University of Minnesota students rang in the lunar new year, a 15-day celebration based on the lunar calendar celebrated in Asian cultures,  on Saturday. 

Lunar New Year is a time when families get together and wish for a prosperous year. Each year is represented by an animal known as the Chinese zodiac, which possesses certain personality traits, and 2024 is the Year of the Dragon. 

The Year of the Dragon symbolizes power, nobility, honor, luck and success and brings about new opportunities, changes and challenges, according to China Highlights. 

Grace Gong, president of the Chinese American Student Association (CASA), said this is a time to bring people together. CASA is a student organization serving the Chinese community on campus. 

“It’s a huge celebration of the things that make any culture the way it is and celebrating the values that have shaped us into the people we are today,” Gong said. 

CASA held its annual Lunar New Year celebration in the Great Hall of Coffman Union on Sunday to bring the Chinese community together, especially students who are unable to celebrate with their families. 

“They can come and still feel that sense of community and know that they’re celebrating something that’s very close to their home traditions,” Gong said. 

CASA’s celebration consisted of dance performances, food served potluck-style and traditional activities such as calligraphy writing and face painting. 

“We’re super lucky to be on a campus where there is so much diversity,” Gong said. “You get to build this large network in which everyone is interrelated in some way.”  

Gong said Lunar New Year connects everyone in her family regardless of distance and language barriers. Gong’s extended family lives in China, and she said her family will call them via Zoom to join their celebrations. 

“There’s oftentimes a big language barrier and it can be hard to talk about certain things with your relatives when you have that barrier,” Gong said. “Because Chinese New Year is a joint, shared activity, you have more things to talk about.” 

For Chloe Desierto, a first-year student and graphic designer for the Hong Kong Student Association (HKSA), celebrating Lunar New Year will feel different this year than others because she will be observing it in the United States for the first time. 

“In Hong Kong, it was a time to celebrate it with family,” Desierto said. “I haven’t celebrated it since I moved here, so having it at this time feels like I’m celebrating it again for the first time and it feels nostalgic.” 

HKSA hosted a different Lunar New Year event on Friday at Bruininks Hall that included board games, calligraphy writing and a fundraiser, according to Desierto. 

Since moving to the U.S. and having family ties in Hong Kong and the Philippines, Desierto said she is happy she found a group of people on campus to connect with. She found out about HKSA after its marketing director, Celine Hui, reached out to her. 

“I haven’t met anyone from Hong Kong since I moved here,” Desierto said. “It’s really nice to talk to someone in Cantonese and have a conversation about our experiences.” 

Hui said that during Lunar New Year, honoring her ancestors is important in addition to celebrating with immediate family. 

“For me, Lunar New Year means gathering of family, but also wishing happiness and giving gratitude to the last year,” Hui said. 

Hui got emotional when talking about the meaning of having a Hong Kong community on campus to celebrate the new year, adding that the community feels like home to her. 

“It’s the first time that it’s sounded like home and family,” Hui said. “I’ve never met anyone else that spoke Cantonese and that I can get along with.” 

Many people have different traditions during Lunar New Year, such as making food with family or receiving monetary gifts. 

Gong said she wants to introduce Lunar New Year to as many people as possible because they may not be familiar with the traditions and celebrations of the holiday. 

“People know it exists, but they don’t really know what it consists of or why we do it,” Gong said. “I think a lot of people are lik,e ‘Why would you have a different new year that’s on a different day than Jan. 1?’” 

Gong said Lunar New Year has a larger meaning than what it may sound like. 

“I want to emphasize that Lunar New Year is about celebrating the new year,” Gong said. “It’s even more so about unity, bringing people together, eating good food and watching good performances.” 

Tucked away in a hallway on the second floor of the Regis Center for Art West in room W206 is the eStudio, a collaborative space where digital and material art converges.

Professor of Interdisciplinary Art and Social Practice Diane Willow started the eStudio in 2010. In the same room as basic markers and pens are sewing and embroidery machines, a robot that draws on the wall and an ultrasonic welder joining synthetic fabrics together that eStudio users can use to make inflatables. 

The best part is it’s open to the University community. 

“While we might focus on a particular major at the University, we also hold knowledge, passions and experiences that expand on the ways of knowing that define particular academic disciplines,” Willow said. “Each person has interests and skills that they can share with others in the eStudio.”

The eStudio grew out of the desire of art students to experiment across media and disciplines and to learn from each other in the process, according to Willow. 

