Pamela Koelsch Memorial Scholarship

Pamela Koelsch, who was born on April 2, 1980 to Monica and Jerald Koelsch, grew up in Pine Island, Minnesota. Pam was set to graduate from Winona State University in December of 2002 with a major in Business Administration. In grade school, Pam was active in Girl Scouts and was a huge fan of Disney movies. Prior to college, Pam enjoyed being a high school cheerleader, and played violin in her high school orchestra. Her senior year she was took 2nd place at the Miss Congeniality award in the Miss Pine Island pageant. At WSU, Pam was President & Recruitment Director of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority, President of Inter Greek Council and Sorority Representative. During her tenure in the Greek system she initiated “Box Tops for Education,” a fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House, and started the “Toys for Tots” program on the WSU campus. Pamela also had the opportunity to be Freshman Orientation Leader and received the “Peoples Choice Award” in the Ms. WSU Contest in the spring of 2000. Besides being active in campus and Greek life, Pam worked her way through college, holding down jobs at both Menards in Rochester and Bullseye Beer Hall in Winona. Pam’s favorite holiday was the 4th of July, and she loved camping, boating and being with family and friends. Pamela was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident on July 14, 2002, one semester prior to her graduation. After her funeral, the Tri Sigma sorority honored her memory with a ring of sparklers around the WSU campus.

Pam was a truly unique person and had the ability to light up a room when she walked in. She had the gift to see the good in each person she encountered and was always able to make you feel special. Pam was very motivated and hard working and dedicated to her family, friends, work, and the college organizations that she was a member of. Her role in Tri Sigma and Greek Council quickly grew into one as a leader. Her goals were clear in that she wanted to increase the student involvement in the Greek organizations at WSU and she wanted to help the Zeta Eta chapter of Tri Sigma become a nationally recognized name. She proved to be successful in these goals as the Zeta Eta chapter could be found often in the sorority’s national magazine, The Triangle. The Koelsch family and members of the Tri Sigma sorority would like Pam’s legacy on campus and in the Greek community to continue on.

Scholarship contacts are Monica Koelsch (mother of Pam), Jocelyn Hillman, and Michelle Viogt.