History
For more than 150 years, generations of students have chosen to continue their education at WSU, so they could provide for their families, serve their communities, and improve our world.
To this day, Winona State University is known for empowering teachers with experience in the classroom and education that holds the test of time.
WSU was then called the First Normal School of Minnesota.
These courses were designed for teachers over the Summer break.
Four students—2 men and 2 women—graduated with the 4-year teaching degree.
The $33.2 million project renovated 3 historic buildings to serve the needs of the community, school districts, and WSU students in Teacher Education programs.
After a few name changes through the early decades, we became Winona State University in 1975.
As an institution, WSU has intentionally grown our academic programs to offer doctorate, master’s, bachelor’s, and associate’s degrees. Today, the University is structured into 5 Colleges, each with their own flagship programs:
With campuses in Winona and Rochester, WSU is bringing new academic opportunities to the southeast Minnesota area to serve the needs of industries in the Midwest.
WSU became a residential college with the completion of Morey-Shepard Hall in 1911.
WSU expanded beyond teaching degrees to offer the first business program.
WSU introduced a Nursing major.
WSU-Rochester relocated to the Rochester Community & Technical College campus.
This partnership brought about 2+2 programs that make it easier for students to complete bachelor’s degrees.
WSU established the nation’s first Composite Materials Engineering program, and the first class of 6 students graduated in 1991.
Wazoo became the official mascot for Warrior Athletics teams.
The WSU-Rochester Broadway location opened to provide working professionals a way to continue their education and earn advanced degrees.
WSU implemented a $12 million campus-wide energy savings and sustainability project.
The LESS Project marks WSU as being the Minnesota State system’s most energy efficient university.
WSU provides students with the latest technology resources and valuable digital learning experiences.
Given the success of the pilot program in 1997, WSU implemented the eWarrior Digital Life & Learning Program for all incoming students in the Fall of 2000.
The eWarrior Program ensures that each student has a laptop, the essential software, and technology support they need to be successful in college and prepare for their careers.
To be ready for whatever the future holds, we’re investing in student success and investing in programs that serve industries of today and jobs of tomorrow.
WSU graduates will continue to be prepared for the wide variety of careers they can pursue and the professional challenges they may face as they go out to improve our world.
