Southwest Minnesota State University has been a massive part of the Marshall Community since it was founded in 1963. SMSU are four letters that the community have become familiar with as a representation of the school.
The campus has recognized this and the importance of those letters in its newest addition to campus. In front of the Founders Hall building there is a letter sculpture proudly presenting the school. It reads “SMSU” and is the entrance to the Welcome Walkway.
Marcy Olson, Senior Director of Communication & Marketing, said, “We wanted to establish a bold, welcoming entrance point for all visitors coming to campus.” When asked why the school wanted this new addition.
Judging on the reactions of students, faculty, alumni and the community the sign has been a positive addition. “Many groups have already taken pictures near the big letters on the Welcome Walkway. The installation during homecoming week also allowed alumni to be involved with the excitement of this great new feature on our campus.” Said Nathan Polfliet, Associate Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of the Foundation.
“The Communications and Marketing Office developed the concept and worked closely with Jarad Ortmann and the team at Bend Rite Fabrication to bring the design to life.” Olson said.
Apart from being a welcoming sign it serves as an advertisement for SMSU. “We knew that a significant public landmark such as the Welcome Walkway would garner attention, and the marketing impact extends well beyond the campus.” Olson said, “We felt current and prospective students, as well as visitors and alumni, would find it photo-worthy and hope that as people share it on their social media, it will increase the awareness and knowledge of SMSU.”
This project was bringing the community together before the letters were even up. Many local businesses were involved and contributed along with two alumni.
The lead donor was Jack B. Suedbeck, an alum who graduated in 1973. Other contributions came from Tyler Bowen another alum that graduated in 1995, D & G Excavating, Bend Rite Fabrication and Doom & Cuypers Construction. The Donors made the project possible helping with the $29,407 that the sign costs.
The donor approached SMSU about initiatives that they could help with, the letter sculpture for the Welcome Walkway was one of them and as Olson says, “The local businesses we approached for their expertise got excited about being involved, and things just took off.”
The Welcome Walkway is a welcome addition to this campus. If you haven’t yet seen the sign, it can be found in front of Founders Hall on the SMSU campus.
