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DSU HERITAGE FOUNDATION TEAM

The DSU Heritage Foundation staff are dedicated professionals striving to continually improve and support Dickinson State University students and alumni. 

 

To contact our staff, call (701) 483-2486 or scroll down for links to emails.

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Ty Orton

Executive Director

As the Executive Director for the DSU Heritage Foundation, Ty Orton coordinates efforts to strengthen relationships and raise funds to support the University, fulfilling its commitment to provide high-quality accessible programs; promote excellence in teaching and learning; support scholarly and creative activities; while serving the region.  

  

Orton began his fundraising career in 2002 at McCook Community College where he was the Head Men's Basketball Coach.  Moving to Dickinson in 2007,  he continued to invest in relationships while coaching and fundraising for Dickinson State University athletics. Prior to his appointment at the DSU Heritage Foundation, he was the major gifts officer at Sanford Health. Orton serves on the Presidents Cabinet and the President's Advisory Council. Orton earned a Bachelor of Education from Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana in 1998 and master's degree in Exercise Physiology from Adams State University in 2003. Ty and his wife, Michelle, have two sons: Tristan and Cooper. 

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Kyle Smith '12

Development Officer - Athletics & Rodeo

Kyle Smith joins the DSU Heritage Foundation as the Development Officer for Athletics & Rodeo. A former Blue Hawk, Kyle was a member of the football team as a player and coach during his academic career. Since graduating from DSU, Kyle has volunteered and served as a member of the Blue Hawk Booster Club, helping support athletic scholarships. 

  

Kyle serves on numerous committees in the Dickinson community including; Dickinson Youth Football and Little Buddy Foundation and a former member of the St. John Trust Fund Committee. He is married to Brittney (Morast ’11), and together they have two future Blue Hawks, daughter Brannigan and son Jett. 

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Pamela Rudolph

Office Manager - Scholarship Support

Pam Rudolph came to the DSU Heritage Foundation as the Office Manager by way of 30 years employment in Yellowstone National Park. 

  

In her role, Pam manages all aspects of the Foundation’s scholarship program, general office functions, and assists with Foundation events.   

  

She has totally embraced Dickinson State University and life as a Blue Hawk. Pam loves the outdoors – gardening, fishing and kayaking, and spending time with her son Jeremy’s family – wife Kati and grandkids - Madi and Knox at their Montana cabin. 

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Amanda Bramhall

Accounting Manager

Amanda Bramhall is the Accounting Manager for the DSU Heritage Foundation.  Prior to joining the Foundation,  she worked as a Mortgage Processor and a Closing Escrow Agent in the title insurance field for 10 years.  

  

Amanda’s role within the Foundation is managing the daily accounting operations and assists with general office  duties and Foundation events.  

  

She is married to Joe and they have a daughter Megan, a recent graduate of  DSU.  Amanda enjoys spending time with her family, camping, fishing, crafting and playing with their three dogs. 

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Kierra Schneider '22

Alumni Relations & Events Coordinator

A Dickinson, North Dakota native, Kierra Schneider was born and raised in the Blue Hawk Community.  Sticking to her Dickinson roots, Kierra enrolled at Dickinson State University in the Fall of 2018.  She came to the DSU Heritage Foundation as a student worker in Spring 2018.   

Kierra found a home at Dickinson State, becoming instantly involved in Cheer.  She attends all athletics and is by far the loudest cheerer in school history and her pep brings every event alive.  She was named Captain of her Competitive Cheer Team from 2019-2022, and was a key component in their 4th Place finish at Nationals in 2022. 

  

Kierra graduated in Spring 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a minor in Entrepreneurship.  Currently, she is pursuing her Masters in Business Entrepreneurship while stepping into her role as Alumni Relations and Events Coordinator. 

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Sarah Boltz

Office Support

Sarah Boltz is a Dickinson native and graduate of Dickinson High School. After graduation, she moved to Grand Forks and attended the University of North Dakota. Sarah returned to Dickinson to be close to family when her younger brother was deployed to Iraq. After returning to Dickinson, she began a near decade-long career in Human Resources.

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Following the birth of her second child, Sarah took a career break to stay home full-time with her kids. Never one to sit still for very long, she continued to volunteer for the Dickinson Hockey Club and was on the board of directors for both the Dickinson Youth Football League and Dickinson Mustang Baseball Club. As her kids grew older, Sarah felt drawn to return to the workforce but wanted to stay connected to the community in a meaningful way. She soon joined the DSU Heritage Foundation part-time and soon fell in love with the people and culture at DSU. In her role, Sarah supports the team administratively, processes incoming donations, and writes grants. She has loved connecting with former teachers and getting to know donors and DSU students.

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Sarah and her husband Brent have three children, Collin, Maddox, and Lydia. Together, they enjoy spending time at their lake cabin and watching their son Collin play hockey.

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Abigail Moerkerke '21

Alumni Support 

A Gillette, Wyoming, and Campbell County High School native, Abigail Moerkerke came to DSU in 2019 as a transfer volleyball player from Black Hills State University. Abby started as a student worker at the DSU Heritage Foundation in the Spring of 2020 and transitioned to part-time in the Spring of 2021.

 

After graduating from DSU in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree, Abby went on to pursue a Master of Education in School Counseling degree from MSU Billings. She will graduate in the Spring of 2024. Abby worked as the Director of Alumni Relations for the MSU Billings Foundation & Alumni for just over two years before moving back to Dickinson to complete her final internship. In January, she got engaged to her fiancé, Jackson. They are keeping busy with planning their 2024 wedding. Abby comes back to the DSU Heritage Foundation with alumni engagement experience and is excited to help support the DSU Heritage Foundation. 

 

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Haylie Oberlander '23

Graduate Assistant

A Worden, Montana, and Huntley Project High School native, Haylie Oberlander came to DSU in 2019 to run cross country and pursue an education in Elementary Education. Haylie started working at the DSU Heritage Foundation in the Spring of 2022 as a student worker. Soon she transferred to a Graduate Assistant in the Spring of 2024.

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After graduating from DSU in the Fall of 2023 with a Bachelor in Elementary Education, Haylie is now pursuing a Master in Elementary Education. She will graduate in the Fall of 2025. Haylie has two wiener dogs that keep her very busy when she isn't at the office. 

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Kimberly Goodall

Office Support

Moose 

Office Support

Moose was born in North Dakota on November 2, 2023 and has grown to be just under 5 pounds as he experiences life in Dickinson. He is quickly learning the office dynamic and earns his paycheck through cuddles. He loves people, so make sure to come say hi to him when you visit the DSU Heritage Foundation! 

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