For 50 years, Amanda Aarestad dedicated her life to public education; 35 of those years were spent teaching and mentoring Winona State University students. After receiving a bachelor's degree from Moorhead State College, Amanda began her teaching career in rural schools in Norman County, Minnesota, near her home in Halstad. Amanda's career in teaching lead her to many different communities, including Lamberton, Minn., Fargo, N.D., and Minneapolis.

After earning her master's degree from the University of Minnesota, Amanda joined the faculty of Winona State College in 1940. Amanda's life-long friend, fellow parishioner and WSU faculty co-worker, Verlie Sather, said Amanda had a passion for teaching.

"She was very thorough, very inspirational and expected a lot of her students because she wanted them to do the best they could," said Verlie. "She liked to be original."

For her first ten years as a faculty member at WSU, Amanda taught the fifth grade and supervised student teachers in the Phelps Laboratory School. In 1950, she began teaching college classes full-time in the Winona State Elementary Education Department. But it was in the 1961-62 academic year when Amanda made one of her many lasting impacts on WSU's education department. She launched an exchange program which continued for 26 years.

"Dr. Nels Minné was the president of the university during part of her tenure at Winona State," said Verlie. "Together they instituted an exchange program for students between Winona State and the Laereskole Teachers Training College in Oslo, Norway."

Amanda was one of the WSU professors who was able to travel abroad and teach the Norwegian students.

"Amanda was the first exchange professor to teach at the Oslo College," said Verlie, "and I taught some of the first Norwegian students at Winona State."

Amanda retired from Winona State University in 1975. She was awarded the distinction of Professor Emertus upon her retirement. But Amanda's love of education didn't stop when she retired. In 1989, she started the Amanda Aarestad Scholarship Fund for education students. She continues to contribute toward the fund.

Linda Wood, retired director of major gifts and planned giving, said Amanda loves Winona State, and education is her life.

"She loved teaching and she loved her students," said Linda. "It's only fitting that Amanda set-up scholarships for students because her commitment to education runs deep."

The first scholarship was given in 1992. Since then, 17 students have been awarded the Amanda Aarestad Scholarship; a gift Amanda is proud to give students who are studying to shape and mold the children of the future.

Last Modified: Friday, October 06, 2006 11:18 by Rhone Richard