Calvin Stalvig, a third-year master’s student, was teaching a student how to use the circular knitting machine, a lap-sized mechanical instrument that creates knitted garments with the turn of a handle. He said it was much easier than actual knitting.

“It knits in the round –– long tubes –– you can make hats, mini dresses and skirts, and it also knits flat, so back and forth,” Stalvig said. “It’s pretty simple, you just turn it and it goes.”

Stalvig supports “anyone who’s interested in learning how to use the tools and technology in our space.”

The student he helped with the knitting machine was second-year master’s student Roya Nazari, who was knitting a long shawl for a sculpture featured in a Super 8 mm film she was making. As the black knitted garment pooled in the basket of the knitting machine, she said it was the first time she had ever used it.

The eStudio is a space that reflects the desires of the students, workers and faculty that use it, and Willow actively tries to avoid dedicating disproportionate resources to one discipline or medium. She said the knitting machine is part of a recent interest in fiber and textile arts. 

Another part is Knit Tech, a block of time set aside from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays for anyone interested in learning how to knit.

“We have yarn, needles, stitch markers, all of the stuff you would need to learn how to make a hat or a pair of mittens,” Stalvig said. “Then if you are a knitter and you’re like, ‘Oh, I’m stuck, I don’t know how to do this next part [of my pattern],’ you can come and we can help with that.”

Willow pointed out that the placement of the eStudio in Regis West, down a tight hallway with nothing else but faculty offices beyond it, may make it seem more intimidating than it actually is. 

However, she believes it is the warmth of the people who work in the eStudio that gets students to cross over the threshold.

“We prioritize making and sustaining a welcoming, inclusive and collaborative environment — these are core values of the eStudio,” Willow said.

At the core of the eStudio is learning to deconstruct the fear of failure and recognizing ourselves as syntheses of everything and everyone we interact and collaborate with, not just the subject we choose to study in school.

“The idea of failure is something that many of us internalize from prior learning contexts — especially when using new technologies,” Willow said. “We don’t expect that you will already know how to use the machines and materials before you come – it’s a place to develop your ideas and learn with your peers.”

And while visitors draw, learn to knit, finish a sewing project or harness the power of the glow forge, they can enjoy a warm cup of coffee or tea.

The eStudio will be having a clothing swap and open studio on Friday, Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second floor of Regis West. Students are encouraged to bring clothes to exchange, then upcycle or repair them as they wish with eStudio workers standing by to help.

The Gophers women’s hockey are 10-2-0 after sweeping the St. Cloud State Huskies in a home-and-home style series this weekend.

Minnesota claimed the first game of the series 1-0 at St. Cloud on Friday night. Redshirt junior forward Abbey Murphy had the lone goal and the game-winner in the 2nd period.

Murphy tied her career-high goals with her 29th goal of the season in a 5-1 win at Ridder Arena on Saturday.

Before she tied her record, Murphy said she did not pay much attention to her goal total.

“I really don’t even look at that stuff until someone tells me about it,” Murphy said. “All I really want to do is win in the end.”

Murphy’s two goals over the weekend put her 18 goals ahead of the next closest players, Josefin Bouveng, Ella Huber and Peyton Hemp who are tied at 11 goals.

Last season, when the Gophers had players like Taylor Heise and Grace Zumwinkle, the scoring distribution was not as spread out. By the end of the season, Heise led the team with 30 goals, Murphy with 29 goals and Zumwinkle with 25 goals.

“It’s different,” Murphy said. “Obviously we were able to score so many goals. They were really good leaders and had so much skill.”

New and second-year players Emma Kreisz, Ava Lindsay, Bouveng and Nelli Laitinen have moved into Minnesota’s top scorers this season.

Lindsay scored an empty net goal in the second win versus St. Cloud, while Kreisz, Bouveng and Laitinen each tallied one assist.

Gophers captain and junior forward Hemp said Bouveng has especially played well this season.
“People have really stepped up and filled in those gaps,” Hemp said. “It’s been really cool to see.”

Bouveng’s assist over the weekend was a cross-ice pass to Huber who scored the game-winning goal on Saturday.

Murphy said she is excited to watch the young players develop and that their group has a lot of skill. One attribute she called attention to was Kreisz’s shot.

“When that [shot] comes off, I hope no one is blocking that thing,” Murphy said.

Head coach Brad Frost said Laitinen is one of the best defenders in the WCHA.

“She is so consistent,” Frost said. “We know exactly what we’re going to get from her.”

