From the Alumni Director

As I write this, I am sitting in the living room of my parents' home in Chicago.  My brother (also a WSU alumnus) and his wife have come home from Louisiana to introduce the newest member of our family, my baby nephew Gabriel. Throughout the weekend, each of my siblings, their spouses, and nine of my parents' grandchildren have spent time in this house.  Bustling with activity, this gathering has reminded me of the dynamic that plays out whenever people with shared history come together.

My maternal grandmother raised 14 children; my paternal grandmother raised eight, all boys!  I have enough aunts, uncles, and cousins to populate a small town!  Family gatherings have always provided important opportunities for us to reconnect and share our common bond with one another.

It struck me at a recent WSU alumni event, that the bond we share as alumni of Winona State University are much like the bonds shared by family.  We are almost 50,000 members strong, and we live all across the world.  And yet, we “grew up” at WSU, and our shared history comes alive when we get together.

This past fall, during Homecoming weekend, we held a reunion for the 50th anniversary class.  I'm sure that many of the individuals that attended the event hadn't seen one another in years.  Surely they must have wondered if they would have much in common after so much time. 

As the evening unfolded I asked if anyone had a memorable experience from their time at Winona State to share with the group.  I offered my favorite Henry Hull story to start things off; Professor Hull was the person responsible for bringing Minnesota History to life for me.  One person talked about meeting the love of his life in Winona. Ah, Winona sweethearts . . . the University is responsible for many happy relationships.  Another alumna stood up and shared her memories of Mrs. G., she was the much loved house mom for Morey Hall during the 1950s.  She is credited with imparting her homespun wisdom and for personally teaching the young women in her charge to be “ladies”. Reminding them, in a way only she could, “don't let those Saint Teresa girls show you up.”

As these stories were told an electricity filled the air, people began talking across the table with one another, then across the room, one story sparked another and then another.  Soon the room was filled with laughter and the sound of excited interaction.  This gathering of old friends was enjoying their homecoming; they were home and enjoying the telling of their shared history. 

It was a privilege for me to participate in the event.  My words seem inadequate to describe the excitement and genuine sense of community that play out that evening.  Homecoming weekend provides a myriad of opportunities for alumni to experience this kind of exchange and excitement.  I extend to you my personal invitation to come home to Winona, to reconnect with our shared history and to created precious new memories of this remarkable place we call our alma mater.

Come Home!
Homecoming 2006 is scheduled for October 5-6-7, 2006.

Kim Dehlin Zeiher
Director of Alumni Relations

Class of '61 Establishes Scholarship

On its 40th anniversary, the Class of 1961 initiated a fundraising drive to commemorate their educational experience at Winona State and the terrific careers they subsequently enjoyed. They designated the funds for scholarships to demonstrate their care for current WSU students.

After a quick start, the drive slowed due to the stock market decline. Committee members re-energized the drive after a visit to campus, and now the group has reached its goal of $20,000, with 49 Class of 1961 members making a gift. The first scholarship will be awarded to a deserving sophomore this year.

Thank you to everyone who made a gift.

Ken Landro, Committee Chair

Last Modified: Wednesday, June 21, 2006 9:37 by Brooke Sherer