In light of the national tragedy unfolding in Florida, we want to remind the campus community that there will be Response Training to an Active Shooter in Minne 103 this weekend. ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) Training provides preparation and a plan for individuals and organizations on how to more proactively handle the threat of an aggressive intruder or active shooter event. (Please note: There will be occasional small caliber blank gunshots during the training. The intent is not to scare […]

I recently had the opportunity to welcome Dr. Larry Lundblad, the new interim president at MSC Southeast, to the Winona community. Jim Johnson, MSC Southeast President Emeritus, and I penned this column to help introduce President Lundblad to our friends and neighbors in Winona.  — Scott R. Olson, President, Winona State University As longstanding partners in higher education, Minnesota State College Southeast and Winona State University work together to navigate the delicate balances of effective collaboration while promoting a common […]

I was challenged to take the “Black and White Photo Challenge” The rules are: Seven days, seven black and white photos of your life. No explanation. Challenge accepted!

Dear Colleagues, As we settle into the spring semester, and as we reflect on the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. toward building a more inclusive American society, let’s make one thing clear: All are welcome at Winona State University. Haitians and Haitian-Americans are welcome. Africans and African-Americans are welcome. Norwegian and Norwegian-Americans are welcome, too. All are welcome: the Dakota and Lakota whose land this is, the Ojibwe, the Hochunk, the Potawatame, and all the indigenous peoples of […]

Another year is ending, and another fall semester has come to a close, marked by Winona State Commencement exercises Dec. 8, where we honored the success stories of almost 500 new alumni and alumnae as they embarked upon their hopes and dreams. At its core, Winona State is an educational institution. Every day we learn new things and impart new wisdom, and I have objective evidence when I assert that we are really, really good at what we do. (Read […]

Season’s Greetings and Best Wishes for the New Year! The annual student-designed holiday card is a special tradition at Winona State University. Each year, our students demonstrate originality and talent as they share their perspectives on the WSU experience. Your 2017 WSU Holiday Card This year’s holiday card was created by WSU students Adelle Vietor ’18 and Dani Loomis ’18. The Graphic Design majors took inspiration from our campus and the surrounding Winona community, laying out a playful tapestry that […]

Once again President Scott Olson serves as guest DJ for the Winona State University campus radio station KQAL this fall. President Olson joins the team at KQAL each semester to host his official program, “Working on a Dream.” His playlist, below, features songs organized in a manner that allows them to speak to another song in an attempt to show with music and lyrics where Bruce Springsteen gets his ideas.  This curation of a musicological thesis explores how popular tunes evolve over […]

The phrase, “there’s light at the end of the tunnel,” is cliché and overused, but I hope you’ll allow me to employ it here, where it feels particularly relevant. After 20 years in the making, WSU’s pedestrian tunnels project is nearing completion, and I for one am excited about what this means for pedestrian safety in the City of Winona. Along the way, some concerns have been voiced in the community about this project, mainly about the cost of and […]

Summertime in Winona has too many outdoor adventure opportunities to list. That didn’t stop Wazoo! From hiking the bluffs to “sailing” the Mississippi to a very special picnic, we made the most of summertime in Winona. Just wait until winter break rolls around this year!

Today the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights released new interim guidelines on how to investigate and adjudicate allegations of campus sexual misconduct under federal law. As of now, it remains unclear what direct implications this announcement may have for our campus procedures and standards, but we are in consultation with General Counsel at the Minnesota State system office and will continue to monitor the situation closely. We remain committed to providing a positive, respectful learning environment and […]

Today the White House announced that it will terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This program, put in place during the Obama Administration, enables undocumented young people—sometimes called “Dreamers,” in reference to the American Dream—to stay in the United States and pursue higher education. Winona State University is committed to being an inclusive and welcoming community, and I have personally been part of a national lobbying effort encouraging the White House to continue the program, so I […]

As I begin my sixth year at Winona State University, I find myself reflecting on what has been done, and what remains to be done. I often feel like a conductor holding a baton in front of the most talented orchestra in the world: I have the honor to encourage some level of focus and pace, but the beautiful music is really the work of others. Our students, our faculty, our staff, our community partners, and our alumni and alumnae network—50,000-strong […]

Please see the message below from Chancellor Malhotra concerning the events in Charlottesville, Va. We share his concern, and extend it to the community in Bloomington, Minn., trying to take stock of the attack on the Mosque there. There is no place in an educational institution for such hatred, bigotry, or violence. At the very core of what we believe as a university is that education brings us as individuals and as a society toward enlightenment and improving our world, […]

10. Accidentally stumbled on Al Capone’s Vault. 9. Should have given the crew something better to dig with than Chartwell’s discarded spoons. 8. Vice President Scott Ellinghuysen insists on digging every inch himself. 7. Should have taken a left turn at Albuquerque. 6. Forgot to delete the Winona subway idea from the blueprints. 5. It takes a lot longer than you’d think to transport all the gold we found to WSU’s Swiss Bank. 4. Encounter with Charon on the River […]

