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Minnesota State University, Mankato
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Retiring custodian made his mark Longtime janitor helped many in his time spent with the university. EMMA DEPPA Staff Writer This semester, one of Minnesota State University, Mankato’s oldest and most cherished janitors traded in his maintenance equipment for retirement. Sixty-four year old Bill Oliver is retiring after twenty-nine years of service to MSU in the Building Services department. He is remembered as a hard-worker, but above all a friendly man who always wore a smile. One story that Bill fondly recalls is his experience with a new Nepalese student. “Wandering the hallways, the student looked lost, confused, and like he needed something. Or someone,” Oliver said. After Oliver took this new student under his wing and spoke with him, the student nearly cried about how hard the tran-
sition was, but through that they formed a strong friendship. Their relationship lasted the four years he was at Minnesota State University, Mankato and the student invited Mr. Oliver to come visit him in Nepal. Oliver’s path didn’t initially lead him to MSU. Oliver was born to a farming family in Minnesota. Later in life he served in the U.S. Navy, a very honorable feat. When he returned from the Navy Bill took over the family farm, as his father was ill. Unfortunately, during the mid-1980’s there was a farming crisis and many families lost their farms, including the Oliver family. The combination of climbing interest rates and declining livestock health eventually lead to the unfortunate surrender of the farm. That was when a friend advised Bill to search for work up
at MSU. Bill’s first shift on campus was in 1985 where he was a part of the night crew cleaning the library. He also did maintenance tours of Nelson Hall, the Performing Arts Center and the residence halls. His last venue was the Centennial Student Union. Many maintenance workers would choose to avoid the CSU because of the seemingly never-ending crowds, however in Bill’s case, that is what attracted him to the building. “I enjoy people, and I love the students,” Oliver told the Free Press. “That’s why we’re here! They’re here to learn and they’re so excited about it.” Bill Oliver will be greatly missed by the staff and students that got the chance to meet him. He will now be filling his days with fishing and relaxing, a much deserved retirement.
Web Photo
Hmong association to host culture day HANNAH KLEINBERG Staff Writer
Web Photo Hmong Association students.
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The Hmong Student Association will be giving the campus a splash of culture this Friday with Hmong Culture Day, where students of all ethnicities and backgrounds will come together and celebrate this special event. Hmong Culture Day will be on Friday and will take place in Centennial Student Union’s Ballroom from 5 to 8 PM. An after party will follow the celebration from 9 to 11 PM, where there will be more colorful festivities and an auction. Tickets purchased in advance are $3, $5 at the door and, if you choose to wear Hmong clothing, $4. Hmong Student Association Treasurer Babie Yang knows what Hmong Culture Day really means. “Hmong Culture Day is a celebration of the New Year,” Yang explained, “ It is a time to
pass away misfortune.” The Hmong New Year is an event very dear to those of the Hmong community, and they avidly attend the events off campus as well. There is a large celebration held in the Cities, so the Hmong Student Association yearned to bring the Hmong flavor back to the campus for all of us to enjoy. This year’s theme is “Once Upon A-Hmong Time,” otherwise known as “Puag Thaum Ub,” and according to Treasurer Yang, there’s a lot to be excited about. There will be a large show with a variety of activities, including traditional dances, skits and a large selection of Hmong cuisines. A booth for HSA will also be present, selling chocolate bars to fundraise other future events such as this. “[The play] is very important to us,” Babie Yang said. “It’s an orally-passed folklore that’s been with us for as long as I can remember.”
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There will be an array of food to choose from. Among other things, there will be sticky rice, chicken stir-fry, ginger pork, vegetarian egg rolls and a special cuisine called ‘Nab Vam’, or Tri-color. It’s a mix of coconut milk, tapioca pudding and fruit that, according to Yang, is always a hit. There will also be a fashion show, to show the progression of Hmong clothing from olden times to the present, modeled by participants from the HSA. “I’m excited to see the people there,” Yang said. “It’s been a lot of hard work, with the dancing and play rehearsals, and I’m very excited to see it all come together.” Six different committees are ensuring Hmong Culture Day will happen. Forty to fifty people are working to make the event possible. Babie Yang and others from the HSA couldn’t be more grateful for their hard work. ED/OP
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