True Trojan awards kick-off school year
August 20, 2025
This year a record breaking 159 nominations were made by colleagues and students for True Trojan awards.
Each year since 2019, Dakota State has celebrated employees through True Trojan awards to recognize their hard work, dedication, and commitment to DSU’s mission. Five awards are based on nominations from colleagues; two are student-nominated for their work with the student body.
“This is our way of celebrating the dedication, talent, and teamwork that make our community strong,” said Debra Roach, Vice President for Human Resources.
Last year’s winners served on the selection committee, reviewing, scoring, and assisting in the selection of this year’s winners. This committee consisted of Erin Kahler, Kristen Uilk, Kathy Engbrecht, Cherie Noteboom, Kindra Schneider, Fenecia Homan, Sierra Helper, and Tory Christensen.
The 2025 award winners include:
2025 Civil Services Association (CSA) Outstanding Contributor – Eric Holm, Systems Engineer in ITS
The purpose of this award is to recognize a dedicated focus to customer service, commitment to quality improvement, outstanding skills and abilities, teamwork, and professionalism while enhancing the quality of work life for colleagues.
2025 Non-Faculty Exempt (NFE) Outstanding Contributor – Jen Burris, Strategic Communications Coordinator in Marketing
This award recognizes employees dedicated to customer service, commitment to quality improvement, outstanding skills and abilities, teamwork, and professionalism.
2025 Staff Outstanding Contributor (nominated by students) – Brianna Feldhaus, Graduate Enrollment Counselor in Grad Studies
This award recognizes staff members who contribute significantly to the quality of life for DSU students and are committed to student success. They foster positive environments, facilitate communication, and promote improved student achievement.
2025 Faculty Outstanding Contributor (nominated by students) – A tie between Lori Engebretson, Instructor in the College of Education & Human Performance; and Dr. Brenda Merkel, Assistant Professor in College of Business & Information Systems
This award recognizes the faculty’s commitment to student success. DSU faculty mentor, inspire, and teach students, contribute to research, and creative activity.
2025 Emerging Leader – Dr. Matthew Ingram, Assistant Professor in the College of Arts & Sciences and Center for Teaching and Learning Director
Established in 2023, this award recognizes an employee with fewer than five years of service to DSU, who has made a unique, significant contribution while embracing the spirit of the university and fostering interdepartmental relationships.
2025 Outstanding Leadership – Dr. Viki Johnson, Associate Professor in College of Arts & Sciences
Also established in 2023, this award recognizes an employee who embodies exceptional leadership by building community, nurturing a culture of care and support, and exhibiting strong stewardship of institutional resources (time, talent, financial, etc.) and developing a shared vision of institutional excellence that allows everyone to feel they have a purpose in the organization.
2025 Team of the Year – Graduate Studies Team – Dr. Mark Hawkes, Samantha Dirkson, Abby Chowning, Brianna Feldhaus, Eve Skajewski, and Erin Blankespoor
This award recognizes a team that exemplifies collaboration, cooperation, communication, trust, and respect. The team inspires and works toward a bold vision for success at DSU.