Dakota State University students walking around campus

Preparation + opportunity = success

That's the DSU equation. We're a four-year university with nationally recognized programs, cutting-edge facilities, and the brightest thinkers. But we're also a tight-knit, inclusive community. Small class sizes mean hands-on training and individualized attention. All this with an affordable, public school price that's among the best values in the region.

Majors & Degrees

Be Great Over Break

November 23, 2020

As a lead up to Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January Dakota State is inviting employees and students to Be Great Over Break by giving back to their communities in a safe, socially distanced way.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Everyone can be great because everyone can serve.” DSU is encouraging the Trojan family to document acts of service through photos or video and upload them to social media (Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter) using the hashtag #DSUBeGreat.

This may be something you’re already doing – like shoveling your neighbor’s walk or donating to your local food shelf – or it can be a new activity like donating blood. The possibilities are endless.
We will be collecting the social media posts to create a compilation that we will share on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Need an idea for a socially distanced service? Check out our list below.

  • Shovel someone’s walk/driveway for free
  • Help someone get their car unstuck
  • Pick up groceries for an elderly or disabled neighbor and drop them off at their doorstep
  • Make a doorstep meal for someone who could use assistance
  • Adopt a ‘grandfriend’ from a local assisted living – write them a letter, call them, or send them a small gift
  • Send Christmas cards to active military members, children’s hospitals, or assisted living/nursing homes
  • Give an angel tree gift
  • Walk a dog at your local animal shelter
  • Adopt or foster a rescue/shelter animal
  • Don’t have access to a local animal shelter/rescue? Share pets of different shelters on social media to help get them adopted
  • Donate pizza to frontline workers
  • Clean up trash/litter outside
  • Donate blood
  • Tutor someone for free
  • Teach someone tech
  • Support local businesses by buying a gift card and donating to someone in need
  • Donate your skills – ex. Graphic designer? Make digital assets for a non-profit
  • Sew face masks
  • Leave nice notes & motivational quotes in public for people to find/see
  • Transcribe or translate historical documents for the Smithsonian
  • Become a United Nations volunteer and utilize your skills in research, writing, art, & design
  • Select an online volunteer project on the site CatchAFire
  • Become a Crisis Text line volunteer
  • Conduct research for the greater good on Zooniverse