Winona State University
Public university in Winona, Minnesota, US
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Winona State University is a public university in Winona, Minnesota, United States. It was founded as First State Normal School of Minnesota in 1858 and is the oldest member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. It was the first normal school west of the Mississippi River.[5]
Winona Normal School (1873–1905)
Winona State Normal School (1905-1921)
Winona State Teachers' College (1921–1957)
Winona State College (1957–1975)
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Former names | First State Normal School of Minnesota (1858–1873) Winona Normal School (1873–1905) Winona State Normal School (1905-1921) Winona State Teachers' College (1921–1957) Winona State College (1957–1975) |
|---|---|
| Motto | A Community of Learners Improving Our World |
| Type | Public university |
| Established | 1858 |
| Endowment | $62.4 million (2023)[1] |
| Budget | $159 million (2019)[2] |
| President | Kenneth Janz[3] |
| Students | 6,165[4] |
| Location | , Minnesota , United States |
| Campus | |
| Colors | Purple and White |
| Nickname | Warriors |
Sporting affiliations | NCAA Division II – NSIC |
| Mascot | Wazoo |
| Website | https://www.winona.edu/ |
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The university offers more than 80 programs on its main campus as well as collegiate programs on satellite campuses at Winona State University-Rochester. Its average annual enrollment is approximately 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Its sports teams compete as the Winona State Warriors in the NCAA Division II athletics in 14 sports, primarily in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
History
Winona State University was founded as the First State Normal School of Minnesota, an institution specifically for educating and producing new elementary school teachers. In the 1850s, Minnesota was on the American frontier and lacked trained teachers. Winona settler John Ford lobbied the Minnesota Legislature to establish normal schools and rallied more than $5,000 in local donations to establish the state's first such institution.[6] It was also the first tax-funded school west of the Mississippi River.[7] On July 17, 1858, James Peckham introduced the bill to create the school. It passed the Minnesota House of Representatives on July 27, 45-4, and the Minnesota Senate unanimously on July 30. Governor Henry Hastings Sibley signed it into law on August 2. On November 9, 1859, the first school officials met and began work.[8]
Classes at Winona Normal School began on September 3, 1860, but the next year most of the male students as well as the principal and other staff left to serve in the American Civil War. The school closed in March 1862 due to the war, then for another two years due to the Sioux War of 1862.[9] Its first class graduated in 1866. The program soon added a laboratory school in which local children received education from faculty while students observed or, occasionally, led lessons themselves. The normal school quickly outgrew its original four-room building, but state funding and local donations of money and land led to the construction of a proper facility in 1869.[6]
The campus expanded with two new wings on "Old Main" in 1894, a library/gymnasium/kindergarten building—Ogden Hall—in 1909, and a women's dormitory—Morey Hall—in 1910. In 1915 a new building was constructed to house the laboratory school, and a second women's dormitory—Shepard Hall—appeared in 1920.[6]
Winona State Normal School became Winona Teachers College in 1921 and was authorized to grant a four-year Bachelor of Education degree.[7] In December 1922 a fire broke out in Old Main and completely destroyed it. No one was harmed, as it was during a term break. Local public buildings and churches offered space for classes and administrative business until a new main building, College Hall, was constructed in 1924.[6]
The 1915 Model School Building, now Phelps Hall, and the 1924 College Hall, renamed Somsen Hall in 1937,[10] were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013 for having local significance in education.[11] They were nominated as examples of the normal school movement, which helped shape public education in Minnesota. Winona Normal School was Minnesota's first teacher training school and first laboratory school, and operated from 1860 to 1971.[6]
The student newspaper has been called The Winonan since 1922.[12]
Name changes
- First State Normal School of Minnesota (1858)
- Winona Normal School (1873)
- Winona State Normal School (1905)
- Winona State Teachers' College (1921)
- Winona State College (1957)
- Winona State University (1975)
List of university presidents
The head of the university was called the "principal" until 1879. Retroactively, they are called presidents.
