Republican-Eagle: Southeast Celebrates 50th Anniversary in style at Red Wing Campus

Photos
Top: Mayor Mike Wilson reads the proclamation declaring September 29 MSC Southeast Day in Red Wing. 
Middle: Industrial Machine Mechanics instructor Leon Nelson displays a yearbook from his days teaching at the college 50 years ago.

October 4, 2023 -- Minnesota State College Southeast celebrated its 50th Anniversary in Red Wing on Friday, September 29, but the festivities really kicked into gear on Monday, September 25 at the Red Wing City Council Meeting.

That's when Mayor Mike Wilson declared Sept. 29 as "Minnesota State College Southeast Day" at the Red Wing City Council meeting.

Despite heavy rain in the morning, by the time guests started arriving at 11 am on Friday, the clouds started breaking up and excitement started building on campus. At least 250 community members, alumni, past employees, and current students joined in the festivities over the course of the day.

During the buffet lunch, a brief program included remarks from President Marsha Danielson, past Interim President Larry Lundblad and Mayor Mike Wilson, who read the "Minnesota State College Southeast Day" proclamation.

Cliff Korkowski, who served the college from 1988-1995, was the final director of Winona Technical College and the first director of Red Wing/Winona Technical College. He was not able to attend, but sent along a note to be read as part of the program.

"Congratulations on the milestones for the Red Wing and Winona Campuses of MSC Southeast. In reminiscing the period of 1988 to 1995, change was the operative... [but] because of a very dedicated staff, the mission of serving students and community did not waver. Keep up the great work," he wrote.

After the program, an engaging one-hour presentation by the National Eagle Center and senior ambassador eagle Angel fascinated a packed crowd.

Alumni & Friends gathering

In the afternoon, activities resumed with an Alumni & Friends Mixer from 4-6 pm. Current students provided live music, including cello, saxophone, traditional folk music, and alt/indie rock as guests nibbled on hors d'oeuvres and cupcakes.

The day-long celebration continued with an Open Mic from 6-7 pm and the release of the college's new edition of Highway 61, Revised (Vol. II), the student literary journal. Student authors and "celebrity readers" from the college faculty took turns reading poetry and prose from the book along with music performances by current students, alumni, and staff.

The concluding touch was the cutting of the Southeast Celebrates Anniversary Cake by President Marsha Danielson and Vice President Jennifer Hawkins, who cheerfully served cake to the assembled crowd and ended the occasion on a sweet note. 

Here's to another 50 years!

Above: The Red Wing Campus 50th Anniversary Committee: Patty Brown, Katie Hardyman, Katryn Conlin, Joanne Thompson, Jennifer Hawkins, Rachel Daley. Not Pictured: Mike Wilson, Becca Spain.