APRIL 2025 E-NEWSLETTER
- lorihauf1
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 6 hours ago
Donor Spotlight: Bravera Helps Blue Hawks Soar
Bravera has been a cornerstone of generosity within the Dickinson State University (DSU) community, demonstrating a commitment to both student success and university advancement.
Bravera is involved in numerous campus initiatives, including hosting tailgate activities, sponsoring a suite at the Biesiot Activities Center, and supporting Yuletyme, the University’s largest annual fundraiser. They are also major contributors to the Sanford Sports Complex and have established an endowment for the Southwest Area Career and Technical Education Academy (SWCTE). Additionally, they provide support for the DSU Booster Club, Touchdown Club events, and the Hall of Fame project.
Alumni Spotlight: DSU Alum Megan Klein Spotlighted in Woman to Woman Magazine
Megan Klein, a 2017 graduate of Dickinson State University (DSU) and standout player on the DSU women's basketball team, is making headlines in Woman to Woman magazine, a publication based in the northwest Indiana region of Chicagoland. The feature highlights Klein’s dedication to promoting women's wellness and her efforts to empower.
With a psychology degree from DSU and a background as a collegiate athlete, Klein credits her time at Dickinson State as foundational to her success. “DSU gave me the tools to succeed both on and off the court,” Klein shares in the article. “The support from my professors, coaches, teammates, and the entire Blue Hawk community helped me discover my passion for helping others.”
Relive unforgettable games that were won (or lost) through sheer grit and determination. This chapter highlights the sport from post-WWII to 2025, taking fans beyond the scoreboard, highlighting the passion, perseverance, and pride that has powered the Blue Hawks across the decades.
Chapter 3 includes:
Legendary Analysis: Longtime sports broadcaster Jim Dahl breaks down the top DSU football teams from 1981 to 2024, offering insights into championship-caliber squads and what made them great.
Northern Stars: Explore the influence of Canadian recruits whose impact reshaped DSU football in lasting ways.
Home Turf, High Stakes: Former Dakota Athletic Conference standout Jace Schillinger recounts the 2004 playoff run, reliving one of the most dramatic chapters in Blue Hawk postseason history.
An interactive website https://www.dsuheritagefoundation.org/100years
is currently being developed to highlight key moments in DSU football history. As the site is in its early stages, we encourage you to check back often for updates and new content.
100 Years of DSU Football Legacy Book - $100
100 Years of Football Children's ABC Book - $40
3 Mini Custom Generational DSU Football Helmets - $150
Welcome to our "Meet Our Team" section, where you can get to know the talented professionals who make the DSU Heritage Foundation successful. To make things a bit more fun, we came up with some unique questions to ask each team member, giving you a glimpse into their personalities.
Robyn McChesney, Development Officer - Academics for the DSU Heritage Foundation, is our team spotlight this month.
If your DSUHF experience was a playlist, what would the top song(s) be and why?
I think I would have to go with “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake. It’s so upbeat and happy! Almost everyone I have met on campus and have worked with at the DSU HF has such fun and positive energy, it’s very contagious! You can’t help but feel happy at the DSU HF!
What’s your favorite spot on campus and why?
This winter it was in front of the fireplace at the DSU HF! It’s the perfect place to take a break, warm up, and catch up with everyone at the house.
If you could invite any person to speak at DSU, who would it be and why?
Someone who could help inspire us all to practice more patience, more kindness and be more mindful of one another.
What’s your favorite campus tradition or event to attend?
I really enjoyed all the activities on campus during Homecoming, but I think my favorite so far was the DSU HF’s Donor Thank You Dinner. Sitting in the room with donors and supporters that are truly invested in the future of DSU, and our students was very humbling and inspiring.
What’s one thing that always brightens your day at work?
Everyone at the DSU HF! Ty, Pam, Kierra, Amanda, Kyle, Sarah, Lori, Debora, ALL the students, and of course Moose & Beru🐾! It is almost impossible to have a bad day working with this amazing group!
AG RENOVATION PROJECT
The DSU Heritage Foundation is raising funds to support the Ag Building Renovations. Stay tuned for more information!
