Universities are still seen as sites where knowledge and information reside, most often in the minds of the faculty or in the physical structures of libraries. Many people think of institutions of higher learning as places where that knowledge is transferred from mentor to pupil. And, in some rough sense, many believe that ’s what they're paying for through state appropriations and tuition.
The reality, however, is far more complicated. Yes, the student learning experience should be a deeply rewarding and enlightening sojourn. But the university also confronts the crucial question of how its faculty creates, shapes and shares that knowledge.
That often unseen part of university life is an important consideration that occupies much of our time and demands many resources. On the pages of this magazine, we have endeavored to provide a glimpse into a number of scholarly efforts across the University and the ways in which students, the surrounding community and those living beyond Mankato benefit from the efforts of our talented faculty. The articles reveal only a partial story, leaving uncovered the many additional ways in which the creation and sharing of knowledge extends beyond both the classroom and the confines of the institution.
A former colleague of mine used to exhort graduates to "make us proud, make us better, make a difference." That mantra is part of the daily experience and worldview of faculty at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Through teaching informed by scholarly and creative engagement, University faculty share knowledge that they produce, integrate students into basic and applied research or scholarship and demonstrate the potential of creative works by reflecting on both the process and the product.
Students who are learning and, in some cases, co-producing new knowledge are better positioned to be innovative thinkers for the next generation. It follows, as well, that the impact of such a learning environment can have repercussions far beyond their short stint at Minnesota State Mankato.
Sustaining the faculty ’s ability to create new knowledge requires a commitment by the University to create spaces and provide resources and support for all forms of research, scholarship and creative activity. Minnesota State Mankato is committed to developing first-rate facilities and attracting talented scholars, artists and researchers to move the university forward and to benefit students and community alike. Our desire to continually improve and expand our research capacity is also intimately tied to our movement into doctoral education, a change that we anticipate will occur in 2007.
As we look toward the future, we are assessing our strengths and our challenges and have begun to examine the scholarly infrastructure of the university. While we are rightly proud of our library and our information technology capabilities, there remain areas in which we can improve. The campus is excited about the potential of the renovation and addition to the Trafton Science Center and the expanded capacity in the sciences, engineering and technology. We are also looking into ways to help expand and deepen the support to faculty engaged in research, scholarship and creative activity.
The College of Graduate Studies and Research has worked with faculty and administrators to identify new research centers whose sole purpose would be to support faculty and engage them in external opportunities for applied research. Such a center would assist faculty with new technologies, provide research and/or statistical support and offer advice on research projects on the drawing board. It would be an adjunct to our existing Research and Sponsored Programs Office.
In a similar vein, an externally focused center could bring together interdisciplinary teams of scholars and researchers to do basic or applied research in the service of the community and region. In this vein, Minnesota State Mankato faculty would further reinforce the notion that the boundaries of knowledge and application do extend well beyond the physical borders of the University.In the end, the pursuit of knowledge and the support dedicated to that purpose is designed to make us proud, make us better and make a difference.
Fernando Delgado is the dean of the College of Graduate Studies and Research, a professor of speech communication and an affiliated faculty member with the Department of Ethnic Studies.
