In This Issue:

Letters from the President: Security threat at Minneapolis Campus

This communication is to report that there was an incident Friday afternoon (May 4, 2007) on our Minneapolis Campus. A Metropolitan State University student, referencing Virginia Tech, made a comment perceived as a threat by another student. The student hearing the comment immediately contacted security who contacted the Minneapolis police. The student who made the threatening comment was tracked by security cameras and was quickly apprehended at the Management Education Center building. The student was immediately taken into custody by the Minneapolis police...

Spring Commencement

Approximately 750 proud Metropolitan State University students will don black caps and gowns when they receive their bachelor’s and master’s degrees during the May 3 commencement, which will occur at the Minneapolis Convention Center auditorium...

A global community

With a student population of over 60 percent female and of over 25 percent students of color, it is important that Metropolitan State put its commitment to diversity and civic engagement into action—particularly because of its rapid increase in international and immigrant students. Students and faculty recently teamed-up with Somali Family Services (SFS), a nonprofit group of like-minded Somalis and Americans hoping to inspire global awareness and action, for a benefit concert to raise funds to construct a resource and service center for Puntland State University (PSU) in Garowe, Somalia...

A Visionary: Spotlight on Lynn LaFroth

Lynn LaFroth is a deadline-driven woman who loves to write. She edits and publishes a monthly newspaper called Essential Wellness, formerly known as Twin Cities Wellness (TC Wellness), with her sister Dee LaFroth. In 1992 Lynn began a tabloid publication with Gary Beckman called The Edge; its focus is exploring the evolution of consciousness. Lynn said she felt The Edge combined her spirituality with writing. The publication was Lynn’s first adventure as a monthly newspaper partner...

The Metropolitan hosts workshop
The Metropolitan student newspaper hosted a writer and editor’s workshop at Metropolitan State University’s St. Paul Campus on March 31, which included a panel of three working professional journalists. "The best editors ask questions," said Paul Tosto, St. Paul Pioneer Press higher education reporter, a reporter for 20 years, the last 10 of which spent covering K–12, college and editing. "Which angle is the reporter taking, and so on...?"

Book Review: Peter Vogt’s Career Wisdom for College Students

There are books, articles and Web sites everywhere designed to help recent college graduates land the jobs they want. But what is available to help current college students get a jump start on the competition? If planning is critical in choosing the right career and in knowing how to get it, how do you know where to start? The career planning process can seem overwhelming if you aren't sure where to look for information. Career coach Peter Vogt, M.S., hopes he will change the scope of student job preparedness with his new book, Career Wisdom for College Students...

Key insights from Career Wisdom for College Students

Key Insights from Peter Vogt's book, 'Career Wisdom for College Students'...

Forming friendships through "finger-talk"

Lack of visual display is a basic problem with Internet-based classrooms. The challenge of how to establish trust with another and to develop that trust into a basis for sincere friendship can be difficult. After all, what has one to offer another that will do so? The students taking the online class "Communication 333-50: Intercultural Communication" faced that question and overcame such obstacles by talking with their fingers...

Lukaszewski named Alumnus of the Year

James Lukaszewski was named Metropolitan State University’s Alumnus of the Year on April 19 at a special university recognition dinner in Saint Paul, Minn. Alumni of the Year are chosen based on the quality of their leadership performance and the extent to which they have made a meaningful contribution to Metropolitan State or to the community. Lukaszewski was chosen because of his significant contributions as a national leader and educator in public relations to state government and to the university...

Important Notice:
Changes to university Academic Standing Policy effective Fall 2007 Semester

The criteria for students to stay in good academic standing and to be placed on academic warning, academic probation and academic dismissal will change at Metropolitan State University. These changes may affect you and your status...

University announces $327,348 education grant

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) awarded a $327,348 grant to Metropolitan State University School of Nursing, Gillette Children’s Specialty Heathcare, HealthPartners Medical Group and Clinics, and Regions Hospital for simulation-based education. The grant was awarded through the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP) Board. There was a grant signing ceremony April 30 to celebrate this training partnership....

Hand sanitizers installed

Metropolitan State University implemented new sanitizers around its campuses to help fight the spread of germs and bacteria, and to help prevent a pandemic flu at the university and its surrounding communities. "Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system office directed institutions to establish a pandemic plan that could address future health and operational issues connected with avian flu or other pandemic challenges," said Thomas Maida, director of Safety and Security...

Study what you love and succeed: Student Spotlight - Karen Brown

A business analyst and project consultant by trade, Metropolitan State University student Karen Brown is a writer at heart. She is an avid reader and journal-keeper. She always wanted to write and fell in love with the concept of telling stories while she attended high school. "I enjoy meeting new people, hearing their story and helping them to tell it," said Brown, a professional writing major and literature minor graduating this August. "I think it surprises some people that I didn’t go for a technical communications degree (because of my job), but that isn’t where my passions lie," she explained...

In the zone

Entering the newly-opened Sarna’s Classic Grill in Columbia Heights, Minn., is like entering another dimension, where up is down and left is right. Never have I experienced such an odd juxtaposition of senses. ...

"Bee" a good speller

The 2007 Twin Cities Metro Spelling Bee, sponsored by the Star Tribune, was held on March 20 at the Minnesota History Center. A total of 29 fifth through eighth-graders who won their own school district’s championship bee competed for the chance to attend the 80th Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. According to its Web site, the Scripps National Spelling Bee program strives “to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts, and develop correct English usage that will help them all their lives..."