Lucille and Fern McKnight Education Scholarship

In October 2018, the Lucille and Fern McKnight Scholarship was established with the Winona State University Foundation. The scholarship will benefit and encourage students who are majoring in Education.

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. Each recipient must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
4. Each recipient must have financial need; however, financial need will not be based solely on FAFSA.

Background and Motivation
Although it’s been over 60 years since she left Winona State Teachers College, Fern McKnight of Peoria, AZ knows her education was a positive influence in her life. “I have a greater appreciation of all things, which came from going to college,” said Fern, a former teacher, a Women’s Army Corps (WAC) veteran and a retired Mayo Clinic employee. “I started at Winona State when I was 17. I matured a lot and gained a great deal of confidence in college.” Fern has fond memories and strong feelings about the education offered at her alma mater. “I know that Winona State is offering the opportunity for others to have a better life. I wanted to be able to help others experience that opportunity of bettering their lives through education,” said Fern.

The generous support of Lucille McKnight, Fern’s aunt, made it possible for Fern to earn her degree at Winona State. She wanted to honor Lucille’s memory and legacy through this scholarship.