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DSU Unveils Major Scholarship Program for Computer Science and Math Students 

Madison, SD – Dakota State University officials unveiled the MACSTECH Scholars Program today.  The program, valued at $395,888 over the next four years, is funded by the National Science Foundation through a Computer Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Scholarship Grant.

“Graduates of these two programs, particularly double majors in Computer Science and Mathematics for Information Systems, have been highly sought by employers in business and industry,” said Dr. Jeffrey Palmer, Associate Professor of Mathematics for the College of Natural Sciences and Principal Investigator of MACSTECH.  “The MACSTECH Scholars Program is about producing highly skilled graduates with the analytical and problem solving ability demanded in the modern high technology workforce.”

Annually, $90,000 in scholarships will be given to academically talented, financially needy students majoring in Computer Science and/or Mathematics for Information Systems at DSU.  The scholarships are open to both current and prospective students.

Eligible students can receive up to $2,000 per year for new students and up to $3,125 for upper-level students with a double major in Computer Science and Math.  These scholarships are renewable as long as the students maintain a 2.75 cumulative GPA and take 12 credits per semester.

“Career placement for graduates in Computer Science and Math has been at 100% for the last nine years.  The new scholarship program and these placements statistics are a great incentive for students that are interested in pursuing careers in these fields,” said Dr. Jerald Tunheim.  “MACSTECH is a significant addition to our current scholarship programs where Dakota State was able to award almost $500,000 in scholarships this year.”

The University sees the MACSTECH Scholars program as more than just scholarship money.  It plans to achieve five objectives:

1.      Identify & Recruit Students with potential to successfully complete major in both fields.

2.      Enhance retention in the Math and Computer Science fields.

3.      Increase the number of students who complete a degree and who are double majors.

4.      Provide strong, integrated system of Campus and MACSTECH support functions and personnel, including the Center of Excellence.

5.      Work with other campus groups as a model in retention.

"A unique feature of this scholarship is that it includes more than just financial support.  MACSTECH scholars will enjoy a focused support system while in the program at DSU.  The need for graduates with strong Computer Science and Math skills is well known. This program is focused on producing those graduates,” said Stephen Krebsbach, Assistant Professor of Computer Science for the College of Business & Information Systems and Co-Principal Investigator for MACSTECH.