From new leadership and academic partnerships to record-breaking fundraising and historic athletic achievements, 2025 marked a year of momentum and impact at Dickinson State University. The following highlights showcase the people, programs, and progress that continue to move DSU forward.
President Scott Molander named 14th president of DSU.
DSU celebrates 100 years of football with record-breaking homecoming attendance.
Dr. Holly Gruhlke named vice president of academic affairs and provost.
DSU Heritage Foundation awards $2 million in scholarships.
Men’s basketball wins both the North Star Athletic Association regular-season title and tournament championship.
DSU completes renovated Agriculture and Technical Studies classroom section.
Kayla Noah named DSU Vice President of Student Affairs.
DSU Heritage Foundation breaks fundraising record on DSU Give Day, raising $112,289.09 for student scholarships in 24 hours.
Women’s outdoor track and field finishes fourth overall, the highest national placing in program history, and earns seven All-American honors.
Through an agreement with the University of North Dakota, DSU implements development of virtual and hands-on cadaver labs on campus.
Men’s basketball head coach Derek Selvig named North Star Coach of the Year after leading the Blue Hawks to their first regular-season and tournament titles in two decades and their first national tournament appearance in 20 years.
The 2025 legislative session awards DSU $2.04 million in challenge grant matching dollars, an increase of $1.04 million.
DSU competitive cheer places third at the NAIA Nationals, its highest finish ever, and earns four All-America honors.
DSU and North Dakota State University sign a memorandum of understanding to create pathways into NDSU’s pharmacy program and expand agricultural education collaboration.
DSU athletic director Pete Stanton named North Star Athletic Association co-Athletic Director of the Year.
DSU Heritage Foundation breaks fundraising record for Yuletyme, raising $150,000 in support of DSU.
Women’s wrestling athlete Jumoke Adekoye makes history as the program’s first national champion at 131 pounds and earns Most Outstanding Wrestler honors.
DSU and Williston State College sign a co-matriculation agreement, also called Degree Bridge, allowing students to complete associate degrees at WSC and transition seamlessly to DSU bachelor’s programs.
Dickinson State athletics closes the North Star Athletic Association era with its third consecutive North Star Commissioner's Cup.
Assistant track and field coach Tanner Gust named 2025 NAIA National Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Caleb Sarsland finishes ninth and earns All-America honors at the NAIA men’s cross country nationals, becoming the second Blue Hawk to reach the All-America podium at the NAIA championships.
DSU track and field head coach Shayne Wittkopp named North Star Coach of the Year for both indoor and outdoor seasons for the second consecutive year and fourth time overall.
Baseball earns an automatic bid in the NAIA Baseball National Tournament Opening Round for the first time since 2006 after a second-place finish at the NSAA tournament.
Competitive cheer head coach Cebe Schneider named NAIA National Coach of the Year after leading the Blue Hawks to a third-place finish at the NAIA National Championship, the program’s best-ever result.
Women’s outdoor track and field athlete Adarra Hagelund wins the national title in the high jump, clearing 1.75 meters (5 feet, 9 inches).
