WINONA, Minn. – After 56 years, the once-flourishing journalism program at Winona State has been deleted.  Scott Olson, university president, said there was not enough money to replace faculty who had retired in recent years. Also, Olson said, enrollment, was declining. Current students will be able to complete their degrees, he said. Students noted, however, that  journalism’s parent department mass communication, doesn’t have profs with any journalism experience to cover orphaned courses. The decision to shutter the j-program was a major setback for Olson as university president. Olson  had vowed that closing down programs would be only a last resort to address the university’s enrollment shrinkage – down almost 1,900 in 10 years, 22%. The enrollment loss has led to concomitant revenue declines in tuition revenue and state funding, putting the university into a decade of rolling budget crises.  In describing the end of the j-program, Olson chose the euphemism “pause.” He acknowledged, however, that  there were no initiatives to restore the program.

Earlier: WSU enrollment still on downward spiral

Journalism faculty

Recent retirements:

> Tim Grier, twice chosen univerisity’s professor of year by students.

> John Vivian, author of the leading college textbook in field globally.

> Cindy Killion, prominent social activist.

> Drake Hokanson, author of several coffee-table books chronicling Midwest culture.

The first Winona State journalism course was taught by Adolph Bremer, editor of the Winona Daily News, in 1966. The course was then under English Department auspices.