Bonnie (’80) and Neal (’82) Messer are both proud alumni of Dickinso n State University (DSU) and stay connected to the Blue Hawk family with the Neal & Bonnie Messer Endowed Scholarship. “We believe that scholarship recipients are already on their path to a successful future by choosing DSU to continue their education,” said the Messers, “and our hope is that in some small way we make it easier for them for them to achieve their goals.” The Messers established their scholars

For Dustin Dassinger, serving the Dickinson community has never been just a career. It has been a calling. A proud Dickinson State alumnus and the City of Dickinson's current City Administrator, Dassinger has dedicated more than 26 years to public service. He began his career with the City in 1999 as a police officer, rising through the ranks before serving 11 years as Chief of Police. Today, he leads the city as its administrator, helping shape Dickinson's future while conti

The DSU Heritage Foundation is entering an exciting new chapter as we continue to grow our team and strengthen our ability to serve Dickinson State University, our alumni, donors, and friends. Over the past several months, the Foundation has celebrated internal promotions, welcomed new staff members, and supported team members as they pursue new opportunities. Together, these changes position the organization for continued growth and an even greater impact for future generati

This year, the DSU Heritage Foundation proudly celebrates Office Manager Pam Rudolph and her remarkable 10 years of service. As one of the original staff members who helped establish the Foundation, Pam has played an integral role in its growth and success while helping create opportunities that continue to impact Dickinson State University students. Reflecting on her decade with the Foundation, Pam is especially proud of the organization's incredible growth and the differenc

Dickinson State University (DSU) Rodeo wrapped up an impressive rodeo season at the College National Finals Rodeo this June, in Casper Wyoming. The Blue Hawks qualified six student-athletes across three events at the national finals and ended the week with standout performances from student-athletes Molly Rotenberger, Brody Froelich, and Jaysee Jones. Rotenberger finished 7th in the nation in goat tying, Jones earned a 10th-place national finish in the same event, and Froelic

This year, the DSU Heritage Foundation proudly celebrates Accounting Manager Amanda Bramhall and her remarkable 10 years of service. As one of the Foundation's earliest team members, Amanda has witnessed and helped drive the incredible growth of the organization from its earliest days to the thriving foundation it is today. When Amanda reflects on her decade with the Foundation, it is often the internal milestones that stand out most. "I remember when we would run reports wit

Public service takes many forms. It can be found in classrooms, businesses, volunteer organizations, local government, nonprofit work, and in the countless ways people invest in their communities every day. 2026 DSU Kid's Day on the Farm at the newly renovated Dale & Susie Little Soldier Arena At Dickinson State University and the DSU Heritage Foundation, we are proud to be part of a community that understands the value of service. 2024 Hunter Pinke event at Dorothy Stickney

For the past five years, Kyle Smith has played an important role in supporting the mission of the DSU Heritage Foundation, helping strengthen connections between Dickinson State University and the alumni, donors, and supporters who make a lasting impact on the institution. As Kyle celebrates his five-year milestone with the Foundation, he reflects on the experiences, relationships, and growth that have made his journey both meaningful and rewarding. Looking back on his time w

After six years as a Blue Hawk student-athlete, student employee, and member of the DSU community, Christopher Kistler is beginning a new chapter at Dickinson State University. The 2026 graduate has joined the DSU Heritage Foundation as Development Officer for the Blue Hawk Touchdown Club and Athletics. For Kistler, joining the Foundation is more than the start of a new career. It is an opportunity to give back to a university that helped shape his life and future. A native o

Justin Wetzel was the Head Men’s Basketball Coach for Dickinson State University (DSU) from 2014-2017. In that time Wetzel’s coaching led DSU to the 2017 Regular season Championship. Wetzel recently reconnected with the DSU Heritage Foundation to share some memories and lessons from his time at DSU. Raised in Montana and a basketball player for Dawson Community College, Wetzel was coaching at Montana State University when Ty Orton, now Executive Director of the DSU Heritage F