In the Gophers’ five losses this season, Murphy scored in one. The only Minnesota loss Murphy has scored in was on Oct. 27 when she scored twice in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The Gophers have not won a game against the Buckeyes this season. In their latest series at Ridder Arena on Jan. 12 and 13, Ohio State outscored Minnesota 13-1 in the two losses.

Graduate defender Madeline Wethington said the losses in the Ohio State series helped the Gophers realize what they needed to improve on by the end of the season.

“We’re looking back and saying, ‘Okay it’s January, thank God it’s not March,’” Wethington said. “We have time to improve and get better. Using every opportunity–we can’t take it for granted.”

Following the St. Cloud series, Frost said the Gophers had not been playing to the best of their abilities despite winning six games.

“It was the dog days of January, of winter, so to speak,” Frost said.

Frost said their final three series of the season against St. Cloud, Wisconsin and Minnesota Duluth are when the team needs to work on playing consistently.

“We haven’t accomplished anything quite yet,” Frost said.

According to U.S. College Hockey Online’s NCAA percentage index, the Gophers are projected to be the fourth seed in the NCAA tournament after their series versus St. Cloud. Ahead of Minnesota in third place in the index is their next opponent, Wisconsin.

The Gophers travel to Madison, Wisconsin, next weekend with a chance to surpass the Badgers in both the national rankings and the WCHA standings.

In a world that has become dominated by technology over the past few decades, it’s not unusual to see people of all ages joining in on the fun that dating apps have to offer. Thousands of 20-somethings have taken a shot at love through the simple swipe of their iPhones and the uploading of a few of their most attractive images.

But how often does a mutual attraction on these apps actually lead to a successful connection?

One in 10 partnered adults (married, living with a partner or in a committed romantic relationship) said that they met their current partner on a dating app, according to a study from Pew Research Center.

While the term “success” is relatively subjective in this context, Pew Research Center shared that one in five adults who identified as under the age of 30 said they met their current partner on a dating app and approximately one in four adults who identified as LGBT said the same.

Xiaoran Sun, assistant professor in family social science at the University of Minnesota, said digital technologies influence romantic relationships long after the initial attraction to one another on a dating app. It is common for partners to have different preferences and boundaries on topics such as video game usage, pornography and password-sharing/location-sharing.

“I’m staying quite optimistic about the future that dating apps are leading us to,” Sun said. “People are getting more clear and explicit [about] what they’re looking for.”

Sun said dating apps have begun asking users for multiple dimensions of their identity, making it easier for singles to determine if this is a person they would be compatible with, possibly leading to more discussions between users about topics such as political and religious beliefs, drug usage, career goals and more.

As a new user of dating apps myself, it’s a fun and easy way to quickly determine if there is compatibility beyond the initial physical attraction. However, many downsides come with using these apps.

Fourth-year student Josh Ichen said he was first introduced to dating apps in his early years of college and he primarily uses Tinder and Hinge for making connections. While dating apps were a fun form of entertainment at the beginning, he began noticing the negative mental effects they had on him.

“Overall, I think that kind of ruined my self-esteem a little bit and also my expectations for future relationships,” Ichen said.

Tinder is the most popular dating app for users between the ages of 18-29, with 79% of dating app users under 30 having used Tinder at some point in their life, according to the Pew study. Following that, 59% of users under 30 have used Bumble and 39% have used Hinge.

Ichen’s advice for those who are new to the online dating world but want to give it a try is to be safe physically and be wary of people’s intentions with you. On top of physical safety, he suggests being alert of your emotional and mental safety and not jeopardizing your well-being for the sake of others online.

Unfortunately, scams do take place on dating apps and this is something that more users need to be aware of.

According to eSafety Commissioner, catfishing is defined as someone using a fake identity to make an individual believe they are in a real relationship (friendly or romantic) and may use the information the victim provides to humiliate them, scam them for money, coerce them into sending explicit photographs or steal their identity.

Many dating apps have terms and conditions installed to protect their users from this type of cyber threat. This may include biometric verification, a limited amount of free interactions per user and safety guidelines.

One thing that makes me feel safer when scrolling through dating apps is seeing users with a blue checkmark in their profile. This confirms that they, at the very least, look like the person in the photos they posted.

This isn’t saying much, as the user could still be a serial killer. However, it is a form of protection available to all users and can provide some level of peace to those who interact with that user.

Of course, there are many things to be on the lookout for when creating an account on one or more of these platforms, but overall this should be an enjoyable and rather carefree experience for those who want to join.

Nowadays, you could very well find the love of your life on Tinder.

