At Dickinson State University (DSU), there is one group of students who consistently go above and beyond for others. The students in the Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program (TRHLP) volunteer in the Dickinson community, participate in DSU campus activities, and earn a minor in Leadership all while balancing a rich student life, off-campus jobs, athletics, and of course earning their bachelor’s degree. Observers often wonder how the TRHLP members can fit everything the

It was an exciting day at the DSU Heritage Foundation (DSU HF) as staff and students came together for the annual DSU Give Day. Starting before sunrise, the DSU HF led a breakfast drive and quickly raised $41,360 by 11am. The lunch drive that followed pushed donations well past the halfway mark to $77,456.86. The grand total of all donations made to the DSU HF to support student scholarships came to $112,289.90, well surpassing the $100,000 goal. "Give Day is truly a campaign

The Blue Hawk spirit is embedded in the family of Gaye and Dwight Dvirnak. They have siblings, nieces, and nephews who are in attendance or alumni of Dickinson State University (DSU) and are fondly regarded as ‘Aunt Gaye’ and ‘Uncle Dwight’ by the DSU Cheerleading athletes. In a joint effort to memorialize Gaye’s late brother Denver Kitzan, Gaye and Dwight created the Denver Kitzan Memorial Scholarship to support future DSU students who exemplify Denver’s spirit. Denver grew

Butch Goodall’s (’66) decision to attend Dickinson State University (DSU), then named Dickinson State Teachers College, was something of an impulsive move. After graduating from high school in 1958, Goodall worked hauling cows to the sale barn in Dickinson. While waiting for his check, Goodall stopped at a café across the street from the college and encountered some high school friends. After lunch together, they invited them to a party celebrating the fall quarter break. At

In 2023, Margaret Barnhart was inducted into the Communication, Speech and Theater Association of North Dakota Hall of Fame. For more than 50 years, she has been involved in speech, adjudicating high school forensics meets at the local, regional and state levels. She also has judged state one-act play competitions and state student congress. Reflecting on the honor, Margaret says, “Truthfully, I felt both proud and humbled to join the list of so many distinguished speech and

The sun is setting earlier each evening, and a chilling breeze blows leaves off the trees on Dickinson State University’s campus. Still, the staff and students at the DSU Heritage Foundation hardly notice the change. They are hard at work making the final preparations for the annual DSU Give Day. The goal: for hundreds of people to come together across the nation to raise $100,000 for DSU students, in only twenty-four hours. The first annual DSU Give Day raised $69,760 in 202

The DSU Heritage Foundation is proud to highlight Sarah Boltz, Coordinator of Philanthropy, whose energy and teamwork have made a lasting impression since she joined the Foundation in 2023. In her role, Sarah supports many aspects of the Foundation’s daily operations—from donor relations and event coordination to grant management and administrative support. She ensures that visitors and donors receive a warm welcome, processes contributions efficiently, and helps keep Foundat

The 2025 Dickinson State University (DSU) Homecoming weekend was a nonstop celebration to mark 100 years of Blue Hawk football, held October 5–11. Student events kicked off the week with balloon art, homecoming gear giveaways, and a concert by the DSU Music Department, which built excitement ahead of the arrival of DSU alumni, friends, and fans from near and far. By the weekend, Blue Hawk spirit was in full force. From the Alumni Honors Banquet and Hall of Fame Luncheon to op

Steve Perdue graduated from Velva High School before attending Dickinson State University, where he earned a degree in Business...

Valerie Mack is originally from Miles City, Montana. She came to Dickinson State University in the fall of 1992 to complete her...

When Hayden Gibson took the field as quarterback for the Blue Hawks from 2015 to 2019, he became part of a tradition that continues to...

Donor Spotlight: Badlands Big Sticks Play with Purpose Since their founding in 2018, the Badlands Big Sticks have not only grown into a...

Since May of 2022, Dickinson State University alum Denny Phipps has led the Canadian Pro Rodeo Association (CPRA), originally as General...

The DSU Heritage Foundation is proud to spotlight LaVonne Sadowsky, Temporary Accounting Assistant, whose enthusiasm and dedication have...

Richard Wardner’s connection to Dickinson State University spans over 60 years. Growing up on a farm and ranch operation near Mercer,...

As Dickinson State University Football celebrates its historic 100th season, the capstone chapter of the centennial commemorative book...

Coaching Tree:  Maps the relationships between a head coach and their former assistants or players who later became head coaches...

The Theodore Roosevelt Center (TRC) held its annual Theodore Roosevelt Symposium under the theme “TR and the U.S. Navy,” starting...

Vince Reep began his journey at Dickinson State University in the fall of 1972. Recruited to the Cross Country and Track and Field team,...

Collegiate athletic teams are gearing up for a competitive fall season, including the Dickinson State University (DSU) rodeo team, which,...