Winona State University's Newspaper since 1919

The Winonan
The Somsen building stands tall on the Winona State Campus.
Somsen Hall Celebrates 100 Years
Inaction in the face of potentially dangerous or negative situations can have serious, unintended consequences.
Why We Act: Turning Bystanders into Heroes
The Consequences of Consumerism: How Fast Fashion Hurts Us and Others
The winding stairs in Minne Hall, which lead up to the observatory where the wondrous sky and the stars within await.
Rooftop Wonders: Observing Our Sky
What remains of Ridgelands Coffeehouse, a particularly devastating loss to the Winona community.
A Fire Devastates Ridgelands Coffeehouse
Warrior Chloe Turner (#5) battles against an opposing player for the ball, a display of the teams desire to play to win.
Winona State Women’s Soccer Takes Another Win on Alumni Day
With the sun beaming down on Winona State University’s football stadium, groups of student athletes form a variety of different sports showed their support at the annual Zombie Crawl event on Oct. 20.
Winona State Hosts Its Annual Zombie Crawl
The Winona State Volleyball team gets into their defensive positions.
Warrior Volleyball Defeats Minnesota State University Moorhead
Four members of the WSU Dogg's stand before their playing field.
Undeterred: Winona State Men’s Rugby Pushes Forward Despite Defeat
Captain Taryn Tom poses for a silly photo on the field where the rugby team practices.
Taryn Tom: A Captain to Remember
The Somsen building stands tall on the Winona State Campus.
Somsen Hall Celebrates 100 Years
The winding stairs in Minne Hall, which lead up to the observatory where the wondrous sky and the stars within await.
Rooftop Wonders: Observing Our Sky
General Maintence Workers, or GMWS, at Winona State ensure that we have a consistently clean and safe campus.
General Maintenance Workers: The Unsung Heroes of Winona State
Winona State nursing students provide other students an easy opportunity to receive their vaccinations right on campus.
Pop-Up Flu Shot Clinics Provide Students Opportunities for Easy Vaccination
For commuters, long drives and limited parking may inhibit their abilities to feel like an active student on the WSU campus. Sarnia St. provides some parking for students living in East Lake when the lot is full or if they do not have a parking pass.
Commuter Students Navigate Their Spot On Campus
To submit a 'Letter to the Editor' please email winonan@go.winona.edu.
Letter to the Editor: Crisis Pregnancy Centers
Building in Winona.
Staying in Winona – an Opinion Piece
The Poll: How do you feel about the current immigration process?
The Poll: How do you feel about the current immigration process?
The Poll: What does Martin Luther King Jr. Day mean to you?
The Poll:Indigenous Day Trivia
The Poll:Indigenous Day Trivia
To submit a 'Letter to the Editor' please email winonan@go.winona.edu.
Letter to the Editor: Crisis Pregnancy Centers
The Poll: What does Martin Luther King Jr. Day mean to you?
Smiling brightly, Joe Eichele says goodbye to The Winonan.
Editor Farewell: Joe Eichele
Smiling brightly, Gabriel Hathaway says goodbye to The Winonan.
Editor Farewell: Gabriel Hathaway
Smiling brightly, Syerah Mulhern-Allred says goodbye to The Winonan.
Editor Farewell: Syerah Mulhern-Allred
September 9th, 2023, Jacob Gifford poses on his favorite throne in Stark Hall reading the last edition of The Winonan. Gifford has a true sense of appreciation for where he chooses to relive himself while on campus. Read to find the hot spots on campus where you should try next time you need to go.
Shine or Stink: Ranking WSU bathrooms
TV Review: “Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”
TV Review: “Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”
Amala Ekpunobi, a speaker from PragerU. She returns again to Winona State University on Oct. 14 after speaking at the campus last year.
Letter to the editor: statement on Ekpunobi event
Letter to the editor
Letter to the editor
Remembering Chadwick Boseman
Remembering Chadwick Boseman
The cast of Elephant and Piggie's "We Are in a Play!" shows off their skills on the stage.
Children’s Show Elephant and Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” Rocks the Stage
Justin Dadgerow on the piano and Jerry Hui singing Baritone as they perform at the Gershwin Celebration.
Rhapsody at 100: A Gershwin Hundred Year Celebration
Alien: Romulus is now available to stream on video-on-demand, in streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime.
Alien Romulus: Revival of a Classic Franchise
An original art piece depicting Jeff Ament throughout his career.
Album Review: Jeff Ament
Joker: Folie à Deux is now available in theaters around the world.
“Joker: Folie à Deux” Review: So Close Yet So Far
The cast of Elephant and Piggie's "We Are in a Play!" shows off their skills on the stage.
Children’s Show Elephant and Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” Rocks the Stage
Sanorah Goldoff, an actress and the producer of this production of "Alabaster," poses as her character, June, during a live performance. Photo Contributed by the WSU Theater Department.
“Alabaster:” Performing the Art of Healing
Michael Torres begins his reading with his favorite poem, “All American Mexican” from his book “An incomplete List of Names”.
Michael Torres, author of An Incomplete List of Names, visits WSU
