Donor Spotlight: Rhonda ’94 and Chris Fitterer

For the Fitterers, Dickinson State Means Family

At Dickinson State University, the sense of family doesn’t end at graduation, it only grows stronger. Just ask Rhonda ’94 and Chris Fitterer.

When you speak with the Fitterers about DSU, one word rises to the top: family. For them, DSU is a cornerstone of community and a place that shapes lives.

Rhonda, a proud DSU alumna with a degree in Business Administration, remembers her time at Dickinson State with warmth. During her time at DSU, she formed lifelong friendships and deepened her appreciation for the unique, family-centered culture of the university.

“DSU keeps families in the community,” Rhonda reflects. “It’s not just about education – it’s about building a life here.” That sentiment runs through everything the Fitterers do. From Rhonda’s role as Director of Business Operations at Consolidated Telcom, where more than one-third of the employees are DSU grads, to Chris’s ownership of Fitterer Oil, their lives are rooted in southwestern North Dakota and the values that DSU upholds.

As parents to Addison (18) and Mark (17), Rhonda and Chris are often seen attending DSU sporting and cultural events as a family. Supporting the university isn’t just a charitable act for them; it’s a way to give back to a place that continues to give so much.

Their commitment is personal and passionate. Rhonda and Chris fund scholarships and speak with pride about the heartfelt thank-you notes they receive from recipients. “Those notes mean the world to us,” Rhonda says. “They remind us that we’re helping students grow into the future of this community.”

Chris, a strong supporter of DSU athletics, often goes a step further, serving as an unofficial recruiter for the university. “I tell high school students to look at DSU,” he says. “You can compete in your sport, get a great education, and be mentored by faculty and coaches who truly care. It’s a place where you’re more than just a number.”

Both Chris and Rhonda emphasize the value of a balanced college experience where academics and extracurriculars go hand in hand. Rhonda’s advice to current students is simple but powerful: “Whenever you have a chance to join something – do it! Be involved. That’s how you build connections and grow.”

At its heart, the Fitterers’ story is one of dedication to each other, to their community, and to the DSU family they continue to support with pride.

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By Debora Dragseth, Baker Boy Professor of Leadership