Review Committee Outcomes
Summaries on the outcomes of the Campus Named Spaces Review Committee’s work are listed below. All compiled research and reports are available by request by emailing archives@mnsu.edu.
November 13, 2020
The committee began the process of reviewing all named campus spaces and landmarks to determine the individual's public legacies, place them in historical context, and consider them against the current mission, vision and diversity and inclusion values of the University. On November 13, 2020, the committee released a report on the findings for the 23 reviewed buildings or landmarks. The committee noted no concerns for building names but one major concern with the Abraham Lincoln statue located in the Centennial Student Union, explaining that the location of the statue and lack of interpretive material to accompany it do not sufficiently foster “inclusiveness, understanding, acceptance, and respect in a multicultural society” as outlined by System diversity and inclusion goals and a more complete representation of the history and Lincoln’s involvement in it may be required.
May 13, 2021
On May 13, 2021, the committee released a report on the findings of its next round of named spaces and landmark reviews, which focused primarily on named outdoor spaces, meeting rooms, and centers. No major concerns were found, and no recommended changes were presented.
December 10, 2021
In the fall of 2021, the research team reviewed six named spaces on campus, including libraries, a lab, and other meeting spaces. The research identified one major concern with the naming for the Daniel Buck Conference Room in the Centennial Student Union. Although Daniel Buck made significant contributions to the founding of the Mankato Normal School, his documented disparaging attitudes about indigenous people are counter to the University’s current values of diversity and inclusion. The committee recommended the naming of this space be reviewed.
May 6, 2022
In the spring of 2022, the research team reviewed eight more named campus spaces, including some athletic, outdoor, and meeting spaces. No major concerns were identified. This completed the review of all existing named campus spaces and landmarks. The President had requested the committee offer a recommendation for how to move foward on the previous review of the Daniel Buck Conference Room. The committee strongly recommended un-naming the space and calling it CSU 203. After consultation at Meet and Confer and a formal endorsement by the President, the name was removed from use.
August 2022
Based on the recommendations of the committee, the Lincoln Statue was moved from the Centennial Student Union to an exhibit space in the Memorial Library. A plan was developed to engage students in the opportunity to create a robust exhibit that explores the many facets of President Lincoln and his role in the history of our region.
December 2022
After recommendation from the University community, research and recommendation by the committee, consultation at Meet and Confer, and a formal endorsement by the President, Highland Center North Dance Studio (HC 225) was named in honor of the University’s first black female professor and dance program founder, Florence Cobb.
September 2023
After recommendation from the University Student Government and Dakota language instructor Glenn Wasicuna, research and recommendation by the committee, consultation at Meet and Confer, and a formal endorsement by the President, CSU 108, an area previously known as the Lincoln Lounge, was formally named Wambdi Wapaha to honor the Dakota Nation.
October 2023
After recommendation from Director of Athletics Kevin Buisman, research and recommendation by the committee, consultation at Meet and Confer, and a formal endorsement by the President, the track located inside the outdoor track and field complex was formally named Mark Schuck Track in honor of longtime MSU track and field coach Mark Schuck.
March 2025
After recommendation from University Advancement, research and recommendation by the committee, consultation at Meet and Confer, and a formal endorsement by the President, the handball courts located inside Pennington Hall were formally named the Arnold and Betty Wells Handball Courts in honor of longtime MSU economics professor Arnold Wells and his wife, Betty.