Comedian Drew Lynch visited Winona State University on April 12. Lynch was brought on behalf of the Warrior Entertainment Network. Much of the show was heavily based around interactions between Lynch and the audience which made for a unique and humorous show.
Stand-up comedian Drew Lynch humors Winona State
Oliver Harry (left) and Gavin Anderson McElligott (right) in William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” put on by the Winona State University Theater and Dance Department.
Anything goes in Shakespeare’s comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
Justin Dadgerow on the piano and Jerry Hui singing Baritone as they perform at the Gershwin Celebration.
Rhapsody at 100: A Gershwin Hundred Year Celebration
Alien: Romulus is now available to stream on video-on-demand, in streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime.
Alien Romulus: Revival of a Classic Franchise
An original art piece depicting Jeff Ament throughout his career.
Album Review: Jeff Ament
Joker: Folie à Deux is now available in theaters around the world.
“Joker: Folie à Deux” Review: So Close Yet So Far
The Wild Robot is now available in theaters around the U.S.
The Wild Robot: A Robot, Fox, and Goose in a Found Family.
For commuters, long drives and limited parking may inhibit their abilities to feel like an active student on the WSU campus. Sarnia St. provides some parking for students living in East Lake when the lot is full or if they do not have a parking pass.
Commuter Students Navigate Their Spot On Campus
The mural in the entrance of Somsen Hall was commissioned in the 1930s as part of the Work Projects Administration (WPA). The mural’s purpose was to show the beginnings of Winona, however, the painter John Martin Socha, painted this mural with a “lens of mainstream ideology at the time” according to the piece commissioned in 2017 called “Somsen Hall Mural Context: The Founding of Winona and the Somsen Hall WPA Mural” by Iyekiyapiwin Darlene St. Clair form St. Cloud State University and Jill Ahlberg Yohe from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
One voice in millions: Mural in Somsen
Some showers in residence halls at WSU are only divided by curtains, causing students to question security.
Safety and Security in the Residence Halls: Are Shower Curtains Enough?
Interior of studio, located at 302 Mankato Avenue, Suite A, Winona, MN
Perception: Body and Pole
Janelle “Nellie” Wollenburg passed away on Dec. 29, 2023 at age 37. She was an incredibly hard-working student and mother and made a large impact on the Healthcare Leadership program in just the first semester she was taking classes.
“A Natural Light in the World:” The Loss of Janelle “Nellie” Wollenburg
“It's been very rewarding for all of us as a dining team to get such positive feedback so early in the school year. It really motivates us and it motivates our team too. We're just feeding off of what the students have been telling us," Tracy Jaquette said.
Changes to Dining on Campus: More Than Just Food
The Winona State University International Club and International Student & Scholar Services teamed up to host a celebration of culture. Pictured above is Yujiro Nakano, a kendama World Cup champion. Nakano is one of many international students who performed for the audience.
Annual International Night: Crossroads of Culture
On Wednesday Nov. 2, International Student Services hosted an international coffee hour in Gildemeister Hall. This event is typically held on the first Wednesday of each month. The events offer a chance for students to interact with other students from around the world in an educationally-focused environment. Depending on what the students decide, the events can range from very casual to quite organized.
Photo Story: International Coffee Hour
R.I.C.E. Club was formed to focus on forming bonds between people. R.I.C.E. stands for Racial Integra- tion and Cultural Enrichment.
New R.I.C.E. club promotes diversity and inclusivity
New food option, “Chaat House” is now open in Zanes's At The Corner space. The food lineup offers Indian cuisine and rotates with other foods like pasta and quesadillas.
Zane’s debuts Indian food option, “Chaat House”
Winona State nursing students provide other students an easy opportunity to receive their vaccinations right on campus.
Pop-Up Flu Shot Clinics Provide Students Opportunities for Easy Vaccination
The “Freshman 15” is often used as a scare tactic for incoming college freshmen because of the normal bodily shifts and changes that occur during this time. How much is this affecting students?
The Freshman 15 – Factual or Fatphobia?
During Thursday night on Oct. 24., the amount of rain was so drastic, an email was sent out to students about relocating their cars in the gravel lot due to ankle high rain fall. Students stood outside of the Quad and Prentiss- Lucas hoping to get soaked from cars passing by. The next day, the volleyball courts in front of PL are proof of that. Students have called it the ‘PL Pool”.
Weather Trouble – Flooding in Prentiss-Lucas on Oct. 24
The remnants of a party are left on a table while students drink in the background.
School Spirit or Alcoholism?
In the new period products dispensers, you can find both pads and tampons.
Red Marks the Spot: Period products now fully available on campus
Winona State University's Newspaper since 1919

