Honored students
May 1, 2025
Every year, Dakota State celebrates the achievements of their students, those who have worked especially hard to excel and contribute to their own future as well as to the lives and progress of those around them. This year’s honored students include:
DSU Lowry Scholars
Six Dakota State University students have been named Lowry Scholars for 2024-2025. This award is based on the student’s scholarly involvement and leadership in their program of study. It is named for V.A. Lowry, president of DSU from 1933-1962. He devoted much of his life to creating an environment of academic excellence at this university. Lowry Scholars for 2024-2025 are:
College of Arts and Science, Hannah Feser
The Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences, Reina Girouard
The Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences, Irina Pecherskaia
College of Business and Information Systems, Baylee Holmlund
College of Business and Information Systems, Casey Olson
College of Education and Human Performance, Derek Mills
College Student Leaders
This award honors students in good academic standing who also demonstrate outstanding leadership. Students are selected by each of the four academic colleges. The College Student Leaders for 2024-2025 include:
College of Arts and Sciences, Emily Helgeson
College of Arts and Sciences, Emme Josko
The Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences, Irina Pecherskaia
The Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences, Juleigh Wilson
College of Business and Information Systems, Joelle Malacko
College of Education and Human Performance, Houston Lunde
College of Education and Human Performance, Taine Mitchell
Outstanding DSU Artists
The College of Arts & Sciences recognizes students in good academic standing whose achievements in the DSU performing or studio arts are superior. For the 2024-2025 academic year, they have selected Grace Clark and Lauryn Strand as Outstanding DSU Artists.
Clark has an exceptional talent whose creativity, thoughtfulness, and commitment to excellence shine through in every piece she creates. Her dedication to the artistic process, combined with her willingness to push boundaries and explore new techniques, sets her work apart.
Strand consistently approaches artistic challenges with passion and perseverance, exemplifying a strong work ethic and a dedication to personal and creative growth.
Campus Student Leaders
Campus Student Leaders honor students who have been very active on campus. Through their involvement, students must exemplify the highest degree of skill in management, communications, personal relationships, vital involvement, and university accomplishments. They are also required to have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.8. The 2024-2025 Campus Student Leaders are:
Luke Constantino
Bella Maxwell
Casey Olson
Maya Plummer
Student Employees of the Year
Each year, the Dakota State University Career and Professional Development office named Student Employees of the Year, both on- and off-campus. This year, these awards went to Chad Compton and Caleb Shaw.
Compton is a valued member of the DSU Marketing Department. Chad’s expertise and insight have been instrumental to the team's success, raising the bar for creative excellence. His dedication and commitment consistently go above and beyond, ensuring every project he takes on surpasses expectations.
Shaw joined The Eyecare Center of Madison, where he quickly became an essential part of the team. During a period of staff shortage, he stepped up from his part-time role to take on critical responsibilities in patient care. His support has been invaluable to the clinic, and his warm, personable approach has made a lasting impression on both staff and patients alike.
These awards are held in conjunction with the Midwest Association of Student Employment Administrators.
Anden Wieseler is Student Senator of the Year
Anden Wieseler has been named the Dakota State University Senator of the Year for 2024-2025. This honor is given to a member of the Student Senate who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and participation in advancing the mission of the DSU Student Senate.
Wieseler currently serves as Vice President of the Student Association Senate, Anden is recognized by his peers as a driven, knowledgeable, and committed leader. He consistently demonstrates outstanding leadership during meetings and actively contributes to the continued growth and improvement of DSU. Anden is deeply dedicated to serving the student body and strives to leave a lasting, positive impact on the university for future students. His leadership has been instrumental to the Senate, and the organization is poised for continued success thanks to his contributions.
Delta Mu Delta graduates
Dakota State University named six students to the business administration national honor society Delta Mu Delta.
Delta Mu Delta is a national honor society for students majoring in business administration. It was established to recognize and reward superior scholastic achievement of business majors. To be eligible for admission, a student must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25.
Delany Gregor
Ethan Johnson
Garret Leiseth
Kalani Mangin
Isaac Sumption
Cooper Vincent
General Beadle Honors graduates
Dakota State University graduates of the General Beadle Honors Program were honored at an April 15 Honors Reception. This program originated at DSU in 2013 to challenge outstanding students and stress broad intellectual development. It is open to students from all colleges and majors. To graduate as a General Beadle Honors Scholar, students must complete 26 or more credit hours of honors coursework, which includes an honors capstone project, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher. Four students were honored for the 2024-2025 academic year:
Al Deak
Gabe Miller
Patrick Rau
Carly Wiese
Kappa Sigma Iota
Kappa Sigma Iota is an honorary society at Dakota State University, established by President E. C. Higbie to “promote, secure, and maintain a high level of professional fellowship.” A student must have a 3.5 grade point average and be elected by current members of the society to be a member of this prestigious organization. The 2024-2025 students honored at an April 15 Honors Reception include:
Easton Anthony
Abel Degu
Judah DePalmo
Ephrata Yared Feyissa
Emelia Goheen
Asher Griess
Anthony Jacobs
Tanner Lawyer
Gwen Vongkasemsiri
TriBeta graduates
Eleven Dakota State University students in the Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta) Honor Society were recognized at the Honors Reception on April 15. TriBeta is a National Biological Honor Society that enables students to be involved in science outside of the classroom. Through this organization, students can access research funding and a venue to present/publish their work. Membership in TriBeta is a valued, nationally recognized credential. Students honored for the 2024-2025 academic year include:
Kylie Borchert
Hannah Evans
Hannah Feser
Rebecca Hazlett
Emme Josko
Braxton Lacher
Lillian Mackley
Carter Malone
Wyatt Olson
Bryant Paulsen
Razim Sejmenovic
Undergraduate Research Poster Awards
This award honors the exceptional undergraduate researchers who showcased their work at the annual Research Symposium. Each recipient has demonstrated exemplary dedication, creativity, and scholarly rigor in their research endeavors. The awards were selected by a faculty committee, recognizing the outstanding contributions these students have made to their respective fields.
First Place: Emme Josko
Second Place: Basbo Ayelazono, Vanessa Ocansey
Third Place: Hannah Feser, Wyatt Olson