Contact: Katryn Conlin, Director of Communications
651-385-6364 | kconlin@southeastmn.edu
April Ledebuhr-Kerrigan honored with Minnesota State College Southeast's 2025 Outstanding Alumni Award, Winona Campus
Winona, MN (May 19, 2025) -- Every year since 2005, Minnesota State College Southeast has honored one graduate from each campus -- Red Wing and Winona -- with the Outstanding Alumni Award, presented in recognition of outstanding personal and professional achievement and service to others.
At its Commencement Ceremony on May 16, Minnesota State College Southeast presented the 2025 Outstanding Alumni Award for the Winona Campus to April Ledebuhr-Kerrigan, a registered nurse whose career exemplifies a life of service to others. Today she is a registered nurse supervisor at Benedictine Living Community in Winona.
"As a nurse, it's important to me to be able to treat people the way they want to be treated and to provide the community with a sense of support," Ledebuhr-Kerrigan said. "In my capacity working with the elderly, I hope I am making sure that their golden years are the best that they can be."
The theme of April Ledebuhr-Kerrigan's career in nursing has always been providing for the well-being of others. She has served as a nurse in the corrections system, worked on a ward for people with acute mental illness, and most especially served the needs of the elderly. During the pandemic she was a Co-Advisor for Winona County's Covid-19 Response and worked directly with many patients who were diagnosed with Covid.
"At some point in your life, you're going to need a nurse to take care of you -- either in a clinic setting or a hospital setting," Ledebuhr-Kerrigan noted. "Having someone who is respectful and honors people's wishes is very valuable."
A lifelong learner, April Kerrigan first attended Southeast as a PSEO student, then completed an associate of science degree in Individualized Studies in 2010. She graduated from Winona State University in 2011 with a bachelor of science degree, majoring in corrections and minoring in psychology and child advocacy studies.
Ledebuhr-Kerrigan returned to Minnesota State College Southeast for the associate of science in nursing degree and graduated in 2017. Her capstone was completed at Faribault State Prison.
At Southeast, Ledebuhr-Kerrigan said she appreciated the small class sizes, getting to know her instructors personally, and knowing they wanted her to succeed in the field that she chose.
In 2018, she earned her second bachelor's degree, a bachelor of science in nursing at Viterbo University with an emphasis on public health.
"April Ledebuhr-Kerrigan's journey from PSEO student to nursing supervisor demonstrates the transformative power of education and dedication to service," said Dr. Marsha Danielson, President of Minnesota State College Southeast. "Her continuing commitment to compassionate healthcare, especially for vulnerable populations, embodies the values Southeast strives to instill in all its graduates."
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About Minnesota State College Southeast
Located in the historic river towns of Red Wing and Winona, Minnesota State College Southeast is a community and technical college that provides a flexible, affordable, inclusive, and equitable college environment and offers a clear sense of direction to all students. College faculty and staff genuinely care about students' end goals, whether that be earning an academic award, transferring to university to complete a bachelor's degree, or attaining career skills. Minnesota State College Southeast is a member of the Minnesota State system.
At Minnesota State College Southeast, we believe college is for everyone. We believe in meeting students where they are. We believe every step toward reaching their educational goals should be simple and achievable.