After a long and challenging legislative session and a complex special session, our local legislators have ensured that public higher education in Winona remains well-supported. Senator Jeremy Miller and Representative Gene Pelowski both played critical roles in the bipartisan agreement that was ultimately signed by Governor Mark Dayton. As Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate, Sen. Miller helped craft the vision and strategy from that body for its Republican majority. As one of the most senior legislators in the House, […]

On Friday roughly 1,200 Winona State University students crossed the stage in McCown Gymnasium, shook hands with their Dean, moved their mortarboard tassels to the left, and joined the ranks of college graduates. At one point in the ceremony, I asked those who were the first in their families to graduate from college – what we call “First Gen Warriors” – to stand and be recognized. Even after 158 years of our history, half of the students stood, to raucous […]

University Mace contains water cannon in case the crowd gets unruly. To date, zero complaints that “there just weren’t enough speeches.” Presidential Medallion contains unknown material recovered from Area 51. Provost keeps a car running in the Gold Lot in case there’s trouble. Sharp-eyed audience members can spot the faculty grading furiously. Video stream of the ceremony won a Golden Globe in 1996. Diploma covers include an “academic frequent flyer” card: earn ten degrees from WSU and your eleventh degree […]

I’m writing to let you know that we are in the process of assessing the recent federal travel ban and its impact on Winona State University. At this time, we do not believe that any WSU students or employees are immediately affected by the ban, but many legal questions remain about the extent of the ban. We recommend that members of the university community do not plan travel to the seven affected countries within the next 90 days, during which […]

Today’s question (with apologies to Lin-Manuel Miranda):   “How does a state school, great jewel, born out of academic excellence, diversity, and service, dropped in the middle of a begotten spot on the Mississippi River, despite challenges deliver?”   Greetings, Warriors! 2016 (with Apologies to Roger Angell and Ian Frazier)   Greetings, Warriors!  Times are tough But we are made of sturdy stuff. It’s a challenge, to be truthful, But these students keep us youthful.   The world would be much […]

President Scott Olson returned once again to serve as guest DJ for the Winona State University campus radio station KQAL this fall with WSU’s First Lady Kelley Olson. Together Scott and Kelley discuss their recent concert experience at Desert Trip. You can listen to the full audio recording below. President Olson joins the team at KQAL each semester to host his official program, “Working on a Dream.” KQAL is the only full service, independent radio station in Winona serving the […]

UPDATED POST:  WSU Mourns the Passing of Chukwudi Benjamin “Ben” Onyeaghala Name: Chukwudi Benjamin “Ben” Onyeaghala Age: 19 Height: 5.7” Weight: 135lbs Missing: Friday 10/07/2016 Please contact Winona County Law Enforcement Center at 507.457.6492 with any information of Ben’s whereabouts. Chukwudi Benjamin “Ben” Onyeaghala, a WSU freshman from White Bear Lake, Minn., was reported missing Oct. 9. Ben was last seen on video at 9:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, walking eastbound on Mark Street near the WSU Library. An individual matching Ben’s description was seen […]

To the WSU Community, I know we all feel compelled to comment on recent events in Minnesota and our nation, but I feel that any words I try to muster in the face of such sadness and horror will be too paltry and too feeble to provide much comfort or meaning. So I am drawn to the words of our foreparents: words of those who founded this nation, words of those who built this University, and words we heard today. […]

To the WSU Community, On Sunday, June 12, a heinous act of terror was committed in Orlando, Florida. This type of violence and hate has no place in civilized society, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families and all those who are affected. I speak for the entire WSU community when I say that any bigotry or violence against the LGBTQ community is completely unacceptable. Our individual differences are what deepen our understanding of one […]

We were thrilled to host members of the Board of the Laird Norton Company and other members of the Laird and Norton families in Winona on May 5th to thank them for the gift of their historic corporate headquarters to Winona State University. The building – sometimes called the “UBC Building” or the “Lumber Exchange” by longtime Winonans – will henceforth be known as the Laird Norton Center for Art and Design and will house some of WSU’s art and design […]

Update Feb. 3, 2016: An inaccurate and misleading report about the conclusion of our external investigation was widely circulated today by the Associated Press, a report that has since been corrected by AP. As I shared with you yesterday, WSU hired an independent investigator this fall to complete an investigation into a complaint against a former employee within the athletic department. The independent investigator concluded that the university and athletic department acted appropriately in response to the complaint, and there was no […]

For the past few years, the Obama administration had been pursuing a national rating system for colleges and universities. The complexities of implementing such a system led them to abandon the effort, but some of the data that would have been used for constructing the system is now available online as the College Scorecard at collegescorecard.ed.gov. The rating system would have attempted to assess the “value added” by higher education — meaning is a student better off for having attended […]

