![Madeline Hegg](_files/2024/hegg_1350x900.png)
April 19, 2024
Inspired to Educate
By the third grade, Madeline Hegg already knew what she wanted to be when she grew up. Like many individuals who choose to pursue a career in education, she was inspired by teachers throughout her schooling.
![An image with orange hexagons and dots connecting on a blue background with the words DAD at MAAC 2 A Digital Arts and Design Student Exhibition.](_files/2024/04/dad-1350x900.jpg)
April 10, 2024
DSU art students to exhibit projects
Drawings, digital illustrations and photography, paintings, animations, digital sound projects, and 3D works will fill the BrickHouse this week. These works, created by DSU Digital Art & Design (DAD) students, will be displayed by the Madison Area Arts Council (MAAC) at the BrickHouse on Thursday, April 11 from 7 to 9 p.m.
![Zach Rorhbach in front of a white background.](_files/2024/03/rorhbach_1350x900.jpg)
March 21, 2024
Beyond the bedside
An interest in science, medicine, and health will often conjure images of potential careers as doctors, nurses, dentists, paramedics, and therapists, but there are other avenues for those who would prefer to work with different aspects of patient care. Health informatics and information include all data related to a patient’s medical history, including their symptoms, diagnoses, procedures, and outcomes.
![Justice Forster working at his computer in a library.](_files/2024/03/entrepreneurs-1350x900.jpg)
March 18, 2024
DSU Entrepreneurs Day moves to Sioux Falls
Dakota State University’s fourth annual Entrepreneurs Day will be held in Sioux Falls for the first time, taking place at Startup Sioux Falls on Friday, March 22.
![The CPTC team (top row l-to-r): Gage Schacher and Coach Tyler Flaagan; (bottom row l-to-r): Merrill Newman, Daniel Sobczak, Ryan Kleffman, and Derek Manzella. Not pictured: Austen King.](_files/2024/03/cptc-team-1350x900.jpg)
March 12, 2024
CPTC team wins two awards at globals
Dakota State University’s Collegiate Penetration Testing Competition (CPTC) team competed at globals in Rochester, N.Y., winning two awards. Penetration testing helps companies and organizations know what is and isn’t vulnerable in their network. CPTC allows collegiate cybersecurity students to perform real-world penetration testing with a fictional business.
![Students utilizing flexible seating options in Dr. Scott Klungseth's Exercise Science class.](_files/2024/03/es-flex-1350x900.jpg)
March 12, 2024
Klungseth researching flexible seating in college setting
Pedal. Glide. Stand. Balance. These are a few of the options available in flexible seating classrooms, or classrooms that allow for student movement. While there has been plenty of research on flexible seating in the K-12 education environment, that hasn’t been the case in higher education, so Dr. Scott Klungseth, Associate Professor in Exercise Science at Dakota State University, is looking to change that.
![DSU student David Siemienas pictured with a blue background that has dots connected with lines.](_files/2024/02/david-s-1350x900.jpg)
February 14, 2024
DSU student sees latest tech at trade show
Dakota State University junior Cyber Operations major David Siemienas attended the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), an annual trade show organized by the Consumer Technology Association, in January.
![Image of East Hall with bare trees around it and a blue sky.](_files/2024/02/east-hall-1350x900.jpg)
February 9, 2024
Senior FDIC examiner to speak at DSU
Dakota State University’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Club is bringing Andy McQuistan, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Senior Examiner, to campus to speak to students.
![Pictured (L-to-R) Shishir Poudel, Acley Bujune, Tracey Kwarteng, William Osei-Hwere, and Nicole Claussen.](_files/2024/01/second-chance-1350x900.jpg)
January 19, 2024
From setbacks to comebacks
A non-profit organization has helped four international students find their homes at DSU. The four students found their way to Dakota State University this year through Second Chance at Higher Education, an organization dedicated to helping international students in need of financial aid and scholarships attend universities in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
![Justice Forster](_files/2023/12/justice_ws-1350x900-min.jpg)
December 6, 2023
DSU provides graduates with a competitive edge
DSU provides graduates with a competitive edge. Justice Forster to speak at fall commencement.
