Greetings from Winona State University at the start of an exciting new academic year!  Take a moment to think back to your days as a WSU student and the relationships established then . . . perhaps some of the most remarkable relationships of your life.  Now imagine for a moment the opportunity to reconnect with those people and the University, while creating similar relationships with alumni in your area.

WSU Alumni Relations is working to provide a framework to help make those moments of reconnection really happen by establishing regional Alumni Chapters in Chicago, Rochester, the Twin Cities, and Winona.  Also, the Association of Former Student Senate Presidents has been formed to help past student leaders find ways to maintain their relationship with WSU.  Each Chapter will host two social events and one community service project per year.  The idea is to connect and stay connected with other alumni and friends of the University and to have a good time.  If you would like further information and are interested in helping to develop the regional Chapter in your area, call 1-800- DIAL-WSU ext. 5027.

During the past few months, I have been working with a number of outstanding alumni leaders to create a vision for each Chapter.   Our goal is to build a network of alumni groups that establish their own annual events and develop traditions that are as fun and remarkable as the relationships they foster.   In April, the Association of Former Student Senate Presidents came together in Winona to develop the scope and parameters for their group.  Everyone that attended brought a unique perspective to the mix and yet the loyalty and affection they held for Winona State bound them together. 

Along these very lines, the Winona Area Alumni Chapter held its inaugural event in conjunction with the City of Winona’s Steamboat Days celebration in June.  Nearly 200 people gathered at the festival tent and enjoyed food, fun, conversation and memories.  In July The Twin Cities chapter withstood some of the hottest weather in recent memory as more than a hundred loyal alumni and friends gathered for the St. Paul Saints baseball and tailgating event.  Both the Winona and Twin Cities events were so well received that they will be repeated annually.  Plans are also underway for chapter events in Rochester and Chicago in the near future. 

As a bit of an aside, the Winona celebration was followed two days later by the Steamboat Days parade.  Our new president, Dr. Judith Ramaley, in a display of Purple Pride donned a “splendid” purple straw hat and took her place on the Winona State University float.   Traveling the parade route, handing out our signature purple Mardi gars beads and candy to what seemed like most of the Winona community, I asked her if she realized that she had just taken up residence in what felt like "Mayberry, USA."  She agreed that this community and its celebration were a wonderful bit of Americana and that she was pleased to be a part of it.  I can’t wait for you to meet her at future Alumni events.  She’s a people person who will put you instantly at ease. 

What an exciting time this is in the history of Winona State University!  We have the opportunity to build new traditions and develop programming that will provide the memories of this community’s future.  We invite you to be a part of it!

Last Modified: Friday, November 04, 2005 10:03 by Rhone Richard