Greetings, Warriors! Let’s bid adieu To 2015. Greet the new Year: reflect, cheer, and celebrate All those Warriors who make us great. Now that we have this winter snow Lift our spirits high, I-F-O! Bake some pies! Milk some heifers! Serve some treat to A-S-F-ers! Let fireworks fly! All stand agape At the wondrous work of those in MAPE! And should you even need to ask me About the excellence of AFSCME? Have a purple M&M, hey, In honor of […]

I don’t know when Washington Post columnist Kathleen Parker last visited a college campus, but her understanding of today’s college student is very different from mine. In her Nov. 26 column in the Daily News titled “Let’s not call college students crybabies,” she makes a number of claims that don’t correspond to the students I work with on a daily basis. Parker’s argument, in a nutshell, is this: college students these days are whiny and overly sensitive. One reason for […]

On Friday, I reached out to inform you of an incident that took place and to request your patience and understanding as we determine appropriate next steps. We are still piecing together information, but what has been brought to my attention thus far is as follows: A student group participated Friday in Transgender Day of Remembrance, an event that aims to honor the memory of victims of anti-transgender violence. A public exhibit at the campus gazebo included an American flag […]

It is with great sadness that I inform you that WSU President Emeritus Robert A. DuFresne passed away Nov. 17, 2015. Dr. DuFresne served as president of Winona State from 1967 to 1977. This was a period of great change for WSU. The campus nearly doubled in size, student enrollment grew significantly, and WSU earned full university status. Dr. DuFresne’s legacy was featured as part of WSU’s Living History Project in 2005. He is also the author of “Winona State […]

To the WSU Community, As we approach this time for giving thanks, I ask WSU students, faculty, and staff to be grateful and give thanks for the things we have received, but also to be reflective about ways we may have failed to extend to others the benefits we have received, and how we might do more to extend those benefits in the future. We want our campus to be inclusive and welcoming to all. We want to create an […]

To the WSU Community, The world is still reeling from the horrific attacks that took place in Paris yesterday evening, and our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who are affected. WSU does not currently have a study abroad program in Paris, but we are reaching out to all WSU students studying abroad in Europe to make sure they are accounted for and safe. We are also working with our international students here on campus to ensure they […]

Dear WSU Community, As I reflect on yesterday’s tragic shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Ore., I’m saddened not only by the loss of life, but by the violation of this fellow institution’s sense of safety and community. Our campuses are places for learning and sharing of knowledge, and when this type of senseless violence invades our borders and threatens our way of life, it’s an affront to all of us in the greater educational community. My commitment to […]

President Scott Olson and Student Senate President Josh Hanson served as guest DJs for the Winona State University campus radio station KQAL this fall. Olson joins the team at KQAL each semester to host his official program, “Working on a Dream.” The theme for fall semester is “Music and the Movie.” Olson’s set list explores a wide range of musical selections, from classics like “Twist and Shout” by the Beatles to contemporary hits like “Man on the Moon,” by REM. And of course, […]

Another semester is now well underway and we are reminded why Winona State University is such an extraordinary place. Part of the magic is the many great employees and volunteers of WSU who make this such a great place to grow and learn. But most miraculous of all are our students – the ones who fulfill our hopes and dreams while fulfilling their own hopes and dreams. Here are some images from the beginning of the semester that tell a […]

Dear WSU Community, As you may be aware from recent media reports, Winona State University is investigating a complaint related to the former men’s basketball coach, Mike Leaf. At Winona State, we strive to provide a high quality learning experience in a safe and healthy setting for each of our students. We have clear policies in place to promote the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff, and others in our community. The University is committed to enforcing […]

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Nepal over the weekend has caused significant loss of life and destruction. We have four students from Nepal currently on campus and more than 100 Nepalese alumni/ae across the world. To all those who are affected by this tragic event, please know that we are here to help you in any way that we can. To raise awareness, WSU student Sourab Bhatta will fast for 24 hours outside of Kryzsko Commons, starting Wednesday, April […]

Recently a painting from the Watkins collection went missing. A $1000 reward has been offered for its safe return. We’re asking for everyone’s help in restoring this historic artwork to its rightful place. 10. It takes up so much space on your wall that you had to take down your beloved poker-playing dogs poster. 9. Huge nautical scenes in your tiny apartment can cause bouts of seasickness and require you to load up on costly Dramamine. 8. New students who used […]

WSU is an engaged university, continuously addressing campus and community needs through education and through service. Annually our students contribute in excess of 200,000 volunteer hours, with almost 60 percent of WSU students volunteering their time and talents. Recently the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recognized WSU with the 2015 Community Engagement Classification. We are one of only 361 institutions selected to receive this honor. The alignment among campus mission, culture, leadership, resources, and practices reflects the emphasis […]

