Nelsen “Pliny” Smith Government Internship Scholarship

In November 2025, the Nelsen “Pliny” Smith Government Internship Scholarship was established with Winona State University Foundation. This scholarship will benefit and encourage students majoring in Political Science or Public Administration as they undertake internships.

Criteria
• Undergraduate
• Good Academic Standing
• Declared major – Political Science OR Public Administration
• Sophomore/Junior/Senior status with approved total credits (64) by the time of the internship

Background and Motivation
Pliny Smith grew up in Fridley, Minnesota, and spent three years in Vermont. He graduated from Winona State University in 1971, when it was known as Winona State College, with a degree in Political Science and a minor in History, spending his final Quarter as an intern in Washington, DC, for Walter Mondale. After graduation, Pliny spent five years in Vermont in a variety of jobs before returning to Minnesota in 1976. Upon his return, he began working for the Donaldson Company in Bloomington, Minnesota, where he spent a 43-year career in sales, specializing in hydraulic filtration and serving as Senior Account Executive/Hydraulic Filtration Specialist. During this period, he became active in the local Fluid Power Society and served as President of the International Fluid Power Society in 1990/1991.

Pliny has never forgotten his ties to Winona State University. He has maintained contact with his classmates over the years and has attended the Homecoming events and foundation luncheons each year. By attending the Foundation luncheons, Pliny has gained a genuine appreciation for the Foundation’s work for students. As he watched attendance grow each year, he felt a deep desire to give back to Winona State University by supporting the Foundation, and now wants to establish a scholarship.

Although Pliny’s daughter did not attend Winona State University, she received a scholarship at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Business. She told Pliny what a difference it had made in her life. Now that we can give back to the current students at WSU, it is a true pleasure and something Pliny is proud to do.