There’s no problem a little rebranding can’t solve. In the Pioneer Press, Josh Verges reports: “Goodbye, MnSCU. … Hello, Minnesota State. … Known for 20 years as the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system — MnSCU, for short — the state’s largest higher education system is moving forward with a name change. … The board of trustees on Tuesday agreed a new name and logo for the umbrella organization could help establish the reputation of its seven state universities and 24 community and technical colleges as the most affordable, quality postsecondary option for Minnesota residents.
Raises some interesting historical questions. The Star Tribune’s Rochelle Olson reports: “Fort Snelling is now part of a national nonprofit’s ‘National Treasures’ campaign and has been dubbed ‘Bdote Fort Snelling’ by the organization. … The National Trust for Historic Preservation held a news conference Wednesday to announce the designation. The historic fort, near the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, is the first site to receive the designation in Minnesota. … The designation and the new name recognize the fort’s connections to American Indian history, its role as a military post in the two previous centuries and its connection to significant events including the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dred Scott decision in 1857 and the Japanese language school during World War II.”
Some high school students mow lawns to earn extra money. Some open skateboard shops. City Pages’ Susan Du reports: “At 16, Max [Kuker] started with a website, spending long nights trying to figure out how to code it. Then he heard that the storefront next door to his south Minneapolis home and across from Roosevelt High School was available for rent. He turned to his grandparents, who own their own insurance company, to invest. … Grandpa was skeptical that the kid could successfully run a business, Max recalls, but Grandma was excited. She thought it was cute. … Max roped in friends to help clean up the store. One flew in from California just to work for him. They’re all aged 16 to 19 years old – the lost boys, some call them. Sponsors from all over the country invested in their cause. … MXK Skate was born.”
More stories like this. MPR’s Bob Collins writes: “Given the drumbeat of stories of Islamophobia in the country right now, what’s been happening in Afton has been a breath of fresh air. … Since the Islamic Society of Woodbury-East Metro announced weeks ago that it wanted to leave its too-small location in Woodbury and build a mosque in Afton, the reaction has been uplifting.”
In other news…
City Pages’ 2016 Best of the Twin Cities is out. Winner of Best Local Website? Well, you’re already there.
In case you were wondering: “Here’s what the mayor said in St. Paul’s State of the City address” [Pioneer Press]
Almost there: “Report: Thibodeau And T-Wolves Finalizing Deal To Become New Head Coach” [WCCO]
Not quite there yet: “Meeting paves the way for PolyMet permit applications” [MPR]
New label
Same old bottle
What’s in a name
So now where does that leave Minnesota State University, Mankato. They already took away the name “Mankato State University”.
Hail to MSU
Bring back Mankato State!!!
As a true Minnesotian
When I was an MSU faculty member I used to put “The University formerly known as Mankato State” in my SIG file.
Take away from MSU
Sounds like a direct slight to Minnesota State University, Mankato. Take away the Minnesota State nickname from them to make sure they aren’t unique, right? I mean why wouldn’t the Board of Trustees want to continue to confuse people, right? Minnesota State? College? University? System?