With a presidential election approaching and the two primary candidates all but known, is voting for a third-party candidate a viable option?

Leo’s Take:

The two-party voting system may be deeply flawed, but third-party voting will only exacerbate the political corruption plaguing the United States of America in this era of right-wing extremism and polarization.

Consider the 2000 presidential election, when Democratic nominee Al Gore faced off against Republican nominee George Bush. Ralph Nader of the Green Party drew a significant number of votes away from Gore, according to a study from Bucknell University. Bush won the election by a slim margin after securing a hair-thin victory in Florida, which the study credits to Nader’s third-party campaign.

The Bush administration left permanent damage on the country after declaring war on Iraq and refusing to sign the Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A survey from Gallup reported his lowest approval rating as 25% in October of 2008.

With the 2024 election on the horizon, independents like Robert Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West pose a genuine threat to President Joe Biden’s reelection. Fed up with former President Donald Trump’s antics but equally disapproving of the Biden administration, many voters are considering these third-party candidates as alternatives. They’re making a terrible mistake.

The Trump administration wreaked havoc on the United States, threatening our country with unforeseen political corruption and violence. Given four more years, there’s no telling what damage Trump could do. The 2024 election is an existential vote for our democracy, and Americans must put ideology and self-interest aside.

Now is not the time for two-party reform — it’s the time for ensuring our country upholds its most fundamental democratic principles. Like with the 2000 election, a third-party candidate will deprive Biden of votes, increasing the likelihood Trump takes power again.

At this moment, the future of America rests heavily on our shoulders. Trump or Biden? Pick a side.

Abiha’s Take:

In an increasingly divisive political sphere, one thing that most voters can agree on is their lack of options. Candidate Donald Trump is inching closer to a nomination, currently winning the Republican vote at 75.8%. Trends point to the 2024 election resulting in a rematch between Trump and incumbent President Joe Biden — but that doesn’t mean voters like it.

Many Americans are reporting they want more candidates to choose from, pushing the door open for third-party candidates. Although voting third party has historically been frowned upon, Americans deserve the autonomy to create a democracy they can be proud of. That starts by embracing the third party.

63% of US adults currently agree that a third “major party” is needed to bridge the lack of representation afforded between the Democratic and Republican parties — the highest percentage in years. That number is beginning to gain more significance.

In the past, voters have been hesitant to vote third-party because the practice has been equated with “throwing away your vote,” but upholding the tenets of democracy becomes increasingly difficult when your options have slimmed down to a candidate known by the nickname “Genocide Joe” and a former president whose Twitter fingers fueled an insurrection.

While third-party candidates have had a historically slim chance at election, the 2024 election presents a unique opportunity to challenge that status quo. There is no reason American voters should have to choose between two evils. This election could change that legacy.

Leo’s Rebuttal:

Just because a majority of Americans support the idea of third-party voting doesn’t mean they will actually vote third-party. Since 2000, no third-party candidate in the United States presidential elections has received more than 5% of the popular vote or any electoral votes, according to Statista.

Lacking the political clout and resources of the Democratic and Republican parties, all third-party candidates stand to do in 2024 is strip Biden of votes and give Trump an edge, which does nothing to change our country’s political legacy.

Trump poses a threat to racial minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, working-class people and anyone who is not white, straight, Christian, cisgender and male. If Biden is “evil,” then Trump is incomprehensibly worse.

While I fully agree that multiple political parties would create a more democratic society, I believe right now our democracy itself is on the line. If we want a future for third-party candidates, we cannot let Trump and his authoritarian tactics prevail. There may be no ideal candidate for the 2024 election, but to overcome this era of dangerous political instability, Biden is our only shot.

Abiha’s Rebuttal:

While I can agree that Americans are being presented with two bad options, comparing this election to others ignores how historic 2024 truly is. While third-party candidates usually have slim to no chance of winning the election, that simply isn’t true anymore.

In a June poll, 49% of Americans reported it was somewhat or very likely they would consider voting for a third-party candidate in 2024 if Trump and Biden were the primary nominees. While I can agree that in the past, voters have failed to pour their frustration with candidates into their voting practices, there is a high likelihood that 2024 will change that tide.

Even if third-party candidates don’t win the election, voting for them still has a positive effect on democracy. Ralph Nader’s 2000 presidential campaign as a Green Party nominee may have been unsuccessful, but he succeeded in raising awareness for issues that had widely gone ignored by mainstream media. By centering his platform on environmental issues, corporate reform and consumer rights, he ultimately brought more media attention to those areas.

