Community Impact, New Director, & Alumni Events

WSU & SMU on Same Team

Teaming up monthly since last summer to collaborate, share information, and offer resources, Winona State University and Saint Mary’s University are working to tear down the perceived walls of being in competition with each other.

A recent team effort to clean up Winona was just one of the ways WSU and SMU are turning their teamwork into action.

Alumni from WSU and SMU, along with affiliates with Home & Community Options, participated in a street cleanup to help beautify Winona. While the mission was a basic one of cleaning up any trash that is found on Second and Third streets, the added goal was to bring together alumni from the two universities and build connections based on their similarities — while at the same time making the city proud of its universities.

“Winona is our home and we want Winona to be proud of the campuses that are here. This is about taking down those walls and making Winona a better place and doing it together,” said Tracy Hale, director of alumni engagement.

Read the full Winona Daily News article.

New Director of Alumni Engagement

With 11 years of experience at WSU in the Alumni Office and College of Education, and with 20 years in leadership roles across various organizations, Tracy Hale has been appointed the new Director of Alumni Engagement at Winona State University.

Hale will be working to create a network with WSU alumni around the world and will work to improve and maintain WSU’s alumni programs.

Hale has a strong relationship with the WSU community and has worked up the ranks in the Office of Alumni Engagement, serving as both Acting and Interim Directors, Associate Director, and Senior Officer Coordinator.

“My passion for WSU runs deep, and sharing stories and the history of this institution with our alumni and alumnae is one of my favorite parts of my job,” Hale said.

Elmaro Virtual Wine Tasting

WSU’s first Alumni virtual wine tasting event was a huge success!

Partnering with Elmaro Vineyard in Trempealeau, WI was an integral part of making it so.

More than 50 Warrior Wine Boxes were pre-ordered, picked up at the winery and then enjoyed during the virtual event on April 20th.

Elmaro owner, Laura Roessler (husband Todd is a 2007 WSU Alumnus), and event coordinator, Kari Marley ’94, walked our alumni and friends through sample wines with food pairings that were provided in the Warrior Wine Box.

Everyone enjoyed the wonderful wines, food and light-hearted discussion including questions about the wine making process and the history of the winery.

We plan to host another Virtual Event with Elmaro in November.

Baseball Alumni Reunion

More than 80 WSU Baseball alumni gathered at Loughrey Field this Spring for the first in-person reunion since the pandemic.

Alumni from as far back as the 60s came to share memories and cheer on the current team who played a double header that day. The 2011 National Runner Up team was also in attendance as they celebrated the 10 year anniversary of their DII World Series season. All former players were honored on the field during the break between games.