Winona STATE University
15th annual university theme
2023-24 Academic Year
A Culture of Caring
The 2023-2024 University Theme will encourage discussions about how to create a culture in our communities that cares for one another. We will consider how we can influence our culture to create caring spaces and approaches that facilitate a mentally well mind prepared to learn, work, teach, and contribute meaningfully to our communities. The theme will facilitate the opportunity to explore comprehensive, student and employee friendly, culturally competent, and relationship-based mental wellness in ourselves, our university culture, our community, and in our world. The 2023-2024 University Theme of “A Culture of Caring” enables us to acknowledge, reflect, and celebrate how a caring culture supports us all in a multitude of ways. Join us in considering what it means to care for ourselves and one another, and how we might participate in creating a more caring culture at WSU and in our communities.
November Highlights
November 8th
National First-Generation Celebration Day
Let’s celebrate our first-gen students experiences and resilience!
November 11th
Veteran’s Day
Take time to honor our Veterans who ensure our freedom. Thank them for their service.
November 13th
World Kindness Day
Today is the perfect day to hand out some random acts of kindness!
November 16th
International Day for Tolerance
When’s the last time you’ve learned something about someone else’s culture? Be curious and kind today!
November 20th
Odd Socks Day
Today teaches us that it’s okay to stand out and to think before we speak about another's differences. Express your feet without fear!
November 21st
World Hello Day
Encourage communication and dialogue between people of different backgrounds in order to achieve peace and understanding.
November 28th from 2-3pm
Join us at the Kryzsko Solarium to hear from the WSU Resident Assistant’s in their TED Talk Tuesday event titled ‘You Are Greater Than You Think!”
Check out our events schedule
What Theme events are happening this year?
August 18th
September 26th
February 16-17th
Year - round!
Year - round!
Year - round!
Lets get ready to rumble!
Welcome Week Hot Topic: Info Session
Friday, August 18th from 2-2:45 p.m
Calling all 1st year students!
We will be kicking off the 2023-24 University Theme with an OR 100 Hot Topic Session during Welcome Week!
Join us on Friday, August 18th in Maxwell 379 from 2-2:45pm to learn more about the University Theme and how you can be a part of creating a more caring environment on WSU's campus. All are welcome!
Wellness Fair
September 26th from 1-4pm
WSU Courtyard
The Fall 2023 Wellness Fair is an opportunity for students and employees to engage with various campus clubs, organizations, and departments and learn more about what WSU has to offer. Each table will have information on their respective area as well as activities related to wellness in an effort to promote overall campus wellness and the 2023-2024 University Theme of a “A Culture of Caring.
See a list of all involved departments, clubs, and organizations here!
Want to get your group, club, or organization involved in the Wellness Fair?
*Confirmed*
Wellness Fair Booths
WSU Groups
Outside Organizations
- Joy Labs of Winona
- Advocacy Center of Winona
- Winona Outdoor Collaborative
- Winona Community Hub
- Family and Children’s Center
- Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center
- Acumen Counseling Services LLC
- Nurturing Connections Counseling
- Winona County Health and Human Services
- Bluff Country Co-Op
- Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union
- Winona Parks and Recreation
- Counseling Services
- Peer to Peer Support
- Basic Needs/Warrior Cupboard
- Counselor Education
- Dean of Students
- Warrior Success Center
- WSU Library
- Bridges Health
- Adult & Continuing Education(ACE)
- TRIO
- Health Services
- Kirkland-Haake Hall Council
- Rochester Graduate Studies
- Center for Global Education
- Nursing
- Green Bandana Project
- Health Advocates
- Student Union & Activities
- KQAL
- Health Services
- WSU Fitness Center & Intramurals
- Political Science Dept.
- Public Administration Dept.
- Ethnic Studies Dept.
- WSU Dining Services
- Cardio & Pulmonary Rehab Programs
…and 20+ Campus Clubs!
Want to get your group, club, or organization involved in the Wellness Fair?
Mental Health Community Care Workshop
*Build your resume and earn a Digital Badge
for your email signature, LinkedIn profile, or
Professional portfolio!*
February 16-17th, 2024
February 16th 4pm-8pm & February 17th 8am-12pm
Come one, come all! This Mental Health Community Care workshop held by Sarah Johnson of The Joy Labs will be an 8 hour training to equip individuals with the skills to care for their own mental health as well as others in order to:
- Reduce the risk & impact of mental illness
- Provide early intervention
- Support the process of healing and recovery
Community Care = Taking care of ourselves and each other
TED Talk Tuesday
Last Tuesday of every month!
TED Talk Tuesdays are hosted by the Office of the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Life, held on the fourth Tuesday of the month, and facilitated by students at Winona State. They carry common themes related to empathy, health, and mental wellness. During the 2023-2024 Academic school year, students will offer TED Talk Tuesdays surrounding our University Theme - A Culture of Caring, specifically related to the 7 Dimensions of Wellness. These events are designed to be an interactive conversation between students, staff, and faculty about what wellness means to them and how it can affect our mind and behaviors both inside and outside of the classroom.
November 28thth from 2-3pm, Kryzsko Solarium
The WSU Resident Assistants(RA’s) will be presenting on the Emotional Dimension of Wellness! All are welcome
Random Acts of Kindness Initiative
All day, everyday!
This Random Acts of Kindness Initiative is for everyone! Hold the door open for a stranger, send a thank you card, give up your seat, cook a meal for someone having a tough time, wish your friend luck on their exam,.... the list goes on and on. Use this card to pass on to the lucky recipient of your kind act and let's keep it going. Once the card has been filled, place the card on the Kindness Board in the Upper Hyphen of Kryzsko. Let's make kindness the norm!
Shout-Outs!
Lets thank all those AWESOME people out there who help us thrive & survive.
Shout-out cards will be available at various gatherings throughout the year, and we’ll even take care of sending them for you. On or off campus!
Resources at WSU
Want to get involved?
Mailing Address
175 West Mark St.
Gildemeister Hall 116A
Winona, MN 55987
Email Address
university-theme@winona.edu
Phone Number
(507)457-2896
University Theme Co-Chairs
Past University Themes
University-wide themes began in Fall 2007. That year, a flash flood caused extensive damage in our region a week before the start of fall classes and the focus of our work became to facilitate the enormous outpouring of support from faculty, staff and students during the semester and the year.
The flood year resulted in a firm understanding for many members of WSU and the Winona community of the power and responsibility of WSU to teach its students in ways that connect them to relevant and authentic need.
Since then, we have organized our engagement efforts around deliberate theme years of education and celebration.
Each year, we involve thousands of students and community members in a variety of class projects, lectures, common book reading, theatre and dance productions, and community-connection workshops around the theme.
