Winona State University will hold a dedication ceremony for The Gus and Sue Bolon Facilities Complex at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at 175 W. Mark St.
The naming is made possible through the generosity of professor emeritus and longtime trustee Dr. George Bolon, honoring the lasting values and influence of his parents, Gus and Sue Bolon.
Gus and Sue Bolon built their lives together on a foundation of love, family, and education. Married for 50 years after meeting on a blind date, they raised their two sons in a home filled with warmth, devotion, and opportunity.
Gus, an immigrant from Greece, was a self-taught mechanical engineer known for his honesty and work ethic and his word was as good as gold. Sue, an American Greek, embodied love in every sense, giving her time generously as a PTA leader, the first secretary of their local church, and a mother known for her grace and penmanship.
Together, Gus and Sue believed education was the pathway to a better life and instilled values of integrity, service, and family that continue to inspire through their legacy. Their influence is reflected in the life and leadership of their son, Dr. George Bolon, whose decades of service to Winona State and the Winona community have made a lasting impact.
A respected educator, aviator, and community leader, Dr. Bolon began his journey in Portland, Ore., where he developed a love for flying as a young man and later served as a Captain in the U.S. Army with the North American Air Defense Command. After moving to Minnesota in 1968, Dr. Bolon earned advanced degrees in Chemistry, Student Personnel Administration, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education — a testament to his lifelong dedication to learning and service.
The dedication of The Gus and Sue Bolon Facilities Complex stands as a tribute to the values of hard work, perseverance, and service instilled in George and his brother, Dean, by their parents.
Event Details:
2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24
175 W. Mark St., Winona, MN 55987
Community members, alumni, and friends of Winona State University are invited to attend the dedication ceremony.
For more information, contact Nikki Herold, Director of Development, at 507-457-5087.