As we embark on a new year here at Winona State, I find myself thinking about community. This past fall, we made a decision to withdraw our request to locate our baseball field at East Lake Park, and this decision was made with the community in mind. I feel strongly that our future success is directly related to our relationship with our communities. I want to develop a vision for the future of our region, a vision that will emphasize […]

As spring semester unfolds, we look forward to a number of exciting changes to our physical spaces. Next month, WSU will become the site of the largest university climbing facility in the Midwest, with a new 5,200-square-foot modular climbing wall being erected in Wabasha Recreation Center. The climbing facility will be used for curricular and recreational purposes by our academic departments and our students. We will also partner with the City of Winona on community use and programming to make […]

To educate and mentor students effectively, we need to understand the realities of their lives. Cyber-bullying issues that arose last semester underscore that today’s student experience is not the same as it was in our college days, or even five years ago. Much of our students’ lives is now digital. Furthermore, emerging digital communication media used daily by our students provides the ability to publish instantaneously and anonymously – unfiltered – to anyone and everyone. This sets the stage for […]

We’ve all heard the phrase “connecting the dots,” and that is precisely the goal of the new Warriors Connect Tour. By bringing together WSU alumni and alumnae in metro areas across the country, we will reinvigorate our connection with them and their connections to their fellow grads. At each event we will share the latest campus news and offer alumni the opportunity to share thoughts regarding WSU. By engaging more closely with individual alums, we hope to learn how to […]

I am proud of how active our campus community members are at the legislature. Last year we convened representatives from campus groups to discuss their top goals prior to lobby visits during the bonding session. This enabled us not only to gain appreciation for the various interests of each group but also to discuss our shared goals. Then during legislative visits, each group was able to promote its own agenda as well as speak to the broader spectrum of WSU […]

Listen to President Olson’s 2015 Poem “Greetings, Friends!” Greetings, Friends! (With apologies to Roger Angell and Ian Frazier) Greetings, Friends, along the Mississippi; In country or city; square or hippy; You want to know what beauty is, sir? Pull Up a plan for a planet more purple! How could this place be the least bit humdrum When filled with boosters the color of plum? I can assure you you’re never more blissed Than festooned head-to-toe in pure amethyst. And as […]

After extensive consultation and discussion throughout the community, Winona State University has withdrawn its request to the City of Winona to make improvements to Bambenek Field 2. In approaching this decision, we wanted the consultation process to be broad and inclusive. We wanted to give the citizens of Winona ample opportunity to consider the proposal and provide feedback. The benefits to WSU were always clear, but we also believed strongly in the benefits to the community and hoped the idea […]

President Scott Olson returned once again to serve as guest DJ for the Winona State University campus radio station KQAL this fall. Olson joins the team at KQAL each semester to host his official program, “Working on a Dream.” The theme for fall semester is “Sustainable Futures,” to coincide with this year’s university theme. Olson’s set list explores this theme and includes a wide range of musical selections, from classics like “Heat Wave” by the Martha and the Vandellas to […]

As an institution dedicated to learning, it is vital that Winona State University have the courage to grapple with the big challenges facing the world today. We are a long way from West Africa, but what can Winona State do to assist with the Ebola crisis? Ferguson, Missouri, is a lot closer to Winona—in more ways than one—so what can we learn from their experience? What are we doing to ensure that our campus and our community are safe and […]

Winona State’s campus theme this year is “sustainable futures.” It’s tremendously gratifying to know that during these challenging times our future as a university is sustainable. While many higher education institutions stand on thin ice, WSU stands on terra firma: solid ground. We are the oldest MnSCU institution and the first normal school west of the Mississippi, and we have been blessed to come this far because sustainability is our nature. Thanks to some illumination from members of our wise […]

Our hopes and dreams are taking shape as we move forward in our strategic planning process. We have distilled the hundreds of ideas to develop six specific planning topics. Student Learning: organizing ideas for offering innovative and high-quality learning Student Success: giving every student the opportunity to succeed Stewardship of Place: caring for and learning from our people and environment in a sustainable way Inclusive Excellence: becoming a welcoming campus to all Relationships: creating an atmosphere that maintains civility and […]

Gender-based violence on college campuses has been in the national spotlight in recent months. Student safety has always been a high priority at WSU, and we have already initiated an integrated approach to prevention and intervention. WSU received a three-year, $300,000 grant from the Department of Justice to reduce gender-based and sexual violence on campus. Training and education is the primary focus in this first year. WSU security and residence life staff will receive training, and new entering students learned […]