Third-party campaigns force candidates to appeal to a greater variety of voters. Because third-party voters are more likely to feel disenfranchised by the political system, forcing politicians to appeal to their concerns is extremely important. In simpler words: our democracy becomes more representative when voters break the two-party expectation.

It’s clear Americans deserve better than candidates they don’t feel represented by. While third-party hasn’t caused drastic change historically, comparing this election to any others is a false equivalence. Change only happens when voters demonstrate that they want it.

What do you think

Is voting third-party worth it? Let us know your thoughts either in our comments section, or write a letter to the editor at oped@mndaily.com.

Carlson 4 Community (C4C) promotes volunteerism and community involvement within the Twin Cities by creating ways for Carlson School of Management graduate students to give back.

C4C held its annual Carlson MBA Charity Auction 0n Saturday at the McNamara Alumni Center, which benefited Cookie Cart, a non-profit organization.

Mano Wunnava, the president of C4C, said every year the club picks one non-profit organization in the Twin Cities and works with them to raise money throughout the academic year, culminating in the charity auction.

“The Carlson School of Management’s tagline is ‘business as a force for good,’ and our club helps people do things in the line of this,” Wunnava said.

With each year’s beneficiary, C4C supports them through volunteering and raising money, Wunnava added.

According to Jennifer Staley, Cookie Cart’s director of advancement, the organization is a non-profit serving 200 youth per year in the Twin Cities between 15 and 18 years old.

Staley said Cookie Cart not only offers jobs to youth, but also gives kids a classroom.

“We teach them financial literacy, we write resumes with them and we have community conversations,” Staley said.

Staley said Cookie Cart helps kids with food insecurity as well as finding jobs and housing.

“It’s been so great having C4C members volunteer with us,” Staley said. “They get what our kids’ needs are, and it’s been really cool to see those relationships develop.”

Wunnava said C4C will cater to what the non-profit wants, and they do not follow a certain pattern in the ways they help.

“This year they wanted us to come to the bakery, engage with some team building and pack some cookies with the kids,” Wunnava said.

Wunnava added C4C helps kids from Cookie Cart with resume building, cover letters and practicing how to pitch themselves.

Cathal Moroney, a member of C4C, said kids from Cookie Cart recently came to campus for a tour of Carlson.

“A lot of these people are from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds,” Moroney said. “Being able to show them the tangible outcome of the work that they’re doing in the investment in their resumes and career building made them really excited and happy.”

Moroney added it has been incredible having Cookie Cart as C4C’s beneficiary this year.

“The first day that we were introduced to them, everyone was just amazed that this organization exists,” Moroney said. “I am really happy they were selected this year.”

Mei Chew, an MBA student who attended the auction, said she was looking forward to seeing the whole thing take place.

“My friends have been hard at work planning this event, so I just really want to support them and support the cause,” Chew said.

As of Sunday, C4C is still calculating how much total money they raised, according to Wunnava.

Alexis Robertson, a member of C4C, added seeing everybody come together for the auction was special.

“I hope that this relationship lasts a long time,” Staley said. “Not because we expect big money all the time, but we would love to stay in communication with them because they are just dynamic.”

Coffman Union art gallery opened its newest exhibit, “Yours Truly,” a collection featuring the distinct artistic abilities of ten different student artists providing an insight into the diverse range of creative minds and identities present at the University of Minnesota.

The exhibit features a range of artworks in many media, including paint, ink, photography and mixed media.

An acrylic painting titled “Good Morning” by Izzy Spiess, a second-year student studying acting, depicts a silhouette of two figures standing in a field as the sun is rising behind some clouds. This image is painted with vivid colors and quick, squiggly brushstrokes.

“I have been painting what I call ‘squiggly guys’ in a series of paintings that are sometimes more symbolic and abstract, and sometimes exist in the real world,” Spiess said. “Their more liquid, maneuverable forms free me up from sticking strictly to anatomy to communicate feeling and mood through body language.”

Two works displayed are black and white ink illustrations. One is by Euan Lim, a fourth-year student studying English. The piece, titled “Warblers” features four birds, one above each other. The piece was made using a technique called “giclée print” which is a high-quality way of printing art that uses a specific type of ink and paper.

The other is by Elodie Du, a graduate school student studying electrical engineering. Her piece “Hong Kong” is a pen drawing of a bustling street in the Chinese city.

