Breaking News

SMSU dean’s list announced for spring semester 2026

Southwest Minnesota State University announced the dean’s list of students recognized for academic achievement during spring semester 2026. An undergraduate student who completes 12 or more A-F graded credits and achieves a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher will be considered for the honors dean’s list. If a 4.0 grade-point average is achieved, the student will be on the high honors dean’s list. High honors Clarkfield: Michael Pitzl Ghent: Skyla Crowley Ivanhoe: Melanie Engel, Bradyn Hopper Lake Benton: Kinsley Krog Lake Wilson: Elle Lupkes Lamberton: Madelyn ...

SMSU Psi Chi chapter named Model Chapter for 2025-26

The Southwest Minnesota State University chapter of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, has been named a 2025-26 Psi Chi Model Chapter, placing it among just 45 chapters nationwide to receive the distinction this year. Selected from more than 1,150 Psi Chi chapters, the SMSU chapter earned the recognition for successfully meeting a series of goals focused on academic excellence, student engagement, professional development, and service.  Throughout the 2025-26 academic year, SMSU Psi Chi members organized a variety of events designed to connect students, promote ...

Campus Notes

Iowa Lakes Community College announces spring 2026 honors lists Iowa Lakes Community College recognizes the academic excellence and dedication of students who earned placement on the spring 2026 president's list and dean's list. The president's list recognizes full-time students who earn a perfect 4.0 grade-point average during the semester. The dean's list honors full-time students who achieve a grade-point average of 3.25 or higher. Marshall: Jayden Manthei, president's list; Nathan Panka, dean's list; Drew Parsons, dean's list Iowa Lakes Community announces spring 2026 ...

Friendships worth their weight in gold

Joy, my friends. My heavens, we forget, at our own peril, that life is also supposed to be filled with joy. The Apostle Paul lists joy as one of his vital “fruits of the spirit.” And God calls all of us to find genuine gladness in the company of others, likening it to a form of true ...

Faith Briefs

First Lutheran receives LSS Servant of Christ Award Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota has recognized First Lutheran Church in Marshall as the 2026 LSS Servant of Christ Award recipient for the Southwestern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.   The LSS Servant of Christ Award honors congregations that are leaders in social ministry outreach or have contributed to addressing special needs in their community in extraordinary ways. The award is extended to one congregation in each of the six Minnesota synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of ...

19th century naturalist writers already knew where to find God

The older I get, the more I wish I would have paid attention to the naturalist writers of America’s 19th century 35 years ago in Mr. Hassler’s literature classes. Oh, Mr. Hassler did his best to grab the attention of a teenage boy’s mind, but unfortunately I was not mature enough to ...