The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Editorials

February 3, 2006

Our view -- MSU right to get started on fund-raising

Thumbs up

To Minnesota State University, for embarking on an aggressive fund-raising campaign to build a new College of Business facility and to fund endowed faculty chairs.

The ambitious plan, which preliminary estimates say could raise about $60 million, may be the largest fund-raiser in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.

Updating and expanding facilities using private funds rather than waiting for state backing is smart strategy. Bonding bills so often start out so promising, only to be gutted by the end of legislative sessions.

MSU has a lot of business grads to tap for support, including such prominent alumni as Mankato businessman Glen Taylor.

It’s good MSU is being aggressive. The business program is a strong one, but when classroom and administrative space is 200,000 square feet short, something needs to be done sooner rather than later to retain the program’s strength.

Thumbs up

To the St. Peter fourth-grader who has found a passion in the great outdoors and excelled at it. Bryce Edwards, 9, won first place in the 12 years and younger category of the state turkey-calling competition.

Bryce’s mom, Lorraine, deserves a large share of the credit for getting her young son interested in the hobby. She is an avid turkey hunter and the two enjoy the outdoors sport together. He does the calling, and she does the hunting.

The son and mom duo set a good example of what family time can mean and how it doesn’t have to involve staring at a TV or computer screen.

Thumbs down

To Patty Wetterling for apparently going back on her word not to run against fellow DFLer Elwyn Tinklenberg in the 6th Congressional District race.

Tinklenberg said he only decided to run after meeting with Wetterling, who told him she would not run for the House seat and encouraged him to run.

But after dropping out of the U.S. Senate race, Wetterling has had a change of heart.

When she left the Senate race, Wetterling stressed the need to unite the party’s efforts. This will do nothing for party unity.

Thumbs up

To cheap movie tickets.

At the Maverick 4 Theater, scheduled to open in downtown Mankato on Feb. 24, all seats to all movies will be $2.50. Popcorn will be $2, drinks $1.50 and candy $1. So a night at the movies with the family won’t mean you have to take out a second mortgage on the house to pay for it.

The movies will be second-run films, meaning they will be between four and 16 weeks old. But paying these prices will make waiting a bit longer worth it.

Thumbs up

To Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for making a dramatic commitment to Habitat for Humanity.

Nationwide, Thrivent is increasing its support for building homes for low-income people over the next three years. They pledged to give $105 million for the initiative.

Locally, a grant from Thrivent will allow Habitat for Humanity to build eight homes instead of five next year.

Habitat for Humanity is a wonderful program that helps people get into their own home and gives them a stake in the neighborhood. Thrivent’s help will accelerate the good work.

Thumbs up

To St. Peter Community Hospital for its leadership in a nationwide program to stop 100,000 patient deaths through better care and monitoring of patients.

The 17-bed hospital measured up so well in the program that it was chosen to be a mentor hospital to others.

The hospital was recognized for its program to more quickly assess a patient’s deteriorating condition and its quick action lead to a 70 to 85 percent decrease in patient deaths over a six-month period.

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