Dr. Jo Stejskal
By Joel Badzinski
The WSU Department of Nursing was in need of a clinical faculty member, and Stejskal, then head nurse at Winona Community Memorial Hospital, was interested in moving into teaching. “I talked to the director of nursing at the hospital and they said, ‘Just go help them out’,” Stejskal said. “And the rest is history.”
A rich history, indeed.
In four decades at WSU, Stejskal has made a deep impact as an educator, administrator, advocate, and philanthropist.
“Winona State has offered me the opportunity to grow professionally and personally, and I’m grateful for that,” Stejskal said. “It is my privilege and pleasure to be able to return that investment in me. It’s the caring piece, paying it forward.”
Stejskal has worked as a Nursing professor since 1975, with two nine-year terms as Department Chair, meaning she’s touched several generations of nursing students.
One of those influenced by Stejskal was Bonnie Clipper, R.N. The 1987 WSU graduate wrote “The Nurse Manager’s Guide to an Intergenerational Workforce” and thanked Stejskal in the acknowledgements:
“Dr. Jo Stejskal of Winona State University, School of Nursing, for believing in me ever since I was a smart-%$# undergraduate nursing student. You rock!”
Stejskal is on academic sabbatical for the 2014-15 year but continues to find ways to help new generations. She organized a symposium on Oct. 10 for undergraduate nursing students, the first of its kind at WSU.
Clipper, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at the Medical Center of the Rockies, was keynote speaker.
Stejskal invited nursing alumni to visit during the symposium, encouraging them to support the nursing program. To kick-start that effort, Clipper made a generous donation.
“We wanted them to come and try to get that feeling, that vibe of philanthropy,” Stejskal said.
Stejskal has carried that feeling for many years. Stejskal and her husband, Jerry, sponsor an annual scholarship of $1,000 through the Winona State University Foundation, alternating years between nursing students and football players.
The Stejskals also make contributions to the Foundation in the name of colleagues who are retiring or as memorials, and have been longtime financial supporters of the Warrior Club.
Her strong urge to give back to WSU also has driven Stejskal to serve as the WSU Faculty Athletics representative, NCAA Compliance Team member, Secretary of the Warrior Club, Faculty Senator, and on academic search committees.
“It’s the right thing to do,” Stejskal said. “I will have been here for 40 years, so it has been my life. It’s the collegiality; it’s what it has given me. I just feel moved to return something to WSU so it can continue to survive and thrive.”
