The Big Picture

VOICES: A MAVERICK INCLUSION PAINTING

It’s hard to miss the bright tapestry hanging in the atrium of the Centennial Student Union. The work, titled Voices, aims to encompass, celebrate and lift the voices of the many diff erent communities that make up Minnesota State Mankato. “The goal of this piece is to visually engage the audience as well as inspire real advances in inclusivity at Minnesota State Mankato,” reads the description.

From the Creators:

“I sought to develop an art piece that gave a voice to our many underrepresented communities at Minnesota State Mankato. Commissioning an artist from a diverse and underrepresented background was of utmost priority which is why Justin Ek, a local American Indian artist took the lead on this project. A piece for the people by the people” —Maria Rios, Student Events Team—Educational Entertainment.

“For this piece, I will be including symbols and colors that act as the bridge between the individuals of our vastly diverse communities. The inspiration for those symbols and colors speak closely to my diverse roots as an indigenous person with a history of Hispanic heritage.” —Justin Ek, Bellissimo Painting

120 Morris Hall Mankato, MN 56001

A two-decade tech entrepreneur, Daren Cotter ’04 launched his company, InboxDollars from his Minnesota State Mankato dorm room. A er graduating, he assembled a world-class leadership team in his company that included two other alumni from Minnesota

State Mankato. Cotter sold his company in 2019 a er two decades of bootstrapped growth and international expansion. He has become a champion of the Minnesota tech entrepreneurship community as a mentor, and hyperactive angel investor in more than 50 earlystage tech companies. Minnesota State Mankato recognized Daren as a distinguished alumnus in 2009. In 2016, he was named a titan of technology by the Twin Cities Business Journal.

Daren and his wife, Sarah ’04, met on campus and now make their home in Lake Elmo, Minn. Both are committed to giving back through mentorship and nancial gi s. Last March the Cotters sponsored the rst ever high-tech division as part of the College of Business’ annual Big Ideas

Challenge, a $4,000 prize awarded to innovations in the technology sector.

Two tech-focused companies—Hearing Glasses LLC and Tocco VR—went on to be selected as semi- nalists for the MN Cup. e high-tech division also connected the University and program to the new Launch MN network to help amplify Minnesota as a national leader in innovation. Daren and Sarah have supported student entrepreneur scholarships for over a decade at Minnesota State Mankato, demonstrating their commitment to Mavericks helping Mavericks.

Giving link engage.mnsu.edu/cobinreview