Our communities in Rochester and Winona are fertile environments for education. We are stronger because we intertwine place and learning. Education Village.  Now that we have received the first funding installment from the State of Minnesota, we have selected the firm of Leo A. Daly to help us design the Education Village. We will establish a team to advise them as they outline our hopes and dreams for teacher education and develop planning documents to guide the construction. We are […]

Now in three flavors: Mac, PC, and Spearmint! Long, drawn-out Cabinet meetings with boring President now much easier to withstand thanks to Angry Birds. iPad Minis are so much more adorable than the 25-pound iPad Grandes. E-Warrior Tablets are easier to take than the tablets my doctor has prescribed. Tips for remembering your Star ID soon to be integrated into the general education curriculum. The Cloud has a purple lining. Scandalous photos of Wazoo can now be delivered directly to […]

As members of the greater educational community, we at Winona State University feel the impact of the tragic events that took place on May 23rd at the University of California Santa Barbara. I ask that you please keep the Santa Barbara community in your thoughts and prayers. The more we learned about this tragedy, the more it became clear that these horrifying killings were an act of Gender Based Violence (GBV). GBV is a concern on every college campus, and […]

Part One Part Two President Scott Olson returned once again to serve as guest DJ for the Winona State University campus radio station KQAL this spring. President Olson’s set list explores the theme of “Hope and Longing,” and includes a wide range of musical selections, from classics like “Blackbird” by the Beatles to contemporary hits like “Happy,” as performed by Kristen Chenoweth and the GLEE case. And of course, you’ll catch a few tunes from the president’s favorite, Bruce Springsteen. […]

1. Old 55 (Tom Waits) 2. Sing! Sing! Sing! (Benny Goodman) 3. I’m a Believer (Monkees) 4. As We Go Along (Monkees) 5. Hurry Up Sundown (Bruce Springsteen) 6. Leaving New York (REM) 7. People Have the Power (Patti Smith) 8. Wichita Lineman (Glen Campbell) 9. Heard it on the Grapevine (Marvin Gaye) 10. Where the Streets Have No Name (U2) 11. Trenchtown Rock (Bob Marley) 12. The House I Live In (“America To Me”) (Frank Sinatra) 13. My Little […]

When I was a kid growing up in Minnesota, there were three things most Minnesotans would have said defined our state and made us the best place to live. Most would have said our state’s beauty helped define us: the bluffs, the rivers, the lakes, the forests and so on. Most Minnesotans back when I was a kid would have said that the arts helped define Minnesota: beautiful music, tremendous theatre and world-class art museums. But the outdoors and the […]

Excitement is building as The Cal Fremling floating interpretive center & classroom project takes shape. An enthusiastic group of retirees, community members, faculty and staff are collaborating to develop programming and bring this special experiential learning platform to the region. It will be on the river by summer.

There’s been a lot of excitement about the offer of Board Early Separation Incentives (BESIs), and while the bargaining unit leadership has been supportive, there has also been some concern about why we are offering BESIs at this time. Is Winona State in immediate financial trouble? The short answer to that question is no, but we do have some budgetary challenges looking forward. The main reason we decided to offer a BESI now is that it will give us financial […]

We Minnesotans have always been proud of our education system. Our preeminence began right here in Winona with the first normal school west of the Mississippi, a teacher training institution that today we call Winona State University. The vision behind the Education Village is to restore Winona to national and international prominence in teacher education, and we know we have the outstanding faculty and staff to do that. What we need is a 21st century facility. So it’s encouraging that […]

We know that some of our students are not achieving their goals at WSU. In response, Student Life and Development (SLD) staff members have initiated two important pilot programs to shrink our achievement gaps. Utilizing grant funding, three orientation instructors created programming specifically for first-generation students. They have been identifying and supporting first-generation students through a new website, informational panel discussions, and a survival skills workshop offered just prior to finals. We are proud that 238 of the 400 students […]

Last summer a dedicated group of faculty met and reshaped our CAST (Child Advocacy Studies) mission by placing greater focus on helping students prevent, identify and intervene when abuse is evident. During fall semester, a CAST faculty member developed a new mandated reporting training module. Our students wonder how to handle abuse reporting; they want to be comfortable enough to speak up when they know something is not right. This month our new student teachers took the online training before […]

As we begin the New Year, I am reflecting on how we grow and change as a university. At times, it may feel to some that nothing changes. A closer look reveals there are many new beginnings underway through our planning efforts and the inspired work of groups and individuals. I am proud of the way that Winona State innovates; our committees give thoughtful attention to critical issues and our faculty constantly stretches to find the best ways to educate […]

We began the year by synthesizing thousands of hopes and dreams that were shared last spring into five simple planning priorities for WSU: people, programs, price, place, and pride. While I’ve asked particular committees and individuals to work on certain aspects of this, my hope is that the entire WSU community will remain hoping and dreaming and sharing their ideas. We are in this process for the long haul. Indeed, patience will be required, because shared governance will be our […]

