St. Cloud State University Archives

Today we are highlighting a 3D object from the William Lindgren Asian Art Collection.

One in a group of five and dating to the mid-20th century, a Chinese seal indicative of the late Qing style and fascination of dogs and dragons.

https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/chinese-soapstone-seal-1-b7b81b26cf9e4aba9ea67b77aadb5646

Bill Radovich, retired Vice President for Administrative Affairs from 1972 to 1992, passed away a few weeks ago at the age of 92. A Hibbing, Minnesota native, Bill was instrumental in bringing legendary hockey coach Herb Brooks to campus for the 1986/87 hockey season and elevating the program to Division 1 the next season.

Bill was a straight shooter and periodically contacted University Archives for information regarding the men's hockey program. We hadn't seen Bill for awhile, but it was a pleasure to chat with. Take care, my friend!

The image is of Bill from 1990.

https://www.doughertyofhibbing.com/obituaries/william-bill-radovich

Another hightlight from the William Lindgren Asian Art Collection.

This Tibetan copper lidded pot, which dates to the late 19th century / early 20th century, has silver alloy fittings, handle, and spout, and is profusely decorated with Buddhist symbols and mythical creatures.

https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/tibetan-copper-lidded-winetea-pot-87365c396c0641eea2cca271147748d0

Happy 250th birthday to the United States of America!

On April 9, 1976, Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Rudy Perpich visited campus and designated St. Cloud State a "bicentennial university". He presented to campus a plaque and a flag. Both items live in University Archives. Here University Archivist Tom Steman displays that flag.

Also included are images from that event held in Atwood's first floor sunken lounge. Scanned from negatives, these images are part of the Archives' University Photographer collection.

Economist Alan Greenspan passed away today at the age of 100. Did you know before he became chair of the Federal Reserve he visited St. Cloud State? In February 1977, Greenspan was part of the Winter Institute program held on campus. Here is an image of his 1977 visit.

Today we are highlighting yet another 3D object from the William Lindgren Asian Art Collection.

Dating to the late 19th century, this is a Chinese ivory s***f bottle decorated with Chinese characters and relief carving of birds among bamboo.

https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/chinese-ivory-s***f-bottle-7eca7a838ef14763b75badc80b9294ed

Our friends at the Minnesota Digital Library held a creative writing contest over the past year. Someone wrote a fictional story based on one of our World War II oral histories! Terrific!

Most of the creative stories submitted for MDL’s creative writing contest were inspired by historical photographs or documents, but today’s featured story was based on the oral history interview of a World War II veteran. Neill Torssell was shot down in Italy in 1943 and later escaped from a POW camp there. Local writer Elvis Leighton imagined an interaction that Neill could have had as he traveled secretly across the countryside in his story “The Man Who Counted.” Read an excerpt below:

“The old man is rocking. Back and forth, back and forth, fingers working over beads like worry stones, his mouth moving around the same sounds over and over. Santa Maria, Madre di Dio. Again. Santa Maria, Madre di Dio. Again.

I think: He's lost it. Shell-shocked, simple, or both.

My hands won't stop shaking. Three hours ago, I was hiding in a ravine. Two days ago, I was in a cell with a bucket that hadn't been emptied since Mussolini wore diapers. A week ago, I was twenty-two thousand feet over Sicily watching my burning plane loop once, then fall. The top turret gunner pushed me toward the door. I don't know if he made it out.

The old man rocks. The beads click. Santa Maria…”

Read the full story in our creative writing showcase: https://collection.mndigital.org/exhibits/creative-writing-2025-26/feature/the-man-who-counted

And listen to the full interview in MDL, shared with us by the St. Cloud State University Archives: https://collection.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:8610

The final Throwback Thursday of the academic year!

50 years ago on May 5, 1976, the Administrative Services Building was dedicated. Ceremonies included a time capsule set inside the building’s cornerstone. Here St. Cloud State president Charles Graham handles the time capsule and a contemporary view of the building.

See you in August!

Today we are highlighting a 3D object from the William Lindgren Asian Art Collection.

Dating to the late 19th century, this Chinese porcelain crackle vase represents an idealized image of a scholar’s studio filled with rare objects for inspiration.

https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/chinese-porcelain-crackle-vase-462d30c3e9c54625a41c6bd38b1992fd

Throwback Thursday!

On April 27, 1946, St. Cloud State president George Selke, who returned to campus a month earlier after three years leave due to World War II, resigned. Dudley Brainard became acting president.

A 1913 St. Cloud State alum, Selke was appointed in 1927 to serve as the school’s 10th president. During World War II, Selke served as a “monuments man” to help save the cultural history of Europe.