Summer 2026
Alumni Insider
The arch from the Old Main building on lower campus was removed and used in the construction of The Alumni Arch, which was finished in the early 1990s. Photographed here 30 years ago in 1996.
MSU Alumni Insider
In this issue Upcoming Alumni Events Volunteer Spotlight: Judy Beahm ’80 Become a Maverick Volunteer: Ways to Get Involved Maverick Alumni Travel: Shades of Ireland Mavericks in Action: Alumni Adventures Back in the Day: Streaking on Campus Pictured above: Students walking together outside Memorial Library on the campus of then-Mankato State University 50 years ago in 1976. 2
Summer 2026 A WORD FROM OUR DIRECTOR
Welcome back, Mav Alum Brian Zins ‘02, ‘08 | Alumni Association Director
Maverick Alumni, I’m thrilled to welcome you to the second issue of our Alumni Insider newsletter. It has been a whirlwind season on campus, and we’re excited to share what we’ve been up to. + In May, we welcomed more than 3,000 new
Mavericks to the Alumni Association during Spring 2026 Commencement. + In April, more than 150 alumni, friends and students
were treated to dinner and a show during MSU Night at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. We got to cheer on four alumni in the cast and crew of Guys & Dolls, all while supporting student scholarships! Walking to the Taylor Center to welcome new grads to the Alumni Association
3,000+ new Mavericks welcomed at Spring Commencement 2026
+ More than 30 alumni and friends logged on to our
inaugural Lunch & Learn Webinar, The Maverick Advantage, to learn about the power of your Maverick career network. + We launched a brand-new Maverick Travel Program, with partner Collette. Our first trip, Shades of Ireland,
embarks in April 2027. It’s been an exciting spring, and we’re looking forward to even more ways to connect with you. Your support makes these moments possible, opens doors for our students and keeps our Maverick network strong. Go Mavs!
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MSU Alumni Insider MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Upcoming Alumni Events There’s always a reason to gather with your Mav Fam. Here’s what’s coming up this summer and fall. Visit mnsu.edu/alumievents for details on these and more events.
AUG. 18 & 25
The Future State Community Gatherings Hear from business and University leaders during open conversations about The Future State, why it matters and how you can be part of it. Details here
AUG. 28, 2026
MSU Night at the Twins An alumni favorite is back. Join Maverick friends and fans to cheer on the Twins at Target Field. Details here
SEP. 5, 2026
MSU at the State Fair Find the Maverick spirit at the Great Minnesota GetTogether. Details here
OCT. 1-3 2026
Homecoming Weekend Join us for Mavs on the Mall, the Homecoming Parade, Pancakes with the President and so much more! Details here
More events are added throughout the year. Visit mnsu.edu/AlumniEvents for the full calendar. 4
Summer 2026 EVENT ROUNDUP
Alumni Events Up Close This spring, we connected Mavericks through Mavericks on the Road, an exclusive evening at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, a live online webinar and more! Check out some event highlights here.
From top left: President Inch shared the vision for The Future State with Alumni in Naples and Fort Myers, FL, in March; Alumni Association director, Brian Zins, chatted with Mav Alum in the cast of Guys & Dolls at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres after an exclusive performance for MSU alumni and friends in April; In May, we hosted our first live Webinar to help Mavericks make the most of their online job networks.
Have an idea for an event?
If you’re interested in hosting an MSU Alumni event in your area, please reach out to us at alumni@mnsu.edu.
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MSU Alumni Insider MAVERICKS IN ACTION: VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Judy Beahm ’80 One alum was looking for connection in her next chapter. She found it as an alumni volunteer.
Judy Beahm ’80 graduated from MSU with a degree in business administration. She built a career as a bookkeeper and accountant, first working for several Mankato organizations and eventually starting her own business in 2004. In 2025, Beahm was starting to think about retirement, but “when you’re self-employed, it’s hard to walk out the door and quit working,” she said. “I was looking for something to pull me away from my work.” Judy Beahm interacting with student volunteers and guests during the MSU Night at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres event in April.
“The opportunity to meet new people who are so passionate about involvement in the University, that is what I was looking for in a volunteer experience.”
She called the Alumni Association at MSU and joined us for her first volunteer outing, Mavericks on the Road: Twin Cities, in the fall of 2025. Since then, Judy has become a regular volunteer and is looking forward to even more opportunities (like returning to Target Field for MSU Night at the Twins in August). “It’s been fun getting involved,” she says. “The opportunity to meet new people who are so passionate about involvement in the University, that is what I was looking for in a volunteer experience.”
Become a Maverick Volunteer We have volunteer opportunities throughout the year and across the country. If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact assistant director Danielle Duffey at danielle.duffey.2@mnsu.edu.
