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Alum Gives Major Gift to Dakota State

Rose Hoffman Gammill Zuger has made a second significant gift to her alma mater, furthering her goal of giving students the opportunity to pursue teaching careers. 

 Her $75,000 gift will be added to the Rose Hoffman Gammill Zuger Scholarship Endowment, which she established in 2002 with an initial gift of $75,000. Her subsequent gifts and her latest donation put the endowment at over $160,000.  The endowment provides scholarships for Dakota State University students who are pursuing education degrees. 

 Rose graduated from Dakota State in 1928 when it was known as Eastern State Teachers College. She is a former elementary school teacher and principal.  She taught for a time in Oldham, SD.  Later Rose moved to Illinois and received her master’s degree from the University of Illinois.  She was an elementary principal in Champaign, IL from 1963 until her retirement in 1972. 

 Chris Giles, Director of Development at Dakota State says the Zuger gift is a milestone for the university.  “Dakota State was founded on teacher education and this scholarship allows us to enhance that program with deserving students who will become well qualified and successful teachers.  The impact of Rose’s gift will be wide-ranging and permanent.”

 In her correspondence with Dakota State, Rose would quote her late father who told her that an education is very important, for it is the one of the few things that no one can take from you.  “She is taking his advice and passing it on by giving our students the opportunity to attend college,” said Giles.

 Rose, who was 99 years old in August, lives in Arizona. She has two children, both of whom followed their grandfather’s and mother’s advice and earned doctorate degrees.