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Founded in 1858 and located in the beautiful Upper Mississippi River Valley, Winona State University is built on a powerful sense of place and compassion for the human condition. The University offers distinctive graduate and undergraduate programs that reflect the special character of the communities it serves and that contribute to the quality of life in Minnesota and the region through thoughtful research, service, and unique collaborations with the community. Winona State University prepares leaders for success in the 21st century by fostering the ability to apply knowledge to find solutions to complex and ever-changing problems. Winona State University is a community of learners dedicated to improving our world.

HISTORICAL VIEW - 150 YEARS OF SERVICE
In 2008, Winona State University celebrates its sesquicentennial, marking 150 years of service to students, the community, and the world. The University was founded in 1858 when the first Minnesota State Legislature established normal schools “to prepare teachers for the common schools of the state.” The first tax-supported school west of the Mississippi River was established at Winona to train teachers for the new frontier. Citizens of Winona quickly showed their support with donations of more than $7,000 in money and land.

Classes began in 1860; however, the school closed for nearly three years during the Civil War. It reopened in November 1864 to continue its mission of preparing teachers for the new state of Minnesota. Construction of the school’s first building was approved and completed in 1866, and classes were held in College Hall by 1869.

Phelps Hall opened in 1909 with a kindergarten teaching lab, gymnasium, and library. The State Normal School became Winona Teachers College in 1921 and was authorized to grant the bachelor’s degree. In 1926, four students, two men and two women, graduated with the four-year teaching degree. From the 1920s until World War II, significant curriculum changes enhanced the academic quality of teacher education. New courses were added, and departments emerged to organize a growing institution. Intramural and extramural athletics, social organization, and co-curricular activities grew with the student population.

The boom following World War II saw rapid growth. In 1957, the institution became Winona State College; this new name reflected an expanded mission, which included the addition of Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science in Education, and Associate in Arts degrees. In 1975, the school became Winona State University.

Today, the University is structured into five colleges spread across three campuses in Winona and Rochester. It is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. The original Main campus and the West campus in Winona primarily serve traditional students; whereas the Rochester campus focuses primarily on non-traditional students, graduate programs, and the Institute for Lifelong Education.

WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY-ROCHESTER
Since 1917, Winona State University has served students in Rochester and the surrounding area. In 1993, the University entered into a partnership with Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) and the University of Minnesota to establish the University Center Rochester (UCR). Since its inception, over 5,000 bachelor’s and master’s students have graduated from UCR programs. Today, WSU-Rochester and RCTC offer degree programs from the associate through doctoral level.

On an annual basis, WSU-Rochester serves 2,000 students. Approximately 40 resident faculty and an additional 20 Winona campus faculty are dedicated to the Rochester campus each academic term. Because of the Rochester location, WSU-Rochester offers unique opportunities to collaborate with businesses, schools, and organizations in the area through specialized programs in computer science, health care, business, and education.

SESQUICENTENNIAL OBSERVANCE
In celebration of its sesquicentennial year, the University commissioned a special logo that captures the essence of the WSU journey. Elements of WSU’s sesquicentennial logo recall the powerful legacy associated with the University logo. These elements are integrated into a modern design that reinforces the University’s reputation as innovative and forward-looking.
The prominent flame echoes that of the University logo and represents the enduring “Light of Knowledge.” The flame also suggests light shining the way to future hope and promise. The words “150 years” remind us of the academic excellence forged by the University’s faculty, staff, and students over a century and a half. The line under the name and historical dates reflects the kettle from which the flame rises in the University logo. It suggests a strong foundation and conveys prominence to the words “Winona State University, 1858-2008.”

WSU CAMPUSES
Three campuses make up Winona State University: the original Main Campus in Winona, the West Campus in Winona, and Winona State University-Rochester.

Main Campus
The original Main Campus provides a serene, yet stimulating collegiate environment in the heart of the city of Winona. Tree-lined walkways, fountains, prominent sculpture, and benches invite students and visitors to a learning community in tune with the natural beauty of southeast Minnesota.

The Main Campus provides students ample facilities for educational activities that combine traditional charm with convenience and state-of-the-art technology. All academic buildings are extensively wired for computer access, and wireless Internet access is available throughout the campus. As a feature of the WSU Laptop Program, many classrooms offer data and power connections for each student.