![Nanocon attendees playing a game. Photo by Andrew Meyerle.](_files/2023/11/nanocon-1350x900.jpg)
November 17, 2023
Record breaking Nanocon brings in over 1100
Nanocon, Dakota State’s annual free gaming convention, broke its attendance record this year, bringing in just over 1,100 people throughout the four-day event.
![Rendering of a potential indoor practice facility dome.](_files/2023/11/practice-facility-rendering-1350x900.jpg)
November 1, 2023
DSU receives lead donation of $7M for indoor practice facility
With a $7M lead donation from Philanthropist T. Denny Sanford, the University will look at a variety of plan options, but the initial consideration is a seasonal dome facility.
![Justice Forster](_files/2023/10/justice-forster-1350.jpg)
October 17, 2023
FDIC internship leads to job offer
DSU student Justice Forster has accepted a permanent position with the Federal Insurance Corporation (FDIC) upon his graduation in December. Forster spent the summer as an intern for the FDIC as part of the Financial Management Scholars Program.
![DSU College of Education students walk out of the Kennedy Center on campus.](_files/2023/10/houston-sadie-kennedy-1350x900.jpg)
October 5, 2023
Educators Rising Learning Expo at DSU Oct. 11
Dakota State University’s College of Education is excited to host the Educators Rising Learning Expo on Wednesday, Oct. 11.
![Blue Bytes - Damian Kortus](_files/2023/09/damian_ws-1350x900.jpg)
September 26, 2023
Blue Bytes: Damian Kortus
Blue Bytes: Damian Kortus ‘23 / English for New Media When searching for universities in South Dakota, Dakota State University stood out to Damian Kortus.
![Day of Giving in studio hosts Jarod Keene and Jordan Oberg.](_files/2023/09/rise-up-1350x9001.jpg)
September 26, 2023
Day of Giving and Service successful
The Dakota State University Foundation raised over $300,000 for DSU programs and scholarships on September 14, which was Day of Giving 2023. A record-setting number of volunteers also participated in DSU’s annual Day of Service on the same day.
![DSU Homecoming Court - Back row: Santiago Colla, Casey Te Grotenhuis, Tyler Thomas, and Cody Farland; Front row: Alexandra Smith, Casey Olson, Blen Asgedom, and Kalani Mangin.](_files/2023/09/homecoming-court.jpg)
September 13, 2023
King and Queen crowned at DSU
Tyler Thomas and Blen Asgedom were crowned king and queen at Dakota State’s Sept. 11 coronation ceremony.
![National Cyber Scholars](2023/06/ncs_ws-1350x900-min.jpg)
June 28, 2023
DSU students named National Cyber Scholars
In addition to taking their cutting-edge academic courses, many take advantage of DSU’s encouraging environment to build on that foundation and participate in additional learning and scholarship opportunities.
![DSU Newman Club member Kelsey O’Connell accepted the BOR Award for Community Service, along with advisors Heidi Comes (left) and Pam Lewis. BOR Executive Director Nathan Lukkes, BOR President Tim Rave, and DSU President José-Marie Griffiths congratulated the group.](_files/2023/06/bor-newman_ws-1350x900-min.jpg)
June 23, 2023
DSU organizations honored by BOR
The South Dakota Board of Regents (BOR) honored three Dakota State University organizations at the June meeting.
![Morris and Palmieri attended as RSA Conference (RSAC) Security Scholars](_files/2023/05/morris-palmieri-_ws-1350x900.jpg)
![Screenshot of Agent 54, the film, from the LCA Club. It features a figure in the distance running toward the camera in snowy terrain.](_files/2023/05/agent-54-1350.jpg)
May 19, 2023
DSU students earn accolades at film festival
Dakota State’s Lights Camera Action Club (LCA) earned multiple awards from the 54 Film Festival this spring, for their film Agent 54.
