When we all come together for university events, it’s easy to see a sea of purple and label us collectively as Warriors. However, not every Warrior is alike.
Some Warriors enjoy sports while others prefer hiking; some like music while others appreciate movies.
For any student who loves nothing more than cozying up with a good book and reading for hours or writing until their heart is content, check out these 10 campus clubs and five spots in downtown Winona that will make the Bookworm Warrior feel right at home.
Campus Clubs
1. Her Campus
Her Campus is a national organization that serves as an online news magazine and blog platform for a female collegiate audience.
At WSU, it’s a student-run club that provides aspiring authors the opportunity to freely write articles of all topics and build a virtual portfolio to share with family, friends and future employers.
Don’t be fooled by the name, though—all students are more than welcome to join, even males!
2. Winona Wordsmiths
Winona Wordsmiths is a WSU club that brings together creative writers.
Students not only share and edit one another’s original pieces, but also encourage their peers to achieve their best writing potential—meaning an instant network of writers to lean on when you’re stuck in writer’s block.
3. The Winonan
The Winonan is WSU’s campus newspaper.
Students itching to become reporters are given the opportunity to cover stories that affect people’s lives within the university community, with topics ranging from sports to professors to resources and events.
Besides the pride of having your name published in a physical newspaper, The Winonan staff are also paid for their contributions (talk about bonus!).
4. Satori
Satori is the literary arts magazine at WSU. It’s comprised of select poetry, art, and prose submissions, as well as the three winning pieces from the Winona Prize in Creative Writing (keep reading for more details).
If you’re interested in having your work published, you’re welcome and encouraged to submit your original pieces, regardless of your year and major.
If you’re interested in being a part of the editorial and review process of the literary arts magazine, you can enroll in ENG 324: Projects in Writing and Language, during Spring semester (Satori is released every April).
Another perk of being featured in this magazine is receiving a free copy for yourself at the publishing party.
5. Sigma Tau Delta
Sigma Tau Delta is WSU’s International English Honor Society.
It’s invitation-only for select undergraduate and graduate students who are majoring in and have demonstrated a proficiency in their declared English department program.
Among the benefits of joining Sigma Tau Delta include many scholarship, internship, and publishing opportunities, as well as graduation cords.
6. Society for Collegiate Journalists
The Society for Collegiate Journalists (SCJ) is a WSU club meant for any student interested in the field of journalism.
Not only does SCJ plan trips to local news stations, newspapers, and conventions, but also it provides Mass Communication-related job listings for its members.
Students are additionally given the opportunity to have their work judged by professionals during their Annual National Contest—yet another opportunity for you to begin building your portfolio as a rising reporter.
7. Winona Prize in Creative Writing
The Winona Prize in Creative Writing is a contest run through the English Department to which students can submit original creative pieces of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.
To submit a manuscript, students must be enrolled full-time at WSU and have completed a WSU creative writing course, which can include ENG 222: Introduction to Creative Writing, or any upper-level creative writing course.
In past years, the winning contestant for each of the three categories receives a $1,500 prize and is featured in that year’s edition of Satori.
8. Student International Literacy Association
The Student International Literacy Association is a student-run organization that is passionate about spreading the love of reading and writing.
The club’s mission is to raise awareness of illiteracy and to promote resources that counter the issue through volunteer opportunities, projects, and informational meetings.
If you dream of a world where everyone has the capability to read and write, you’ll fit right in!
9. Common Book
The Common Book is a project run through the English Department that brings together the community of WSU readers to discuss a single work.
A new Common Book is selected each academic year based on the issues it raises. It may be incorporated into both the curriculum of multiple WSU courses—including ENG 111: College Reading and Writing—and on-campus events.
Previous events related to chosen works include public readings, lectures and visits from selected authors.
The Common Book Project is a great opportunity for you to widen your literature repertoire and to become more involved with your collegiate community.
10. Great River Reading Series
The Great River Reading Series brings published authors to WSU each year.
Poets, fiction writers, and non-fiction writers alike have the opportunity to visit certain creative writing and literature classes and to give a public reading of a selected work of theirs.
If you’re eager to meet successful writers, you don’t want to miss out on these annual events.
Downtown Winona
1. Chapter 2 Books
Located on 121 West 3rd Street, Chapter 2 Books is roughly a 10-minute walk from WSU.
This bookstore houses over 15,000 books in stock that come with an affordable price tag for book-hungry college students.
You can also buy, sell, and trade vinyl records and CDs, so there truly is something for everyone!
2. Paperbacks & Pieces
Located on 429 Mankato Avenue, Paperbacks and Pieces is about a five-minute car drive from campus.
This bookstore is known to be the oldest and largest—it claims to have over 35,000 titles in stock—in Winona since 1977, promising bookworms both character and a wide selection of genres.
3. A-Z Collectibles
Located on 152 Main Street, A-Z Collectibles is less than a five-minute walk from WSU.
This bookstore is guaranteed to take any customer down memory lane with their featured stock of antique goods and collectibles, including used books and other unique finds.
If you’re a history buff or bargain hunter, you’ll probably never want to leave.
4. Jimmy Jams
Located on 113 East 3rd Street, Jimmy Jams is about a 15-minute walk from campus.
For the non-conventional reader, this bookstore sells comic books and graphic novels, along with video and board games, and even DVDs.
Jimmy Jams also buys video games and DVDs—some extra cash may come in handy for anyone jonesing for something to munch on while devouring a page-turner.
5. Winona Public Library
Last, but not least, the Winona Public Library is located on 151 West 5th Street, which is less than a 10-minute walk from WSU.
What could be better than free reading and a quiet place to do so?
The Winona Public Library additionally offers students the perfect spot to study in peace, as well as a variety of fun community events, such as writing workshops, performances and presentations by published authors.
Interested in either reading or writing? Find your community today by joining one of the on-campus clubs listed above and visiting a bookworm-savvy spot in downtown Winona.
Let WSU be the next chapter in your life!
