MAY 2025 E-NEWSLETTER
- lorihauf1
- Jun 16
- 6 min read
Donor Spotlight: The Spirit of Grace Lives On
The DSU Heritage Foundation is honored to celebrate a gift rooted in community, compassion, and the enduring legacy of a young girl whose light continues to shine. The Go Grace Go Softball Annual and Endowed Scholarship, created by Dickinson Girls Fastpitch Softball Inc and The Badland Big Sticks in partnership with the Bittner family, was established in memory of Grace Lillian Bittner—a beloved daughter, sister, and inspiration.
Grace was born on May 30, 2010, in Dickinson, and quickly became known for her sharp mind, kind heart, and unmistakable spark. She was fiercely determined but gentle, quick to correct her dad when he was “silly,” and always insistent on being called by her name—“Just Grace.”
Alumni Spotlight: Marie Snavely '72
Reaching for Heaven
Marie Snavely, a visual artist and alumna of Dickinson State University (DSU), has spent her life exploring color and emotion through her paintings. A self-proclaimed "color-scape painter," Snavely’s works use color, composition, and line to craft ethereal and atmospheric landscapes that invite viewers to explore the depths of their imagination.
Snavely’s recent recognition with the 2025 North Dakota Governor’s Award for the Arts for Individual Achievement is a testament to her influence on the state’s artistic landscape. The honor, presented by the Governor’s Office and the North Dakota Council on the Arts, acknowledges her lifelong commitment to expanding arts opportunities and integrating the arts into education and community life. Snavely will receive the award at a reception on February 6 at the North Dakota State Capitol in Bismarck.
CHAPTER 4 - A Community United by Football
Chapter 4 of 100 Years of DSU Football explores how football has become the heartbeat of the DSU community, creating a sense of pride and unity through traditions like Homecoming celebrations and parades. Read the stories of fans, broadcasters, and supporters because behind-the-scenes heroes are what make Blue Hawk Nation great!
Chapter 4 includes:
Football, Fundraising, and Friendship: The revival of the Blue Chicks. “It started as a fun idea,” says Candace Stanton, wife of head coach Pete Stanton. “Now, it’s an annual event we all look forward to – and we raise real money for the future of Blue Hawk football.”
How the Blue Hawk Touchdown Club Powers Blue Hawk Football. Born from the vision of All-American tailback Jace Schillinger, the Touchdown Club has grown into a financial force thanks to a loyal army of alumni. “It’s not just about raising cash,” says current leader Eric Boettcher. “It’s about keeping the brotherhood alive.”
100 Years of DSU Football Legacy Book - $100
100 Years of Football Children's ABC Book - $40
3 Mini Custom Generational DSU Football Helmets - $150
AG RENOVATION PROJECT
The DSU Heritage Foundation is raising funds to support the Ag Building Renovations. Stay tuned for more information!
Dragseth Retires After 34 Years of Distinguished Service at Dickinson State University
After 34 years of dedicated service, Dr. Debora Dragseth, the longest-serving faculty member at Dickinson State University (DSU), has announced her retirement. Since joining DSU in 1989, Dr. Dragseth has played an instrumental role in shaping the university’s academic landscape through her work in the classroom and various leadership roles and innovative initiatives.
Dr. Dragseth’s tenure includes serving as Vice-President of Academic and Student Affairs and Provost, Chair of the School of Business and Entrepreneurship, Director of the Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program, President of the state-wide Council of College Faculties, faculty representative on the State Board of Higher Education, Professor of Business, and the Baker Boy Professor of Leadership. Her contributions have left a lasting impact on both DSU and the broader academic community.
Dickinson State University to Celebrate Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony
Dickinson State University (DSU) will celebrate the achievements of its Spring 2025 graduates during the Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 17 at 10:00 AM MT in Scott Gymnasium.
Gifted Commencement Speakers to Address Graduates
This year’s graduating student speakers are Veronica (Rohnnie) Nacota and Griffin Obrigewitch.
Rohnnie Nacota, of Riverton, Wyoming, is the daughter of Bender and Maria Nacota. She is graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration, with majors in Business Administration and Human Resource Management.
Griffin Obrigewitch, of Dickinson, North Dakota, is the son of Scott and Naomi Obrigewitch. He is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, with minors in Chemistry and Leadership.
