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Krueger Gift Largest In DSU History

A gift from the Fritz Krueger Trust has made history at Dakota State University.  The gift of $1.2 million is the largest individual gift made to Dakota State and the second largest gift to the university overall.

Fredrick Herman “Fritz” Krueger, who died in 2006, was a life-long resident of Lake County and had a long history with Dakota State.  He attended classes at Dakota State (then Eastern State Teacher's College) in 1930-1931.  In 2001, Krueger established an annual scholarship at DSU to assist students from Lake County and surrounding counties.  Over the years the scholarship has helped many students realize their goal of a DSU education, and several have gone on from DSU to attend graduate school. 

“Fritz loved learning new things all his life, and he wanted to encourage learning in others by offering scholarship help,” said Jim Krueger, Fritz’s cousin and a trustee of the Fredrick Krueger Trust.  “I never met anyone who believed more in education than Fritz did.  He leaves a wonderful legacy to DSU that will help generations of students acquire the knowledge he so loved.”

"Fritz held degrees in chemistry, agriculture and education, and was an avid reader and lifelong learner. It is fitting that his passion for learning will live on through the Fritz Krueger Trust,” commented Krueger cousin Don Kraemer, another trustee. 

The gift will be used to further enhance the scholarship program established by Krueger in 2001.  Scholarship preference will be given to students who are incoming freshman and continuing DSU students who live in Lake County or the nearby counties.  Recipients must have a specific GPA and must maintain it to renew the scholarship.

DSU President Dr. Doug Knowlton acknowledged the gift by saying, "Dakota State continues to set new standards for higher education in South Dakota.  As the demand for a DSU education continues to grow, so does the need for increased scholarship resources.  Fritz Krueger's contribution is such an important part of our future here at DSU.  His gift provides an important vehicle to both attract students to DSU and help them be successful while they are here."