Meet Don

I will work hard for our community and represent all residents of Ward 3.

My Personal Story

My wife, Lisa, and I moved to Mankato 29 years ago in 1997 because I was offered a job as a professor at MSU, and Lisa began working for Head Start. I am still a professor at MSU, and Lisa and I are part-owners of Tandem Bagels which Lisa has co-managed for almost 15 years. Two of our three children were born here, and all three graduated from Mankato public schools. We now have a grandson who attends Mankato public schools. 

Before becoming a university professor, I did a variety of things. I worked in construction and various retail jobs, and for two years in college I was an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) in emergency service in Oakland, California. I began rock climbing, mountain climbing, river running, and canoeing as well. Throughout graduate school I worked as an Outward Bound Instructor and wilderness guide teaching self-reliance, teamwork, and leadership in wilderness settings in Alaska, California, Colorado, Utah, and Florida. I worked with teens through young adults. In Arizona I served one year as a community college instructor, and three years as an international student advisor at a large university.


My Professional Background

At MSU, I am a Professor of Geography teaching and conducting research about people and environment. I teach several courses including conservation of natural resources, water resources, natural disasters, and climate change. I teach first year through master’s level students, and in all classroom sizes, from specialized seminars of only a half-dozen students through large lecture courses with 250 students. I have been honored with outstanding teaching awards, as well as with outstanding advising awards. I served as departmental chair for 12 years, and I have served on and chaired numerous university committees and task forces. 

As a researcher and scholar, I have written and published numerous articles and reports. I am a recognized expert on how climate change is impacting our environment and society. Because of that expertise, I have served as a Fulbright Senior Scholar in Germany, as a National Academy of Sciences Jefferson Science Fellow in Washington, DC, and as Senior Science Advisor at the US Agency for International Development around the world. 

As an MSU professor, I am an active and proud union member of the IFO (Inter-Faculty Organization) with roughly 4,000 members across the state. The IFO is one of several labor unions that represent our state’s public servants.

I am a member of several professional societies, including the AAG (American Association of Geographers) with 10,000 members. I have served on its governing board, the AAG Council and was elected chair of the regional councilors.

My Educational Background

University of California, Berkeley, B.S.

University of Colorado, Boulder, M.A.

Arizona State University, Ph.D.

Harvard University, Graduate School of Education, Certificate

Community

I have participated in and served our community as a youth sports coach, service club member and officer, supporter of youth performing arts and youth sports, guest presenter in schools and service clubs, and as advisor on the city brownfield committee.

My career has focused on helping others understand how our environment and society work and interact. I wish to apply that knowledge right here at home, in Ward 3 and in Mankato, to keep our community a great place to live and work.

Thank You

Thanks for visiting my campaign website and taking time to learn more about me.