Ione and Lee Loerch Jazz Scholarship

In March of 2024 the lone and Lee Loerch Jazz Scholarship was established with the Winona State University Foundation. The scholarship will benefit and encourage students who are members of the Winona State Jazz Ensemble and/or Jazz Combo Program.

Criteria
□ Undergraduate Student
□ Must be an incoming freshman or transfer student
□ Must be a full-time student (12 credits or more)
□ Must be joining the WSU Jazz Ensemble and/or Jazz Combo Program.
□ Preference given to a student with a 3.0 or greater GPA

Background and Motivation
Lee grew up in Rushford, MN and graduated from Winona State University in 1963 earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in English Education. He spent over 30 years in Education, teaching and counseling at the high school, technical and college levels, including 18 years in Winona State Admissions, retiring in 1996. Lee was a tireless-sometimes even fierce-advocate for his students as they found their way at WSU. Lee was instrumental in developing the technical college transfer program which was ultimately adopted throughout the Minnesota State System.

Ione attended WSU in 1960 and again in 1976-1978, graduating from the external studies program in 1978. After receiving her MS in Social Work from UW-Madison, she served as the Fillmore County Social Services Supervisor until 2001. Like Lee, a strong advocate for her social workers, she established high standards for her successors to aspire to.

While both Ione and Lee were fortunate enough to graduate debt-free, both understand clearly the cost of college. They also share a legacy at Winona State, beginning with Lee’s mother who graduated in 1932, and continuing with Lee’s two brothers, Ione’s niece, Lee and Ione’s son and their daughter in law. This scholarship represents a chance to give back to a great institution, and to support aspiring jazz performers.