Jim & Caron Nissen College of Business Scholarship

Jim and Caron Nissen established the Jim and Caron Nissen College of Business Scholarship as an annual fund in the Winona State University Foundation. The purpose of the fund is to encourage and support students from Minnesota who are majoring in academic disciplines in the College of Business at WSU.

Criteria

1. Each recipient must be enrolled full-time and in good standing at Winona State University.
2. Each recipient must have a declared major in the College of Business (accounting, business administration, finance, human resources management, management information systems, marketing).
3. Each recipient must be a student entering their Junior or Senior year at WSU.
4. Each recipient must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher (4.0 = A).
5. Each recipient must be from Minnesota.
6. Each recipient must demonstrate financial need; however, financial need will not be based solely on FAFSA.

Biography/Motivation

Jim, a native of Winona and a 1954 graduate of Winona High School, enrolled at Winona State in 1958. Prior to entering college, Jim served in the United States Navy. Caron, a Rollingstone native and 1958 graduate of Holy Trinity, also started college at Winona State in 1958. Jim was active in the WSU Business Club and served as President during his senior year. Jim and Caron graduated from the College of Business in 1962 with business graduates totaling 11 students. Jim and Caron met at Winona State and have been married for 52 years.

Caron was the first woman to graduate from Winona State with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration. After 5 years of teaching, Caron opted to stay at home and raise their three children, as well as volunteer her time with various organizations.

After graduation and leaving Winona, Jim spent three years in banking. He then transitioned to a career in sales, his ultimate goal. With a sales career spanning 34 years, calling on National accounts and managing a sales force, Jim retired from Tootsie Roll Industries in 1999 as the Division Sales Director. Prior to his retirement, The National Confectionery Sales Association of America honored Jims career by inducting him into the Candy Hall of Fame.

Today, Jim and Caron enjoy exploring our world and have traveled to over 70 countries. They volunteer their time in their church and community. They are fortunate to have family nearby and love time spent with their children and spouses, and especially their grandchildren.

My college education gave me a bright future. It provided me the skills, confidence and drive to
be successful. Professors and advisors at WSU guided me and gave me the courage to believe in
myself. We are privileged to give others the opportunity to go to Winona State University. Our
hope is that this scholarship will ease a financial burden for students. We believe that college
expands our horizons, and wish for everyone to have that opportunity.