| No. | Image | President | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | John Ogden | 1860-1861 | Resigned to fight in the American Civil War, namesake of Ogden Hall (destroyed in a fire) |
| (position vacant) | 1861-1864 | Resident Director David Burt and Winona High School principal V. J. Walker are temporarily in charge. John G. McLynn is elected principal, but resigns before the school year begins.[8] | ||
| 2 |  | William F. Phelps | 1864-1876 | Namesake of Phelps Hall |
| 3 |  | Charles A. Morey | 1876-1879 | Namesake of Morey Hall |
| 4 |  | Irwin Shepard | 1879-1898 | Namesake of Shepard Hall |
| 5 |  | Jesse Fonda Millspaugh | 1898-1904 | Frank A. Weld was initially elected, but declined, resulting in a three-month vacancy in 1898 until Millspaugh was elected.[8] |
| 6 |  | Guy E. Maxwell | 1904-1939 | Namesake of Maxwell Hall and Maxwell Field, died in office |
| 7 | Oscar Myking Mehus | 1939-1944 | Fired by the state government, allegedly for political reasons[13] | |
| 8 | Nels Minne | 1944-1967 | Namesake of Minne Hall | |
| 9 | Robert DuFresne | 1967-1977 | Namesake of the DuFresne Performing Arts Center | |
| 10 | Robert Hanson | 1977-1983 | ||
| 11 | Thomas Stark | 1983-1988 | Namesake of Stark Hall | |
| 12 | John "Jack" G. Kane (interim) | 1988-1989 | Namesake of the Jack Kane Dining Hall | |
| 13 | Darrell W. Krueger | 1989-2005 | Namesake of the Krueger Library | |
| 14 | Judith A. Ramaley | 2005-2012 | ||
| 15 | Scott Olson | 2012-2023 | Resigned to become Chancellor of Minnstate | |
| 16 |  | Kenneth Janz | 2024- | Served as interim president between August 2023 and March 2024 |
Academics
| Academic rankings | |
|---|---|
| Master's | |
| Washington Monthly[14] | 294 |
| Regional | |
| U.S. News & World Report[15] | 71 |
| National | |
| Forbes[16] | RNP |
Winona State University offers 65 undergraduate programs and 12 graduate programs. It was one of the earliest universities in the country [when?] to offer a "Laptop University" program, now known as the e-Warrior Digital Life and Learning Program. In this program, each student, upon acceptance, is required to lease their choice of either an Apple Macintosh or Microsoft Windows-based laptop from the university.[17] In 2013 Winona State University became the first public university in the Midwest to offer a tablet and a laptop to all students.[18] The program's purpose is to increase the bond between education and technology.
Each Winona State University student pays 43 cents per credit to fund the Minnesota State University Student Association, a student-led nonprofit that advocates on behalf of all Minnesota state university students.
International education
The International Services Office is the initial contact for all international students. Winona State University provides scholarship opportunities for International Students.
Winona State University has established many sister school relations with colleges and universities around the world, including Tamkang University in Taiwan, Hebei University of Technology in Mainland China, Akita University, Tokyo International University, Toyo University in Japan, Soonchunhyang University, Chung-Ang University in South Korea, and universities in Malaysia, Mexico, Spain, Egypt, Hong Kong, Australia, etc.
Winona State facilities
| Race and ethnicity | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 82% | ||
| Hispanic | 5% | ||
| Two or more races | 4% | ||
| Asian | 3% | ||
| Black | 3% | ||
| International student | 2% | ||
| Unknown | 1% | ||
| Economic diversity | |||
| Low-income[a] | 25% | ||
| Affluent[b] | 75% | ||
Housing
Winona State University hosts on-campus living communities in multiple buildings on its main Winona campus (https://www.winona.edu/student-life/housing-dining/). Three buildings (Lourdes Hall, Tau Center, and Maria Hall) previously formed a West Campus, which was used for on-campus living until 2021.
Kirkland Hall and Haake Hall
Originally named New Hall East and New Center West, Kirkland Hall/Haake Hall opened in 2010 and consists of two adjacent buildings that are mirror images of each other.[20] The coed complex has 106 units, each single-gendered.
Prentiss-Lucas Hall
Prentiss-Lucas Hall (commonly called P-L[21]) is one of the six freshmen residence halls. Its two sides are mirror-image duplicates of each other (Prentiss is co-ed, and Lucas women's),[21] linked by a common lobby and lower level. This hall closed down after the spring semester of 2019, but reopened in fall 2020 to accommodate single-occupancy room housing in response to COVID-19.
