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White tents and brown tables lined the sidewalks of the campus’ courtyard as clouds moved overhead and rain began to fall on the purple and white balloons. About half a dozen clowns carried umbrellas to keep the rain off their big shoes. The Gate City jazz band took its show indoors while jugglers performed on slippery ladders.
The public picnic was the first event of many the university has planned to celebrate its 150th anniversary.
Jim Schmidt, vice president of university advancement, said the next year will be full of surprises — many of which he wouldn’t reveal. He did promise that on Feb. 23 the university will be doing something that will receive national attention.
The school was established as a teachers’ college in August 1858 when the Legislature announced that whichever city in Minnesota raised $5,000 in donations or land first could establish a normal school system. John D. Ford of Winona managed to raise $7,000 in a day, ensuring Winona would be the city.
Now, Schmidt said the university is tipping its hat to those who founded the school and have kept it alive and growing.
