MSC Southeast celebrating a double anniversary in 2023-2024: 50 years in Red Wing, 75 years in Winona

We are celebrating a double anniversary this year! In 1973, the Red Wing campus opened its doors - 50 years ago in 2023. In 1949, the college opened as the Winona Area Vocational-Technical School at Winona High School - 75 years ago in 2024.

"Anniversaries mark a moment when we can pause to look back over our origins and reflect on the events that brought us to where we are today," said Dr. Marsha Danielson, President of Minnesota State College Southeast.

She added, "Through many transformations, Minnesota State College Southeast is now a comprehensive technical and community college. Today, we are a 'both/and' college - offering degrees designed for transfer to four-year institutions as well as a wealth of career and technical programs."

During the 50 & 75 Anniversary Year, the college will be publishing stories of the past in its social media, on its website, and in local newspapers. 

"We invite alumni, past employees, and friends of the college to share their memories of their time here and how being part of the college brought them to where they are today," said Jennifer Hawkins, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. "We are excited to hear stories like those of Calvin Jones and David Wessin, who shared their stories through the 'Your Southeast Story' form on our website."

Calvin Jones, a band instrument repair technician who attended Southeast in 1991-1992, wrote from the US Virgin Islands to say, "The thing I remember most about Red Wing is the love that I felt at the school. Gene Beckwith and John Huth, my teachers in Band Instrument Repair, made me feel so welcomed and so involved. This was the first time in my life that I could say that I loved school. Coming from the Virgin Islands to Red Wing was challenging but it changed my life forever."

David Wessin, who graduated from the construction program in Winona in 1983, said he appreciates most how his education at Southeast started him on a successful career path. "After graduating, I moved to St. Paul and my career brought me to a large kitchen cabinet company. I held this position almost 15 years, then moved to Florida to work for a small contractor. Over the years, I advanced to a vice president position managing 25 safety managers for a company with one billion in work. I recently joined a private commercial insurance broker as Vice President of Risk Engineering and travel the southeastern United States working with our clients to build a strong safety culture. Thank you!"

Alumni, past employees, and community members -- to share your fond memories, go to www.southeastmn.one/anniversary and click on the "Your Southeast Story" form button or email [email protected].

Special activities are being planned throughout 2023-2024 in Red Wing and Winona to commemorate the 50 & 75 Anniversary Year. See www.southeastmn.one/anniversary for more information. 

TruckFest is back in Winona at MSC Southeast on August 19, and it's better than ever!

Attention great big trucks... and all who love them! This summer Minnesota State College Southeast will once again host a gathering of the big rigs on campus and invite everyone to get an up-close view of them.

TruckFest is on Saturday, August 19, 2023 from 11 am to 2 pm at the MSC Southeast Transportation Center, 1250 Homer Road, Winona, MN. There is no charge for admission and families with kids of all ages are welcome. Parking is free and convenient.

Enjoy climbing, exploring, and learning about many types of trucks and large vehicles in a fun, safe environment. The whole family is invited to honk some horns and get up close and personal with big rigs and more. 

This year, the college is celebrating its 75th year of service in Winona and 50th year in Red Wing. The Anniversary Committee is sponsoring bounce houses, prizes, a free hot dog lunch, and more.

"Every kid I've ever met has been fascinated by big trucks!" said Tom Gierok, who teaches Truck Driving at the college. 

"With Minnesota State College Southeast being a leader in transportation education in the southeast region, TruckFest is the perfect way to connect our community with the opportunities that exist in the trucking industry," he added.

Attention Drivers: There are no fees for drivers to participate in this event. If you'd like to be a part of TruckFest, please contact Tom Gierok at 507-453-2728 or [email protected]. 

MSC Southeast announces public forums for Vice President of Finance and Administration candidates

This week, Minnesota State College Southeast will host open forums to gain input on the college's three finalists for the position of Vice President of Finance and Administration. 

"The Vice President of Finance and Administration is an integral position impacting the executive, financial, and operational components of the college," said Dr. Marsha Danielson, President of Minnesota State College Southeast. "At the public forums, we hope to get as much feedback on our finalists as possible from our students, faculty, staff, and community members." 

All public forums will take place on campus at Minnesota State College Southeast in Red Wing or Winona and online via Zoom. 

For Zoom links and passwords, please email [email protected].

The dates, times, and places of the three public forums are:    

• Wednesday, August 9, 2023 from 10:00 am-10:45 am - Red Wing Campus Room 310, 308 Pioneer Road, Red Wing
• Thursday, August 10, 2023 from 9:30 am-10:15 am - Winona Campus Room 208, 1250 Homer Road, Winona
• Friday, August 11, 2023 from 1:30 pm-2:15 pm - Winona Campus Room 208, 1250 Homer Road, Winona

Biographies of the Vice President of Finance and Administration candidates will be shared at each public forum.

Applications are being accepted for TOGETHER WE TRAIN WINONA, career training for unemployed and under-employed Winona County residents 

Launched in November 2022, TOGETHER WE TRAIN WINONA is an initiative that is providing tuition and fees at no cost for Winona County residents who are unemployed or under-employed to attend Minnesota State College Southeast. Participants will receive the education and training they need to strengthen their skills and obtain full-time employment. Information about the program can be found at www.southeastmn.one/TrainWinona. 

Winona County, Winona CareerForce, and Minnesota State College Southeast are continuing to work together to identify, engage, and enroll eligible individuals to participate in TOGETHER WE TRAIN WINONA. The initiative is supported by American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds through Winona County. 

"This is a great opportunity for individuals to receive free education and training to update their skills and to help them get the job they have always wanted. It could be that first step to making your dreams come true," stated Autumn Herber, Workforce Development Specialist at Winona CareerForce. "Inquire now to enroll for fall semester."

Available through 2024, TOGETHER WE TRAIN WINONA offers grants to eligible Winona County residents to attend MSC Southeast. Financial assistance includes tuition and fees for each participant and covers books, technology rentals, supplies, tools, uniforms, or other items directly related to course work.    

All participants are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to enrollment. College financial aid staff are available to help with the FAFSA application. ARP funds will be utilized after other available financial aid, such as federal and state grants, is applied.  

TOGETHER WE TRAIN WINONA funds can be applied to any of the college's career and technical certificate, diploma, and degree programs. (Note: Liberal Arts & Sciences and Transfer Pathway majors are excluded). Non-credit continuing education classes are also eligible for funding.  

To be eligible for TOGETHER WE TRAIN WINONA, individuals must be residents of Winona County, have graduated high school or received a GED prior to January 1, 2020 and be currently unemployed (currently not working but looking to reenter the workforce) or currently under-employed (seeking full-time work or receiving wages that still qualify as low income).

Students must remain a Winona County resident throughout their program and maintain a 2.0 GPA.  

To find out if you are eligible for TOGETHER WE TRAIN WINONA, fill out the interest form at www.southeastmn.one/TrainWinona. For more information, contact Autumn Herber, Workforce Development Specialist, 507-205-6057 or [email protected].