“I have learned about the dreamy city through a lot of films from the 1980s,” Du said. “It’s like a part of my imagination from those old films painted into reality,”

Another colorful and chaotic piece titled “Hyperpop” features a storm of scribbles using Posca paint markers. The entire canvas is filled with squiggles and faces that radiate a sense of energy. The piece was created by Anna Overall, a second-year student studying political science, Spanish and pre-law.

“The bright feelings of this piece illustrate what music does to the brain, as it activates almost all brain regions.” Overall said.

The exhibit also features three photographs. One by Nicole Solfest depicting a close-up image of water dripping onto a rock formation. Another by Seeta Goyal featuring a landscape of orange autumn trees being reflected in the water. The third by Andrew Kind is a portrait shot showing a field of flowers in front of a rocky elevation.

“Yours Truly” is a testament to the creative abilities of all kinds of students found on campus. The exhibition brings together artists from many disciplines and backgrounds, promoting a sense of community at the University.

A reception for the exhibit will take place at the Coffman Art Gallery on Feb. 21 from 6-8 p.m. The exhibit will be open until March 10.

University of Minnesota students plan to host celebrations ahead of the Super Bowl to connect with friends and maintain traditions. 

This year’s Super Bowl, on Feb. 11 in Las Vegas, will have the Kansas City Chiefs playing the San Francisco 49ers for the Lombardi Trophy to mark the conclusion of the 2023 National Football League (NFL) season. 

Baraa Al-Jasim, a third-year chemistry and Asian and Middle Eastern studies student, said she will watch the Super Bowl at her house with friends. She added watching sports as a woman is all about showing passion for the game. 

“Nowadays, you see, out in the stands, women or families together,” Al-Jasim said. “Since we’re all constantly surrounded by sports teams of both genders, both of them are hyped up in sports.” 

Al-Jasim got into sports after she prioritized health and fitness by working out, which led to her following sports on TV. 

“I like to keep up with the latest updates in the sport and I like the enthusiastic environment the sport brings,” Al-Jasim said. 

Al-Jasim said she is rooting for the 49ers to win because of the team’s ability to win many games, and she does not know much about the Chiefs. 

For Colby Pitzenberger, a third-year political science student and member of the Sigma Pi fraternity on campus, the Super Bowl is a time for connection with his fraternity brothers, especially those who recently joined. 

“It’s really important when you have new members to invite them to as many things as possible and make sure they feel welcome,” Pitzenberger said. 

Sigma Pi will host a pregame party on Feb. 10 open to anyone with personal connections to their members, according to Pitzenberger. Members plan to host a potluck and hang out in their house to watch the game on Sunday. 

Pitzenberger never had an interest in sports until this season, adding that the relationship between Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and musician Taylor Swift got him interested in football. 

He said he is joining his fraternity brothers in rooting for the Chiefs to win the Super Bowl. 

“I’m still learning [football], but I think the games are mildly interesting to watch now,” Pitzenberger said. “That’s the biggest part for me right now is just being able to get together with people and being able to hang out and talk while also bonding over mutual interests.” 

Other students have been following football for a long time, like Luke Wittner, a third-year student majoring in qualitative economics and finance, meaning the Super Bowl is a time for him to share his passion with others.

Wittner plans to go to his friend’s Super Bowl party in downtown Minneapolis, which will have a lot of young people and their parents in attendance. He is rooting for the 49ers to win the Super Bowl and looks forward to spending it with his friends. 

“I think it’s going to be really great to be in that environment with them and just kind of chill,” Wittner said. 

Wittner added it will be an opportunity for him to get to know new people and reconnect with friends. 

“Before I went to college, I would always watch it with my friends from high school, but now that I’m in college and live in a house with 15 people, we would always have a watch party,” Wittner said. 

Wittner, who played football for 10 years and is a Green Bay Packers fan, said his Super Bowl celebrations in college are similar to celebrations in his hometown, where he would watch the game and have food made by his mom. 

“It’s really great to be able to share this with my friends and celebrate and everyone gets into it,” Wittner said. “We just talk nothing but football for four hours straight.” 

College is a place where people work towards a degree, build connections and prepare for their future. 

Some students may choose to have a part-time job, join a club or organization or attend University of Minnesota sporting events. By participating in the campus community, students meet new people and become close with them. 

For some University alumni, however, their connections extend beyond friendship. 

The origin of the love stories website

The University of Minnesota Alumni Association (UMAA) created a page sharing the stories of couples who met during their time at the University. 