In recent years, WSU has aggressively upgraded facilities and added new buildings specifically designed to support its academic initiatives. Recent enhancements include:
• Darrell W. Krueger Library: Designed to provide a wealth of information resources and services to the WSU community and beyond. The library holds more than 350,000 volumes and provides access to approximately 50,000 electronic periodicals and texts and over 1 million microfilm documents.
• Kryzsko Commons: Expanded and renovated to increase the space available for meeting rooms and to provide additional food venues. Kryzsko Commons is the Student Center; it houses dining facilities, lounge and recreation areas, offices for student organizations, and meeting rooms.
• Pasteur Hall: Extensively renovated to support teaching, learning, and discovery in the sciences; the renovation created state-of-the-art dry laboratory, classroom, and office space.
• Science Laboratory Center (SLC): Designed to create much needed, modern academic space. The SLC has 118,000 square feet of space devoted to laboratories, a multimedia-equipped auditorium, student study spaces, and a vast atrium where even the floor and massive rock wall promote learning opportunities.
• University Apartments at East Lake: Constructed as an apartment complex, East Lake consists of 100 apartments and is home to over 2,500 students. In addition to East Lake, the University complex includes nine residence halls.

West Campus
The West Campus is located about one mile from the Main Campus. West Campus is home to the Residential College, which is located in Lourdes Hall, Maria Hall, and the Tau Center. The Residential College offers a unique living and learning experience with a strong sense of community. Students can take classes, meet with professors, and enjoy cultural experiences on the West Campus while still actively participating in university life on the Main Campus.

Lourdes Hall includes residential, dining, and recreational space. The Tau Center offers 120 completely wired single rooms and conference space with picturesque views of the bluffs and a peaceful setting by Gilmore Creek.

Winona State University-Rochester
Housed with RCTC in a modern, integrated building on the University Center Rochester (UCR) campus, WSU-Rochester features modern classroom facilities and technology-enhanced classrooms. The campus includes a new state-of-the-art Health Sciences building, which has several “smart” rooms, clinical nursing laboratory areas, and high fidelity simulation. Sophisticated technology links WSU-Rochester students with the Winona campuses and the world.

WSU students have access to the Goddard Library, which houses 57,000 volumes, a computer lab, and a laptop rental center. The College Center includes a cafeteria and snack bar and lounge areas. The UCR also includes a recently constructed fitness and recreation center with indoor courts and a running track.

THE COMMUNITIES
Winona
The city of Winona (population 27,000) is nestled among the bluffs of the beautiful Hiawatha Valley on the banks of the Mississippi River–one of the most scenic areas in Minnesota. Once one of the Midwest’s wealthiest cities because of its location on the river, Winona enjoys a rich legacy of historic buildings and vintage homes. The Main Campus and the West Campus are located in the heart of the city, giving students convenient access to shopping, recreation, social activities, and community resources. Additional cultural opportunities are available in La Crosse, Wisconsin (30 miles away), Rochester (45 miles away), and Minneapolis-St. Paul (120 miles away).

In addition to WSU, the city of Winona is home to two other institutions of higher education: Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and Minnesota State College—Southeast Technical. WSU cooperates with these institutions, as well as institutions throughout the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and the University of Minnesota, to enrich the educational and cultural opportunities for students at all institutions by sharing their programs and resources.

Rochester
WSU-Rochester is located on the eastern edge of the city of Rochester, which is a cosmopolitan city of over 100,000 residents. Rochester is consistently branded as one of “America’s most livable cities.” It is home to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic and the largest IBM Corporation facility under one roof. The city offers extensive cultural, dining, shopping, recreational, and sports opportunities; it has the second largest airport in Minnesota.

In addition to WSU-Rochester, several other institutions offer programs in Rochester, including University of Minnesota—Rochester, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Augsburg College, and the Mayo School of Health Sciences.

Academic Mission and Goals
Winona State University is an exemplary arts and sciences institution with select professional and graduate programs anchored in a general education core. With an enrollment of approximately 8,200 undergraduate and graduate students, WSU is a mid-sized public university committed to small class sizes and challenging, rigorous academic standards.
Faculty and administration are involved with students, facilitate cooperative and active learning, and provide respect for diverse talents and ways of knowing. Faculty are dedicated to creating an optimal learning environment for students by using contemporary technology and by building learning communities, which help students maximize their post-graduation successes. Students acquire disciplinary expertise, enabling them to pursue careers or to enter graduate or professional schools. They learn the value of aesthetics and ethical integrity as well as the importance of becoming community leaders and furthering the public good.

