Orientation Leaders
Stevie Ahlschlager
Hometown: Slayton, MN
Major: Early Childhood Education
Why I Chose SMSU: I chose SMSU because they have a great ED program and I like how small the campus was, it just felt like home.
Favorite Gold Rush Event: Mud Volleyball or Bird Scooter Ride
Hermione Armendariz
Hometown: Odessa, TX
Major: Business Management
Why I Chose SMSU:The reason I chose SMSU is because I was looking for a new adventure. I wanted to experience a new culture as well as a new climate. Affordability and class ratio also caught my eye. Being able to get a good education as well as bond with the students and staff around you has made my experience at SMSU one to remember!! :)
Favorite Gold Rush Event:
Henny Asfaw
Hometown: Addis Abeba, Ethiopia
Major: Computer Science
Why I Chose SMSU: I chose SMSU because it’s a safe campus, has affordable tuition and the classrooms are small enough for students to have close interaction with faculty.
Favorite Gold Rush Event: Dr. Joe martins speech or the Soccer Pickup game
Jess Bohl
Hometown: Winthrop, MN
Major: Social Work
Why I Chose SMSU: I chose SMSU because the community was very welcoming and it almost felt like a second family to me. It also has a really good accredited Social Work program.
Favorite Gold Rush Event: PlayFair
Greyson Bolstad
Hometown: Mankato, MN
Major: Accounting and Finance
Why I Chose SMSU: The reason I chose SMSU is the affordable price but also it being a small school
Favorite Gold Rush Event: The Dance Party
Dora Facundo
Hometown: Madelia, MN
Major: Elementary Education
Why I Chose SMSU: I chose SMSU because I love the small class sizes! Having a relationship with your professors and being more than a number in the classroom is so important to me. I also love the diversity of SMSU!
Favorite Gold Rush Event: Icebreakers in the Gym!
Anna Johnson
Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
Major: Social Work
Why I Chose SMSU: I chose SMSU because of the location. It's just close enough that I can go home when I want, but I won't be expected to! Another draw for me is the class sizes. You're really able to build relationships with your professors.
Favorite Gold Rush Event: Mud Volleyball
Allison Krohnberg
Hometown: Blooming Prairie, MN
Major: Elementary Education
Why I Chose SMSU: I chose SMSU because I enjoyed the smaller campus and class sizes. I also really liked the size and layout of campus, as well as having the buildings all connected. When I came for my visit, the energy the admission staff had as well as the students made me feel very welcome to be there. SMSU also has an excellent education program and being an Elementary Education major, it was very important to me that I was going to a school with a top tier program. SMSU felt like home when I came to visit, and it still does today!
Favorite Gold Rush Event: Mud Volleyball
Lillian Lewandowski
Hometown: New Ulm, MN
Major: Public Relations
Why I Chose SMSU: I chose SMSU because of the small class sizes, the close-knit campus community, and the large number of opportunities offered. When I first came to SMSU, I was able to meet a ton of new people because almost every student here is friendly, outgoing, and inclusive. The class-sizes here allow me to engage with the professors on a one-to-one or small group basis, therefore getting the most out of my academic experience. On top of the friendships created and the connections with the professors, I have had many opportunities to get involved in various ways throughout campus. These opportunities have provided me with hands-on experiences and has allowed me to network with professionals, apply my skills learned in the classroom, gain leadership experience, and make the most out of my college experience.
Favorite Gold Rush Event: Mud Volleyball
Sam Lund
Hometown: Buffalo, MN
Major: Political Science and Justice Administration
Why I Chose SMSU: I joined smsu because I felt like I was home. Everyone was so nice and so eager to be involved in my academic success. I do feel at home here and I know I made the best choice to start my path in higher education!
Favorite Gold Rush Event: Mud Volleyball
Amanda Meyer
Hometown: Paynesville, MN
Major: Secondary English Education
Why I Chose SMSU: I chose SMSU because I found the smaller size to be supportive of me and my education. The professors and faculty are all there to help me succeed. I knew I would grow as an individual both professionally and personally if I chose SMSU.
Favorite Gold Rush Event: Movie on the Scoreboard
Daniel Olson
Hometown: Nashwauk, MN
Major: History Education
Why I Chose SMSU: I chose SMSU because the community was very welcoming and it almost felt like a second family to me. It also has a really good accredited Social Work program.
Favorite Gold Rush Event: Mud Volleyball
Whitney Rick
Hometown: Litchfield, MN
Major: Public Relations
Why I Chose SMSU: I chose SMSU because of the campus environment, everyone is so friendly and welcoming, I felt like I belong here! SMSU was the only place for me, I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else!
Favorite Gold Rush Event: Mud Volleyball
Jailah Smith
Hometown: Caledonia, MN
Major: Marketing
Why I Chose SMSU: I chose SMSU because I wanted to be on a smaller campus that felt more like a family than school. The hospitality and diversity of SMSU is what solidified me wanting to attend here.
Favorite Gold Rush Event: Scavenger Hunt
Brenna Springborg
Hometown: Marshall, MN
Major: Communications Studies
Why I Chose SMSU: I chose SMSU because it’s close to home, affordable, and provides quality education. In my first year, I met so many people, and the professors and staff make you feel so welcome! I also love the city of Marshall – it’s big enough to have things to do, but small enough to feel connected to the community.
Favorite Gold Rush Event: Tie-Dye T-shirts
Michele Stai
Hometown: Glenwood, MN
Major: Exercise Science and Biology
Why I Chose SMSU: The first reason I chose SMSU is because of Gus, my admissions counselor, because he was so easy going and fun to work with. Another reason is the small class sizes, so I can really get to know my professors. Lastly, they have a free physical therapy clinic on campus so I can get some shadow and volunteer hours in.
Favorite Gold Rush Event: Archery and Nerf War
Sebastian Tilton Campos
Hometown: Mound, MN
Major: Accounting
Why I Chose SMSU: I chose SMSU because I wanted to have a sense of community! I also looked forward to all the events throughout the year! Plus, I get to make new friends!
Favorite Gold Rush Event:
Stephen Zimmer
Hometown: Marshall, MN
Major: Political Science
Why I Chose SMSU: I chose SMSU because of the atmosphere. I like that classes are small, and the school is easy to navigate. The professors and staff here not only care about you as a student, but also as a person. As long as you are willing to go out of your comfort zone and try new things, you'll meet new people and make life-long friends!
Favorite Gold Rush Event: The Dance!
Last Modified: 10/24/23 5:14 PM | Website Feedback