Lucas Hall is named after Ruth Lucas, who donated her house to the university in 1938. In 1944, Ruth's brother Ward Lucas donated his house, which was named after their father, S. L. Prentiss. Neither original house is still owned by the university. They were replaced by the modern Prentiss-Lucas Hall, built in 1964-1965 to house an influx of new students attending due to the GI Bill.[22]
The Quad
The Quad has four residence halls that form a square: Conway, Richards, Morey, and Shepard. The halls making up the Quad contain multiple lounges and house over 500 students.[23]
Conway Hall is a four-story building that has one female floor, one male floor, and two gender-inclusive floors.[24] It is named after Helen Conway, an alumna who served on the Minnstate Board of Trustees.[22]
Morey and Shepard Halls are connected in an "L" shape. Morey-Shepard consists of men and women divided by floor. They are named after university presidents Charles A. Morey and Irwin Shepard.[22] Morey Hall is the oldest housing on campus, completed in 1911.[20]
Richards Hall is a four-story residence hall. It is also co-ed; the first and third floor, excluding the Richards Annex, house men, and the second and fourth women. It is named for Florence L. Richards, dean of women at the university and a member of the English department from 1912 to 1943.[22]
Sheehan Hall
Sheehan Hall was completed for Winona State College as a 14-story women-only hall in 1969.[25] It is now co-ed, and houses most freshmen.[26] The second through 13th floors are residential and the first is a lobby and social area with a full kitchen.[26] The hall is named for Frank Sheehan, who served on the Minnstate college board from 1933 to 1937 and as the university's residence director from 1946 to his death in 1951.[22]
Sustainability House
The Sustainability House was renovated in 2011-2012. It is used for a cohort of U.S. military veterans and additional students as necessary.[citation needed]
East Lake Apartments
East Lake was built in 2002-03 and opened in 2004. It is an apartment complex for both men and women. East Lake typically houses upperclassmen. Students living in East Lake need not purchase a meal plan, but can instead get a "block meal" plan.
Discontinued housing
The following buildings were known as West Campus (Residential College). They were also previously owned and operated by the College of Saint Teresa, a defunct Roman Catholic women's college. West Campus was closed for residential purposes in 2021 and put up for sale in 2022.
Winona State acquired Lourdes Hall in the early 1990s. It was completed in 1928 for the College of St. Teresa.[27] Lourdes Hall was put up for sale with Tau Center and Maria Hall in 2022.
Tau Center was acquired in 2003 and served as a coeducational residence hall/conference center. It is behind Lourdes and was previously operated by the Diocese of Winona. It was sold to Cotter Schools in 2022.[28]
Maria Hall was acquired by Winona State in 2000 to serve as a residence hall. It housed just over 200 students, typically freshmen. The coeducational facility housed female students on the first and third floors and male students on the second and fourth floors. Each floor had a full lounge and kitchen, complete with television, furniture, stove, refrigerator, microwave, and toaster. The basement had two large lounges, a kitchen, and a laundry room. A tunnel connects Maria to Lourdes Hall. It was sold to Cotter Schools in the spring of 2022.[29] It was demolished in late 2025, despite local opposition.[30]
Academic and sporting
Model School Building and College Hall of the Winona Normal School | |
 College Hall (left) and the Model School Building (right), now Somsen and Phelps Halls | |
  Location within Minnesota  Location within the United States | |
| Location | 416 Washington Street and 151 W. Sanborn Street, Winona, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 44°2′52″N 91°38′33″W |
| Built | 1915 (Model School), 1924 (College Hall) |
| Architect | Clarence H. Johnston Sr. |
| Architectural style | Jacobethan (Model School), Collegiate Gothic (College Hall) |
| NRHP reference No. | 13000884[31] |
| Added to NRHP | December 3, 2013 |
Gildemeister Hall
Gildemeister Hall is named for Theda Gildemeister, a faculty member from 1896 to 1934.[22] It is home to the math department.
Integrated Wellness Complex
The Integrated Wellness Complex is home to the fitness center, the McCown gymnasium, and health and counseling services.[32] It was constructed in 2010.
Krueger Library
The Krueger Library was completed in 1999, replacing Maxwell Hall as the university's library. It was called simply the "New Library" until 2005, when it was named after university president Darrell W. Kreuger.
Kryzsko Commons
Kryszko Commons is home to the Jack Kane Dining Hall, the food court, various administration offices, lounges, study rooms, the bookstore, and other common spaces for students. It is named for S. J. Kryzsko, president of the State College Board from 1957 to 1961.[22]
Maxwell Hall
Maxwell Hall is named for university president Guy E. Maxwell. It was first built as a library in the 1930s, and was expanded in 1968. It was replaced by the Krueger Library in 1999, and is now home to the Warrior Hub, which oversees academic services, including financial aid, registrar, advising, and career and account services.
