Courtney Kowalke/Winonan

“In nature we never see anything isolated, but everything in connection with something else which is before it, beside it, under it and over it,” said German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Every element in our environment is linked, and Winona State University aims to highlight and strengthen these bonds with its 2012-2013 University Theme, “Well-Connected: Piecing Together a Well You.”

The University Theme Team planned events for this year by focusing on the dimensions of the Wellness Wheel, which contains seven key health concepts defined by the theme team and fundamental to an individual’s general well being.

As outlined in the team’s official statement, “The Wellness Wheel is the basis for learning whole person wellness. We would like to further develop the concept of wellness on an academic level for our students as well as extending the exploration of whole person wellness for faculty, staff and our community. The aim is to facilitate growth and enrichment within all of the dimensions of wellness. The impact of whole person wellness affects each of our student’s health and well- being as well as the positive effects on maximizing their efforts as successful students.”

“My favorite thing about the university theme is that it helps foster an environment that grows relationships and collaboration between academics, student life and development, and the Winona community,” said Adrian Shepard, director of integrated wellness and student life and development coordinator.

Shepard is one of the team’s co-chairs along with nurse practitioner, Shari Harman. The two have been spearheading the Theme Team since September 2012, initiating, organizing and facilitating.

2012-2013’s Theme Team is a group of nearly 50 students, faculty, staff and community members, which Shepard said “may be the largest and most engaged Theme Team WSU has had since the University Theme started, which is a testament to the people volunteering their time to serve and a reflection of WSU’s commitment to whole-person wellness.”

Shepard said, “It’s been a true joy to collaborate with the team because the members bring positive energy, open minds and great ideas. What I’ve treasured most as part of the Theme Team is listening to the unique perspectives each person brings, seeing smiles on their faces and hearing them talk about how much fun they’re having along the way.”

The University Theme will connect in a multitude of campus events this academic year. Lyceum series presenters, such as Dan Savage, speaker on Sept. 27, will address aspects of the Wellness Wheel, as will speakers participating in the Consortium of Liberal Arts and Science Promotion lecture series.

Also addressing the theme is the year’s Commonbook, Michael Kimmel’s “Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men” and the annual Frozen River Film Festival.

However, “Well-Being” is not by any means limited to extra-curricular activities.

“We’re hoping most faculty incorporate the theme in their classes in some degree,” said community liaison, Vicki Englich. She also serves on the committee for Learning and Engaged Teaching, which selects each year’s theme and provides oversight of and guidance for the university theme.

“In some disciplines like Nursing and HERS, the theme is a natural fit, but some areas of study would need to do more tweaking to make it work. It’s not mandatory that [professors] connect to their courses to the theme, but if they want to, that’s great,” Englich said.

Englich said that the university theme “want[s] to focus on the health of the whole individual. We want students to excel academically but also experience personal success. We want them to be happy in all dimensions.”

Winona State works one year ahead when planning its University Theme and encourages faculty and students to suggest ideas. Next year’s theme will deal with social responsibility.

“The fact that these themes are very broad allows for them to be addressed in various departments and allows different departments to have a conversation across the campus,” Englich said. “We hope to inspire curiosity, action and to engage people in [the topic of being well- connected] this year in a variety of ways.”

The University Theme kick-off will be Friday, Sept. 14. There will be live music in the courtyard outside Kryzsko Commons from 10 to 10:30 a.m., followed by a formal address.

At 11 a.m., Winona State’s first annual Wellness Fair will begin in the Integrated Wellness Complex. The event is co-hosted by Live Well Winona, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting healthy activities and lifestyles in and around the Winona region, and will provide students, faculty, staff and community members with more information about well-connectedness. There will also be activities offered through various campus departments, community organizations and businesses along with free food and prizes.

The theme will be represented in campus events throughout the year. Any students interested in helping with “Well-Connected” projects and presentations are encouraged to get involved and contact Shepard for more information at [email protected].

Contact Courtney at [email protected]