![Image of East Hall on DSU's campus in spring](_files/2023/05/east-hall-1350x900.jpg)
May 5, 2023
FBLA students to compete at nationals
Six DSU students will represent Dakota State University and the state of South Dakota at the national DSU FBLA-Collegiate competition.
![Jazlynn Pederson](_files/2023/05/jazlynn_ws-1350x900-min.jpg)
![Justice Forster headshot](_files/2023/04/justice-1350x900-2.jpg)
April 28, 2023
Forster to intern with FDIC
Justice Forster will spend 10 weeks of summer 2023 as an intern for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as part of the Financial Management Scholars Program.
![lit lightbulb held in a hand atop a desk.](_files/2023/03/entrepreneurs-1350.jpg)
March 27, 2023
Public invited to DSU’s annual Entrepreneurs Day
The public is invited to attend the third annual Dakota State University Entrepreneurs Day on Friday, March 31. The event will take place at Dakota Prairie Playhouse at 11:30 a.m.
![Conner-Starrett_AirForceCadet](_files/2023/03/usaf-ws_1350x900.jpg)
March 13, 2023
Family Ties to Service
DSU student Connor Starrett was one of three area Air Force cadets chosen to attend an Air Force symposium. He is following in his family’s footsteps with a military career, and wants to do all he can to help other people through his service.
![A group photo of the CybHER summer camp attendees from the summer of 2022 sitting on the stairs of The Beacom Institute of Technology.](_files/2023/02/cybher-camp-1350.jpg)
February 28, 2023
Skyforce to host CybHER fundraiser night
Sioux Falls Skyforce, the area’s G-League basketball team, is hosting a CybHER fundraiser night on Friday, March 3.
![Boyd-SRI](_files/2023/02/boyd_ws-1350x900.jpg)
February 24, 2023
Practical research leads to professional internship
Joseph Boyd’s research project has led to a summer internship opportunity, and could possibly lead to a career as well. Robert Richardson is Boyd’s faculty mentor for the research.
![Bowman-1](_files/2023/02/bowman1-ws_1350x900.jpg)
February 8, 2023
Bowman refused to be discouraged from cybersecurity field
For those considering a career in cybersecurity, Ben Bowman’s advice is simple: be a little bit stubborn.
![Johanna Coffey is a first-generation college student.](_files/2023/01/coffey-1350x900.jpg)
January 10, 2023
Ask the questions
Johanna Coffey can ask a family member questions about the college process, but the DSU sophomore said any of the friendly people at the university can help.
![Travis Rebstock with his poster on alfalfa research at the World Alfalfa Congress](_files/2022/12/travis-rebstock-1350.jpg)
December 19, 2022
Rebstock only undergraduate presenter at World Alfalfa Congress
Travis Rebstock was the only undergraduate presenter at the World Alfalfa Congress in November in San Diego, Calif.
![Palmieri](_files/2022/12/Palmieri.jpg)
December 7, 2022
Palmieri wants to be on cybersecurity ‘front lines’
DSU student commencement speaker demonstrates integrity . Janessa Palmieri doesn’t even hesitate to describe her dream job.
![Christmas card designed by Lauryn Strand](2022/12/xmas-card-1350.jpg)
December 6, 2022
Strand wins Omnitech Christmas card design contest
DSU student Lauryn Strand won the 2022 Omnitech Christmas card design contest.
![Nanocon22](_files/2022/11/Nanocon22-ws_1350x900.jpg)
November 7, 2022
A celebration of games
The theme for Dakota State’s annual Nanocon is “Into the Frozen Wasteland,” but organizers expect anything but barren terrain at the Dakota Prairie Playhouse on Nov. 10-13.
![Image of DSU campus in the fall](_files/2022/11/FALL-CAMPUS-1350.jpg)
November 2, 2022
TriBeta to offer community outreach
Dakota State’s TriBeta Biology Honor Society will be providing community outreach on November 7 and 8 in Madison.