Memorial Hall
Memorial Hall is home to indoor athletic facilities. It is named in memory of Frank Sheehan.[22]
Minne Hall
Minne Hall is home to the English, history, geography, political science, and sociology departments. It was built in 1973. It is named after Nels Minne, president of the university from 1944 to 1967.[22] There is an observatory on the building's roof.
Pasteur Hall
Pasteur Hall is a science building, and is named for Louis Pasteur.[22]
Phelps Hall
Phelps Hall is named for university president William F. Phelps. It is home to the mass communications department and the psychology department.[33] Upon construction in 1915, Phelps Hall was originally called the Model School Building. Along with Somsen Hall, it is on the National Register of Historic Places.[34] The hall is also home to KQAL, the campus radio station.
Robert A. DuFresne Performing Arts Center
The Robert A. DuFresne Performing Arts Center is home to the theatre arts, dance department, and the music department. It was the site of the Great River Shakespeare Festival from 2004 to 2025. It is named for Robert DuFresne, university president from 1967 to 1977.
Somsen Hall
Somsen Hall is the main administrative building, and houses the college of business. It is named for Stephen A. Somsen, the university's residence director in 1909. The building was constructed in 1924 and was originally named College Hall. It was renamed Somsen Hall in 1937.[10] It is built in a collegiate gothic style. The main entrance formerly featured a mural by John Martin Socha, which was covered in 2020 due to "historical inaccuracies".[22][35]
Stark Hall
Stark Hall is home to the nursing program and the Miller Brothers School of Engineering. It was built in 1992, and expanded by the Science Laboratory Center in 2004. It is named for Thomas Stark, university president from 1983 to 1988.[22]
Watkins Hall
Watkins Hall is home to the art program, and is named for Paul A. Watkins, who donated his large art collection to the university.[22]
Fields
- Loughrey Field, home of Winona's baseball team
- Maxwell Field at Warrior Stadium, home of Winona State Warriors football and soccer
Athletics
Winona State University competes in Division II NCAA athletics and its teams are called the Warriors. It is a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference for most sports, except women's gymnastics (Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference).
The school's first national championship came in 1985 when the gymnastics team took the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) title, claiming four individual champions and 11 All-American honors, along with National Coach and Gymnast of the Year. The same year, the Warrior gymnastics team competed in the NCAA Division II nationals in Springfield, Massachusetts, taking home the third-place trophy, the first Winona State team to compete in both affiliations at the national level. The Warriors claimed the NAIA national title again in 1987, this time paced by one individual champion and seven All-American honors. Two gymnasts were named Academic All-Americans for their outstanding academic achievements, and the National Coach of the Year award went to Winona State University's head coach.
Notable alumni
- Ali al-Ahmed, Saudi scholar, founder of Institute for Gulf Affairs
- Austin Aries, professional wrestler
- J.D. Barnett, college basketball coach
- Michele Bachmann, 2012 Presidential Candidate
- Karla Bigham, state senator
- John Blatnik, member of U.S. Congress
- Josh Braaten, actor
- David Braun, college football coach
- Tom Brown, college basketball coach
- Kyle and Lane Carlson, models
- Logan Clark, wrestler
- Greg Davids, member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
- Dick Day, state senator
- Mary Olstine Graham, educator
- Randall Herbst, collegiate basketball coach
- Ibrahim Ahmed Kamal, Bangladeshi composer, songwriter, founding member of Warfaze
- Jennie Ellis Keysor, educator, writer
- Austin W. Lord, architect, painter, university administrator
- Troy Merritt, 2009 PGA Tour Q-School medalist
- James J. Mingus, four-star Army General Officer, Army Vice Chief of Staff
- Patricia Neder, Olympic handball player
- Gene Pelowski, member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
- Tim Penny, member of U.S. Congress
- Jeanne Poppe, member of the Minnesota House of Representatives[36]
- Jake Runestad, composer and conductor
- Jerry Seeman, professional football official
- Al Sheehan, entertainment businessman and radio host[37]
- Verner Suomi, father of satellite meteorology
- Brian Wrobel, professional football player
See also
Notes
- The percentage of students who received an income-based federal Pell grant intended for low-income students.
- The percentage of students who are a part of the American middle class at the bare minimum.