The Winonan
Winona State University's Newspaper since 1919

The Winonan
All content by Kellen Brandt
Jackie Larson with her granddaughter making a mask in their sewing machine. Larson has been making free masks for the community since the beginning of the pandemic.

Profile: “Mask Lady”, Jackie Larson

Kellen Brandt, features reporter
April 21, 2021
Gilbert Jordan IV, or more commonly known as Uncle Gil giving a haircut to Kevin Suber in his newly opened barbershop, called Uncle Gil's Cutz, located located in the Kensington building in Winona, Minn.

Uncle Gil’s Cutz hopes to build community in Winona

Kellen Brandt, features reporter
April 14, 2021

Profile: Sapori di Sicilia

Kellen Brandt, features reporter
March 24, 2021

Students share differing thoughts on COVID-19 vaccine

Kellen Brandt, features reporter
March 17, 2021

Education students unsatisfied with online learning

Kellen Brandt, features reporter
March 3, 2021

Professor Profile: Ditlev Larsen, a Bob Dylan aficionado

Kellen Brandt, features reporter
February 17, 2021
An indoor setting of the cardio gym at the Winona YMCA. Due to COVID policy changes at the fitness center, many students have chosen to go to different gyms in the Winona area instead of the IWC.

Students look off campus for fitness centers amidst COVID

Kellen Brandt, features reporter
February 10, 2021

Professor publishes poetry collection

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
February 3, 2021

Winona prize showcases student writing

Kellen Brandt, Features Writer
January 27, 2021
The Winona Little Warriors Drumline

Drumline creates community

Kellen Brandt, features writer
November 18, 2020
Jovy Rockey, with her mayoral campaign team, volunteered at Truck to Trunk, a project funded by USDA Farmers to Families program on Saturday, Oct. 31. As part of the government relief program for COVID, this event was focused on distributing food to Winona.

Community leaders host food donation

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
November 4, 2020
Winona celebrates Halloween despite COVID restrictions

Winona celebrates Halloween despite COVID restrictions

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
October 28, 2020
On-campus soliciting continues despite COVID

On-campus soliciting continues despite COVID

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
October 21, 2020
WSU students screened for depression

WSU students screened for depression

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
October 14, 2020
Housing struggles with COVID-safe activities

Housing struggles with COVID-safe activities

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
September 30, 2020
Student Senate request denied by City Council

Student Senate request denied by City Council

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
September 23, 2020
Winona State welcomes new professors

Winona State welcomes new professors

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
September 16, 2020
COVID-19:How pets are handling sudden quarantine

COVID-19:How pets are handling sudden quarantine

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
April 29, 2020
Winona State students react to stay-at-home extension

Winona State students react to stay-at-home extension

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
April 22, 2020
Easter celebrations change during quarantine

Easter celebrations change during quarantine

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
April 15, 2020
Relay for Life sees changes during COVID-19 pandemic

Relay for Life sees changes during COVID-19 pandemic

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
April 8, 2020
Garofalo’s work honored fiction and non-fiction pieces

Garofalo’s work honored fiction and non-fiction pieces

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
March 25, 2020
Nicole Tompos, a double major in Communication Arts and Literature Teaching as well as English: Writing Emphasis, took first place in the poetry category of the 2020 Winona Prize in Creative Writing with her poem “Cyanide.” Tompos’s poem will be published in Winona State University’s annual literary and arts magazine, “Satori.”

