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The Library is being named in honor of retiring university President Darrell Krueger in accordance with the wishes of a couple who has given a $1 million gift to the Winona State University Foundation.

In addition to comments from Governor Pawlenty, the dedication ceremony includes brief presentations from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Chancellor James H. McCormick, State Representative Gene Pelowski, State Senator Robert Kierlin, Winona community leaders, and WSU faculty and staff leaders.

The event features the unveiling of a sign featuring the new name outside the Library, and a portrait of Dr. Krueger and his wife, Nancy, inside the building.

The program includes prelude music from the WSU Symphonic Wind Ensemble, a selection performed by the WSU Concert Choir, and a reading of a new, original poem titled "Legacy" by Emilio DeGrazia, author and WSU professor emeritus. The celebration is open to the public and includes a picnic lunch in the campus courtyard following the program and music by The WSU Dixie Midnight Runners.

Announcing the planned building naming event, MnSCU Chancellor McCormick said, “Darrell Krueger has been an excellent leader in higher education, not just in this state, but across the nation. His years of service to Winona State University, to the Winona and Rochester communities, to the state of Minnesota and to higher education in general will be felt for decades to come.”

The donors, who wished to remain anonymous, believe such an honor is appropriate because of the vision and leadership Krueger brought to Winona State University and to the state during his tenure. Krueger retires on June 30 after serving for 16 years.

In making their request, the couple cited Krueger's vision in transforming Winona State University into one of the nation's premier public institutions with service to society as a central focus. In addition, the couple cited the tremendous changes that have occurred at Winona State University over the past 16 years including the building of the library and a new science laboratory center, as well as an almost complete facelift of the university grounds.

The culture of an institution that offers quality education for students while providing a public good to the region, state and nation is embodied in Winona State University's mission statement – developed under Krueger's leadership – identifying the university as “a community of learners dedicated to improving our world.”

The $1 million gift is being applied to the library's acquisition endowment to help maintain the integrity of the library by ensuring that its holdings represent the best of academic literature and research.

Krueger came to Winona State University in 1989 and immediately began working with faculty, staff, students and state officials to improve the campus grounds and to secure state approval for a new library. The Minnesota Legislature approved funds for the building in 1994. Construction began in 1997, and the 108,000-square-foot building was dedicated in September 1999.

“I'm truly humbled and honored by this gesture,” Krueger said. “I'd like to share the day and this great honor with everyone who has had a hand in making Winona State University the exceptional place it has become. We could not have accomplished all we have without the cooperation and dedication of the faculty, staff, students, alumni and community leaders.”

Winona State University was founded in 1858 as the first public teacher training institution west of the Mississippi River. Over the decades, WSU has evolved into a nationally-recognized public institution known especially as a laptop university and as one of America's 100 Best College Buys.

Last Modified: Friday, April 22, 2005 17:13 by Grier Thomas