MSU Reporter

04/30/2026

The Reporter says goodbye for the 2025-26 academic year

Thank you for following along, supporting our work, and being part of our stories this year. We’ll see you back in August with more to share 💛

04/30/2026

MSU Track & Field T he Todd Pfingston

Minnesota State athlete Chloe Judisch (7) crosses the finish line of the 800 meter race on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at the Todd Pfingston Open.

04/30/2026

POLAR PLUNGE has students taking a LEAP

On Tuesday, Law Enforcement Torch Run brought the Polar Plunge back to campus. The Polar Plunge is the biggest fundraiser for Special Olympics Minnesota, helping fund year-round training and other services to athletes with intellectual disabilities.

04/30/2026

On Wednesday, it was Denim Day. Globally observed since 1999, Denim day is the longest running sexual violence prevention and education campaign. Denim day is observed on the last Wednesday of April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

In Italy in 1996, the supreme court overturned a case where an 18-year-old girl was a r***d by her 45 year old driving instructor. In this case, the justices argued that she was wearing tight jeans. The justices said they were difficult to remove, therefore they argued that she removed them and gave consent. After the reversal, the Italian parliament wore jeans to work in order to show support for the victim. Peace Over Violence Executive Director Patti Giggans created Denim day in 1999 after this case happened and all the activism that followed.

Aside from denim being a convenient choice of clothing that is common, denim symbolizes this message of solidarity for victims and resistance against sexual violence. An exhibit in the Flexible Programming Space was put up by Violence Awareness and Response Program in collaboration with the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

The VARP office is located in the Women’s Center. Sexual violence can occur to anybody, and Crisafi emphasizes confidentiality and offers many different resources. From counseling to groceries to emergency housing, there are many ways VARP is able to help. Nobody is alone when facing struggles like this and help is always available.

On Wednesday, it was Denim Day. Globally observed since 1999, Denim day is the longest running sexual violence prevention and education campaign. Denim day is observed on the last Wednesday of Apri…

04/30/2026

Were finals eating you alive and stressing you out? The Student Events Team had students covered with CSU Mall Fest, a fun campus event filled with games, prizes, food, and activities to help students relax before the end of the semester. Hosted at the CSU Mall on April 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the event gave students a chance to take a break, connect with others, and enjoy a few hours away from academic pressure.

According to organizer Shelby Roerick, students enjoyed different experiences during the event. “Students can expect a wide variety of engaging and relaxing activities, including interactive games, giveaways, student organization booths, and opportunities to connect with campus resources,” Roerick said. “There will also be entertainment, music, and spaces designed for students to take a break and recharge.”

The schedule included activities throughout the day. At 10:30 a.m., the petting zoo opened. At 11 a.m., the Amazon registration, FSL Donkey Dung Bingo, sports activities, and the live band started. At 11:30 a.m., free food was offered. Finally, one of the biggest moments of the event happened at noon with Stomper’s “1,000 Ways to Win” ping pong ball drop. During this activity, members of the Student Events Team dropped numbered ping pong balls from a mechanical lift into the crowd. Students redeemed winning balls for prizes such as Amazon gift cards, T-shirts, and more.

Roerick hoped students left the event with a positive feeling. “We hope students leave feeling energized, supported, and connected to the campus community,” she said. “Ideally, they feel less stressed, more positive, and reminded that they are part of something bigger than just their academic responsibilities.”

Were finals eating you alive and stressing you out? The Student Events Team had students covered with CSU Mall Fest, a fun campus event filled with games, prizes, food, and activities to help stude…

04/30/2026

Lemme ask you somethin’: Have you ever gotten a text from someone who was close to you like a family member or friend? Perhaps they said something like, “SOMEONE needs to do the dishes.” or “WONDER who could’ve done THAT.” Immediately you might be thinking “Why is this person attacking or accusing me of something?” But in actuality, they’re just trying to be sarcastic.

If you’re not exactly sure what code-switching means, it simply means the ways we change the way we talk depending on whom we’re speaking to. Let’s say you were talking with a “higher up.” In that case, you probably wouldn’t use slang or inappropriate jokes like you would with close friends. It’s definitely easier to code-switch over text due to the sheer amount of time to think about what you want to say. An in-person code-switch needs to almost be instantaneous, while texting allows more time to develop a curated response.

Talking in-person is already hard as it is. But for this technological generation, texting is just as, if not even more, important. With so many approaches on how to talk to anybody of various backgrounds, and for a sarcastic guy like me, it’s a vast code-switching landscape of mines waiting to be stepped on.