Tompos awared for poem “Cyanide”

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
March 4, 2020
RHA and NRHH win awards

RHA and NRHH win awards

Kellen Brandt, Feature Reporter
February 26, 2020
Local craftspeople and business owners gathered to sell their products at the Galentine’s Day event at the Winona Public Library on Thursday, February 13th. Along with the vendors and crafts, there were snacks, a s’mores bar and a hot cocoa bar open to the guests.

Galentine’s Day brightens public library for ladies

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
February 19, 2020
Super Bowl ad leads to new campaign for the city of Winona

Super Bowl ad leads to new campaign for the city of Winona

Kellen Brandt, Feature Reporter
February 12, 2020
Esther Heyer has a booth at the Winona Farmers Market called Out on a Limb Orchard and Garden that has been selling fruit, vegetables, jams, jellies and more for the last 27 years. They donate their leftover products to the local churches to go to people in need.

Farmer’s Market produces organic items year-round

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
February 5, 2020
Kryzsko after hours? UPAC to host late-night event

Kryzsko after hours? UPAC to host late-night event

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
January 29, 2020
Winona state students Becca Braun, Allison Kleman, Ella Otto, Hannah Prondzinski, Erin Rademacher, Haley Ronayne and Erin Thomas rehearse the piece “I Am,” their choreographed piece for Dancescape by Jayde Grass, a WSU sophomore. The 2020 production of Dancescape will open on Thursday, February 13.

Dancescape celebrates 30th anniversary at WSU

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
January 22, 2020

Alumna creates TV series to boost small businesses

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
December 4, 2019
In a picture contributed by Warriors for Life, members of the pro-life club wrote messages about abortion and other issues surrounding it. The group chalked across campus the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 23.

Campus chalking raises debate

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
November 6, 2019
The WSU Dance Team followed behind the football team during the Game Day Experience on Saturday, Oct. 26. Their pep before the game helped push the football team to win against St. Cloud State University.

Game Day Experience celebrates three years

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
October 30, 2019

International club has spooky event

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
October 23, 2019
Members from Winona’s Chi Alpha ministry shout in excitement on the back of a truck during the 2019 Winona State Homecoming parade. The parade exemplified Winona State’s Homecoming theme, “Wild with Warrior Pride.”

Homecoming parade shows off wild side of campus

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
October 16, 2019
The “Winona County Rocks” Facebook group paints and hides rocks around Winona. People who find the rocks are encouraged to share the photo to the page and either keep or relocate the rock for someone else to find.

Facebook group rocks Winona County

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
October 9, 2019
Seniors Emalee Smith and Kimberly Olson sing Colbie Caillat’s “Brighter Than The Sun” while Olson accompanies on ukulele at Winona State’s Got Talent Preliminary Show on Sunday, Sept. 29.

Warriors showcase talent in performance

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
October 2, 2019
History Center takes Cal Fremling for eagle tour

History Center takes Cal Fremling for eagle tour

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
September 25, 2019
Winona State hosts “The Pain Behind the Badge” seminar

Winona State hosts “The Pain Behind the Badge” seminar

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
September 11, 2019
A century of calling Winona home

A century of calling Winona home

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
September 4, 2019
Dancers Sarah Abeln, Alexa Akemann, Jayde Grass, Kiirsti Linna, Hannah Ose, Hannah Prondzinski, Tatum Retter and Taylor Storlie perform "Not So Fresh When You Have Senioritis" at the Senior Dance Show on Wednesday, April 24. The dance was choreographed by senior Jenna Grochow as a part of her capstone project.

