Donor Spotlight: Devan and Darnell Douglas (’12) Champion the Blue Hawk Spirit

Devan and Darnell Douglas (’12) consider their support of Dickinson State University (DSU) as scholarship donors more than an act of giving back. “We want everyone to have the opportunity to have the same amazing experiences we have had and be able to succeed in our community and Dickinson State like we have been able to,” they shared. “Dickinson State is a great place, and we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience that.”

Devan is a Social Studies Instructor at Dickinson High School, where she has been working for nearly ten years, has served on the Dickinson Dream Board and the Blue Hawk Booster Board for almost two years, and has coached various sports for both Dickinson High and Dickinson Public Schools. Darnell is the Vice President at Winn Construction with over eighteen years of experience and has been involved in multiple projects on the DSU campus. The Douglas family, including their 3-year-old twins, Dylan and Dracen, enjoy attending Blue Hawk sporting events and loudly cheering “Hawks are Up!”

Devan and Darnell decided to support current and future DSU students through scholarships out of a desire to build off the generosity they experienced from friends, family, and their community. They hope that DSU scholarship recipients share their passion for community work and demonstrate a strong sense of character, determination, and purpose. Their advice reflects that passion as Devan and Darnell remind scholarship recipients that “success isn’t only measured by what you accomplish for yourself, but also by the positive impact you leave on the people and the world around you.”

“Devan and Darnell are wonderful examples of what it means to give back and invest in the next generation of Blue Hawks," said Ty Orton, DSU Heritage Foundation Executive Director. "Their passion for DSU and the Dickinson community is evident in the way they support our students and encourage others to do the same.”

Devan and Darnell also hope their generosity inspires others to establish scholarships and invest in DSU students. They encourage others to give back to their alma mater by creating scholarships, sharing their generosity, and helping students reach their full potential and make a difference in the world. Devan is looking forward to finding new and creative ways to support DSU athletics after wrapping up the first annual Blue Hawk Kick-off event, and the family is preparing for a busy holiday season full of Blue Hawk spirit.

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Written by Sarah Griffis – DSU HF Content Writer