Quality Quick Print (QQP) opened in Dickinson 46 years ago, with the mission “to build a great business by delivering outstanding products and services to our customers, along with attracting and developing talented people,” said Laurie Strommen, QQP General Manager. Dickinson State University (DSU) became one of the first clients of the local printing business. Since the partnership, it has expanded to include several scholarship opportunities for DSU students, thanks to don

Janice (Jan) Lundstrum was first introduced to the DSU Heritage Foundation (DSU HF) while accompanying her mother to DSU alumni events. After her mother passed away, Lundstrum worked with the DSU HF to continue a scholarship previously established in honor of her sister and to add one in honor of both her parents.   Lundstrum enjoyed the atmosphere and people at Dickinson State University during her mother’s alumni gatherings so much that she continued to attend events, as “t

Jodi Washington, a Dickinson State University alum and recent finalist in the university’s presidential search, has built a distinguished career in education that began at DSU. Originally from Forsyth, Montana, Washington earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education with minors in psychology and coaching. She chose DSU to continue competing as a student-athlete and played softball for the Blue Hawks from 1999 to 2001 before student teaching in 2002. After graduating,

The DSU Heritage Foundation’s annual Yuletyme event once again demonstrated the power of community, bringing together donors, students and volunteers to support Dickinson State University scholarships. The two primary goals for Yuletyme were to sell out the event and raise $125,000. Both were exceeded. The event sold out nearly one month in advance and raised $150,000, with all proceeds benefiting DSU student scholarships through the DSU Heritage Foundation. “Seeing this even

The DSU Heritage Foundation is pleased to spotlight one of its newest team members, Clayton Schutt, whose creativity and steady behind-the-scenes work have quickly become an important part of the Foundation’s social media and events. Clayton first joined DSU HF in the spring of 2024 as an intern and stayed through the summer to support campus activities and events. He returned in the spring of 2025 for a second internship, and now serves as a part-time employee, working close

The DSU Heritage Foundation is proud to highlight Kierra Mathern, whose energy, creativity, and genuine care have strengthened how the DSU HF connects with alumni and the broader community. Kierra first joined the Foundation in 2019 as a work-study student and quickly became someone others looked to for leadership. In 2022, she stepped into her full-time role, and her influence has continued to grow. Today, she leads marketing, communications, and social media efforts and sup

On December 13th the Biesot Activities Center (BAC) will transform for the DSU Heritage Foundation’s (DSU HF) Yuletyme event, an annual night of entertainment, auctions, dinner, and dancing all in the name of student scholarship support. This year’s theme is Heroes vs. Villains. While the preparations begin months in advance, with committees meeting regularly beginning in August, the success of the event often depends on the “phenomenal amount of work” the DSU HF staff puts i

After a career spanning 35 years in education it's hard to imagine there was a time where Cleon Diers (’64) didn’t know if he should attend college. Growing up on a farm just outside of Dickinson, Diers started his education in a one room schoolhouse. One day he decided that a college education would be important for his future and so Diers started a degree in engineering before graduating in 1964 from Dickinson State Teachers College, now Dickinson State University (DSU), wi

When Richard Foster left his home in New Jersey for Dickinson State College (DSC) in the fall of 1966, he wasn’t sure what to expect. Except, perhaps, a glimpse of “where the buffaloes roamed,” he jokes. Drawn to campus by the affordability and the adventure of the West, he joined four classmates and hit the road for North Dakota. “I came to Dickinson because it was much less expensive than eastern schools, and I wanted to see a ‘western’ state,” he says. “It sounded exciting

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 define Dickinson State football. Now, as the program marks its 100th year, Gibson reflects on his time as both a player and coach, and how the game has shaped his life beyond the field. Hayden is originally from Bismarck, North Dakota, and is currently living in Kansas. Previously, he lived in Dickinson for ten years while earning a Bachelor o