Beginning with Ruth: Four Generations, One Enduring Legacy

A single decision made in 1941 has become a family legacy nearly a century in the making.

When Ruth Johnsen graduated from Dickinson State Teachers College, she began a tradition that would one day include her son, grandson, granddaughter-in-law and now her great-grandson, Maddax, who joins the Blue Hawk family this fall.

For the Johnsens, Dickinson State has never been just a university. It has been a place where generations have learned, grown and built a lifetime of memories.

"Having four generations of Dickinson State alumni in our family is pretty special," Clayton and Angela said. "It's something we take a lot of pride in, not just because of the diploma or the name, but because of what Dickinson State has meant to our family over the years."

Clayton and Angela remember their own years at DSU as the beginning of their life together. They built friendships, discovered their passions and embraced a campus community that still feels like home.

Today, they see those same opportunities waiting for Maddax.

"Owen and Ruth really helped start that connection to Dickinson State for our family," they said. "They passed down values that have carried through generations: hard work, humility, loyalty, faith, family and being proud of where you come from."

Although Ruth and Owen are no longer here, their influence continues to shape the family. As Maddox begins his own Blue Hawk journey, his parents have encouraged him to embrace every opportunity while creating a path uniquely his own.

"We want him to be proud of the tradition he is part of, but also make his own path and create his own memories," they said.

When asked to imagine what Ruth and Owen would say to Maddax, Clayton and Angela's answer was simple. "We are proud of you. Now go make the most of it."

This fall, another Johnsen will walk the same campus that has shaped generations before him. For one family, Dickinson State isn't simply where they earned degrees. It's where a legacy began, where values were strengthened and where the next chapter is ready to be written.