![Homecoming Court, (back left) Landan Hand, Jackson Heiberger, Nicholas Carlson, and Jonny Derenge, (front left) Alexandra Smith, Gwendolyn Vongkasemsiri, Tara Freeburg, and Irina Pecherskaia.](_files/2022/09/Homecoming-court-1350x900.jpg)
September 20, 2022
Homecoming royalty crowned at DSU
Jackson Heiberger and Gwendolyn Vongkasemsiri were crowned king and queen at Dakota State’s Sept. 19 coronation ceremony.
![Dakota State University student and family on campus during family day](_files/2022/09/familyday-1.jpg)
September 19, 2022
DSU to connect with prospective families
Dakota State has established the Trojan FamilyConnect online portal, for prospective families to stay connected with the University throughout the entire college experience.
![DODrecipients](_files/2022/09/DOD-ws_1350x900.jpg)
September 15, 2022
DSU students receive DOD scholarships
Three Dakota State students are now part of the Department of Defense Cyber Scholarship Program.
![Carper Sweetcorn and Produce truck](_files/2022/08/carper-1350x900.jpg)
August 23, 2022
Carpers named honorary captains for 2022 Ag Bowl
The Carper family's contributions to agriculture in the region have made them the perfect candidates to be the Honorary Dakota State University Ag Bowl Captains on Thursday, August 25.
![PBL Advisor Yenling Chang with student club member Lucy Fods](_files/2022/07/PBL-1350x900.jpg)
July 28, 2022
DSU PBL Club finds success at nationals
In June, four Dakota State University students competed at the Phi-Beta Lambda (PBL) National Leadership Conference (NLC) in Chicago.
![USCyberTeam3rdPlace](_files/2022/06/USCyberTeam3rd-ws_1350x900.jpg)
June 17, 2022
US Cyber team takes 3rd at international competition
The U.S. Cyber Team – which features three Dakota State University Trojans – won third place in the first-ever International Cybersecurity Challenge.
![DSU US Cyber Team](_files/2022/06/uscybergames-ws-1350x9001.jpg)
June 8, 2022
DSU students to compete on US Cyber Games team
Students from Dakota State are about to make history by competing in what has been called the Olympics of Cyber.
![Archway at Dakota State University](_files/2022/06/arch-1350x900.jpg)
June 8, 2022
DSU Gardening Club plants Giving Garden
A plot in the Madison Community Garden will help the DSU Cooking and Gardening Club supply potatoes for the DSU Food Bank and the Madison Food Bank this fall.
![Film students touring the KELOLAND studio](_files/2022/04/KELO_MG_1777-1350x9001.jpg)
April 29, 2022
Film students find experiences outside the classroom
This semester, juniors and seniors in the Dakota State film program have gained experience outside the classroom, touring news stations, assisting with the production of a late-night television show, and participating in film competitions.
![DSU team members include Annabelle Klosterman (left), Gaelin Shupe, Tyler Thomas, Jackson Heiberger, Shane Donahue, Cody Mayer, Austen King, and Jacob Hince.](_files/2022/04/ccdc-team-2-1350x900.jpg)
April 27, 2022
DSU team places second at National CCDC
The Dakota State University team placed second in the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (NCCDC) in San Antonio, Texas on April 21-22.
![Three of the many students honored for their accomplishments at the Spring Honors Reception.](_files/2022/04/honor-students-1350x900.jpg)
April 26, 2022
Honored Students
Dakota State students were honored with a number of awards at the 2022 spring Honors Reception, held April 21, 2022.
![Rendering of the new DSU Athletics Events Center](_files/2022/04/athletics-events-center-1350x900.jpg)
April 26, 2022
DSU Athletics Events Center groundbreaking May 2
The public is invited to Dakota State University Foundation’s groundbreaking for the new Athletics Events Center on Monday, May 2 at 3 p.m. at Trojan Field.
