Recent Program Features

Cali Cantu
Cinco de Mayo: Fiesta Postponed, 2020

This drawing was especially difficult for me to construct because this drawing style is a part of my culture that I have not yet explored.  I am Mexican-American and proud of it. I’ve always strived to find ways to bring in my culture to my work and I knew I had to do this right now with everything the world is going through with this pandemic.  Many events, gatherings, and celebrations that we all look forward to have been affected by COVID-19 and Cinco de Mayo is one of them.  My family and I area finding new ways to celebrate our culture during this time and that is what inspired this piece. This fiesta may be postponed but the fiesta is still happening.

This year’s Student Government election was unlike any other in recent Minnesota State University, Mankato history. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, candidates had to tackle unforeseen obstacles, such as campaigning completely online, unlike their predecessors who were able to physically campaign on campus.

Although these unprecedented times called for creative solutions, it didn’t hinder the success of the winning party: Empowering Mavericks. Thanks to dozens of campaign volunteers, the party reached out to thousands of students to ensure that their message was heard through online candidate forums, social media postings and email communication.

Andrew Trenne, a junior Political Science major and History and Business Law minor, was elected as Minnesota State Mankato’s 88^th Student Government president.

Trenne, who is originally from Chaska, decided to come to Minnesota State Mankato because he thinks the campus is the best in the state and he enjoys the size of the university—which he says allows him to meet new people while still having small and attentive class sizes.  

Although it’s hard to believe now after his victory, Trenne didn’t think that he’d ever become the president of the student body. He dreamed of it but says that he was shy and had little involvement in high school, so he never expected to be in the position that he is today.

“I always wanted to become president but never thought I would get to this point. My earliest memory of this was when I was a freshman; I went to the new student rally during Welcome Week. I saw the then Student Body President addressing my incoming class, and I remember whispering to my friend, ‘I want to be him,’ but I only considered it a dream and something I didn't think I could reach,” he says.

Despite his humble journey, Trenne’s work has not gone unnoticed. Mark Constantine, director of the Centennial Student Union and Student Activities, has had the pleasure of working with Trenne over the last three years in his positions in the Residence Hall Association, Student Union Board and Student Government. He says that Trenne is not the kind of person who looks for a pat on the back; rather, his involvement comes from his authentic love for the University.

“He [has] worked tirelessly for the students at Minnesota State Mankato. Talk about taking risks and stepping up, Andrew is doing that on a daily basis. Whether he is talking to President Davenport, Vice President Jones or a dean of a college, Andrew is at the forefront of most student movement on this campus,” says Constantine.

No matter how big or small of a decision the University makes, Trenne feels that students should be right there at the table with administration to provide input on issues that affect them daily.

“If we aren't a part of the decision-making process on things like tuition, student fees, University policies and even the COVID-19 conversations, then our issues as students won't be addressed or heard,” he says.

Trenne hopes to leave his legacy at Minnesota State Mankato by helping advance the student body and addressing ever-changing student needs. He hopes that he can make a difference at the University not only academically, but also in student life to create long-term accomplishments that set the University forward in addressing student needs.

Although he never expected to make it this far, Trenne is proud of himself for the accomplishments that he has made during his time as a Maverick and is excited to see what he can do as the 88^th Student Government president.

“I truly want to show people that anyone can do it if you just put time into it and really work to grow yourself as a person. Minnesota State University, Mankato is a great place to do that, and I am super proud of our University,” Trenne says.

The University has approved the Return to Learn COVID-19 Preparedness Plan, which outlines core health and safety measures for broad resumption of in-person activities on campus. The focus of the plan is on reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for students, faculty, staff and visitors. The plan is available here. Planning also continues in many important areas such as student housing, dining and campus and student services.

As we expand our planning work, a departmental planning questionnaire has been developed and is being distributed this week (it can also be downloaded directly here) to department chairs and directors. The Pandemic Operations and Tactics Team is offering an informational session via Zoom to walk through the questionnaire at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 26. Anyone interested in attending should email Marla Bock at marla.bock@mnsu.edu to be added to the meeting.

University Printing Services is currently working on Return to Learn signage solutions for campus, including entrance signs for all campus buildings and floor decals to serve as safe distance reminders where needed. Questions about other signage can be sent to printing_work_order@mnsu.edu.

If you have questions about the Return to Learn planning process or what you can expect on campus this fall, please submit your question here. We will get back to you with an answer as soon as possible.

Dear Students:

Thank you to everyone who has reached out with questions, comments and concerns regarding the upcoming school year. We appreciate hearing from you and are doing our best to respond as quickly as possible. We also appreciate your patience as we work through the details of planning for your return to campus. We will do our best to provide information to you as quickly as possible.

With that in mind, I want to let you know about the University’s Return to Learn COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. This document outlines core health and safety measures for the reopening of campus with a focus on reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for students, faculty, staff and visitors. It includes a lot of important information, and I encourage you to take a look at it when you are able. Planning also continues in many important areas such as fall course offerings, housing, dining, and student services.  We will bring you updates in those areas in the coming weeks.

I also want to remind you to complete the survey that Interim Provost Matt Cecil sent to you earlier this week; if you haven’t already, please go to https://mnsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_80LU38s6kl2yCfX to do so now. Your answers will help our faculty as they prepare to offer you the best possible learning experience this fall.

Finally: We have heard from many of you concerned about the format of the classes you’re registered for this fall and how you can know if they will be online, in-person or FlexSync. We are working with the Minnesota State system and expect our fall course schedule to be updated by Wednesday, July 8, reflecting how each course section is planned to be offered this fall. Thank you for your patience as we make revisions and updates.

Please keep sending us your questions about the Return to Learn planning process; you can submit your questions here. We will get back to you with answers as soon as possible. In the meantime, I will continue to send you email updates every week. You can also find more information by visiting www.mnsu.edu/returntolearn.

I look forward to seeing you again in August!

Sincerely,

Richard Davenport,
President