Dickinson State University Recognized in 2025 Carnegie Classifications for Institutional Focus and Student Outcomes
Dickinson State University (DSU) has been officially recognized by the 2025 Carnegie Classification and the American Council on Education (ACE) as a Professions-Focused Baccalaureate Small Institution. This new classification framework reflects a more accurate and current representation of the higher education landscape in the United States. Based on data from the 2020–2023 academic years submitted to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the classification groups institutions by degree type, academic focus, and size. Designed to be descriptive, this system supports research, strategic planning, and broader analysis across the sector.
Schneider Named NAIA National Coach of the Year
Dickinson State University head cheer coach Cebe Schneider has been named the 2025 Nfinity NAIA Competitive Cheer National Coach of the Year, following a historic season that saw the Blue Hawks record their best finish ever at the NAIA Competitive Cheer National Championship.
Schneider guided Dickinson State to a third-place showing at this year's championship in Ypsilanti, Michigan, capping the program's fourth-consecutive appearance at the national meet. The Blue Hawks posted a program-best score of 96.38 — just one point behind second place and fewer than two points from the national champion.
The 2025 performance builds on back-to-back fourth-place finishes, and a fifth-place finish, in recent years, with the Blue Hawks continuing their steady climb under Schneider's leadership. The National Championship event, hosted by the Ann Arbor Sports Commission and Concordia University Ann Arbor, featured 15 of the top teams from across the country competing in a two-round format.
Dickinson State Announces 2005, 2010 Football Teams to be Inducted into Athletic Hall of Fame as Part of 100 Years of Football Celebration
Dickinson State University Athletics is proud to announce that the 2005 and 2010 Blue Hawk football teams will be inducted into the DSU Athletic Hall of Fame this fall as part of the 100 Years of Football celebration.
The 2005 Blue Hawks etched their place in program history by capturing a fourth consecutive Dakota Athletic Conference (DAC) championship — the first time in school history a football team had accomplished that feat.
After a challenging midseason stretch, the Blue Hawks rallied to win five straight games to close out the year, securing the conference title with a 7-4 overall record.
Blue Hawks Compete at Historic 115 Drake Relays
Nine Blue Hawk track and field athletes competed at the prestigious 115th Drake Relays, known across the country as "America's Athletic Classic." Competing at historic Drake Stadium.
Senior standout Kori Nagel stole the spotlight with a remarkable weekend in the throws. She claimed top finishes for DSU in three events, highlighted by a 13.48m (44' 2.75") mark in the shot put. Nagel also launched the discus 45.57m (149' 6") and reached 50.96m (167' 2") in the hammer throw, showcasing her dominance across disciplines.
In the shot put, Nagel was joined by Chloe Gunderson (13.18m/43' 3") and Taylor Laumeyer (12.43m/40' 9.5"). Laumeyer also finished just behind Nagel in the discus with a mark of 45.10m (147' 11"), capping off a strong showing in the throws for the junior.
Blue Hawks Set for NSAA Tournament
Run on Home Turf
With home-field advantage and a balanced lineup, the Dickinson State University softball team enters the 2025 North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) Postseason Tournament looking to make a run at the conference crown. The Blue Hawks will host the tournament for the third consecutive year at Bravera Field on the Sanford Sports Complex, with play scheduled for May 1-4.
Dickinson State (28-14 overall, 14-6 NSAA) earned the No. 2 seed after a strong regular season. The Blue Hawks are set to open tournament action on Friday at 2 p.m. (MT) against the winner of Thursday's first-round game between No. 3 Bellevue and No. 6 Dakota State.
The NSAA tournament champion will claim the league's automatic berth to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round, slated for May 12-15 at campus sites.
Blue Hawks Set for Postseason Run at NSAA Baseball Tournament
The Dickinson State University baseball team will open the 2025 North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) Postseason Tournament with home-field advantage and late-season momentum, as the Blue Hawks host the eight-team, double-elimination event May 1-5 at Dakota Community Bank & Trust Ballpark.
DSU (18-27 overall, 10-10 NSAA) secured the No. 3 seed after finishing tied for third in the league standings, holding the tiebreaker over Dakota State following a 3-1 series victory earlier this spring. The Blue Hawks will face No. 6 seed La Sierra (Calif.) in their tournament opener on Thursday at 7 p.m. (MT).
This year's tournament field features all six NSAA teams along with Cal Pac qualifiers Simpson (Calif.) and La Sierra. Two automatic bids to the NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round are at stake.
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