Why give to Winona State University?

Winona State University's mission is "to educate and enlighten our citizenry at a distinctive institution: a community of learners dedicated to improving our world." Private contributions play a key role in the University's ability to do just that. While WSU is state assisted, it has never been fully funded by the state. In fact, all the way back in 1858 when a legislative board agreed to establish the first normal school in Winona, the community's citizens reacted quickly to support the school and donated more than $7,000 in money and land to ensure the school's success. That tradition of giving continues today.

During the past fiscal year, alumni, parents, friends, and businesses contributed millions of dollars to support a variety of initiatives that would otherwise receive no funding or go under funded. These initiatives include an aggressive scholarship program to assist in the recruitment of academically talented high school students; the ability to fund visiting lecturers, artists, and performers that enhance classroom learning; the flexibility to fund special, one-time projects such as faculty/student research and conferences; and so much more. Indeed, private contributions are the piece of the puzzle that allows WSU the freedom to be ranked among the best educational values in the United States.

All contributions build upon the limited base funding provided by the state and tuition dollars and go directly to enhancing the University's learning environment by providing resources to programs or projects beyond what state and tuition dollars provide. Private contributions do not replace the funding received from the state, but provide the University with the flexibility to react quickly to an ever-changing educational environment.