125 FACES OF MSUM

facebook Campaign honors employees; Celebrates 125th anniversary

If you regularly tread on Minnesota State University Moorhead soil, at some point, you will mentally compile a list of familiar faces. You may not know what subject they teach. You might not even know their names, but you will now.

As part of MSUM’s 125th anniversary festivities, a “125 Faces of MSUM” social media campaign is celebrating its employees while promoting the university’s yearlong milestone. The campaign honors 125 of MSUM’s most recognizable faculty and staff members, and can be found on the university’s official (facebook.com/msumoorhead) and alumni (facebook.com/MSUMAlumni) Facebook pages.

The Q&A style has captured the attention of Facebook users with vibrant pictures, accompanied by hilarious, sometimes inspiring answers. Participants are asked untraditional questions, such as, “If you could choose your last meal, what would it be?” Creative and well-thought-out answers are the result. Dr. Allen Carter, professor of music, was no exception.

“I’d start with a Bloody Mary; shrimp cocktail; Porterhouse medium; baked potato with butter, chives and bacon bits; salad, but not iceberg lettuce, the good lettuce – spinach salad; hot bacon dressing; either crème brûlée, cheesecake or a caramel sundae for dessert with Kahlua cream, straight-up, no ice, and a cup of coffee for dessert. Last meal.”

Students and alumni alike enjoy the responses, a reminder of times spent chatting with professors in the classroom and during office hours. Regina Monson, director of alumni relations, has received positive comments about the university’s campaign, and was stopped by several people at a recent Twins game alumni event.

“Right away, an alum came up and said, ‘What are you doing on Facebook? I love all these stories! I watch to see who the next person is that you’re going to feature.’”

Kristi Monson, assistant director of marketing and communications, said the personal touch works well for the university’s social media. “The reach and level of engagement spikes tremendously when a new face is featured in the campaign. The university is about people faculty and staff who impact students’ lives and it’s fun to celebrate that.”

Some humorous inquiries relate directly to notable characteristics, like Kenyon Williams’ resemblance to actors Johnny Depp and Robert Downey, Jr. “I’ve actually had kids ask if I was one or the other,” Williams said. “The rarity of having a goatee, I guess, in Fargo-Moorhead.”

Apart from promoting the school’s 125-year history, the goal of this campaign is to celebrate the faculty and staff whose hard work and dedication makes MSUM a

by Meghan Feir

welcoming community of learning and achievement.

One question garnering a unanimous reply: “What is your favorite part of working at MSUM?” Without a second thought, all interviewees said, “The students,” an answer that reflects the success of MSUM students and alumni so well.

The yearlong social media campaign continues through July 2014.

Are you wondering what other questions MSUM has asked interviewees? Visit www.facebook.com/ msumoorhead and follow them on Twitter (@MSUMoorhead) for the latest updates on the “125 Faces of MSUM.”

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