Ann Wynia

Ann Wynia (née Jobe, born September 29, 1943) is an American politician who served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1977–1989. A member of the Democratic Farmer-Labor Party, Wynia represented portions of the city of St. Paul and served as Majority Leader from 1987–1989. In 1989 Governor Rudy Perpich appointed her Commissioner of Minnesota's Department of Human Services until 1990.[1] She was the Democratic Party's nominee for United States Senate in the 1994 election. After a defeat by U.S. Congressman Rod Grams, Wynia served as the President of North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota from 1997 until her retirement in 2010.[2]

Ann Wynia
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from District 63B
In office January 1977 – January 1989
Personal details
Born	September 29, 1943 Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Gary Wynia
Education	University of Texas, Arlington (BA) University of Wisconsin, Madison (MA)

Biography

Early life and education

Wynia was born in Fort Worth, Texas and attended Arlington High School. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from the University of Texas at Arlington, and her Master of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin in 1968.[2]

Career outside politics

Prior to entering public office, Wynia was a full-time lecturer at North Hennepin Community College from 1970–1977.[3] She served as a regent of the University of Minnesota and founded the Block Nurse Program,[4] which provides in-home care for senior citizens (now merged with the Elderberry Institute).[5] She also served on the board of the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, the Bush Foundation and Health Partners. She was president of North Hennepin Community College until July 2010.[6][7] John O'Brien, a former administrator at Century College, is the current president.[8][9] In 1996, Wynia was elected to the Common Cause National Governing Board.

Political career

Wynia represented Minnesota's 62A House district from 1977–1982 and the redistricted 63B House district from 1983–1989. She was the majority leader from 1987 to 1989.[2] She subsequently became commissioner of Minnesota's Department of Human Services,[10] and was the Democratic Party's nominee for the 1994 U.S. Senate election.[4][11]

Awards and distinctions

• 1995 – Distinguished Alumna, University of Texas at Arlington[4]

References

1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 29, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
2. "Wynia, Ann". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
3. "Ann Wynia recommended for president of North Hennepin Community College; Chancellor Morris Anderson to present name to Board of Trustees". Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. October 21, 1997. Archived from the original on May 27, 2010. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
4. "Distinguished Alumni". College of Liberal Arts, UTA. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
5. "Who we are". Retrieved February 27, 2010.
6. "NHCC president Ann Wynia to retire". Brooklyn Center Business Association. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
7. Adams, Jim (October 7, 2009). "Wynia to retire from helm of North Hennepin in July". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
8. "President's Office – Dr. John O'Brien". North Hennepin Community College. Retrieved August 6, 2010.
9. "O'brien appointed president of north hennepin community college". Minnesota State University. March 17, 2010. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
10. "Ann Wynia". HealthPartners. Archived from the original on March 17, 2006. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
11. McGrath, Dennis J. (August 22, 1994). "Ann Wynia: DFL U.S. Senate candidate". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 27, 2010.