Winona State University recognizes that many learning experiences occur outside the classroom. Therefore, the University is committed to building and maintaining a caring community. Community members strive for amicable relationships based on shared values and an affirmation of the principle of freedom of speech within an atmosphere of civility and mutual respect. Governed by collective bargaining agreements and guided by principled leadership, the University community respects diversity and collaborates to resolve issues that affect all. We celebrate our common successes and our distinctive heritage.

The University is committed to measuring results against self-defined and national standards. Through this ongoing assessment in which students, faculty, and staff participate, WSU will continuously improve and establish accountability for results. Thus, Winona State University reaffirms its social contract to provide educational benefits to the people of Minnesota, the nation, and the world.

Mission of Graduate Education
Consistent with the mission of Winona State University, the mission of Graduate Education is to:
• Provide lifelong educational opportunities.
• Support a diverse range of high quality graduate programs to reflect the strengths and expertise of the university, and that are responsive to the changing needs of people in the region.
• Promote quality graduate study that enhances undergraduate programs.
• Provide flexible delivery systems for high quality graduate programs.

Goals for Graduate Education
Consistent with the WSU Long-Range Plan, implementing the graduate education mission includes the following goals:
1. To sustain and enhance the quality of graduate studies at WSU.
2. To explore opportunities for all departments and disciplines to offer or contribute to graduate programs that fulfill the needs of the region.
3. To prepare students as leaders and specialists in their chosen profession.
4. To develop a sense of collaboration and collegiality among students and faculty through the process of graduate education.
5. To require participation in research and scholarly or creative activities in all graduate programs.

Expectations of Graduate Students
Advanced Study: Students who study at the graduate level will build on previous academic preparation by becoming involved in rigorous advanced study within the chosen discipline to levels beyond basic knowledge and comprehension. Graduate study will require that students analyze, synthesize, apply, and evaluate concepts learned.
Scholarly Research: Graduate students will be expected to distinguish themselves through professional reading research, and writing. Students will demonstrate the ability to responsibly manage information and data in a manner truthfully and intellectually acceptable to professional peers.

Professionalism: Graduate students will be expected to become involved in scholarly research designed to question and critically evaluate the beliefs and ethics of the chosen profession. Central to this development is involvement in professional and scholarly association, and meaningful intellectual discussions and collaboration with graduate faculty for successful integration of knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the profession.

People Skill Development: In the current era of human development, the ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively with professional peer in a multicultural/gender fair/disability sensitive environment is the blueprint for future personal, professional, community and national success. Students will be expected to demonstrate these behaviors throughout their graduate study.

ACCREDITATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
Winona State University is accredited by the following organizations:
• Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
• American Chemical Society (ACS)
• Commission for Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Council of Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
• Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Higher Learning Commission: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC)
• National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
• National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST)
• National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)

Winona State University is recognized by the following organizations:
• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI)
• Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
• National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)
• National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)

Winona State University programs are approved by:
• American Bar Association (Paralegal Program)
• Minnesota Board of Nursing (Entry Level Undergraduate Nursing)
• Minnesota Board of School Administrators
• Minnesota Board of Teaching

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Five distinct colleges comprise the University: College of Business, College of Education, College of Liberal Arts, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and the College of Science and Engineering. Through these colleges, Winona State University offers 64 undergraduate degree programs, 10 pre-professional programs, 18 Master’s (M.S.) degree programs, an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) degree, and several undergraduate and graduate licensure programs.

All programs are offered by highly qualified faculty in an environment committed to a passion for learning and student service. Approximately 400 faculty members dedicate themselves to delivering rigorous academic programs while maintaining “small school closeness.” Classes average 25 to 30 students; the student-faculty ratio is 21:1.

Outreach and Continuing Education
Somsen Hall, Room 109 (507)457-5080

WSU offers a wide range of learning experiences and opportunities through the Outreach and Continuing Education. These include non-credit and CEU activities; customized training, workshops and conferences; extension credit courses; classes available via distance learning technology; senior citizen registration; and the Adult Entry Program which features individualized advising, career counseling and credit for prior learning. Non-credit programs, credit courses and advising are located in numerous places throughout the WSU service area. Special programs may also be developed to meet the continuing education needs of specific agencies, schools, businesses and industries.

Last Modified: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 15:34 by Charmaine Gorak