Lemme ask you somethin’: Have you ever gotten a text from someone who was close to you like a family member or friend? Perhaps they said something like, “SOMEONE needs to do the dishes.” or “WONDER…

04/30/2026

Minnesota State University’s Ultimate Frisbee team, known as the Blue Skunks, is a student-run club. The team travels to tournaments around the country while welcoming players of all skill levels. Ultimate Frisbee is one of the fastest growing sports in the world with its high school leagues in America growing to 22 teams, with a player base of approximately 70 million globally. It is a sport that is open to all, from those aspiring to participate to those experienced and requires little to no equipment.

The Blue Skunks were originally created around 2005-2006 although they existed a bit earlier under a different name, created as a space for those who play and enjoy the sport and were looking for an environment where they would like to play it competitively and for fun. They often play in various competitions and are currently part of the Division I of the USA Ultimate College Ultimate Frisbee League

A space and tight-knit community that enjoys the sport and are very welcoming, playing a constantly growing sport in the world. A place where you can enjoy yourself and improve without the pressure of perfection. This is the Blue Skunks, MSU’s Ultimate Frisbee Team.

Minnesota State University’s Ultimate Frisbee team, known as the Blue Skunks, is a student-run club. The team travels to tournaments around the country while welcoming players of all skill levels. …

04/30/2026

The Maverick baseball team is geering up for their final regular season series this weekend against the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. They are set for three meetings, two games on Friday and a contest on Saturday. The first game starts at 1:30 p.m here in Mankato at Bowyer Field. The second match of the day will soon follow the ending of the first, while the game on Saturday begins at noon.

The Mavericks have a strong record of 36-10 overall so far, while the Bulldogs have a record of 16-29. This is another conference meeting, which continues to prove important as the NSIC tournament looms. Within the conference, MSU is ranked first with a record of 28-5. On the contrary, UMD has a ranking of tenth and a record of 15-18. Both are coming in with win-streaks, so momentum is a key thing to keep going into this series.

In recent history, MSU has been dominant in their last meetings with UMD. The last ten meetings have held nine strong wins. Last year when they met, the Mavericks won two of the three contests. Duluth did draw the last blood, winning 13-6 against Mankato on March 23, 2025. Overall though, the Mavericks have won 80% of the games against the Bulldogs dating back to their first meeting in 1998.

With the final series to go in the regular season, it will be important for the Mavericks to stay disciplined and play like they have all season. The NSIC tournament is set to start next week Wednesday in Sioux Falls, where the Mavericks will look to two-peat the conference championship.

The Maverick baseball team is geering up for their final regular season series this weekend against the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. They are set for three meetings, two games on Friday and a contest…

04/30/2026

Behind each grand slam, each game-winning strikeout and each statement victory, there are the student managers and bullpen catchers who have an invisible impact behind the box score and their own heartbeat for America’s favorite pastime.

David Oeltjen is a sophomore student at Minnesota State and has been a student manager and bullpen catcher for the baseball program for the past two seasons.

He believes baseball extends beyond a mere game — it’s an outlet that makes him feel more himself than he.

“I have loved baseball my entire life,” Oeltjen said. “When I am around baseball, I have nothing else on my mind and I feel free to just enjoy myself and let my mind be clear.”

Behind each grand slam, each game-winning strikeout and each statement victory, there are the student managers and bullpen catchers who have an invisible impact behind the box score and their own h…

04/30/2026

As the academic year winds down, the MSU Women in Business club is preparing to showcase its growing presence in the local community. The organization will host its second annual gala, titled “The Radiance Gala,” this Thursday, April 30, at Sky One Eleven. The event, which runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., serves as both a celebration of the club’s rapid growth and a professional stepping stone for students. Since its founding just over a year ago by students Evelyn, Mackenzie, Maya, Lily and Cari, the club has expanded to more than 45 active members.

Rebekka Jay, a student leader within the organization, noted that the primary goal for the evening is to foster genuine connection.

“One of the main reasons WIB was started was to give emerging women in business at the collegiate level a space to connect with one another, share ideas, and empower each other” Jay said.

The gala is designed to bridge the gap between the classroom and the professional world. Attendees will include a mix of female entrepreneurs, MSU alumni, community partners and students of all ages. For many student attendees, the evening offers a rare chance to interact with more experienced professionals in an environment specifically tailored to their success.

Doors at Sky One Eleven, located on the seventh floor of 111 S. 2nd St., will open at 5:00 p.m. Students interested in attending can find the link to purchase tickets through the Women in Business Instagram bio, located within the “Gala 2026” highlight reel.

With the event falling on the eve of the weekend, it offers a moment for students to step away from finals preparation and focus on their long term professional futures.

As the academic year winds down, the MSU Women in Business club is preparing to showcase its growing presence in the local community. The organization will host its second annual gala, titled “The …