Senior Dance Show brings passion to life onstage

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
May 1, 2019
WarriorsINNOVATE winners announced to campus

WarriorsINNOVATE winners announced to campus

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
April 24, 2019
Memorials established after student death

Memorials established after student death

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
April 10, 2019
Colette Ghunim speaks in Start 120 on Wednesday, Feb 27 about harassment against women in the Middle East, the presentation also addressed theories about how to end injustice in Mexico and Palestine. This talk was the first of many co-sponsored by the inclusion and diversity department to celebrate women throughout Women's History Month.

Documentary supports Women’s History Month

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
March 6, 2019
Earth Talk stresses sustainability with food

Earth Talk stresses sustainability with food

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
February 27, 2019
Winona State students and community members await the beginning of “BlacKkKlansman,” directed by Spike Lee. The movie showing is part of the Resilience series in honor of Black History Month.

Black History represented in film series

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
February 20, 2019
Transfer students bring new faces to campus

Transfer students bring new faces to campus

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
January 30, 2019
NRHH hosts "You Light Up My Life"

NRHH hosts “You Light Up My Life”

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
December 5, 2018
Residence Hall hosts Friendsgiving

Residence Hall hosts Friendsgiving

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
November 28, 2018
Winona State University students attend Ted Talk Tuesday in the Student Activities Center, co-facilitated by Nathel Kaiyeepu.

TED Talk discusses following dreams

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
November 7, 2018
Members of the Winona State football team participate in the Restorative Flow Movement Pattern program which was designed to help athletes recover from hard practices or injuries.

RoFlow program aids student athletes

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
October 31, 2018
Aiden is the 6 year-old boxer pug who has taken over the hour long therapy dog slot in place of Winston on Monday nights from 4 to 5 p.m. in IWC 267. Aiden loves to sit in peoples laps and give big wet kisses.

‘Afternoons with Aiden’ accompanies therapist

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
October 24, 2018
Counseling services offers free screenings

Counseling services offers free screenings

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
October 17, 2018
College Democrats encourages voting

College Democrats encourages voting

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
October 17, 2018
Derek Harms was a student at Winona State from 2015 until his death on April 9, 2018 from a snowboarding accident. His friends and family remember him as a kind, friendly person who always wore a smile.

Student memorialized six months after death

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
October 3, 2018
New RAs stand outside of Somsen Hall during their training week, their shirts display the new WISE logo which represents Housing's mission statement of being welcoming, inclusive, safe and engaging and each building staff received a different color.

Underclassmen take on RA postitions

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
September 19, 2018
The new members of Tri Sigma pose behind their greek letters during the Bid Day celebration at the Gazebo on Sunday, Sept. 9.

Women find their girl gang with Panhellenic council

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
September 12, 2018
In this photo from our April 18 edition, the new education village, located on Waubasha Street, is being remodeled for education majors.

Education Village renames building after professor

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
September 5, 2018
Professor Craig Upright, a sociology professor at Winona State, won the 2017-18 "Professor of the Year," after having won the same award last year as a result of his efforts to help his students.

Craig Upright: Profile on professor of the year

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
April 25, 2018
Mr. Katz (Adam Calcagno) walks away from Jackie (Stephanie Trypuc) in the spring play “Hot L Baltimore.” The play ran April 11-14 on the Vivian Fusillo Main Stage Theatre.

Large cast makes “Hot L Baltimore” succeed

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
April 18, 2018
Duke enjoys the attention at the "Pups for Parasite Prevention" event on Thursday, April 5 at the gazebo. Baked goods and dog treats were sold to raise awareness about the dangers parasites pose to dogs and why treatment is important.

Biology class informs students on parasites

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
April 11, 2018
Minnesota state Senator Jeremy Miller, met with students in Minne Hall on Thursday, March 29 to speak about his plans for Winona State and for the state. $5 Pizza was provided by the student organizers.

Winona Senator discusses politics with students

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
April 4, 2018
Susie Przybylski is a Chartwells employee who has worked as a dish washer in the Jack Kane cafeteria on Winona State's main campus for the last 40 years. The thing she loves most about her job is the people and campus atmosphere.

Susie Przybylski: A profile on a loyal employee

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
March 28, 2018

English professor publishes book

Kellen Brandt, Features Reporter
March 21, 2018
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