January 23, 2014

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Minnesota State University, Mankato

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Backes named to olympic team EMMA DEPPA Staff Writer David Backes, a former hockey player for the Minnesota State University, Mankato Maverick men’s team, will be a part of the 2014 Olympic men’s hockey team. Backes, a member of the Maverick hockey team for three seasons (2003-06) ended his career with 46 goals and 73 assists, totaling 119 points in the 115 games he played for the Mavericks. Assistant Coach of the MSU Mavericks men’s hockey team Darren Blue remembers him fondly. “As a hockey player he knew he would continue to grow as a player because he was responsible as a student, to his team, and to his position,” Blue said. “He was consistently the hardest worker, and was always doing extra things to improve as an individual and to help the team

improve.” Backes’ achievements bring lots of positive energy to prospective Maverick hockey players and help with player recruitment. Coach Blue said that it helps back the program and prove that the MSU men’s hockey program is very successful. The 29 year old is now in his eighth season with the St. Louis Blues of the NHL and leads the team as their captain. Thus far in the season, he has 16 goals and 14 assists in the 35 games he has played in. This is not Backes’ first time being named an Olympian. He played on the 2010 U.S. Olympic team where he helped the team earn a silver medal. He was also a player on the U.S. World Champion teams in 2007 and 2008. This year he will travel to Sochi, Russia for the 2014 Winter Olympics to fight for the gold.

Web Photo David Backes (Front) will take part in his second Olympics next month with team USA.

Proposed building on MSU campus takes hit at capital MSU suffers a setback as continued improvements to campus are proposed. ALEX KERKMAN Staff Writer Don’t be surprised if a brand new building pops up on campus in the near future. Minnesota State University, Mankato’s latest change could come in the shape of a brand new $25.8 million dollar Clinical Sciences Building. However the project took a step backwards after Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton released his bonding recommendations for 2014. MSU’s proposal was excluded from the list. MSU President Richard Davenport has promised to continue to work with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Chancellor Steven Rosenstone to look for sources of funding for the program from local legislators and in the health and medical community despite the setback. The building would greatly benefit the university, in particular

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Mark Dayton

the College of Allied Health and Nursing, by producing a number of future health care professionals while also providing services to thousands of state residents and clients. “A new Clinical Sciences Building is vital to the local and regional communities that we serve. There are thousands of cli-

ents who will benefit from this new facility,” Davenport said. The $25.8 million dollar bonding request from Minnesota State University, Mankato was one of 24 capital investment projects that were submitted, with the projects adding up to a $155.9 million price tag. The Clinical Science Building will most likely be constructed directly east of Ford Hall and north of the Taylor Center along Warren Street. The 55,717 ground square feet building would be home to six departments; Dental Hygiene, Family Consumer Science, Health Science, Human Performance, Recreation Parks and Leisure Services, Speech Hearing and Rehabilitation Services, and the school of Nursing, which are all presently scattered throughout 8 different facilities on campus. The new building would allow for the implementation of new programs, with focus on youth

and aging populations within rural settings. Selected graduate programs that are able to expand would be allowed to offer doctoral programs, according to the university. While the Clinical Science Building was left off of Governor Dayton’s list, he did support bonding upgrades to the city’s Verizon Wireless Center. President

Richard Davenport

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Davenport was pleased with the governor’s support for the Wireless Center’s upgrades. “The University has been a strong supporter of the City of Mankato’s bonding request,” Davenport said. “Those improvements will directly benefit the Minnesota State Mankato’s hockey programs as well as city growth and economic growth in the region.” If the project fails to receive funding in the next two years, it can be updated and resubmitted to Minnesota state legislation for budget approval again in 2016. Among recent major infrastrructural changes to be completed to MSU’s campus include the demolition of the Gage Residence Hall towers, and underground pathway from the MSU Memorial Library to the CSU in 2013, and the construction of Preska Residence Community in 2012. ED/OP

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