2022-23 Philanthropic Impact Report
Read about the impact donors are making at St. Cloud State University.
Author Archives: Colleen Harrison
SCSU hosts Lemonade President’s Reception and Concert, Granite City Days opening ceremonies
The Lemonade Concert and Art Fair is one of St. Cloud State University’s best-known campus traditions and marks the opening of the St. Cloud’s Granite City Days community-wide event. The event returned to campus on June 22 for the 50th annual year, complete with the annual Lemonade President’s Reception inside of Atwood Memorial Center. “This event is
SCSU Hockey player grew up on the ice thanks to Olympic speedskating parents
Men’s Hockey player Grant Cruikshank grew up on the ice rink and remains on the ice to this day in part due to the influence from his Olympic speedskating parents, Bonnie Blair Cruikshank and Dave Cruikshank.
Leah Neidecker: Saving lives by sharing cutting edge techniques
Leah Neidecker, who earned her Bachelor of Science in Ecology in 2013, is a program manager in aortic medical science with Medtronic. She collaborates with key opinion leaders in the vascular and cardiothoracic surgery specialties to deliver the most relevant, accurate and data-driven training to health care professionals.
Diane Nelson: Bold breakthroughs through the art of weaving
Something incredible is happening at Annandale Art & Textile Center, as Diane Nelson teaches weaving at the Center and supervises the Heart of the Lakes Weavers — a vocational weaving program for people with social or developmental disabilities and alternate learning styles.
Nic and Paige Dowd: Creating new experiences for sensory sensitive fans
The Dowd’s Crowd sensory kits, buffer the sights and sounds of a packed hockey arena for kids who are sensory sensitive. Families are now able to enjoy the thrill of attending a hockey game together.
Alumni gifts have positive impact for students and community
The announcement and dedication of The Judy C. Pearson Department of Communication Studies took place Sept. 22 in the lobby of Riverview at St. Cloud State University. Dr. Judy Pearson endowed the University’s Communication Studies department with a $1 million gift, resulting in the first named department on campus. earson’s gift will provide resources to support the advancement of the Communication Studies department. It has already provided four scholarships to first-year and transfer students, and will provide for the department’s first diversity scholarships.
St. Cloud State alumni in action
Three St. Cloud State University alumni have put their educations into action in their respective career fields.
Importance of public, private partnerships in higher education discussed at annual Leadership Breakfast
St. Cloud State University’s 2023 annual Leadership Breakfast took place Thursday, June 8 at Union Depot in St. Paul.
President Robbyn Wacker was part of a panel with John Bryant, CEO of GeoComm, and Aaron Fisk ’04, Senior VP of Custom Partnerships with Microbiologics. The panel, moderated by SCSU Foundation President Lynne Warne ’85, discussed the importance of private and public partnerships in higher education.
Norwegian alumni endow Professional Selling Institute with $1 million gift
The establishment of The Per Rasmussen ’86 and Nina Skage ’86 Professional Selling Institute is a distinctive component of the It’s Time leadership focus, and a driving factor in helping establish the Herberger Business School as a nationally recognized leader in business-to-business sales education. The gift accelerates and elevates St. Cloud State as a leader in Minnesota, the Midwest and across the nation in academic programming and scholarship.
