ST. CLOUD LIVE — If you visit the St. Cloud State University campus these days, you might discover some dark but very lively rooms: gathering spaces for students to participate in esports.
The university is going all in on esports, President Robbyn R. Wacker said on Monday, April 3, at the launch of the school’s new esports arena. St. Cloud State’s approach to esports is unique, Wacker said.
WJON — The Minnesota House at the State Legislature passed a two-year tuition freeze at all state colleges and universities (the Minnesota State system) — a key feature of a four-billion-dollar higher education budget for the next two years that the Minnesota House passed late Wednesday.
St. Cloud State University President Dr. Robbyn Wacker joined Jay Caldwell on WJON. She is thanking local lawmakers for advocating for St. Cloud State and the Minnesota state system as a whole.
Dr. Abbey Zink has been appointed to the position of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Under the soft glow of color-changing LED lights, six St. Cloud State University students sat in a row, clad in matching jerseys, staring intently at computer screens. As they maneuvered virtual cars in a fast-paced game of video soccer, the action was broadcast to larger screens across the room. When one of the players scored a goal, a gaggle of spectators sitting in folding chairs erupted with hollers and cheers.
From outside the room in the bowels of the student union, it sounded like the student section at a hockey game. But it was a group of fans watching St. Cloud State’s newest varsity team compete at the launch of the campus’ esports arena. The school is one of the first across the state to dive headfirst into the integration of esports into its campus culture and academics.
St. Cloud State University Assistant Director of Career Development and Outreach Hailey Olson is one of this year’s Outstanding Service Faculty members.
According to presenters, Olson makes a difference in students’ lives through one-on-one coaching, teaching career exploration courses, leading innovations at the Career Center, or serving as the president of the Minnesota College and University Career Services Association.
ST. CLOUD LIVE — Local economic experts still think a recession is likely this year, they told a group of business leaders and public officials Thursday, April 6.
The group gathered at GREAT Theatre in Waite Park to discuss St. Cloud’s economic outlook and the findings of the April 2023 St. Cloud Area Quarterly Business Report. The report surveys local business leaders every three months about their opinions on the local economy. The report is produced by St. Cloud State University’s School of Public Affairs Research Institute and the Department of Economics at St. Cloud State University.
KNSI — St. Cloud State University launched its new Huskies Esports Arena in the Atwood Memorial Center on Monday, with a ton of announcements made at the event.
Prestigious regional tournaments will be hosted on campus as soon as this summer. Two varsity esports teams will be competing by spring 2024. There are also esports minors available for students academically.
WJON — Gas prices are probably on the way back up. That according to St. Cloud State Economist and Dean, School of Public Affairs, King Banaian. Banaian indicates the announcement over the weekend that Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are cutting back on their oil production could cause an immediate change.
He says this comes as a surprise to some and what is happening to oil prices is still a bit uncertain.
ST. CLOUD LIVE — In the past few years, local colleges have added nurse practitioner programs, precisely to address the primary care shortage. St. Cloud State University, in partnership with CentraCare Health and the University of Minnesota, and the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University started graduate programs to train family nurse practitioners.
Both launched their programs in the fall of 2021 and expect to graduate their first cohorts of nurse practitioners in 2024.
WJON — Economic developers, builders, city leaders and employers gathered at St. Cloud State University on March 23 to shine a light on the complexities surrounding affordable living in central Minnesota.
The Workforce Housing Summit brought in experts in several fields to discuss the scope and magnitude affordable housing plays in our workforce.
Campus address
720 4th Avenue South
St. Cloud, MN 56301-4498
(320) 308-0121
