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Merle Lewis establishes first full-ride scholarship at Dakota State

Madison, SD – Dakota State University officials are pleased to announce the establishment of the Merle D. Lewis Scholarship, a scholarship valued at $28,000 over four years.  Mr. Lewis, DSU alumnus from the Class of 1970, is the chairman and chief executive officer of NorthWestern Corporation, South Dakota’s only Fortune 500 Company.

While at Dakota State, Mr. Lewis received a small academic scholarship, which together with his own hard work and dedication enabled him to achieve his goal of a college education.  Mr. Lewis’s goal is to help other students achieve their educational goals and established this scholarship with this in mind.

“We are extremely excited to have Mr. Lewis begin a scholarship of such magnitude at Dakota State University,” said Dr. Jerald Tunheim, President of Dakota State University.  “Over the years, I have had the opportunity to establish a personal friendship with Mr. Lewis that goes beyond the alumni connection.  I am very pleased to have his leadership in helping DSU recruit South Dakota’s brightest students.”

The annual scholarship will be awarded to a South Dakota high school graduate who will enter the University as a traditional freshman.  Criteria also includes excellent academic credentials and evidence of leadership qualities in high school as well as maintaining a cumulative 3.5 GPA as a fulltime DSU student.

For 2002-03, the scholarship has been awarded to Jesse Hohm of Yale, South Dakota.  He is a 2002 graduate from James Valley Christian High School and is the son of Lud and Julie Hohm.

Jesse was active in high school in both academics and athletics.  He participated in band, choir, National Honor Society and the senior play, and played in soccer, basketball, and golf.  He was named to the Academic All-State Team in basketball his senior year.  An excellent student, he was awarded the All Star Academic Award in Huron.  He was also the class treasurer in his junior and senior year.  Jesse has been actively involved in his church’s youth group, including participating in mission trips and conferences.

As a freshman at Dakota State University, Jesse plans to major in Computer Science and Business.

“Jesse is a good reflection of the kind of academic excellence seen in so many of our students. Combining that excellence with our small and personal campus setting makes for a great college experience. We owe a great deal of thanks to Merle for his leadership,” said Mr. Rick Smith, Vice President for University Advancement at DSU.