![image of DSU Science Center](_files/2022/04/science-center-1350x900.jpg)
April 21, 2022
TriBeta to host Careers in Science Speaker Series
Dakota State’s TriBeta Biology Honor Society is hosting a DSU Careers in Science Speaker Series on Monday, April 25 at 7 p.m. in the Science Center Auditorium.
![Team members for the national CCDC include: Jacob Hince (back left), Austen King, Shane Donahue, Jackson Heiberger; Gaelin Shupe (front left), Cody Mayer, Tyler Thomas, Annabelle Klosterman.](_files/2022/04/ccdc-team-1350x900.jpg)
April 19, 2022
CCDC team heads to national competition
Eight Dakota State students are headed to the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC), taking place April 21-23 in San Antonio, TX, Throughout the 18 years the competition has taken place, a DSU team has been a finalist six times, including a second-place finish in 2013, and a third-place finish in 2018.
![Attendees of the annual scholarship fundraising event DSUnite](_files/2022/04/DSUnite-1350-x-900.jpg)
April 13, 2022
DSUnite raises over $329,000 for scholarships
The DSU Foundation raised a record-breaking $329,423 at DSUnite, Dakota State’s annual fundraising event.
![Kati Larsen profile image](_files/2022/04/kati-larsen-1350x900.jpg)
April 13, 2022
Larsen takes on leadership role in online advising group
Kati Larsen, an academic advisor with The Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences, has been named to a leadership position in Distance Advising for Online Education with the professional organization NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising.
![DSU students in the Beacom building on campus](_files/2022/04/beacom-building-students-1350x900.jpg)
April 6, 2022
Teams Capture the Flag at conference competitions
Diversity and experience bring success to DSU teams in the WiCyS Capture the Flag competitions. Congratulations to our students on their first and second-place finishes at WiCyS!
![DSU announces Trojans Unite Comprehensive Campaign](_files/2022/04/trojans-unite-campaign-pr.jpg)
April 1, 2022
DSU announces Trojans Unite Comprehensive Campaign
Dakota State is launching the Trojans Unite Comprehensive Campaign (TUCC) with a fundraising goal of $250 million. Miles and Lisa Beacom, longtime Dakota State University supporters, will chair the campaign.
![The Athletics Events Center is phase 1 of a three-phase athletics complex plan. It includes an upgraded football stadium, relocated track and new soccer stadium, office space, and shared meeting space, as well as classrooms](_files/2022/02/Site_New-Logo-1350x900-web.jpg)
February 28, 2022
$45 million raised for DSU Athletics facilities
Dakota State is building champions with $45 million raised for the new athletics facilities. This will be transformative for DSU and the Madison community.
![Job Fair at Dakota State. DSU student getting information from employers at their booth.](_files/2022/01/job-fair-1350x900.jpg)
January 27, 2022
DSU HR hosts job fair for campus openings
Dakota State University Human Resources department is hosting a job fair for available positions at DSU on Tuesday, February 1 from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Karl Mundt Library.
![2. Tate Mohlenkamp during the filming of “The Tall”](_files/2021/12/TheTall-ws_1350x900.jpg)
December 30, 2021
Students create new film ‘The Tall’
Max Hardyk and Tate Mohlenkamp utilize an SRI grant to make the film “The Tall” and bring light to the film program at Dakota State.
![Shay-Huss](_files/2021/12/ShayHuss_1350x900.jpg)
December 22, 2021
Creating her future
Shay Huss: Creating her future. An interest in psychology and computer science led Shay Huss to Dakota State University and the Cyber Leadership and Intelligence (CLI) degree program.
![Dakota State University Esports athlete playing League of Legends](_files/2021/11/esports-1350x900.jpg)
November 17, 2021
DSU Esports program to host Midwest Invitational
Dakota State University Esports is hosting a Midwest Invitational on Saturday, November 20, and Sunday, November 21. It will feature collegiate gameplay in VALORANT and League of Legends, with open to the public, pay-to-play fighting games tournaments.
