GOLD Award is to recognize recent graduates with exceptional achievement and significant contribution to the recipient’s profession, community/society, or university. The graduate must have graduated within the past 10 years. 

Doria Drost is the director of Marketing at ASM Global – Denny Sanford PREMIER Center where she oversees all marketing, communications, and public relations activities for the largest multi-venue complex in South Dakota, including welcoming top artists, bands, sporting events, and more to the region. Currently living in Sioux Falls, S.D., she spends her time volunteering with various local nonprofit organizations and serving on two nonprofit board of directors. In addition to her full-time role and volunteer work, Doria has also continued to run her own freelance marketing and design business she initially started while attending SMSU.

Alumni Achievement Awards

This award is presented to a graduate in recognition of their remarkable professional success and the positive reflection made on the reputation of all graduates of SMSU. 

Deb (Geiver) Norlin ’84

Deb is an academic adviser at Central Lakes College in Brainerd where she resides with her husband, Jeff, and son, Trent. Prior to her current position, she held numerous professional positions at Southwest Minnesota State University including Brainerd off-site coordinator, alumni director, assistant director of Admission and admission recruiter. As an SSU student, she was coordinator of Student Activities which sparked her desire to continue to serve her alma mater.

Steve Klein ’75

Steve and his wife, Kay, are co-owners of Klein Foods (a gourmet foods manufacturing company) and Walnut Grove Mercantile (a retail division for the gourmet and fundraising market). He graduated with degrees in chemistry and education and taught at the elementary, junior high, high school and university levels. Steve is proud to have also worked as a commercial beekeeper with his father and he enjoys being able to support the local area through various philanthropic endeavors.

Honorary Lifestime Membership Award

This award is presented to an individual or couple who are not an SMSU graduate, but give their time, talents, and enthusiasm as if they were.

Gary Dahms

Senator Gary Dahms has served in the Minnesota Senate since 2011. During his tenure, he has put the needs of the region and Southwest Minnesota State University at the forefront of the legislative agenda. He chaired the Commerce Committee for six years and was lead on the Senate Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee. He is a champion for SMSU in the biennial budget and bonding needs, authoring bills in support of SMSU campus improvements and appropriations for Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement projects. His support was critical to add the Ag Education program at SMSU and he has visited campus regularly to better understand the needs of our students, faculty, and staff. Gary and Barb owned and operated the Dahms Insurance Agency in Redwood Falls and Fairfax before retiring in 2012.

SMSU Homecoming events

Monday, Oct. 7

8:30-10 a.m. Donut Drop, Sponsored by Graduate Studies, BA Plaza

4 p.m. Pep rally, PE Gym

Tuesday, Oct. 8

Royalty Voting Online: https://southwestmsu.campuslabs.com/engage/

7 p.m. Candidates Night, comedy hypnotist, PE Gym

Wednesday, Oct. 9

10 a.m. Judging for office/door and residence hall decorating contests. Contact Alumni@SMSU.edu to register entries by Oct. 7.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mustangs Give: Day of Service, Volunteers check-in at FH Lobby SMSU.edu/go/mustangsgive

Thursday, Oct. 10

6:30 p.m. Homecoming coronation & social with YSA musician and emcee, CC Lower Ballroom

9 p.m. Student bonfire, RA parking lot

Friday, Oct. 11

10-11 a.m. State of the University Address, Conference Center Upper Level

3 p.m. SMSU Soccer vs. Minnesota State. SREC

3 p.m. Swimming & Diving Brown and Gold Scrimmage, Pool

5:30-9 p.m. Southwest Celebration, CC Upper Ballroom

6 p.m. Volleyball vs. UMary, PE Gym

8 p.m. Laser Light Show, SMSU Planetarium, SM 108

Saturday, Oct. 12

7:30 a.m. 5K/10K run, sponsored by the SMSU Veterans Club, Check-in Track & Field Complex

10 a.m. Parade line-up begins, Lyon/Jewett Streets Check-in

11 a.m. Homecoming parade, Lyon Street to Main Street to 5th Street

1 p.m. Planetarium star show, SMSU Planetarium, SM 108

1 p.m. Classes of ’74/’99/’14 reunion, Alumni Heritage Gallery, Student Center

1 p.m. Volleyball vs. Minot State, PE Gym

3-5 p.m. Homecoming game day roundup and alumni tailgating, SREC Plaza

4:45 p.m. Pre-game Introduction of homecoming royalty, Schwan Regional Event Center

5 p.m. Football vs. Wayne State, Schwan Regional Event Center

8-10 p.m. Alumni social, Wings Axe

Sunday, Oct. 13

1 p.m. SMSU Soccer, SREC