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Dakota State University hosts scholarship banquet

Madison, SD -- Dakota State University held its scholarship banquet last night, Monday, October 30, at the Dakota Prairie Playhouse in Madison.  Scholarship recipients and their families were invited to this annual event along with donors and representatives of companies who have established scholarships with Dakota State.  Nearly 600 people were in attendance.

Along with an opportunity for donors and students to interact, the evening was highlighted with musical selections from the DSU Production of “Forever Plaid”.  Speeches followed by Dr. Cecelia Wittmayer, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Dakota State University, and Mark Lee, Vice President for Administration and University Advancement.  Also speaking was Megan Beatty, a DSU senior Business Administration Management major, originally from Wakonda, SD.  She told the audience how the scholarship process at the University had helped her make her college choice, and how it had helped her in her college career.

The final speaker of the evening was Lou Gaffney of Sioux Falls, SD.  Mr. Gaffney has been a friend of Dakota State University since the days his daughter Dawn played basketball for the Lady T’s.  He established an endowed scholarship in Dawn’s name in 1999 and continues to support the University through volunteer efforts as well.  Gaffney spoke to the assembled crowd about his experience in college where he received much needed scholarship help. 

The Dakota State Foundation awarded over $400,000 in scholarships to nearly 500 students in academics and athletics.  Scholarships funds are derived from private sources including alumni gifts, corporate donations and sources outside the University such as civic clubs and organizations.