Southeast Reports Significant Jump in Scholarships

Southeast Reports Significant Jump in Scholarships

Winona and Red Wing, MN (September 21, 2026) – As fall semester gets underway, Minnesota State College Southeast is celebrating increases in the number of scholarship recipients and the amount of funding awarded.

For fall semester 2026, the college awarded 210 scholarships, totaling more than $230,000. That marks an increase of 10% over the number of scholarships awarded during the previous academic year, and nearly an 87% increase in the overall dollar amount.

Michelle Dingwall, Southeast's Executive Director Foundation and Development, attributes the increases to the addition of new scholarships at the college, and the strong performance of the college's endowment, which resulted in more financial awards being available.

Dingwall mentioned two new scholarships the college is excited to be able to offer.

An anonymous donor in Alaska has funded the first ever full-ride scholarship for a band instrument repair diploma student. The scholarship was inspired by one of the donor's family members, who works as a music teacher in upstate New York and recognized the need for more skilled instrument repair people.

Their $12,500-gift resulted in the new scholarship which covers tuition and fees, along with the cost of tools and equipment needed to learn instrument repair.

This year's recipient of the scholarship, Breydon Woods, said he was at a loss for words. "This scholarship means so much," Woods said. "It will help me go to college without having to work two to three jobs to support myself."

Southeast is also offering 10 new scholarships for students pursuing a truck driving certificate. The $1,000 scholarships are the result of the generosity of the Sports Car Club of La Crosse, which uses the Southeast truck driving course when it is not being used for instruction. 

"I love meeting prospective donors and learning about what they are passionate about, and then helping them find giving opportunities that align with their values and objectives," Dingwall said.

"We are always looking for win, win, win philanthropic partnerships, ones that benefit our students, the college and our donors."

If you or someone you know is interested in creating a scholarship at Minnesota State College Southeast, please contact Dingwall at michelle.dingwall@southeastmn.edu or 507-453-1432.