(With apologies to Roger Angell and The New Yorker) Greetings, Warriors, near and far! Our flame’s become a winter star! It’s time to celebrate that fire that still illuminates desire so to improve our world, you see, while learning in community. So send out a great polemic for all Affairs Academic! Give a gift and take a chance, meant for the people in Advancement! Think about the awesome prudence of SLD serving students! And notice how the halls had been […]

Bangles Hazy Shade of Winter 2:47 Simon and Garfunkle Less Than Zero soundtrack Beatles Roll Over Beethoven 2:23 Chuck Berry U2/Green Day The Saints are Coming 3:21 Skids 1978 … Katrina … Rising Sun Johnny Cash  Hurt 3:36 Nine Inch Nails Bruce Springsteen Trapped 5:08 Jimmy Cliff   The Bird & The Bee Sara Smile 3:06 Hall & Oates Michael Jackson Morning Glow 3:36 Pippin   Patina Miller Simple Joys 2:32 Pippin Ben Vereen REM Love is All Around 3:02 […]

Today, the MnSCU Board of Trustees will review the final version of Charting the Future. Although our Hopes and Dreams process preceded and was quite different in approach from Charting the Future, some areas overlap. You may remember that our process led us to focus on five priorities: People, Programs, Price, Place, and Pride. Some of these themes overlap with Charting: Price, for example, corresponds with the Affordability theme evident in Charting the Future. When we have used the term […]

Over the last few weeks, we have had extensive conversations across campus and in the community about a draft document called “Charting the Future” that was developed in response to questions posed by MNSCU Chancellor Steven Rosenstone. It’s encouraging to see how engaged our faculty, staff, and students have been with the draft. In addition to three open forums, I visited the Student Senate and will visit the Faculty Senate to discuss the document, and there have been many other […]

Last year I asked Winona State University’s students, faculty and staff, alumni and alumnae, and members of the Winona community to share their hopes and dreams. We received about 2,500 different ideas – an overwhelming number that tells me that we all still strongly believe in the mission of Winona State. After poring over every hope and dream, a pattern emerged, and it was clear to me that our hopes and dreams are really about five different themes. These five […]

By now, you have probably heard about the expansion of the south end of Kryzsko Commons. This portion of the building, which includes Baldwin Lounge and the Bookstore, has remained the same since its construction in 1975, while our student enrollment has almost doubled. Our student needs have changed, and eight new student study and meeting rooms, along with expansion of the WSU Bookstore, will go a long way toward helping us meet those needs. Students have steered the project […]

In August we anxiously awaited the arrival of several students from Egypt. The turmoil in their country threatened to keep them from arriving for the first day of class. Thankfully, they all arrived safely and have settled into the academic year routine here at WSU. International students are special to us, so we are very pleased to welcome 169 new students this fall, representing 39 countries. These students are cultural ambassadors who teach the Winona State community and the people […]

In keeping with the focus on light from my opening address , expect a laser-like focus on our planning efforts this year. We have much to consider and accomplish. The end of September is our deadline for responding to the long-term strategies laid out in Charting the Future, MnSCU’s draft plan to ensure extraordinary education options for all Minnesotans. Our perspectives can shape and improve this plan, and we don’t want to miss this opportunity. At the same time, we […]

The affordability of higher education is central to our planning efforts. Often there is confusion between the cost of a university education and its price. The “cost” is the expense we must pay to provide students with courses and a suitable learning environment. “Price” is what a student must pay in tuition and fees to earn his/her degree. For many institutions of higher education, the price is rising because the costs are rising. The good news is that WSU per-student […]

Q: What is purple and dances the night away? A: A very special Gala to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Winona State University Foundation. Since the Foundation’s humble beginning in 1963, members of the Foundation Board have shared a “special conviction that academic excellence needs encouragement and financial support.” The foresight of these individuals has reaped untold benefits for thousands of students and the university. Numbers tell part of the story. In 1968 the Foundation had a total of […]

1 – If you drive the river road, be sure to top off your windshield washer fluid first. 2 – William Shakespeare was writing for our times. 3 – Ditto Ludwig van Beethoven. 4 – In Shakespeare’s play “Henry the Fifth,” King Henry inspires his troops with the line “We are but Warriors…” which was an amazing thing to hear while in the audience at the PAC at WSU. 5 – Winonans do not want to be inside for one […]

Another great year is set to begin at Winona State University. The 2013 Welcome Week program will kick off Monday, Aug. 19, with our annual Faculty and Staff Welcome. Please join me as we welcome new members to our community of learners and look forward to all that the new year will bring. View the full calendar of events on our Welcome Week website. As we embark on a new academic year, I’m inspired by all that this institution has […]

