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

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