Dr. Micheal Cullinane, the current co-director of the Theodore Roosevelt Center (TRC), Walton Chair of Theodore Roosevelt Studies will release his fifth book on May 1st after a decade of research and writing. Theodore Roosevelt and the Tennis Cabinet explore the contributions of Theodore Roosevelt’s ‘Tennis Cabinet”, an eclectic inner circle that helped the president change the nation. “This is the real way the presidency works. It’s messy. It’s about the networks and the fri

Mark and Melanie Anderson were welcomed into the Blue Hawk family in 2020, when their oldest son Max Anderson (’24) started his freshman year at Dickinson State University (DSU). Max was one of the first athletes to sign to the newly restarted DSU Baseball program, so the Andersons were ready and willing to cheer on their son and the team, traveling for fall and spring games across the country. In 2021 their second son Matt (’25) joined the DSU Football program. After experie

Track and Field athletes, coaches, and supporters flocked to Gainesville, Florida, for the NAIA Track & Field National Championships from March 5th- 7th, including 14 athletes from Dickinson State University (DSU). Led by head coach and DSU alum Shayne Wittkopp (’08), the Blue Hawks ended the indoor season with seven All-American performances, three national champions, and the Women’s national runner-up team standing. Wittkopp was a six-time national qualifier as a Blue Hawk

When Rebecca Duben chose Dickinson State University (DSU) for her technology degree in 2010, she was looking for the flexibility to balance a full-time career and a growing family. Today, she is using that same foundation to help build a national library. As the Library Operations Project Coordinator for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library (TRPL), Duben is helping build the visitor experience from the ground up. Since joining TRPL in September 2025, Duben has facilita

As the Dickinson State University (DSU) campus begins to thaw, Spring events are quickly filling the calendar. This includes the 15 th annual Blue Hawk Booster Club Rendezvous and the third annual All-Athletic Alumni Weekend, taking place Friday March 27 th and Saturday March 28 th . The All-Athletic Alumni Weekend is “an opportunity for alumni and supporters of winter and spring athletic events to get together and meet the current student-athletes,” said Kyle Smith, DSU He

John Hanstad grew up in Dickinson and graduated from Dickinson High School in 2008 before earning a degree in biology from Dickinson State University (DSU) in 2013. He chose DSU not only for its programs but also to stay close to home. Playing basketball for the Blue Hawks was an added bonus to his college experience. After DSU, Hanstad attended the Arizona College of Optometry. He then returned home to work with his father-in-law, Dr. Mark Emmerich, and in 2020, he establish

Kelly Reid became a devoted Blue Hawks fan when his son, Dalton Reid (’16), was recruited onto the Dickinson State University (DSU) Football team. As Kelly Reid attended every game, he became familiar with the people who made DSU unique and even became one of the first members of the DSU Touchdown Club. Reid continues to support DSU a decade after his son became an alumnus, notably through scholarship donations. Reid watched as college students struggled to focus on their edu

The annual DSU Heritage Foundation (DSU HF) Alumni and Friends Arizona Trip, held in Mesa in February 2026, offered supporters a meaningful opportunity to connect and engage with the university. The event brought together alumni and friends from across the region for a weekend centered on relationships, shared memories, and continued support of DSU’s mission. Ty Orton, Executive Director of the DSU Heritage Foundation, reflected on the impact of the gathering, noting, “This i

Mandie Erickson brings a deep connection to Dickinson State University (DSU) and the local community to her role on the DSU Heritage Foundation Board (DSU HF). Professionally, Erickson works at Pathfinder Inspections, where she has spent the past three years. She also holds a real estate license and has worked as an agent with Continental Real Estate for ten years. Outside of work, she stays busy with her blended family. She has two children, Addison and Brody, and shares her

For over 20 years, the annual Cowboys & Candlelight event has brought alumni, donors, and the surrounding community together to build the Dickinson State University Rodeo Team. In the past, Cowboys & Candlelight hosted attendees on the DSU campus, at the Biesiot Activities Center, and at local venues. This year, the fundraising event will coincide with the grand opening celebration of the Dale Little Soldier Arena, a standout detail that has the DSU Heritage Foundation (DSU H

The DSU Heritage Foundation (DSU HF) is full of passionate and energetic staff members, including students working part-time through the university’s work-study program. Andrew Williams and Xeia Schneider are both sophomore students at Dickinson State University (DSU) and recently shared their perspectives on working at the DSU HF. Andrew Williams chose to attend DSU because of its affordability and athletic programs. Williams is majoring in biology, has completed a chemistry

Dickinson State University alumna Sarah Crossingham has been named to Prairie Business’s 2025 40 Under 40 list, which recognizes young professionals making a significant impact in their careers and communities across the region. At DSU, Crossingham majored in Composite Social Science and Secondary Education and was actively involved in campus life. She served as the student representative on the Teacher Education Council, was inducted into the Phi Alpha Theta and Pi Sigma Alp

The Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program (TRHLP) at Dickinson State University (DSU) is under the supervision of Director Michelle Orton, but at its core, it is a student-driven program of 80 scholars. These scholars are students, athletes, artists, volunteers, and leaders on campus and in their communities. Each year, a select few TRHLP scholars take on the additional role of Student Assistant Director and work closely with Director Orton to ensure the success of eve

Education and opportunity are highly valued in the Dickinson community, making it a truly exceptional place for neighbors, students, and businesses to form connections. As a mutual bank, Gate City Bank’s structure allows deep investment in communities and prioritizes giving back. A longstanding relationship between Gate City Bank and Dickinson State University (DSU) opens doors for DSU students pursuing higher education through scholarship support. “We believe that investing

As a Dickinson State University (DSU) alum and longtime Dickinson community member, James Kramer (’90) views DSU’s vision and leadership as a driving force for the quality of life in Southwest North Dakota. After graduating from DSU with a BS in Business Administration, Kramer worked for Dickinson Parks and Recreation for 30 years. He now works at JE Dunn Construction and is able to work closely with DSU and the DSU Heritage Foundation (DSU HF) on numerous events and projects

Susan Anderson spent 40 years teaching at Richardton-Taylor High School, where she coached speech and student congress and directed theater. She also served as an adjunct professor of speech at Dickinson State University. Since retiring, Susan has remained actively involved in education across North Dakota. She serves as district chair of the North Dakota Roughrider Chapter of the National Speech and Debate Association and is a member of the Communication, Speech and Theater

Rhonda Kraenzel has dedicated her career to supporting children, families, and learning in the community she has always called home. Born and raised in Dickinson, she graduated from Dickinson High School in 1986 and enrolled at Dickinson State University that same year. Like many students, Rhonda did not immediately know what she wanted to study. She began in computer science before switching her major to elementary education, encouraged by her mother. Once she began coursewo

Growing up in Lusk, Wyoming, Derick VandeBossche was surrounded by athletics. Both of his parents were deeply involved in sports, with his mother coaching multiple sports and his father serving as athletic director and head football coach. Alongside his brother, he spent his childhood immersed in games and practices that shaped his personal and professional life. Today, VandeBossche lives in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, with his wife, Gabbi, and their dog, Winston. Gabbi owns

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

Donor Spotlight: Janice Lundstrom on Helping Students “Do DSU Proud” Janice (Jan) Lundstrom was first introduced to the DSU Heritage Foundation (DSU HF) while accompanying her mother to DSU alumni events. After her mother passed away, Lundstrom 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. Lundstrom enjoyed the atmosphere and people at Dickinson State University during her mother’s a