![Native American flags displayed at the Trojan Center](_files/2021/11/native-american-heritage-1350x900.jpg)
November 15, 2021
Native American heritage events planned at DSU
November is Native American Heritage Month, and DSU’s Native American Student Association Club (NASA) has several events planned for the observance. DSU students, faculty, staff, and the community are invited to attend any or all of these events, which bring awareness to the importance of Native Heritage.
![The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences](_files/2021/10/beacom-building-1350x900.jpg)
October 21, 2021
Four DSU students on national Cyber Games team
Four DSU students/alumni are among 25 who have been named to the U.S. Cyber Games™ team that will compete internationally in 2022. The team members’ gaming competition skills will apply to real-world problems and challenges in the workforce.
![Jacob Hince, Austen King, and Shane Donahue won the Capture the Flag competition at this year’s Wild West Hackin’ Fest. Not pictured is Gaelin Shupe](_files/2021/10/capture-the-flag-1350x900.jpg)
October 15, 2021
DSU students win at Capture the Flag
There are no downsides to a Capture the Flag competition. Students reinforce classroom knowledge, develop new skills, and when they are hired by businesses, those companies benefit. DSU students are big advocates – and big winners – in CTF competitions.
![Dakota State University welcomes Logan Wagner to Institutional Advancement as Assistant Director of Development for Athletics.](2021/09/logan-1350x900.jpg)
September 30, 2021
Wagner joins DSU Foundation
Dakota State University welcomes Logan Wagner to Institutional Advancement as Assistant Director of Development for Athletics.
![Alumni Randy and Theresa Schaefer were the 2021 Homecoming parade marshals.](_files/2021/09/parade-marshals-1350x900.jpg)
September 29, 2021
Schaefers see good things in DSU’s past, present, and future
Alumni Randy and Theresa Schaefer credit DSU with all the good things in their lives, and are excited by the good things in DSU’s future.
![erman is a junior cyber operations major from Brandon, SD; she represented the Computer Club. McCrory is a junior Cyber Operations and Network and Security Administration major from Bemidji, Minn.; he is a representative of the Esports Club.](_files/2021/09/royalty-945x630.jpg)
September 22, 2021
Homecoming royalty announced at DSU
Klosterman is a junior cyber operations major from Brandon, SD; she represented the Computer Club. McCrory is a junior Cyber Operations and Network and Security Administration major from Bemidji, Minn.; he is a representative of the Esports Club.
![Student’s life altered by receiving a scholarship. DSU Giving Day is Thursday, Sept. 23.](https://dsu.edu/_files/2021/homepage-banners/Giving-Day-Website-Banner-1350x810.jpg)
September 20, 2021
Be the DSU difference
Student’s life altered by receiving a scholarship. DSU Giving Day is Thursday, Sept. 23.
![Amy Crissinger, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management](_files/2021/09/amy-crissinger-1350x900.jpg)
September 10, 2021
Crissinger named VP for student affairs
Amy Crissinger has been named the permanent Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Dakota State University.
![President Griffiths (right) introduces General Cyber to the Madison community at the August 17 Downtown in MadTown event.](_files/2021/08/mascot-1350x900.jpg)
August 26, 2021
Dakota State welcomes new mascot
Dakota State University Trojans have a new mascot, "General Cyber," or General Cy for short.
![Corben Leo, senior computer science major at Dakota State University](_files/2021/07/corben-leo-1350x900.jpg)
July 15, 2021
Corben Leo secures second win
Corben Leo is using his experience and computer science education to be successful in bug bounties. He has won Hack the Army two years in a row.
![Pictured: BOR Executive Director Brian Maher, BOR President John Bastian, Students Kanthi Narukonda and Janessa Palmieri, and DSU President José-Marie Griffiths](_files/2021/06/IMG_5747-1350x900.jpg)
June 24, 2021
Students Earn Regents’ Recognition
The South Dakota Board of Regents recognized student organizations from Dakota State University for excellence in academic, community, and organizational work.
