The Mdewakanton, “those who were born of the waters,” have lived on Prairie Island for countless generations. Located in southeastern Minnesota along the wooded shores of the Mississippi and Vermillion Rivers, Prairie Island is a spiritual place for Dakota...

Raymond and Florence Sponberg were people committed to promoting world peace. Raymond received his bachelor’s degree from Gustavus Adolphus in 1937. He joined the United States Army Air Forces in 1942 and after his discharge in 1946 felt a strong urge to promote the...

Rebecca Larson was very close to her aunt, Dr. Jane Ann Roberts (pictured), and her aunt’s life partner Dr. Mardy Buck (a faculty member in the Department of Physical Education). Rebecca is especially grateful for the end-of-life care for both women provided by...

I received a BS degree in History (1971) followed by an MS in Media/Library Science (1979) both from MSU. After graduation, I had wonderful fun filled years teaching high school history and serving as a librarian in high schools, colleges and a seminary for approx....

Bruce Gordon was a 1970 History graduate from Mankato State University. He was a lifelong learner and obtained two additional Master’s degrees from Portland State University. Bruce was also fluent in numerous languages including Spanish, French, and German. Bruce and...

Richard “Dick” Lundin and his wife, Darlene, started this endowment to support Construction Management students. A 1963 graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato himself, Dick went on to be the President of Lundin Construction and Southern Minnesota Construction.

One of Rich Meitin’s defining qualities was the way in which he threw himself into life with endless curiosity, optimism, and enormous passion. Of his many passions, music was the through line of his life. He had a long career in the music industry as a producer,...

Robert “Bob” Zylstra was born March 26, 1942 to parents Joe Zylstra and Margaret Groendyke Zylstra in Worthington, MN. In 1944 the family moved to a farm south of Currie, MN. In 1948 Joe and Margaret purchased a 160-acre farm north of Worthington. Later the family...

This scholarship was established by Robert and Jeanne Schramski in memory of Robert’s brother Linus and nephew Michael. Linus was an MSU graduate who served in World War II, passing in 1963 while a POW in Japan. Michael graduated from Minnesota State University,...

Robert D. Schmidt attended Mankato State College and graduated with honors in 1949, majoring in math and physics. Upon release from the service, he entered the then fledgling computer field. Bob later served as Vice Chairman of Control Data Corporation. Bob...

Roderick Olson is a native Minnesotan of Swedish Lutheran lineage. He attended school in Bangkok, Thailand during the Vietnam war and graduated from high school in Kabul, Afghanistan in 1972. Rod graduated with honors from Mankato State University in 1976. Rod is...

Rodney is a 1980 graduate from Minnesota State University, Mankato and the College of Business with a degree in finance. After spending 17 years in the banking industry, Rod joined Merrill Corporation in 1997 and moved into his current role of Chief Operating...

Roger Jorgenson is a 1962 graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato, with a BA degree in Business Administration and Economics. The majority of his career was focused on health care finance. He retired in 2003 as Vice President Finance/Chief Financial Officer...

This scholarship was established in memory of Roy B. Moore (1908-1993) to support student memberships in the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE-America). Roy was an emeritus faculty in physical education; his daughter, Julie, is a physical education...

Russell Nelson was a Conservation Officer for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources from 1970 – 1975, where he was able to share his passion for the outdoors, hunting, and fishing with the community. He worked at the Pierz and Garrison stations before he was...

Sharon King graduated from then- Mankato State College in 1962 with majors in English and Music. Sharon’s principal interest was instrumental music. While in College, Sharon was a member of the marching, pep, and concert bands. After graduation Sharon taught junior...

Shaun and Lori met while attending Minnesota State University, Mankato. Minnesota State Mankato was a great college for them in that it afforded them a great education while allowing them to find terrific careers in fields that they loved. They wanted to give back so...

This scholarship is awarded to students majoring in Secondary Social Studies Education and is used to support study abroad in the year in which the scholarship is awarded. Preference is given to students who have excelled academically, have completed...

Students who have been accepted to the Social Studies Education Program and who have achieved exemplary global, U.S. diversity, civic and/or community service experience are eligible for these scholarships. Gifts from alumni and friends of the social studies...

Established by alumni and faculty, this scholarship is awarded to Social Work students and who have demonstrated a commitment to leadership and volunteerism. Generous gifts from social work alumni, faculty and friends continue to support this scholarship.

Duncan, Petterson and Schaffler were the pioneers of the sociology department, and of many University-wide initiatives. Boyd Duncan taught at the University from 1965-1985. He established the Human Sexuality course in 1970. Dr. Gustav Petterson was the first teacher...

Steve and Judy Legenhausen both grew up in Mankato and were the first in their families to go to college. They both feel graduating from MSU (Mankato State College at the time) was the most important factor in their future success. “College was more affordable when...

Dr. Mohamed H. Askalani was born February 2, 1941, in Egypt. In 1969, he joined the faculty of Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he served as an economics professor until retiring in May 2001. He was active in the Economics Challenge, the campus, and the...

Alumnus Timothy Price majored in Political Science & English with a minor in Spanish. As a student, Tim was actively involved in leadership at the University, serving as elected student representative and as Vice President of Student Government. After graduation,...

Vivian Rippin graduated from Mankato State Teachers College in 1941 with a bachelor’s degree in Upper Elementary Education. She married her husband, Harry, and taught in elementary schools in Indiana and New York, where she was loved by her students. The feeling was...

Wayne Sandee was a faculty member in the social work department for 25 years. He worked to establish the ECHO Food Shelf and served on the Mankato Coalition for Affordable Housing. He has been recognized for his long-term service on the board of the Minnesota Valley...

Werner Fick is a 1968 graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato, with a BS in Accounting. During college, he began working at Peterson & Co. in Mankato. In 1973, he became a partner in the firm. In2007, the firm was acquired by LarsonAllen. He retired from...

Professor Emeritus William E. Lass taught history to Minnesota State University students for 42 years. He earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of South Dakota at Vermillion and his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Lass...