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Summer 2026 S TAY C O N N E C T E D
Alumni Volunteers in Action There’s a reason we say “Once a Maverick, Always a Maverick.” Our alumni volunteers are the heart of the Minnesota State Mankato community. Here’s a look at some of what you did this year.
From top left: Kaitlyn Giles ‘16, ‘18 helps a student get ready for commencement; Ray Moose ‘25 greets golfers at the Dean Trauger Golf Classic; Student and alumni volunteers welcome guests at the Mavs on the Mall Alumni booth during homecoming.
More ways to stay connected... Can’t volunteer for an alumni event? There are plenty of ways to get and stay involved with your Alumni Association.
+ Attend an alumni event + Visit campus for a tour + Share your story + Follow MSU Alumni channels on social media
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MSU Alumni Insider
Summer 2026
Shades of Ireland April 4-13, 2027
Explore Ireland with Fellow Mavericks We’re excited to announce the Maverick Alumni Travel Program, starting with our first international adventure: Shades of Ireland, April 4-13, 2027, in partnership with Collette Travel. Connect with fellow Mavericks as you explore Ireland’s iconic landscapes, rich history and vibrant culture. Book now to reserve your spot. Rates are guaranteed and fully refundable through October 5. Visit mnsu.edu/AlumniIreland for details. Learn more and reserve your spot today
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Summer 2026 MAVERICKS IN ACTION: ALUMNI ADVENTURES
Brotherhood Built to Last
A river cruise becomes a chance for Phi Delta Theta brothers to reconnect.
Front row from left: Larry Wild ’77 and John Leer ’77; Back row from left: Andy Welty ’77, Greg Call, Paul Hedelson, Fred Schultz ’74, Mike Turgeon ’73 and Randy Reichert ’79
This spring, eight Phi Delta Theta fraternity brothers met up for a cruise down the Elbe River. We asked Randy Reichert ‘79 what it was like to reconnect through travel with his brothers and their spouses (two of whom are also alumni).
lot of time with the same people versus at a reunion where you might have 100 people to see and spend 30 seconds with each. What has contributed to your lasting bond?
We have a lot in common and we all believe in giving back. That’s part of We all met back in the ‘70s (through what you learn in the fraternity. Many of the fraternity) and have stayed very us are still chapter advisors and started close. Somebody threw out the idea of a a mentorship program for current riverboat cruise. students in our fraternity. What led up to this excursion?
What’s the best part about traveling together?
What’s next for your group? We’re already talking about future trips, like Ireland, Scotland or Norway. [The Alumni Association] offers a lot of
It’s a fun way to reconnect with people you haven’t seen in a while. You spend a 9
MSU Alumni Insider
From left: Paul Hedelson, Dawn Hedelson, Sheila Turgeon ’72, Mike Turgeon ’73, Fred Schultz ’74, Paula Schultz, Andy Welty ’77, Ann Welty, John Leer ’77, Sarah Leer, Ellen Wild ’79, Larry Wild ’77, Ann Reichert ’80, Randy Reichert ’79, Kathleen Call, Greg Call.
good opportunities to reconnect and get involved with the University. We were at Chanhassen and have started planning another Target Field night, just more chances to get people together. The more we stay connected and come
back for things like that, the more it keeps everyone engaged with the University and each other. Want to see your story in an upcoming issue? Share it with us at alumni@mnsu. edu.
#MavsInTheWild Traveling soon? Let us know and we’ll mail you Flat Stomper in his best vacation gear to take along! alumni@ mnsu.edu
Cody Buechner ’12 and his daughter, Lily, took Flat Stomper on a visit to Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park.
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Summer 2026 B A C K I N T H E D AY
A Streak of Genius Roger Nissly ‘76 wrote to expose a truly revealing trend that hit campus in the 1970s .... streaking. We found this photo and the articles below in a 1974 issue of The Reporter.
Images and articles published in The Mankato State Daily Reporter, March 20 and April 2, 1974.
“A couple times a week the word would pass through campus that streakers would be running through the campus mall at a certain time. Large groups of students would gather on each side of the mall and sure enough at the designated time a car or two would pull up to the north end and anywhere from three to 10 students would jump out and run completely naked to the south end and jump into some waiting cars and be gone.” The Daily Reporter published “safety tips” for streakers, including wearing sneakers and reflectorized tape for nighttime runs. The paper also ran editorials on the topic.
What is a trend you recall from your time on campus? Share Your Story
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MSU Alumni Insider
Summer 2026
We’re Here for You Whether you’re looking to reconnect, network, mentor or celebrate your Maverick pride, we’d love to hear from you. Connect with us: www.mnsu.edu/alumni alumni@mnsu.edu 507-389-1515 12