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2003 Dakota State Gala to honor Madison Mayor
Mayor Royce Hueners will be guest of honor

When the annual 2003 Dakota State Gala gets underway, Madison Mayor Royce Hueners will be the guest of honor. The annual fundraising event will take place on Saturday, February 22nd at the Dakota Prairie Playhouse. Madison Mayor Hueners will be the Honorary Ship Captain at the “Star-Spangled Cruise” Gala evening. Proceeds from the Gala go to the scholarship fund at Dakota State University.

Boarding for the “Star Spangled Cruise” begins at 6pm with dinner to be served at 7pm. Distinguished guests will be introduced after dinner, at which time a tribute will be made to lifetime resident of Madison, Mayor Royce Hueners.

“We wanted to honor Mayor Hueners because he is an exceptional leader for the Madison community,” Dr. Tom Gioglio, DSU Director of Athletics said. “Without his leadership, Dakota State and the community of Madison could not have grown and progressed as much as they have.”

A theatrical performance featuring the Stars and Stripes Players will begin after the presentation to the Mayor. Both a silent and live auction will be held during the Gala.  Items for the auctions have been donated by area businesses and friends of DSU.  Following the auction, local favorite, Something New, will provide music for dancing.

The first gala was started about fifteen years ago as a way to bring members of the college community and members of the Madison community together for a common cause, scholarship support for deserving students.  Over the years proceeds from the gala have endowed scholarships in each the four colleges and provided funding for special projects on campus.

While it’s a tradition to send out invitations, the event is open to the public. Tickets can be obtained by calling the DSU Athletic Office at 605-256-5233 or the DSU Foundation at 605-256-5693 Reservations must be made by February 17th.

Bio Information on honored guest, Mayor Royce Hueners:

Hueners was born in Madison and grew up on a farm south of Winfred. After graduating from Winfred High School, he entered the United States Army at the beginning of the Korean War.

He spent 45 years of his life in farming, insurance sales and business responsibilities with East River Electric Power Cooperative, retiring in 1994. In 1995 he was elected Mayor of Madison and has served continuous as Mayor for the eight years since.

Hueners has served in many community positions since moving to Madison in 1969. His most memorable was serving as Chairman of the Madison Centennial in 1980.

Currently he represents Madison as Chairman of the South Dakota Municipal League and also represents the elected municipal officials on the South Dakota Retirement System Board of Trustees. Hueners is the Director on the East Dakota Water Development District and serves as Lake County Municipal Representative on First District of Association of Local Government. 

He is also Chairman of the Board of Stewardship at Our Savior Lutheran Church and a Board Member on the Lake Area Improvement Corporation, Junior Achievement of Madison, and an Ex-Officio Board Member of the Greater Madison Area Chamber of Commerce.

Hueners also serves as a Committee Member on the Madison Chamber of Commerce Leadership Madison and Agriculture Committees. He is a member of the Madison Kiwanis Club and also serves as Vice President of the Madison Community Foundation.