DSU Give Day: Hawks Make a Difference

The sun is setting earlier each evening, and a chilling breeze blows leaves off the trees on Dickinson State University’s campus. Still, the staff and students at the DSU Heritage Foundation hardly notice the change. They are hard at work making the final preparations for the annual DSU Give Day. The goal: for hundreds of people to come together across the nation to raise $100,000 for DSU students, in only twenty-four hours. The first annual DSU Give Day raised $69,760 in 2021, shattering the $20,000 goal. The following year, the DSU HF raised $78,042.60, then $102,352.99 in 2023, and $103,278.49 in 2024, each time raising the goal amount and surpassing it with vigor.

“Give Day is a powerful reminder of what can happen when our community comes together for a shared purpose,” said Kierra Mathern (’22), Alumni Relations Director for the DSU Heritage Foundation. “This campaign is for students, by students—and it’s inspiring to see our Blue Hawks lead the charge. Their energy and passion remind us that every gift, no matter the size, directly empowers the next generation of leaders at Dickinson State.”

Alongside the fundraising goal, the challenges are growing. Breakfast and lunch drives on site at the DSU HF encourage students, staff, faculty, and visitors to take part in the day’s events. Donors over Dollars challenges the DSU HF to surpass 2024’s numbers and reach 200 individual donors. The ever-popular 50 States Challenge sets a goal of securing at least two donors from every state. DSU alumni from the last 10 years are challenged to complete the Young Alumni Challenge, with one donor from each graduating class of the last decade. And finally, the 100 Years of Football Challenge is dedicated to continuing the celebration of DSU football that has taken over the DSU campus this fall. On November 4^th DSU HF staff and DSU students will spend 24 hours dedicated to surpassing their overall fundraising goal and completing every challenge they have set for themselves, all in the name of empowering the DSU students of tomorrow.

DSU HF work study student Cheyenne Jacobs said of the preparations, “Being part of Give Day reminds me why I’m proud to be a Blue Hawk. It’s about more than donations; it’s about showing up for each other and ensuring that every student has the chance to succeed. As students, we’re proud to lead this campaign because we’ve seen firsthand the impact of every gift. It’s amazing to know that our efforts today help open doors for future Blue Hawks.”

This year’s key sponsorship comes from Friends of the Society, and alongside The Society Challenge, an initiative that raises $5,000 for fine arts students, from DSU fine arts alumni. Other dedicated sponsors of Give Day include Quality Quick Prints, Winn Construction, the Hub, Baker Boy, Stacey Moore, Shannon Halvorsen (’10), Sean Sterkel (’11), Gresh (’21) & Taylor (’21) Jones, Steve (’89) & Bernadette (’87) Perdue, and Scott (’88) & Carolyn Molander.

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Written by Sarah Griffis – DSU HF Content Writer