Cal & Ruth Hopf Scholarship

The Cal & Ruth Hopf Scholarship is created to give assistance to students who aspire to teach, have a passion for learning, desire to energize young minds, and seek to become a distinguished teacher. First time recipient(s) must be an incoming freshman graduating from Winona Senior High School and must have declared a physical education teaching/education teaching major at WSU.

Criteria

Each applicant must be a graduate from Winona Senior High School with a minimum G.P.A. of 3.0
Each applicant must be an undergraduate student enrolled full-time (i.e., minimum of twelve credits per semester) at Winona State University
Each applicant must be a declared physical education teaching/education teaching major at Winona State University

Biography/Motivation

Cal and Ruth Hopf value learning; they care deeply about students and about the future of society. Together they shared a combined total of 65 years educating young men and women in southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Their love of teaching has left a valuable legacy not only for the students whose lives they touched but for the generations that follow.

Cal Hopf received his Bachelor of Education degree from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Wisconsin, his masters degree from the University of Iowa and his Doctorate in Education from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley. In 1948, he began his teaching career in Winona where he also coached football, basketball and track. During his career, Cal served as the director of eleven Winona area elementary schools and was the first principal of the new Winona Senior High School in 1967. Prior to his retirement in 1983, Cal served as superintendent of the Winona School District (861) from September 11, 1973 until June 30, 1983.

Ruth Hopf received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Winona State Teachers College, her Masters Degree from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, and her Ph.D. degree from the University of Iowa. Ruth began her teaching career at Trempealeau High School in Wisconsin. From 1956 until 1983, she served as a Professor at Winona State University in the business education department. During this time, Ruth also served as department chairwoman and the acting Dean of Education prior to her retirement.

During their long and distinguished careers, both Cal and Ruth Hopf touched the lives of thousands of students. Through their commitment to education, they changed student perspectives and made a positive impact on the future of Minnesota, the region and our world.

The Cal and Ruth Hopf Scholarship Fund will continue the legacy and the fine tradition of educational excellence that the Hopfs began.