Finding Purpose in a New Community

Jim and Connie Messina share a lifelong passion and commitment to education.

Seeing this same passion and commitment reflected in the philosophy of University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR) and its students inspired the Messinas to endow a scholarship fund. Surprisingly, the Messinas had no real connection to UMR prior to coming to Rochester three years ago for a health crisis.

After Jim suffered a health scare in October of 2021, the Messinas decided to make a long-term commitment to their health care by relocating from their home in Florida to Rochester, Minnesota, where their son Steven works as a neuroradiologist at Mayo Clinic.

Earlier that summer, Steven and his wife Sara had asked Jim and Connie to consider moving closer to them in Rochester. “At the time, Connie and I said no way, way too cold for us,” said Jim. But all that changed in the face of health challenges. “The major priority was to get the optimal medical care at Mayo Clinic and have family close at hand in case I passed.”

After his health scare, Jim began spending more time with his grandchildren and volunteering. He wanted to volunteer at Mayo Clinic to encourage patients and be with them during difficult times. In just eight short months, he contributed 271 hours to that goal. His commitment as a volunteer was honored at the Mayo Clinic Volunteer Appreciation Gala in 2022 with the “Most Hours in First Year of Service” award.

Jim also began volunteering at his new home in Rochester, High Point Condominium, and it was there that the Messinas first learned of UMR. One of their fellow condo residents, Marilyn Stewart, held an information session in her home about the University, its students and its outstanding health care education. The Messinas met Chancellor Carrell and four UMR students who shared their stories. “It was an extremely moving experience due to the incredible quality of the students who spoke at that session,” Jim said.

“We had no idea that UMR existed until that fateful night,” he continued, “and then both Connie and I decided to pursue supporting UMR, given its fantastic student body and connection to Mayo Clinic, which was responsible for saving my life in December 2021. We believe that UMR is a wonderful jumping off place for future health care professionals.”

“Whenever we’re around University Square, we are just floored by the number of students who are there continuously working. It’s really impressive being there. I know hardworking students, and these students are amazing. We’re more than impressed.”

In the summer of 2024, Jim and Connie fully funded their scholarship, and have committed to continue making a significant contribution each year moving forward.

The scholarship is open to all students at UMR. “We felt that no matter who benefited from these funds, they would strengthen the quality of the student body and history of UMR,” Jim said. The Messinas emphasize their gratitude to be able to sponsor students at UMR, “because it is a fantastic source of some of the most educated and talented students we have ever met. We want to assist UMR to become as strong as it can become in the future to have a lasting impact on the medical community in this community, state and country,” said Jim.

“When you give to UMR, you can see your money is not going to anything else but the students. That’s what determined why we would give,” said Connie.

“We didn’t do this for recognition. We did this to support people and their mission,” added Jim. “We recognize UMR’s focus on health science. If our grandkids are interested in health science, there is no better school for them to go to. They don’t need a huge university. That’s what we like about UMR — education is primary, and everything else is secondary. You seek higher education [in order] to serve people and that’s what the UMR philosophy is: People first — and I love it.”

The Messina’s generous donation does more than express their deep gratitude for the excellent care they received at Mayo Clinic; it upholds their lifelong commitment to the value of education.

“As a 40-year teacher, you can bet your tootsies that I would always support some form of education,” said Connie. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Buffalo State University, earned her first master’s degree at Temple University, her second master’s at Johns Hopkins and a doctorate degree at University of South Florida. Connie was originally an elementary school reading teacher in Hamburg, New York, and went on to be a special education teacher in Tampa, Florida, until her retirement. Jim graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Catholic University in Washington, D.C., then went on to earn his master’s and doctorate degrees from SUNY at Buffalo. He was a school counselor in Hamburg, New York, completed a one-year National Institute of Mental Health sponsored post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Florida, then worked in community mental health in Pensacola. He also worked with Johns Hopkins University and the Florida Mental Health Institute. He maintained a 20-year private practice in Tampa, Florida, followed after retirement by his work in hospitals and older adult treatment centers. Jim completed his active career serving 10 years at Troy University’s Tampa Campus and retired from Troy in June 2021.

Read more stories from the Fall 2024 Alumni Magazine: The Kettle.