WSU picks up Division I basketball transfer

WINONA, Minn., May 30, 2001 -- A Top 30 Wisconsin prep football player from 2000, Matt Giersch, will join the Winona State University team, Coach Mike Leaf announced. Giersch, 6-foot-9, initially chose Division I Delaware State but was redshirted for medical reasons after one semester. At St. Catherine's High in Waterfood, Wis, Giersch averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds per game.

WSU issues media guide, speaker list

WINONA, Minn., May 29, 2001 -- A 31-page media guide to expert news sources at Winona State University was compiled by masscom junior Andy Davis. The guide lists profs and their areas of expertise. It was supplied to media organizations as a reference. The guide also lists university people who are available for speaking engagements. Among speakers and topics: Brian Aldrich (sociology): Southeast Asia Sandra Bennett (Engish), pioneer women John Burdick (sociology): Suicide Gloria Chuang (music): Beethoven sonatas Richard Deyo (psych): Aging Gabriel Manrique (econ), Immigration James Meyers (geology), Continental drift Frank Rocco (ed), Crisis management Don Sheid (phil), Biomedical ethics

DAVIS Compiler

Music prof finds Cuban people friendly, open

WINONA, Minn., May 28, 2001 -- Retired Winona State University music prof Carlis Anderson returned from the first-ever music educators exchange with Cuba. Thirty-three educators, from grade school through college, visited the leading fine arts conservatory and numerous music festivals. Anderson said the nation was clearly still comunistic under Castro. She found the people joyful and open.

Conferees, Ventura in budget accord finally

ST. PAUL, Minn., May 27, 2001 -- Legislative leaders and Gov. Jesse Ventura, working Sunday of the holiday weekend, reached a budget deal. The deal includes $176 million of new money for higher-ed. Originally the governor proposed $99 million, the House $165 million, and the Senate $233 million. The compromise paves the way for a special legislative session in early June to make it official. The House-Senate joint higher-ed committee meets next week to divide up the $176 million among the University of Minnesota, the state college system that includes Winona State and Southeast Tech, and student aid for students at private colleges. If the committee divvies money in the same proportions as were being considered earlier, the state colleges would receive about $100 million.