Trojans Give Back brings the DSU community together through service and generosity
October 13, 2026
MADISON, S.D. — Dakota State University students, faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters demonstrated the strength of Trojan Nation through community service and fundraising during the university’s annual Trojans Give Back celebration, held as part of Trojan Days Homecoming festivities last week.
This year’s Trojans Give Back initiative brought together 946 volunteers who contributed a combined 2,443 hours of service across 48 projects. The fundraising campaign also raised more than $207,000 from 1,821 donors to support scholarships and opportunities for current and future DSU students.
The annual tradition encourages members of the DSU community to give back through service and financial support, strengthening connections between the university, the Madison community, and Trojans around the world.
Throughout the day, volunteers participated in a wide range of service projects benefiting local organizations, schools, parks, and community facilities.
Projects included cleanup and improvement efforts at Lake Herman State Park, the Gerry Maloney Nature Area, the Madison Municipal Airport, and several community parks. Volunteers also assisted local schools, churches, and organizations, including the Madison Public Library, Madison Regional Health System, Bethel Lutheran Home, and Peaceful Pines Senior Living.
Other participants supported the Trojan Food Pantry, prepared cards for Madison residents, made dog toys for local animal shelters, and created tie blankets. DSU athletic teams, student organizations, and academic departments also organized service activities throughout the community.
The spirit of service extended well beyond Madison, with 82 online students reporting volunteer projects in their own communities.
DSU President John Ballard praised the efforts of those who participated and helped organize the event, emphasizing the value of service in the university experience.
“I was able to speak with numerous students during their service activities on Thursday, and each one truly benefitted from the experience,” Ballard said in a message to event organizers. “Activities such as these are exactly why our students come to DSU, remain to graduate, and then lead lives of consequence.”
Alongside the volunteer efforts, the Trojans Give Back fundraising campaign provided alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and other supporters an opportunity to invest in the university’s future.
The campaign received 1,821 gifts totaling $207,633, with donations continuing to arrive following the event. Organizers are optimistic that the final fundraising total will surpass $225,000.
A particular emphasis of this year’s campaign was supporting Champion Scholarships, which help remove financial barriers and create educational opportunities for DSU students.
“The response from Trojan Nation during this year’s Trojans Give Back has been nothing short of incredible,” said Assistant Director of Annual Giving & Communications Dalton Kleinschmidt. “This campaign is about much more than dollars raised. It’s about answering the call to make a lasting difference in the lives of our students and creating opportunities for generations of Trojans to come.”
Kleinschmidt also expressed appreciation for the alumni, friends, and supporters who contributed to the campaign.
“The momentum we’ve seen is a testament to the strength of the Trojan community and what we can accomplish when we come together for a common purpose,” he said.
Trojans Give Back has become an important tradition during DSU’s Homecoming celebration, bringing together students, employees, alumni, and community members in a shared commitment to service.
Since 2016, the initiative has engaged more than 7,600 volunteers who have contributed nearly 24,000 hours of service across 377 projects. This year’s combination of volunteering and fundraising continued that tradition, showing how unity can make a meaningful difference on campus and beyond.
For more information about Trojans Give Back and opportunities to support Dakota State University, visit the Trojans Give Back campaign page.