Donor Spotlight: James (’90) & Tamra Kramer on Staying Involved as a DSU Alum

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.

Kramer’s favorite DSU memories are tied to Blue Hawk athletics teams and events. He loved attending standing-room-only rivalry and playoff games in Scott Gym and the former Whitney Stadium as a student. Later, Kramer sat on the development committee during the 3-year design and construction process that transformed Whitney Stadium into the Biesiot Activities Center. He is especially proud to have also worked on the Sanford Sport Complex and Agriculture Classroom Remodel and Arena Expansion, which provided much-needed infrastructure upgrades to DSU.

"The Heritage Foundation is always excited to see DSU alumni dedicate time and resources to ensure that current DSU students succeed as they did,” said Ty Orton, Executive Director of the DSU Heritage Foundation. “The Kramers' continual involvement in DSU's future is something we are ever grateful for."

To Kramer, supporting DSU scholarship recipients is an important way to continue DSU’s traditions and to memorialize his father-in-law, Gene Fitterer, who understood the benefits of higher education and was an avid Blue Hawk supporter. “The first time I received a thank-you note from our scholarship recipient, it brought tears to my eyes; it meant the world to me to get a handwritten note and instantly made me think of the person the scholarship is named after,” said Kramer. He hopes that DSU scholarship recipients walk through life with good character, integrity, a strong commitment to academics, and the initiative to be a leader on campus.

James Kramer’s advice to DSU students is to “Stay true to what you believe in and get involved…it’s the best way to meet people,” advice he recently put into practice when given the opportunity to guide DSU President Scott Molander on a tour of the upcoming Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, ND. He is looking forward to a future trip to Florida to enjoy spring baseball training with his wife, Tamra, and their family.

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 Written by Sarah Griffis – DSU HF Content Writer