The project began in 2021 to continue the UMAA’s mission to inform University alumni about news happening on campus, according to Carter Collins, director of UMAA. The Love Stories project was meant to be a positive and fun project amid the negativity surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There is no doubt that the University of Minnesota impacts the lives of every alumni and they’re very fortunate to have such positive stories and experiences,” Collins said.

The website is updated every year, typically around Valentine’s Day, with many stories about couples who met during their time at the University. According to Collins, UMAA gets over a thousand love stories every year. 

“These alumni love their university so much because it has set them on to a certain career path because they met their significant other and because they learned so many things,” Collins said. 

Collins said one of UMAA’s goals was to present the project to alumni as an opportunity to be ambassadors for the University without having to take on a leadership role. 

“Our hope is that any student or alumni who hears a fellow alumni story is that they feel a sense of pride and know that they’re not alone,” Collins said. “I hope students know that there are amazing people at the University of Minnesota that can change your life and one day be the love of your life.” 

Dave and Linda Mona (class of 1965 and 1967)

Dave and Linda Mona knew of one another before attending the University because their dads taught at South High School in Minneapolis. 

They first met in person as freshman camp counselors, a now-retired program for first-year students to connect in a summer camp-like style. 

“He called me and asked if I and another young woman could come over and help get stuff set up because we weren’t having summer meetings,” Linda said. “Right away, we were very intrigued with each other.” 

The Monas dated for the remainder of their college years and got married after graduation, according to Linda. 

Dave lived at home while Linda lived in Bailey Hall, which meant they would see each other on weekends due to Bailey Hall’s strict dorm schedule that prevented students from leaving the dorm late at night. 

“I just signed out that I would be going home and he would take me home for the weekend many times,” Linda said. 

Even calling each other was difficult. In a time without cell phones, Linda had to use a phone booth, located on every floor of the building, to contact Dave. 

Conversations had to be brief because other people were waiting to use the booths, according to Dave. That did not stop them from attending events and being involved on campus. 

“We went to everything and we were involved [on campus],” Linda said. “When things happened in our organizations, we went together.” 

Dave, who has a degree in journalism, was the sports editor at the Minnesota Daily and wrote for the Gopher Yearbook. Linda, who graduated with a degree in home economics education, participated in the Senate Committee on Student Affairs and the campus choir. 

“I had passes to go to sporting events, lectures and concerts,” Dave said. “If you were dating, you’d get two passes and you’d go to the concert. We benefited greatly from that.” 

During their time at the University, they would also attend get-togethers, which consisted of picnics or softball games, with some professors and faculty Dave knew. 

“It was a great way to get involved in the school,” Dave said. “You’d have these people in class and then you could play softball with them.” 

The Monas continue to stay involved with the University community, as they were both the chairs of the alumni association at their respective colleges and the UMAA. 

They also spoke in classes and worked with the University to build the McNamara Alumni Center, and Jim was part of the presidential search committee that appointed former University president Joan Gabel. 

“I’m very happy that I had the opportunity to do it,” Dave said. “I’ve done a lot of University-related things before, but never done anything like that.” 

Despite being heavily involved with the campus community, the Monas continue to enjoy their time together. They currently live in Edina, Minnesota, and have two sons and a 16-year-old grandson who also live in the area. 

“We have fun together, we use humor a lot,” Dave said. “We don’t get angry, we compromise. We see each other all the time, but it’s because we like to be with each other.” 

Jim and Jen Schweigert (class of 2002)

Paths always crossed for Jim and Jen Schweigert, who both majored in public relations, were on the leadership team for Spring Jam and were a part of Greek life — Beta Theta Pi fraternity and Delta Gamma sorority, who would host events together. 

They lost touch as the years went on, with Jim studying abroad and Jen being involved in other organizations, but reconnected in their senior year while taking classes at the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication. 

“We always wanted to be involved, going to school was super important,” Jim said. “We both got good grades and we are always looking for leadership opportunities and [to] invest in ourselves.” 

In addition to Greek life and Spring Jam, Jim was a part of the University’s cheer team and the president of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and Jen was the president of the Panhellenic Council. 

“Both of us have a very driven personality,” Jen said. “We tell each other our goals and support each other and make each other better through encouragement.” 

They agree their love for the University is due to the activities they were involved with and the friendships they made. 

They wanted to continue to stay involved with the University through the UMAA, donating to the Gophers football team, supporting Gophers athletic programs and creating a scholarship through the Hubbard School, according to Jen. 

“We were so involved beyond classes and had leadership opportunities, they really build the strong connection,” Jim said. “We wouldn’t have the same connection with the University.” 