![Dakota State University graduates and professors](_files/2021/06/graduates-1350x900.jpg)
June 24, 2021
DSU maintains placement rates of 98% and 100% for 2020
Dakota State University graduates had high job placement numbers for 2020. The placement rates are 98% for undergraduate and 100% for graduate outcomes.
![DSU fans in the athletic stands holding go blue signs](_files/2021/06/go-blue-1350x900.jpg)
June 22, 2021
Dakota State University Invests in Forward Sioux Falls
Dakota State University has invested in the Forward Sioux Falls (FSF) 2026 campaign. Forward Sioux Falls is a group of business and civic leaders dedicated to expanding the economy and enhancing the quality of life in Sioux Falls and the surrounding region.
![Dakota State student photographer](_files/2021/05/photographer-news.jpg)
May 17, 2021
Photo club snaps headshots
The staff of Madison Regional Health Systems received the 2021 Champions of Healthcare Award. MRHF collaborated with DSU's Photo Club to take headshots of MRHS employees for a photomontage project.
![Vanessa Polmateer](_files/2021/05/polmateer-1350x900.jpg)
May 11, 2021
Distinctive Talent
Dakota State’s Native American Student Association (NASA) Club asked member Vanessa Polmateer to create an original artwork to highlight the issues of violence against Indigenous women.
![Flags down a walkway through campus](_files/2021/04/flags-1350x810.jpg)
April 27, 2021
Honorable Students
Dakota State students were honored with a number of awards at the 2021 spring Honors Reception, held in a hybrid format on April 20, 2021.
![Mostafa Haque has a goal to advance his game design career to the next level.](_files/2021/02/mostafa-Haque-1350x810.jpg)
February 4, 2021
Game Plan for Success
Mostafa Haque ’16 is using his Dakota State education to reach new goals in his computer game design career.
![Austen King (left), Antonio Lansang, Tarek Abdelmotaleb, and Stuart Kershaw (not pictured) are winners in the first Dean’s Cup.](_files/2021/01/deans-cup-1350x810.jpg)
January 27, 2021
Dean’s Cup keeps students engaged over break
Motivated students are knowledgeable students. To motivate students over the holiday break, Beacom College students were able to participate in a new Dean’s Cup Competition.
![Naomi Vonkeman is a graphic design student and Trojan Ambassador at DSU graduating in May 2022.](social-media/vonkeman-1350x810.jpg)
January 5, 2021
Campus comradery
Graphic design student Naomi Vonkeman loves that DSU’s size allows her to meet and befriend so many people.
![Sound collage](_files/2020/12/sound-collage-1350x810.jpg)
December 17, 2020
DSU students collaborate on sound collage
Digital Art and Design Art 121 students taking Honors 2-D design studied sound during their fall semester, ultimately creating visual images of sound.
![Josh Snook a business management and accounting major from Yate, Bristol, England.](_files/2020/12/josh-snook-1350x810.jpg)
December 14, 2020
International student enjoys family feel of DSU
International student Josh Snook enjoys the family feel of DSU. Snook recommends all students get involved in activities, adding that it completes the university experience.
![Ryan Morganti, Andrew Rotert, and Nick Sandison created an app to function as an early warning system and risk identifier.](_files/2020/12/healthhack-1350x810.jpg)
December 4, 2020
DSU team takes 3rd in Sanford HealthHack
Three students have ventured into the realm of cyberhealth by participating in and taking 3rd place in the recent Sanford HealthHack.
![Native American Student Association of Dakota State University](_files/2020/10/NASA.jpg)
October 9, 2020
Native American Day observations planned at DSU
The Native American Student Association of Dakota State University (DSU NASA) has planned several experiences in honor of Native American Day, Monday, October 12.
![DSU Campus in the fall.](_files/2020/10/campus-fall-1350x810.jpg)
October 7, 2020
Athlete. Tutor. Volunteer. Student.
Student-athlete Marcus VandenBosch came to DSU for a football scholarship, and the caring community has made him appreciate Dakota State even more.
