Michelle Peterson/Winonan

The Winona State University Foundation will host its first gala to celebrate its 50th anniversary on Sept. 20.

Since the foundation started in 1963, it has supported Winona State in several areas, one of them being scholarships for students.

Stephanie Wick, a senior studying education, has received the Susan E. Anderson scholarship through the foundation since her freshman year. This $1,000 scholarship is renewable each semester, as long as Wick keeps her grade point average above 3.0.

“Not only does it take a burden off my shoulders because I don’t have to worry so much about how to pay for school, but it gives me extra motivation because it’s not my money I’m spending at school; it’s Susan’s,” Wick said.

If she has difficulty studying for a test, Wick walks by the plaques in Somsen Hall with the names of benefactors for the Winona State foundation and finds Susan’s name. Wick said she feels inspired to study when she realizes that it is Susan’s money that is helping her through school.

Alex Kopperud, a sophomore studying advertising, also receives the Susan E. Anderson scholarship.
“This scholarship helps tremendously with paying for tuition. An extra $2,000 per year is very much appreciated, and I am extremely grateful,” Kopperud said.

Kopperud said he meets with Anderson each summer before school starts. He said she is like an aunt to him because she tells him how proud she is when he does well in school.

Gary Evans, interim vice president for university advancement, said, “We’ve never done a gala before, this is the first of its kind, and it’s probably going to be the last of its kind for another 50 years.”

The gala will be from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., starting with a social hour in a tent behind Lourdes Hall.
“The decorations are going to be unbelievable; we’ll leave it at that,” Evans said. He doesn’t want to give a lot away because he wants the trustees to be surprised.

After social hour, guests will eat dinner in Lourdes Hall, where Chartwells will provide a special dinner for the event.

After dinner and the reception, guests will be invited back to the tent for dancing. Rich MacDonald & Friends, a 10-piece big band, will play for the dance. Evans described MacDonald as a phenomenal drummer with many of the artists in his band being from Winona State.

Evans said more than 200 people have purchased tickets for the gala already.

“It will be a memorable evening because we want those people who have created significant support for Winona State to understand that that support has been greatly valued,” said Evans.

The following morning Winona State will host its 30th Annual Foundation Scholarship Recognition Breakfast with more than 900 guests attending.

The breakfast is one of the only times students and their families can meet the benefactors. It is by invitation only and will be at 9 a.m. in the McCown Fieldhouse.

Contact Michelle at [email protected]