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Minnesota State University, Mankato
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MSU recognized for high international enrollment “Open Doors Report” impressed.
YUSEONG JEON Staff Writer Minnesota State University, Mankato ranked 31st among master’s institutions across the United States in international student enrollment, according
to 2014 “Open Doors Report,” released by the Institute of International Education. “We ranked 31st out of all of the master’s institutions in the country that is up from 34th last year,” said Tom Gjersvig, director of International Student and Scholar Services. “Four or five
grad.mnsu.edu The International Center, located at the CSU, works with all study abroad students.
years ago, we didn’t even make the top 40, but now we are consistently in the top 40. I think we will be moving up higher next year based on the enrollment this year.” According to the report, in general, the number of international students in the U.S. is an increasing trend. “The international student rate across the United States has been growing over the last 10 to 15 years in the two-year schools like community college and four-year universities like MSU,” Gjersvig said. The analysis of the reports shows that the increasing international student population is bringing huge economic benefits to the state and the community.
Gjersvig said Minnesota, especially Mankato with MSU, has had a positive impact on the local economy thanks to the international students on campus. “Certainly there is a business side of it because international students pay tuition and rent, and buy cars and foods. All of these things contribute to Minnesota, specifically Mankato. The Open Doors analysis calculates that $23 million is the economic impact of international students in the Mankato area,” Gjersvig said. “I am an international educator and I am really happy about this result. Our community is very welcoming international students. There is a lot of benefits,” he continued.
Furthermore, Gjersvig said the international students on campus are making the community more culturally diverse. “Besides the economic impact, another thing they do is making our community culturally diverse. International students’ cultural impact is really important with their knowledge that they share with us. It brings the long lasting friendships between us,” he said. One of the university’s enrollment goals when it comes to international students is to increase overall student enrollment from its current tally of 15,376 to 17,000, according to Vice President for Student Affairs and En-
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Mankato light tradition returns Spirits are bright thanks to Holiday lights in Sibley Park. RACHEL LINDQUIST Staff Writer
Trevor Cokley • MSU Reporter
INSIDE:
Since 2011, the Kiwanis Holiday Lights have become a traditional event here in Mankato, Minn. Beginning the day after Thanksgiving, the Kiwanis Holiday Lights show is open for 34 nights total. The lights are even displayed on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Vice President of the Kiwanis Holiday Lights committee Kyle Mrozek shared that those two nights happen to be some of the busiest nights for people to attend the lights show. The Kiwanis Holiday Lights are located at Sibley Park in Mankato. It had taken close two years to plan the event that has now become a tradition for the people of Mankato to go and
view the lights as well as be a part of the community in a positive way. “There was a past tradition in North Mankato where people would set up lights in their neighborhood and others would drive by and look at them and enjoy them. The Kiwanis Holiday Lights are a way to bring that tradition back to life,” Mrozek explained. And it is true -- the Kiwanis Holiday Lights are a popular attraction here in Mankato. With many different displays such as Santa and his reindeer, there are many different fascinations. Not only that, but also with the use of only LED (light emitting diode) lights, the lights last 10-15 minutes longer than regular lights. Thus making the experience more bright and enjoyable.
Trevor Cokley • MSU Reporter Sibley Park decorated with Holiday lights.
While people are walking or driving through the lit up park, they can enjoy music, which is provided through the Kiwanis Holiday Lights radio station.
2014 IN MUSIC - PAGE 16
There are also refreshments for sale inside the warming house for people to enjoy while they are
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