![Trojan Troy marching in parade](_files/2020/09/DSUParade-34-1.jpg)
September 30, 2020
Homecoming parade protocols considered
Dakota State University’s Trojan Days parade is planned for Saturday, October 3 at 10 a.m. This year’s theme is “Soaring Through the Decades.”
![Graduate student of Dakota State University](https://dsu.edu/_files/2020/homepage-banners/commencement-post-090920.jpg)
September 30, 2020
Have the passion to enact change
The October ceremony celebrates those students who graduated in the spring or summer semester of 2020. The traditional spring commencement ceremony was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
![Royalty crowned at Dakota State - Coronation kicks off Trojan Days Homecoming week](_files/2020/09/homecoming-court-1350x810.jpg)
September 30, 2020
Royalty crowned at Dakota State
Jacia Christiansen and Piyush Vyas were crowned queen and king at Dakota State’s Sept. 28 coronation ceremony. This event kicked off the 2020 Trojan Days Homecoming week.
![Photo of Austin Babcock who is attending graduate school and presenting at professional conferences.](_files/2020/09/babcock-austin-1350x810.jpg)
September 29, 2020
Faculty mentor students to succeed
Faculty efforts to mentor students result in professional opportunities to attend and participate at cyber conferences like the 2020 Wild West Hackin’ Fest (WWHF).
![Jonathan Horn DSU technology student](_files/2020/09/horn-jonathan-1350x810.jpg)
September 4, 2020
Family knows best
Jonathan Horn has always been interested in computers and technology. After his parents and grandma became aware of some of the program offerings at Dakota State they encouraged him to take a look.
![Sara Stehlik, a network and security administration major at Dakota State](_files/2020/08/stehlik-1350x810.jpg)
August 17, 2020
Stehlik awarded not one but two SWSIS scholarships
Sara Stehlik, a network and security administration major at Dakota State secures two scholarships from Scholarships for Women Studying Information Security (SWSIS).
![DEF CON 28 logo](_files/2020/08/def-con-28.jpg)
August 13, 2020
DSU team takes 1st at national challenge
Dakota State students often place well in cyber competitions, but the team that captured first place in a DEF CON contest in August was made up of DSU faculty and staff members.
![Bridget Thill, Elementary Education (BSE), '22.](_files/2020/08/bridget-thill-1350x810.jpg)
August 13, 2020
Learner for Life
Bridget Thill always dreamed of being a teacher. She wants to be a teacher to help kids fall in love with learning and teach them how to be confident in their abilities.
![Hunter Baer](_files/2020/05/Hunter-Baer-1350x810.jpg)
May 20, 2020
DSU freshman to attend West Point
Hunter Baer, a freshman computer science major from Garrison, North Dakota, was recently accepted to West Point United States Military Academy.
![If only I remember image](_files/2020/05/banner.png)
May 6, 2020
Students develop Alzheimer’s video game
Nursing homes aren’t your average setting for a video game, but Dakota State student Gabriel Simao and his friends aren’t creating an average video game.
April 15, 2020
Sheehan selected as student employee of the year for S.D.
Phusuda Sheehan, a digital arts and design major, was named South Dakota student Employee of the Year through the Midwest Association of Student Employment Administrators (MASEA).
April 8, 2020
College Business Plan Competition winners
Three winners have been selected in the 2nd annual Business Plan Competition at Dakota State. Grant Carlson received first place, Elizabeth Olson received second place, and Andrew Rotert received third place
![Jacob Garza](_files/2020/03/Jacob-Garza-1350x810.jpg)
March 26, 2020
Jacob Garza
Jacob Garza set out on his college journey with one thing in mind – find a computer science program that was amongst the top in the nation, to compliment his passion for the rapidly growing field.
![Lindsey Vogl](_files/2020/03/vogl-1350x810.jpg)
March 19, 2020
Opportunities Everywhere
Lindsey Vogl chose DSU's professional accounting degree as her major has reinforced the lesson that “you can find opportunities everywhere” and she’s ready to take that lesson out into the world.