Dr. Scott M. HannonScott M. Hannon, of Winona, will be recognized by Winona State University with the Distinguished Alumni Award Friday, Oct. 24, as a part of the university’s Homecoming celebration.

Hannon earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrial arts from WSU, along with a sixth-year certificate in education administration. He completed his Ed.D in educational leadership at the University of St. Thomas in 1996.

Hannon has dedicated more than 41 years of his life to serving the Winona Area Public School system as a teacher, principal, director of academic affairs and superintendent, finally retiring in 2014. He earned numerous honors during his tenure, including Winona Teacher of the Year in 1984, the Minnesota Administrators Academy Leadership Award in 1991, Media Educators of Minnesota Administrator of the Year in 1997, Southeast Division Principal of the Year in 2000 and Minnesota Principal of the Year in 2001.

“There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t give thanks for what I have been given. The thousands of Winona students that I have come in contact with in the past 41 years have been the recipients of what WSU has given me. It has been a great and most rewarding journey,” Hannon said.

Hannon served as the first president of the Winona Chapter of the WSU Alumni Association and continues to show his loyalty to Winona State by serving on WSU Education Department committees. He also speaks to education classes each year and helps the Education Leadership program with capstone projects.