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DSU Commencement to be held May 13

Madison – Over 200 graduates will receive their diplomas during the 116^th Commencement of Dakota State University.  The event will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 13, at the DSU Fieldhouse.  

Delivering the commencement address this year is Leroy J. Thomas.

Roy Thomas is a 1969 graduate of Dakota State University.  He continued his education, earning a graduate degree in business.  Mr. Thomas was a founding member of the Ensoniq Corporation, developers of affordable sound reproduction electronics.  His company’s developments made it possible for electronic instruments and keyboards to be purchased by an average household.  Their soundcards became a common part of home computers.  Most of the PCs at DSU are equipped with Ensoniq soundcards. Mr. Thomas and his partners recently sold the corporation. 

Mr. Thomas and his wife, Janet, grew up in the Madison area, and both of their fathers were employed by the university.  The Thomas’ recently established a scholarship program with the DSU Foundation in memory of their fathers which assists young students with up to 50% of their college costs for four years, provided they maintain an acceptable academic level and remain a full-time student. 

The Distinguished Alumnus Award this year will be presented to Miles K. Beacom. Mr. Beacom is a 1981 graduate of Dakota State University with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Economics.  Upon graduation, he was employed at Citibank, and held various management positions within the company before being recruited by First Premier Bank in 1989.  He served as Vice President of the Credit Card Division for First Premier Bank in which he was responsible for developing a credit card program. In late 1990, Mr. Beacom accepted a position as Vice President of Operations for Harbridge Merchant Services located in Downer Grove, Illinois. In 1993, he returned to Sioux Falls to serve as CEO / President of Premier Bankcard, Inc. of Sioux Falls. In 1998, Mr. Beacom added to his responsibilities of CEO / President of Premier Bankcard, Inc. the duties of CEO / President of First Premier Financial Services. 

Mr. Beacom has been an active member of the DSU Alumni Association, having served as a leader in developing an annual golf tournament in memory of a fellow DSU alumnus.  He has assisted with community projects, serving on the board of directors for Interlakes Community Action, Inc. in which he is currently the chairperson.  He is a member of the South Dakota Bankers’ Association, has served on the Advisory Board of Heartland House in Sioux Falls, and has functioned as Coordinator of Sioux Falls summer track meets. 

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