State Board of Higher Education Names Molander
DSU's Next President
The State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) has selected Scott Molander as the fourteenth president of Dickinson State University (DSU). The Board interviewed four finalists at their meeting Thursday, March 27, on the DSU campus.
During Molander’s interview, he highlighted his focus on people and team-driven collaboration and spoke about adapting to meet the needs of the community and workforce through credentials and certificates that are cohesive and stackable. “My focus will always be on people. Teamwork is everything and together, we need to build partnerships within the community. Collaboration with our university system institutions is key.” Molander is an alumnus of DSU.
Dickinson State University Hosts 10th Annual
Blue Paperclip Challenge
Dickinson State University (DSU) is hosting the 10th annual Paperclip Challenge.
The challenge began in 2015 as part of Dr. Deborah Dragseth’s Honors Business Ethics class, where she serves as the Baker Boy Professor of Leadership. Inspired by Kyle MacDonald’s barter journey, which started with a single red paperclip and ended with him receiving a house, the challenge asks students to make six trades over the course of the project. Through this challenge, they learn valuable skills such as negotiation and trading, aiming to exchange each item for something bigger and better.
In celebration of the 10th anniversary, the event has been rebranded as the Blue Paperclip Challenge, replacing red with blue to align with DSU’s official colors and honor the growing significance of the event on campus.
Dickinson State University and Dickinson Fire Department Partner to Enhance EMS Training
Dickinson State University (DSU) and the Dickinson Fire Department (DFD) have formalized a partnership to enhance emergency medical services (EMS) training through an on-campus collaboration. This agreement, outlined in a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), enables DFD personnel to utilize DSU’s state-of-the-art nursing simulation lab to improve training and preparedness for real-world emergency scenarios.
By leveraging DSU’s cutting-edge facilities, first responders will gain hands-on experience in training simulations. These realistic scenarios will better prepare emergency personnel to provide high-quality care in critical situations, ultimately benefiting the Dickinson community.
Blue Hawk Cheer Takes Third at NAIA Nationals, Highest Finish in Program History
Dickinson State cheer delivered a historic performance this weekend at the NAIA Competitive Cheer National Championships, finishing third in the nation with a score of 96.38—marking the program's highest national placement ever.
The Blue Hawks climbed the national ranks with poise and precision, improving on finishes of fourth in both 2022 and 2023, and fifth in 2024. Dickinson State trailed only champion St. Ambrose (97.95) and runner-up Xavier University of Louisiana (97.39) in a field of 15 elite programs.
Blue Hawk Golf Battles Tough Conditions at
SD Mines Invite
The DSU Men's and Women's golf teams wrapped up a tough two days at Arrowhead Country Club in Rapid City, South Dakota. Battling cold, snow, and rain throughout the tournament.
The men's team carded a total score of +58. Leading the way for the Blue Hawks was senior Blake Barner, who tied for 13th individually with rounds of 76 and 77, finishing at +11 (153). Fellow senior Trevor Berry followed closely behind, tying for 15th at +12 (154) after carding consistent rounds of 77-77. Jayce Johnson added a solid effort, tying for 22nd with a two-day total of 156 (+14).
Blue Hawk Rodeo Compete at ISU Cyclone Stampede
DSU Rodeo showcased its talent at the Iowa State University Cyclone Stampede Rodeo delivering strong performances across multiple events. The Blue Hawks men's team secured a fifth-place finish with 280 total points, while the women's team placed seventh with 55 points.
In saddle bronc riding, Tayson Jones put up an impressive ride, scoring 147.5 to earn a second-place finish. His performance was a bright spot for the Blue Hawks as he closely contended for the top spot. Teammate Lanny Brooks was also in the mix but did not record a score.
Blue Hawks Sweep Mayville State Friday
to Earn NSAA Series Win
Dickinson State swept a North Star Athletic Association doubleheader against Mayville State on Friday at Dakota Community Bank & Trust Ballpark, earning wins of 9-2 and 16-12. The Blue Hawks improved to 11-18 overall and 3-1 in NSAA play.
In the opener, Dickinson State erased an early two-run deficit with nine unanswered runs. After Mayville State took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, the Blue Hawks got on the board in the second when Kadin Finders delivered a two-out RBI single to left, scoring Luis Rodriguez.
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