Donors

The Wallins anchor The Wallin Foundation scholarships. Their vision to help deserving students reach and succeed in college is part of a greater commitment to supporting families, strengthening communities and building tomorrow's leaders.

In 1991 Winston R. Wallin and Maxine Houghton Wallin established the Wallin Scholarship Program at Minneapolis South High School, Win's alma mater. In year 2000 they expanded the program to all of the other Minneapolis Public High Schools.

Win and Maxine Wallin

Win grew up in South Minneapolis, son of Theresa and Carl Wallin. A graduate of South High School, he joined the Navy Air Corps where he served two years. Returning to Minnesota, he enrolled at the University of Minnesota and graduated with a degree in business administration.

It was at the University of Minnesota where Win met Maxine, a student of liberal arts, economics and political science. She graduated in 1948 with a Bachelors degree in International Relations and later obtained a Masters degree in library science. Together they raised four children in both Minnesota and Utah.

Win's career began in 1948 as a wheat buyer with Pillsbury on the floor of the Minneapolis Grain Exchange. In 1977 he was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of Pillsbury.

In 1985 Win joined Medtronic as Chairman and CEO and served as CEO until he retired in 1991, after which he continued with Medtronic as Chairman of the Board until 1996. He and Maxine remain active in community affairs and are the trustees of The Wallin Foundation. Starting with a spontaneous inquiry at Winston's alma mater, South High School, the Wallin Scholarships have grown to award over 1,500 scholarships. Today, the Wallin Scholarships are joined by other donors including the Holman, Cornwell, Eric, McCary, Sampson, M&I Bank, Finch, Ronald, Hays, Mulrooney and Junior League of Minneapolis Scholarships.

Thomas H. and Kim D. L. Holman

Tom and Kim Holman are trustees of the Morning Foundation which supports children's health, education, and social welfare. They joined the Wallin Scholar program in 2004, awarding scholarships to 10 students from Minneapolis South and Roosevelt High Schools.

Mr. Holman says, “The Wallin Scholarship Program has provided me and my family many rewards. We value the opportunity to make a difference in the life of a student but also we are making a contribution to our communities, our state and our nation by helping produce an educated citizenry. Our family has enjoyed mentoring our students and watching them grow into productive adults. It is an honor to have contributed to their success.”