Winona State University students filling out a 2027-2028 housing application will have the opportunity to sign up to be the first residents in the newest residential hall: Foundation Hall. On Jan. 20, 2026, a groundbreaking ceremony was held to mark the official start of the hall’s construction.  

The new building will offer several modern amenities such as air conditioning, private bathrooms and hammock spaces. With the 2025-20206 academic year beginning with an overcapacity number of students, Winona State President Kenneth Janz and Jon Olson, Vice President of University Advancement knew that they needed to make a plan to ensure that overflow housing will not be a problem in the future as Winona State continues to expand and attract more applicants. 

Planning for Foundation Hall began over five years ago, but was cut short due to financing difficulties, but last spring the Board of Trustees evaluated interest rates and funding and created a vision to make the Hall a reality. Olson thanked a number of organizations and individuals who contributed to the undertaking of the building including Merchant Bank, Dunlap Seeger, Streater and Murphy, Lee Ann Riehle, WNB financial and the construction companies working with Winona State. These contributors worked together against challenges such as interest rates and state budgets, making the groundbreaking ceremony possible.  

President Janz knows that one of the most important parts of attending a university is having a comfortable living situation, so he made it a priority of his and the Winona State Foundation Board to maintain updated buildings. “[students] feel a lot more valued having a great place to live, and that’s the foundation of having great resident halls,” Janz stated.  

The last halls to be opened were Kirkland and Haake in 2010, and having more modern halls is crucial for the campus to remain competitive and provide students with the best experience.  

Foundation Hall will provide 340 more beds and have pricing similar to that of Kirkland or Haake. The new dorm will also come with about 12-15 new positions for student workers to fill. On campus jobs provide students with a way to ease the financial stress of college with flexible schedules and many campus benefits, so more positions is a great opportunity that will also be extended in the coming years.   

“We’re here for the students,” Olson said, expressing excitement over this growth for the university, “and to help students have a better opportunity for a great residential experience here. That’s what warms my heart on a cold day.”  

The groundbreaking ceremony drew in a crowd of community members and Winona State faculty members in below-zero weather. Important contributors along with Mayor Scott Sherman were publicly thanked, given an opportunity to speak on behalf of their organizations and be a part of the first shoveling of the construction dirt.  

“This is your official invitation to be back on campus, July of 2027, so we can be in short sleeves,” Olson announced, “and we can cut the ribbon at our brand new facility.”