buzz alumni magazine

Spring 2025

Four people posed for portraits framed by orange circles

Alumni spotlight

Community builders: Alumni leading the charge in nonprofit organizations

There are many ways to measure the impact of a Metro State degree. One way that Metro State makes a lasting impact on our community is through the way our alumni choose to pursue careers working for nonprofit organizations. These graduates help create opportunities, foster understanding, and contribute to a healthier community. This spring, we issued a call to our alumni to share their work with buzz readers. We are excited to share their stories with you and hope that you will feel inspired to get involved with an organization that matches your passion for creating a stronger community. Four alumni are featured in this issue: Kristi Pogatchnik (Girls on the Run Minnesota), Jeremy Evers (Magnus Veterans Foundation), Rollie Olson (Interfaith America), and Kelly Ireland (Twin Cities R!SE).

News@Metro

Three people posing for portraits, framed by individual orange circles

2025 Outstanding Educators

Metro State faculty members were selected as 2025 Outstanding Educators by the Minnesota State Board of Trustees as part of the 2025 Board of Trustees Awards for Excellence. The Board of Trustees Awards for Excellence acknowledge and provide system-wide recognition for consistently superior professional achievement of the system’s college and university teaching and service faculty.

Rep. Frank Hornstein, Chancellor Scott Olson, Pres. Sharon Pierce, Carisha Thomas, Pres. Ginny Arthur, Rep. Fue Lee, and Sen. Scott Dibble at the MEC ribbon cutting ceremony.

Metro State University and Minneapolis College reopen the Management Education Center

In January, Metro State University and Minneapolis College welcomed students to the newly remodeled Management Education Center at 1300 Harmon Place in Minneapolis.

Students participate in Model Legislature at the Minnesota State Capitol House chamber

Metro State hosts metro area high school students at the Minnesota State Capitol

Over two days in December, Metro State University students and faculty coached and supported nearly 130 local high school students in role-playing as legislators at the Minnesota State Capitol.

Letters

President Ginny Arthur posed for a portrait

Office Hours

Ginny Arthur, Metro State University President

A year ago, I wrote to you to share the results of our work to restate and reaffirm our university values and establish our vision for the future.

Alumni Association

Ryan Ringwelski, Alumni Board President

A few weeks ago, I had the honor of greeting the most recent class of Metro State graduates on behalf of the Alumni Association at the 116th commencement ceremony.

From the Director

Kristine Hansen, Director of Alumni Relations

There is something unique about Metro State alumni: they are doers and optimists who look at the world as it is and believe in something better for themselves, their families, and the world.

Ways to Give

Will Ruckel, Director of Annual Giving and Stewardship

Many students balance full-time jobs, family responsibilities, and other commitments while working toward their degrees.

Artwork called Don't Discount My Life, featuring a person covered in a coat of coupons holding a poster that says Don't Discount My Life!

Katrina Barnett ’25, Plymouth, worked with her daughter, Catrielle Barnett, on a grant project for the Association for Non-smokers Minnesota (ANSR).

Stevie Middlebrook posing for a portrait on the Saint Paul campus

Starting a business? Getting a promotion? Publishing a book? Share your big news with us and you may see yourself in a future issue of buzz magazine. Email your news and a photograph of yourself to alumni.relations@metrostate.edu.

Get Involved

Each year the Metro State Alumni Association hosts opportunities for alumni to stay connected to the university and each other through educational events, networking and volunteering. The alumni relations page at metrostate.edu is your home for alumni events and opportunities.

Contributors

VOLUME 17, NUMBER 2, Spring 2025

Metro State University buzz is published twice a year by Metro State University Alumni Relations, University Advancement division for alumni and friends of the university. Metro State University is a member of Minnesota State.

Managing Editor
Kristine Hansen ’07, Alumni Relations Director

Design and Layout
Liz Thompson, Director of Marketing and Communications

Photography
Kathleen Ambre Aamodt, Digital Marketing Strategist

Associate Editors
Matthew Spillum ’06, Academic Editor, Digital Communications, Copywriter
Josh Windham, Associate Director of Alumni Relations

Editorial Assistant
Noriko Ramberg, Office Coordinator for Alumni Relations and Annual Fund

Correspondence can be sent to:
Alumni Relations, Metro State University
700 East Seventh Street
Saint Paul, MN 55106-5000
651.793.1808
alumni.relations@metrostate.edu

Portraits of Kristi Pogatchnik, campus photography, and photos at the Minnesota State Capitol by Kathleen Ambre Aamodt. Additional photography by Jeff Achen, Andy King, and self-submission.