It’s been a full academic year since I came to Winona State. Kelley and I are settling in, gaining new insights on the culture and traditions of WSU, and the cities of Winona and Rochester. It is clearer than ever that this university thrives because it is an integral part of these communities. Students and learning are central to our mission, but WSU is for everyone who is involved in or inspired by what we do. We can never fully […]

WSU has taken an important step forward this year by building awareness of what it means to become an inclusive community. Every Winona State student should feel welcomed and supported and have full access to the excellence we offer. The Diversity Task Force hosted our first all-university Diversity Summit, at which more than 200 participants considered our student, employee and alumni experiences. The task force also created an online center  to provide up-to-date information on our progress. I am especially […]

We began the academic year knowing there would be a number of leadership transitions and ended the year with a few more. When looking for leaders in higher education, the first two qualities we seek are a passionate and enduring commitment to helping students realize their hopes and dreams, and integrity of the highest order. I believe if someone has these two dispositions, other pieces can be learned – heck, we are dedicated to learning! A number of other attributes […]

Higher education is famous for acronyms. Beginning next fall we are adding a couple more to our academic offerings, PSM (Professional Science Master’s – www.winona.edu/PSM) and HLA (Healthcare Leadership & Administration – www.winona.edu/HLA). These programs differ significantly, but they have some very important things in common – both are designed as pathways for working professionals and both are founded in areas of academic strength for WSU: composite engineering, sciences and health sciences. I know these programs will have an impact […]

My inauguration on April 19 was a celebration of all the good things we do at Winona State. Even though my list only reflects a lighter side, I was very moved by the tradition I became a part of that day. I am humbled to serve as the fifteenth president of this great university. 10. Your mom will really like it. 9. It’s a good idea to air out the doctoral robe between commencements. 8. The mace may come in […]

Bangles Hazy Shade of Winter 2:47 Simon and Garfunkle Less Than Zero soundtrack Beatles Roll Over Beethoven 2:23 Chuck Berry U2/Green Day The Saints are Coming 3:21 Skids 1978 … Katrina … Rising Sun Johnny Cash  Hurt 3:36 Nine Inch Nails Bruce Springsteen Trapped 5:08 Jimmy Cliff   The Bird & The Bee Sara Smile 3:06 Hall & Oates Michael Jackson Morning Glow 3:36 Pippin   Patina Miller Simple Joys 2:32 Pippin Ben Vereen REM Love is All Around 3:02 […]

Excerpted from Inaugural address. We don’t know yet where our thousands of hopes and dreams might lead us. We’re still immersed in those conversations. But based on what I have heard you all saying, reading thousands of the cards you wrote and online suggestions you made, I see certain watermarks emerging. So, based on those conversations, here are some of my hopes and dreams. 1. Together. First, as to how our future shall be envisioned. We will do this, in […]

Excerpted from Inaugural address This is what the “Winona Way” looks like to me: • Winona cherishes Independence – we don’t follow fads, and we prefer to be the leader; • Winona cherishes Excellence – we expect the highest quality; • Winona cherishes this Place – we believe community partnerships are a way of life; • Winona cherishes Beauty – we believe our town, our bluffs, and our river are unrivalled; • Winona cherishes Innovation – we believe that everyone […]

The size of each word is a measure of its frequency in your responses. It says a lot about us. Students are foremost on our mind, followed by the community, the campus, our WSU identity, the faculty, and research. Our scale of thinking spans the local (Winona and Rochester) and the global (World). Other notable inclusions are words like campus, education, community, programs, and support, among others. It suggests to me something like this: Students are our top priority. We […]

Last week students and families were notified of inappropriate conduct by a former dean that occurred on campus. Winona State University has policies in place to promote the safety and well-being of our students and others in our learning community. If you or someone you know has noticed or experienced inappropriate conduct we encourage you to report the behavior to the University’s Affirmative Action Officer. We are profoundly saddened by this breach of trust. We will take the steps necessary […]

In recent weeks I have solicited and received more than 1,000 different hopes and dreams for the future of Winona State University, ranging from large scale to small, and encompassing nearly every aspect of WSU, including our students, our campus climate, our facilities, our technology, our outreach to the community, our partnerships with business and industry, and our image. These hopes and dreams make several things clear: folks remain deeply passionate about WSU, wholly committed to its future, and dedicated […]

One way to build a better future is to find ways to improve what we are doing now. That’s how the Math Achievement Center was built. Knowing students succeed when they feel confident and positive about their math skills, faculty from the math department sought a better way to build foundational math skills. By integrating mathematic computer technology, members of the faculty can spend more time interacting with students who work in small groups to solve problems. The Math Achievement […]

Most of you know that Winona State University was founded as a normal school, a place to train teachers on the American frontier. What you may not know is that from the very beginning we were recognized globally as innovators in teacher education, and that the “Winona Model” was influencing how teachers were prepared around the world back in the 1870s. In the years since, we’ve continued our proud tradition of teacher education and our College of Education remains a […]

