Ken & Nancy Pedersen Annual Education Scholarship

In April 2018, the Ken & Nancy Pedersen Education Scholarship was established as an annual fund in the Winona State University Foundation. The scholarship will benefit and encourage education majors with preference given to students who plan to teach history or science.

Criteria
1. Each recipient must be an undergraduate student enrolled full-time and in good standing at Winona State University (minimum of 12 credits per semester, fall and spring)
2. Each recipient must be admitted into the Teacher Education Program at WSU.
3. Recipients must plan to teach history or science. One award in education/history and one award in education/science.
a. In the unlikely event that there are no students who meet the above requirements the following is acceptable:
2 scholarship awards to history OR science
4. Each recipient must be a sophomore, junior, senior or 5th year student.
5. Each recipient must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
6. Each recipient must have financial need; however, financial need will not be based solely on FAFSA.

Background and Motivation
Kenneth David Pedersen and Nancy Lou Flannery were born in Austin, MN, and knew each other growing up and throughout school. In addition to being an avid student of history and science, Ken was an athlete, and Nancy pursued her interest in music and religious studies.

After attending Austin Community College for two years, Ken earned his B.S. in education at Winona State College, and Nancy earned her B.S. in religious education at Macalester, both in 1957. They married in 1958, and raised two children, Carolyn & David. In 1961, Ken went on to earn an M.A. in educational administration and Ed. Specialist Degree from the U of MN. In addition to a career in teaching, Ken was a secondary principal at several schools throughout MN. He served as Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Schools in Stillwater public schools from 1973 until his retirement in 1995. Ken was also a consultant for the Department of Defense and the State of MN from 1985-1997, evaluating military and private schools in Saudi Arabia, Japan, South Korea and Minnesotas North Central Association.

Along with raising their children, Nancy taught school and bible studies, served in AAUW leadership, and was a part time secretary for Young Life a Christian ministry. Nancy was also co-owner of a popular tearoom in Stillwater.

Ken earned a Bush Fellowship in 1975 and IDEA fellowship in 1966/67. He held several leadership positions throughout his career including:
Associate Executive Secretary with MN, ND & SD Associations for Secondary School Principals
State Secretary for MASC
Chairman of National ASCD

Education has provided Nancy and I with many opportunities, which would not have been available to us had we not taken advantage of what the State and people of Minnesota provided. The need to increase educational opportunities for more young people is important to our country and to those seeking to improve their future. We hope to be a small part in paying back what we received!