Shirley Winsley, a respected Washington State Senator and PLU alumna (’71), established the Gordon Winsley Scholarship Fund in 2009 to honor her husband, Gordon. After hearing her story, we are inspired by her support of the scholarship program at PLU, as well as her dedication to students as they pursue their vocations in the classroom and beyond.
“Gordon Winsley graduated from PLC in 1952 with a degree in Business. As a WWII Marine Corp veteran, he received four years of tuition and books thanks to the GI Bill. A college degree would have likely been only a dream as his family was very poor. The GI Bill was a gift from the American taxpayers. It ended following the Korean War. Today the need for student financial help continues. Scholarship eases the need for student loans and the debt that follows.
While a student at PLU in 1971 majoring in Political Science, I was chosen to participate in the Legislative Intern Program and assigned to the Senate. For the next 36 years I was involved in the political arena. Through the years, many PLU students were interns for me. I believe PLU alumni should support the scholarship program to enrich their own lives and the lives of the students who receive the financial benefit.”