I never dreamed that at this point in my life I would live in a residence hall. I had some special experiences as a resident of Lourdes Hall on our west campus during fall semester, and I learned a lot about Winona State and our students, including: Winona State is more distinctive than I knew. College students make good neighbors. We can live more simply if we want to. Alarms on the outside doors are activated in the evenings and […]

By now many of you have heard that the National Child Protection Training Center (NCPTC) has formed a strategic affiliation with Gundersen Lutheran Health System based in La Crosse, Wis. This new affiliation will provide the NCPTC with steady financial support to accomplish its mission of eliminating child abuse in three generations. This is a win-win scenario for NCPTC and WSU. We will continue our close connection to the center because the headquarters will still be located on the WSU […]

I am proud of the recent competitive accomplishments of our Warrior athletes. The Warriors football team won the Mineral Water Bowl in early December and two of our cross country women Warriors earned All-American status at the national championship. Student athletes schedule their days to include class, study time and practice, plus travel frequently for games – but they also make time for community service. This year athletics launched a new mentoring program, the Junior Warrior Club. Children ages K-6 […]

As members of the greater educational community, we at Winona State feel the impact of the tragic events that took place Dec. 14 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. Education is at the heart of our mission. Among us are employees, students and alumni who work in schools and teach in classrooms each day. I encourage you to turn to each other for support and to keep those who are grieving in your thoughts.

I hosted the evening show on our campus radio station on Dec. 11. It was fun. Here’s my playlist. 1. Land of Hope and Dreams – Bruce Springsteen 2. Somewhere – Tom Waits 3. Sam Cooke – Wonderful World 4. Dancing in the Dark – Bruce Springsteen 5. Bad Day – REM 6. Dirt in the Ground – Tom Waits 7. Thunder Road – Bruce Springsteen 8. Raspberry Beret – Hindu Love Gods cover of the Prince song 9. Baby […]

Dear alumni and friends of Winona State University, In recent weeks I’ve been seeking ideas from people who care about Winona State, people who want to see WSU thrive and grow. I am keenly interested in your thoughts because you know WSU in a special way. Winona State University delivers the finest residential public education in Minnesota. Our university is strong; our future can be whatever we want it to be. Because we are strong we are empowered to have […]

You are valued partners of Winona State University, so I want to share with you some personal insights about campus during my first two months here. I plan to share my personal views about what’s going on at WSU from time to time. I look forward to getting to know each of you better and collaborating with you to provide the best education possible for our students. We have some very good news again this fall: despite a smaller number […]

Fall semester is one of my favorite times of the academic year.  We have the honor of welcoming our students back to the campus and community, and the excitement and intellectual vitality they contribute is palpable.  It is the highest marker of our abiding quality that we have a full house once again. We congratulate the entire university on achieving reaccreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.  Having served as an HLC peer reviewer, I know just how arduous the process […]

As you know, Winona State is distinguished in part by its innovative use of learning technology.  In our efforts to develop robust learning environments, WSU is launching a pilot project this year.  Nearly 150 students will work with five members of the faculty using tablet computers in conjunction with their laptops to enhance further learning opportunities unconfined by the walls of the classroom.  For example, students taking Professor Toby Dogwiler’s course on watershed science will use waterproof iPads to collect […]

We are especially proud at WSU of our connections in the community.  Students have created a new club this year and are partnering with the regional Project Get Outdoors (“Project GO”) headquartered in Whitewater State Park.  Project GO was founded to assist Minnesota communities in connecting children to nature through exploration and outdoor learning.  Our students will organize activities that engage at-risk children in the Winona area with nature in their own neighborhood.  This is another great example of how […]

We do such a great job fulfilling our mission because of all those who came before us.  Our reach extends so far because we stand on the shoulders of giants.  On September 14 we had the opportunity to recognize two such giants.  Melvin and Lois Kirkland graduated more than fifty years ago.  They spent most of their lives as educators in the Seattle public schools before retiring to Hawai’i.  Through their $1.25 million estate they established the Melvin L. and […]

My address to the campus during Welcome Week included a poem encouraging everyone to recognize they have an important role in shaping WSU. You’re all part of the river … All the professors are part of the flow, Service faculty, with all that you know, Student Affairs, Advancement, and Res Life, (I live in Lourdes Hall with Kelley, my wife) Office assistants and student workers In ITS there sure are no shirkers. GMWs, Facilities crew, What do you know?  Administrators […]

In my Welcome Week address to campus I reflected on ways to develop shared purpose within the WSU community. This has two meanings: The community within: those of us who study and work at Winona State. The community without: those whom we serve in the community and across the state through partnerships, service learning, volunteerism, and so on. Let’s talk about the Community Within.  We need to seek a common understanding of our purpose and direction.  This will help us […]