In This Issue:

Hmong American Institute for Learning offers creative outlet

The Hmong American Institute for Learning (HAIL) is one of two Hmong art organizations in the country. It is an organization for the literary and visual arts of the Hmong culture. The organization helps writers and artists of all ages and backgrounds to express their story and support to the Hmong culture...

Assembling a new student organization

Metropolitan State University, the Student Senate and a few eager students have brought a new student organization to you. The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is becoming the largest, most respected and widely recognized organizations for pre-professional students with an interest in public relations and we are privileged to be able to bring it to you...

Projects Abroad: An exciting new opportunity for Metropolitan State University students

After the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, the EU began funding student /professor exchanges throughout the continent. Peter Slowe, a long time academic at Chichester University, sought this opportunity to introduce his students to a foreign country while doing meaningful work. Successful in obtaining a grant from Chichester's geography faculty and the Forestry Faculty of the Transylvania University in Romania, Peter took the first steps in creating what is now Projects Abroad...

Volunteers help communities in earthquake-shaken Peru

Urubamba, Peru, Sept. 4, 2007 - Despite the recent atrocities caused by a 5.9 earthquake last month, Projects Abroad volunteers remain committed to serving local communities in Peru. The earthquake was felt in Projects Abroad's main region of operation, the Sacred Valley. Volunteers are working in hospitals in the ancient Incan capital of Cusco and helping children in day care centers around the Sacred Valley...

University president to lead Florida Gulf Coast University

On Aug. 28, the Board of Trustees of Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) announced the appointment of Metropolitan State University President Wilson G. "Brad" Bradshaw as its third president. For the past seven years, Brad has been president of Metropolitan State, as well as professor of psychology. The FGCU Board unanimously selected Brad as the next president of FGCU, citing "his track record as a builder, problem solver and motivator..."

A wine for every palate

There are innumerable myths and fallacies that people create in their heads. As a liquor store employee, beer promotional team member, and occasional wine representative, there is one that is constantly annoying to me, like a mosquito buzzing in my ear: "I don't like wine because a) it's too bitter, b) I don't like the taste it leaves, c) wine is for stuffy people, or d) ___(fill in the blank)___..."

2007 MIMA Summit encourages markets to "talk"

As marketing practices move toward the Web, many companies are rapidly creating and expanding Interactive Marketing departments to support emerging online strategies. The Minnesota Interactive Marketing Association (MIMA) is hosting its 5th Annual Summit at The Depot, Minneapolis, on Oct. 3, 2007. Students are welcome....

Open House, a start to meeting students

Sept. 11, 2007—More than 30 students atteneded Metropolitan State Activities Board's (UAB) Open House, "Student Organization: Get-2-Know 'Em" event. The open house was a success, with many student organizations appreciating the opportunity to network and connect with students and other organizations...

October is National Dental Hygiene Month

Making a great first impression is essential in your professional and personal relationships. Your physical appearance sends nonverbal messages to potential employers and mates. It is not always fair, but sometimes people judge your character based on superficial attributes. What message are you sending with your smile? October is National Dental Hygiene Month. Adults and children are encouraged to see their dentists for regular checkups...

Faculty appointments

Information regarding recent faculty appointees...

Book Review: "The Yellow Wallpaper"

Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper," first published in 1892 by the New England Magazine, became one of the most celebrated and debated fictional works of the 20th century. At first "The Yellow Wallpaper" was considered to be too gruesome to publish for fear of rendering its readers more miserable than before they dared read it. Now, moving into the 21st century, we continue our analysis of the infamous publication and its implied feminist nature...

HR Corner: Interviewing

After learning how to create a résumé that gets them a phone call, many job seekers are unprepared for what comes next: the interview...

Technology Bytes: Open Source Alternatives to save you a few bucks

Besides a healthy supply of Diet Mountain Dew, the one thing a serious Metropolitan State student cannot live without is access to a computer. We use them for communication with our instructors and classmates, writing and creating our homework, and they're an invaluable tool for just about everything we do."Craig," you say, "I don't have an unlimited budget and I like to do my class work in the privacy of my own home, where I can lounge in my socks, eat Cheetos and listen to music unfettered by the confines of the library's dress code. What can I do?" My answer: look to Open Source programs.

Sporting the Twin Cities - 'Football Follies,' edition one

Vince Lombardi once said, "We didn't lose the game, we just ran out of time." It is a concept that is apparently being applied quite liberally by Minnesota sports teams lately. And only to exacerbate the feelings of loneliness and despair experienced by Minnesota football fans, border rivals the Green Bay Packers and the University of Wisconsin's Badgers have experienced recent success...