FROM PRESIDENT INCH

Edward Inch, President David Hood, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Lynn Akey, Vice President for Student Success, Analytics and Integrated Planning Mark Johnson, Vice President for IT Solutions & CIO David Jones, Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management Henry Morris, Vice President for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Kent Stanley, Vice President for University Advancement Richard Straka, Vice President for Finance & Administration Sheri Sargent, Chief of Staff

TODAY

FALL 2022................................... VOLUME 24 ISSUE 1 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR...................Sara Gilbert Frederick EDITOR....................................................Joe Tougas '86 DESIGNER ............................................ James Mackey ORIGINAL PHOTOS ....... John Cross, Vanessa Knewtson, Steve Woit, Nick Cachiaras PRINTER.......................Corporate Graphics Commercial WRITERS ................. Grace Brandt ’13, Helen Healy ’92, Christine Nessler ’02, Drew Lyon ’06, Robb Murray ’95, Amanda Dyslin ’03, ‘14 PRINT COORDINATOR ..........................Ryan Schuh '00 CONTRIBUTING STAFF .............................. Dan Benson, Kim Rademaker ’93, Connie Wodtke ’91 TODAY is published two times per year by the Division of University Advancement. TODAY is distributed to more than 120,000 alumni and friends. The mission of TODAY is to entertain, to inform and to connect the reader to the campus. TODAY welcomes story ideas supporting this mission. Full manuscripts are not accepted. TODAY is not responsible for unsolicited material. TODAY is copyrighted in its entirety. This volume and all articles, images and photographs within may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of the editor. ADDRESS CHANGES & CLASS NOTES: Send to TODAY, Class Notes & Address Changes, Minnesota State University, Mankato, 232 Alumni Foundation Center, Mankato, MN 56001, e-mail to today@mnsu.edu, by fax to 507-389-2069 or call 507-389-2523. Death announcements must be accompanied by a memorial service program or published newspaper obituary. LETTERS: Send letters intended for publication to TODAY, Minnesota State University, Mankato, 232 Alumni Foundation Center, Mankato, MN 56001, e-mail to today@mnsu.edu or fax to 507-389-2069. TODAY reserves the right to edit letters for space and clarity. Include name, address, graduation year and daytime telephone number. Unsigned letters are not considered for publication. All letters become property of TODAY. Submission of your letter constitutes your permission to publish it.

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

THE EDUCATION BEAT GOES ON IN MAVERICK LIFE

My godfather, Rev. Vincent Gowen, was an Episcopal priest on the island where I grew up. My younger brother, John, and I grew up at his waterfront home on Bainbridge Island, Washington, listening to his stories and exploring the beaches of Blakely Harbor. Father Gowen was a missionary in China and the Philippines at the outbreak of World War II. While helping people escape the escalating war, he and his family were interned in a concentration camp. At the camp, he taught history, literature, and the classics to the interned children. This violated camp rules and was subject to punishment. Yet, he believed education was the key to transcending war, prejudice and hate. I have told this story many times, and it always make me think about the courage we must have to pursue our convictions, our passions and our dreams, even when faced with opposition. It takes strength that comes from our own core sense of purpose, values, drive and determination to pursue our dreams. In my one brief year at Minnesota State Mankato I have learned a lot. And, at the core of my experience has been finding a culture that celebrates its dreamers, risk-takers and passionate leaders. Our community and University nurtures that spirit among us and truly fosters a culture of mavericks. This issue of TODAY shines a spotlight on a colorful collection of people who have gone above, beyond and even sideways in their pursuits of passion. These Mavericks are pushing the boundaries, changing the rules and creating the future. I hope their stories inspire you as they have me. This fall marked the beginning of my second year as President, and I am grateful for the honor to lead this great University. Mavericks are engaging and making a difference in so many ways all around the world, and I am proud to be a part of it.

Go Mavs!

Edward Inch President