You’ve probably seen the bluffs. If you’ve ever driven through Southeast Minnesota, Winona State University (WSU) is hard to miss, tucked right between those massive limestone cliffs and the Mississippi River. It’s a gorgeous spot, honestly. But for a lot of people, there's this weird assumption that a mid-sized school in a "quiet" town doesn't produce heavy hitters.
That's just wrong.
When you actually dig into the list of Winona State University notable alumni, you realize this place has been a low-key factory for NFL stars, political lightning rods, and even the "Father of Satellite Meteorology." It’s a mix of midwestern grit and some seriously high-level ambition. Let’s get into who actually came out of Winona and why it matters.
The Big Names You Probably Recognize
If we’re talking about pure name recognition, we have to start with Michele Bachmann. Whether you loved her or couldn't stand her during her 2012 presidential run, she’s easily one of the most famous people to ever walk across the stage at WSU. She graduated in 1978. Before she was a polarizing figure in the Tea Party movement or a member of Congress, she was just another student navigating Somsen Hall.
Then there’s the entertainment side of things.
Have you ever watched Mystery Science Theater 3000? If you have, you know Mary Jo Pehl. She’s a writer and actress (Pearl Forrester, anyone?) who basically helped define a specific brand of cult comedy. She didn't just stumble into TV; she honed that comedic timing in the theater department at Winona State. It’s kinda cool to think that one of the sharpest wits in 90s television started out in a small theater on the shores of Lake Winona.
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Gridiron and Golf: The Athletes
Winona State has a weirdly strong pipeline to professional sports for a Division II school.
- Jim Bakken: This guy is a legend. He was a quarterback at WSU in the early 60s, but he went on to play 17 seasons as a kicker for the St. Louis Cardinals. We’re talking four Pro Bowls and a spot on the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team.
- Troy Merritt: If you follow the PGA Tour, you’ve seen Merritt. He was the medalist at the 2009 PGA Tour Q-School and has won multiple times on the tour. He’s the ultimate "small school guy makes it big" story for the Warriors.
- Brian Wrobel: A more recent name for football fans, Wrobel was an absolute beast of a quarterback who ended up playing professionally, including stints in the Arena Football League and NFL training camps.
The Scientists and the Power Players
This is where the list of Winona State University notable alumni gets really impressive in a "wait, they went there?" kind of way.
Ever check the weather on your phone? You can thank Verner Suomi. He’s widely considered the father of satellite meteorology. Suomi graduated from Winona State Teachers College (as it was called back then) in 1938. He eventually invented the Spin Scan Radiometer, which allowed satellites to take those continuous images of Earth we see on every weather report today. He’s literally a Hall of Fame scientist who started out in a classroom in Winona, Minnesota.
Then you have the military and political heavyweights.
General James J. Mingus is currently a four-star general and the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army. That is about as high as you can go in the military hierarchy. It’s a massive deal. On the legislative side, Tim Penny represented Minnesota’s 1st district for years and became a major voice for fiscal responsibility. WSU isn't just a "teachers' college" anymore; it’s a place where people go before they end up running huge chunks of the government.
Why the "Bluff" Factor Works
I’ve talked to a few alumni over the years, and they all say the same thing. There’s something about being isolated in that valley that forces you to focus. It’s not a "distraction" city. You’ve got the river, you’ve got the hiking trails, and you’ve got your department.
Terry Ryan, the former General Manager of the Minnesota Twins, is a perfect example. He’s the guy who built the division-winning teams of the early 2000s. Ryan is known for being a "scout’s scout"—someone who puts in the work and looks at the details. That’s a very Winona State vibe. It’s about the work, not the flash.
A Quick Reality Check on the List
Honestly, some "notable alumni" lists for schools this size can feel a bit padded. You'll see people who attended for one semester and then left. But the people mentioned here? They are true Warriors. They stayed, they graduated, and they used that specific brand of Minnesota work ethic to move the needle in their respective fields.
From Jake Runestad, a world-renowned composer whose music is performed at places like Carnegie Hall, to Josh Braaten, an actor you’ve definitely seen in shows like American Horror Story or The Mentalist, the reach is surprisingly global.
How to Leverage the WSU Legacy Today
If you’re a current student or a recent grad looking at this list, don't just see it as a "hall of fame." See it as proof of concept. The "small school" stigma is basically dead in 2026. Whether you want to be the next Ali al-Ahmed (a major scholar and human rights activist) or follow in the footsteps of Echo Huang in the financial world, the path is already paved.
Step 1: Use the Network. The WSU Alumni Association is actually pretty tight-knit. Reach out to people. You'd be surprised how many "big shots" are willing to take a call if you mention you also used to grab coffee at Mugby Junction.
Step 2: Lean Into the Niche. Winona State is famous for its Composite Materials Engineering program—the only one of its kind in the country for undergraduates. If you're in a specialized program like that, you are the "notable alum" of tomorrow.
Step 3: Document Your Journey. People like Mary Jo Pehl or Verner Suomi didn't become famous overnight. They built a body of work. Start building yours while you’re still in the 507 area code.
Winona State University isn't just a place to get a degree; it’s a place that produces people who actually change the way we see the world—whether that's through a satellite lens, a political platform, or a 40-yard field goal.