Staff across the Dickinson State University (DSU) campus are taking advantage of the quiet summer months to prepare for the busy Fall and Spring semesters. This summer is busier than ever at the Theodore Roosevelt Center (TRC) while staff prepare for the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora. “Summer is when tourists come to North Dakota and with the increased emphasis on Theodore Roosevelt in western ND, we expect the TR Center's gallery will be bu

The donors who give Dickinson State University (DSU) students amazing opportunities through scholarship donations at the DSU Heritage Foundation (DSU HF) come from all over and have endless reasons for donating. Some choose to create a scholarship to honor a loved one or support a specific academic interest. Many donors are families, local businesses, alumni and even DSU staff and faculty. Kim Goodall remembers pinching pennies to pay for her own tuition. As an Instructor of

The resident halls and sidewalks are relatively empty during the summer months at Dickinson State University (DSU), but staff across campus are hard at work preparing for the students’ return. The Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program (TRHLP) is one of the many departments that continue to push forward each summer. While many of the TRHLP members continue their participation in the program through internships in the community and their hometowns, TRHLP Director Michell

From the small town of Hettinger, North Dakota, to the sidelines of Florida Gators football, Dickinson State University alumnus Isaiah Kludt ’22 is proving that hard work, persistence, and strong relationships can take you anywhere. Kludt graduated from Dickinson State in 2022 after an outstanding career as both a student and a standout athlete for DSU Football. A dynamic running back for the Blue Hawks, Isaiah became known for his electrifying kickoff returns, taking numerou

On May 20, the Theodore Roosevelt Center sponsored a special event at Sulgrave Manor in the United Kingdom. The manor is the ancestral home of George Washington, and the event was one of the UK’s foremost celebrations for America 250. U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom Warren Stephens and his wife, Harriet Stephens, joined the proceedings. Ambassador Stephens delivered a rousing speech on the strength of the special relationship between the two countries, emphasizing the s

Track and Field athletes, coaches, and supporters closed out the year at the 2026 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Asheville, N.C. from May 20th – 22nd, including 14 athletes from Dickinson State University (DSU). Led by head coach and DSU alum Shayne Wittkopp (’08), the Blue Hawks ended the outdoor season with twelve All-American performances, one National champion, and the Women’s third place team standing. Adarra Hagelund secured the championship title for the w

From Anaheim to Norman: A Blue Hawk’s Journey to the Top of College Softball When Whitney Mesi first visited Dickinson State in November 2014, the North Dakota weather was a dramatic contrast from her hometown of Anaheim, California. “It was -2 degrees,” Whitney recalled of her official visit to campus. “So I definitely needed a pretty good reason to say yes considering the amount of warm winter clothes I was about to have to buy.” That reason quickly became clear. “From the

The 2025-26 season came to an end on Wednesday, May 13th for the Dickinson State University (DSU) Softball team after a 13-inning game at the NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round Klamath Falls Bracket at Stilwell Stadium. After winning the Frontier Conference title and advancing to the opening round with wins on Monday and Tuesday, the Blue Hawks finished the season on Wednesday.“Winning 24 games in a row is not easy at any level of college athletics. That kind o

Eric Seiler did not always know he would end up owning a chiropractic clinic, but he always knew he wanted to stay close to home. Born and raised in Dickinson, North Dakota, he graduated from Dickinson High School in 2010 and later returned home to continue his education and baseball career at Dickinson State University (DSU). After initially starting his college journey at North Dakota State University in Fargo, he realized Dickinson was where he needed to be. As he put it,

The commemorative book 100 Years of DSU Football earned third place in the nationally competitive 2026 Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards presented by the National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC). Winners were honored May 12 during a ceremony at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas in Greater Palm Springs, California. The NAGC Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards celebrate excellence in public-sector communication and attract entries from government agencies and organizati