a few nationwide.
To encourage the spiritual development of students and members of the community, the library built the David Barton Community Labyrinth and Reflective Garden, named in honor of the library's first dean. The labyrinth is open to the public and has been the setting for several events.
== Notable alumni ==
Metro State's first graduating class consisted of 12 people on February 1, 1973. As of December 16, 2024, Metro State has 56,354 alumni. Notable alumni include:
Néstor Amarilla - Paraguayan playwright and nominee for the Nobel Prize in Literature
Derek Chauvin - Minneapolis police officer and convicted murderer, known for his role in the murder of George Floyd
Carl Eller - professional football player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Leo Foley - Minnesota state senator
Frank J. Grass - United States Army General and Chief of the National Guard Bureau
Ken Kelash - Minnesota state senator
John Kriesel - Minnesota state representative, Minnesota National Guard Staff Sergeant, speaker, …
