A $1.1-million scholarship gift to Minnesota State University, Mankato from the estate of Warner A. Zeno “will make a positive difference in the lives of many young people” from Mankato, said Richard Davenport, president of the university.
The endowment, announced this week, is part of $1.8 million in donations from the former Mankato businessman to the university and three other Mankato organizations. In addition to the Minnesota State Mankato endowment, Zeno gave about $232,000 each to the Blue Earth-Nicollet County Humane Society, the Mankato Masonic Lodge and the Salvation Army.
“We are deeply grateful to Warner A. Zeno for this very generous gift,” Davenport said. “It is not only a gift to the university, but a gift to the entire Mankato community. Mr. Zeno was a lifelong Mankato citizen who was passionate about the value of higher education, and about giving back to the community. His gift will fulfill both of those goals. The Warner A. Zeno Family Scholarships will benefit deserving Mankato students, and those young people, in turn, are likely to pursue careers in Mankato, and become the next generation of leaders for Mankato, the state and the nation.”
Zeno specified that the scholarships go to deserving students who were born and reside in the Mankato School District. Minnesota State Mankato financial aid officials expect application materials for the Warner A. Zeno Family Scholarships to be available in the next several months.
University officials estimate the endowment would generate approximately $40,000 per year for scholarships.
“Gifts such as Mr. Zeno’s are especially important now,” Davenport added. “Difficult economic times make it harder for families to find the money to finance higher education.”
Zeno, who died earlier this year at age 90, was a lifelong Mankato resident who founded Zeno Glass Company shortly after he returned from service in World War II. He graduated from Mankato High School and Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis; was active in the Masonic Lodge and other service organizations; and operated Zeno Glass Company until he retired.
His wife, the former Mildred Flohr, preceded him in death.
“On behalf of the University and the many future Warner A. Zeno Family Scholarship recipients, I thank Mr. Zeno,” Davenport said. “This gift is a tribute to his commitment to Mankato and to Minnesota State Mankato, and we are deeply appreciative.”
Minnesota State Mankato, a comprehensive, doctoral university with 14,950 students and two satellite sites, is part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, which comprises 32 institutions across the state.
Email this article | Permanent link | Topstories news | Topstories news archives
Minnesota State
University, Mankato
Mankato, MN 56001
1-800-722-0544
© 2005-2013 Minnesota State University, Mankato. Minnesota State University, Mankato is a member of
Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system and an affirmative action/equal opportunity university.