Today, they both live in Platteville, Wisconsin, where Jim is the president of GRO Alliance, a seed and soybean production company serving people in the United States and Chile, and Jen is a personal trainer and competitive athlete, competing with the U.S. national team in road running and triathlon. 

They enjoy playing Scrabble together and are competitive with it, according to Jen. Jim created a spreadsheet of all their Scrabble games — they have played over 2,000 games together — because of his determination to prove he was better than Jen at the game. 

“We play it while we eat dinner, and it’s time for us to focus on each other, have a conversation and enjoy our meal. It keeps our brains sharp,” Jen said. 

Both said the University has lots to offer for students to get involved, such as companies with internships and a variety of student groups and involvement opportunities, which brought them together. 

“That’s been a real key, being involved in leadership and helping the school be better,” Jim said. 

The Sustainable Forest Education Cooperative (SFEC) partners with the University of Minnesota Extension and the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources Sciences (CFANS) to offer continuing education opportunities for organizations. 

SFEC is a hub for organizations involved in forestry and wildlife to collaborate to address environmental concerns. 

The Forestry and Wildlife Research and Practice Review on Feb. 21 aims to bring forestry and wildlife practitioners together, said SFEC manager Eli Sagor. The review is held annually and aims to understand how to most effectively manage forests in ways that benefit certain wildlife species dependent on forests for their habitat. 

Sawyer Scherer, a member of and forest ecologist for the UPM-Blandin Paper Company, said being a part of a paper company makes him interested in the long-term health and viability of forests. 

By being a member of SFEC, UPM-Blandin is equipped with ways to protect biodiversity and contribute to climate adaptation, rather than just harvesting trees, Scherer said. 

“I am not aware of anything quite like [SFEC] anywhere else in the country,” Scherer said. “There’s certainly continuing education programs in other states, but I’m really not aware of anywhere else where there’s this cooperative model where everybody comes together and is paying towards this self-improvement and education.”

SFEC studies ways to make a healthy, productive forest, Sagor said. For example, SFEC does research on invasive insects and how they affect tree health along with emphasizing the importance of looking at an entire ecosystem instead of a singular tree. 

“Part of what makes [SFEC] so exciting to me is that we’re the people who manage Minnesota’s natural resources, and there are complex issues that need attention,” Sagor said. 

SFEC does not rely solely on researchers to teach members, instead relying on all members to bring their unique expertise to serve the cooperative, Sagor added. 

SFEC has 52 organizational members from private companies, public agencies and tribal natural resource agencies within the Division of Forestry, according to Sagor.

The Minnesota DNR-Forestry is the biggest and longest-term member of SFEC, Sagor said. The forestry division manages 4.2 million acres of Minnesota’s 59 state forests and other forested lands, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources webpage. 

Bob Milne, a Beltrami County land commissioner in the Minnesota DNR-Forestry Department, said one of the best aspects of SFEC is that it engages a diverse array of organizations and allows for information and resources to be shared from people with different experiences and knowledge. 

“I think that’s part of what I really liked about SFEC because we just don’t know it all, and we all have different expertise,” Milne said. “An education cooperative can bring all those pieces together because we can’t do all the training on our own either.”

The DNR would not be able to provide events and webinars without SFEC, Milne said. 

“Ecosystems are super complex, and so anyone who thinks they have the one right answer and everyone else is wrong is fooling themselves,” Sagor said. “What we try to do is to create a space for an active exchange of ideas and perspectives that can move everyone forward.”

In the Division of Forestry, employees may be trained on how to access the value of timber or go through basic fire training for wildfire response, Milne said. SFEC allows employees to expand on their areas of work and expertise with events and conversations.

Marcella Windmuller-Campione, associate professor of silviculture at the University, does applied work in forest ecosystems in collaboration with tribal agencies. She said the best part of the SFEC is its relationship with tribal nations and organizations within Minnesota.

The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa are members of SFEC, Windmuller-Campione said. SFEC is currently partnering with the tribe to address underplanting of hemlock, an important plant in the forest’s ecosystem.

The virtual Silviculture Library, maintained through SFEC, hosts different case studies on forest management and forest health threats, Windmuller-Campione said. The library also allows students to assist in authoring pieces that get published.

“Our forests give so much,” Windmuller-Campione said. “SFEC is an opportunity to ask questions about forest management, and in turn benefiting everyone in Minnesota by having cleaner water [and] air and maintaining our wildlife.”