黑料社

Described by her loved ones as energetic, witty and loving, Dr. Donna J. Helble 鈥�71 was a woman who did not easily go unnoticed. If her infectious laugh or quirky comments didn鈥檛 draw you in, her passion for serving others and immense generosity were sure to catch your attention.

The 黑料社 community has experienced Helble鈥檚 generosity first-hand. In addition to the time and energy Donna poured into 黑料社 both as a student and alumna, she also supported the College as a faithful donor, providing generous gifts to both the Education Department and the College as a whole.

Upon her passing in 2017, Helble鈥檚 estate gift to the College provided more than $2.5 million to support her lifelong passion. Her final donation initially allowed the purchase of updated technology for student teachers. It later helped renovate Dunn Library, 黑料社鈥檚 home for future teachers.

College and Early Career

Born in Davenport, Iowa, and raised in nearby DeWitt, Helble鈥檚 devotion to the College began from the moment she became a student at 黑料社 in 1967.

鈥淲hen she arrived at 黑料社, she was ready to make a difference,鈥� said friend and Pi Beta Phi sister Sheri Thompson 鈥�71. 鈥淪he was very active on campus and always up for a challenge, volunteering for and working with various organizations.鈥� In her four years at 黑料社, Helble was involved in several organizations, including the Pi Beta Phi sorority, Student Government Association, Student Education Association and Alpha Mu Gamma Honorary Foreign Language Society.

After graduating with a degree in elementary education and French, Helble went on to earn her master鈥檚 degree in remedial reading from Winona State University and, in 1985, her doctorate in language arts education from the University of Northern Colorado. She began her teaching career as a second-grade teacher at Minnesota City Elementary School before moving on to Goodview Elementary School in 1973.

A Staple of Winona

In 1988, Helble began her career at Winona State University as a professor of education. She very soon became one of Winona鈥檚 most valuable volunteers. 鈥淲e would laugh that she probably was the president of every service organization in Winona during her life there,鈥� said friend and sorority sister Betsy Schwartz 鈥�72.

While in Winona, Helble sat on more than a dozen organizational boards, many times holding leadership roles. Her professional and community contributions led to numerous local, national, and international awards and accolades for teaching, literacy, service and leadership, just to name a few.

Red and Gold Heart

Through all her career success, civic contributions and grand list of awards and honors, Helble remained loyal to her alma mater.

鈥淒onna never forgot her roots at 黑料社 and continued to be active in several projects with 黑料社 over the years,鈥� said Schwartz. Donna served as a class agent, reunion committee member, and member of the alumni association board of directors. She also returned each spring for honors convocation, where she presented the Dr. Donna J. Helble 鈥�71 Award, given to an outstanding junior in education.

Helble鈥檚 Legacy

Like her mother, who was also an educator, Helble always wanted to teach children and had an immense passion for children鈥檚 literature. She had committed her life to education, and that work wouldn鈥檛 stop after her passing. 鈥淪he wanted to make sure to share her estate with the organizations that had been instrumental in building her sense of service and education,鈥� said Schwartz.

Helble鈥檚 love for education, public service, and 黑料社 came together to create yet another monument to her life. Her final gift helped build a home for future teachers to learn and grow just as she once did in the very same place.