Catch up with the latest Build Dakota Scholarship Fund updates, from enrollment reports to marketing plans and more.

Discover more by accessing the 2024-2025 annual report (PDF).

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Argus Leader) – As South Dakota technical colleges celebrate the 10th anniversary of providing Build Dakota scholarships to students, college leaders know there’s a need for additional workforce out there.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – A South Dakota scholarship program is taking financial stress off college students and setting them up for success after graduation. The Build Dakota Scholarship allows a student entering a high-demand career to receive a full ride to a South Dakota technical college. This year, the scholarship celebrates its 10th anniversary.

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RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Some jobs are just dirtier than others. Western Dakota Tech had ‘Dirty Jobs’ star Mike Rowe stop in on Thursday to celebrate the Build Dakota Scholarship’s ten-year anniversary.

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SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO.com) — It was a birthday bash that drew a big name.  Mike Rowe, the star of “Dirty Jobs”, made a whirlwind tour of South Dakota’s Technical Colleges yesterday to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Build Dakota Scholarship.  As Tom Rooney tells us, it’s a model that Rowe holds in high regard.

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This year marks the 10th anniversary of the grants for students to attend tech schools in Watertown, Mitchell, Rapid City and Sioux Falls, the result of a partnership among the state, First PREMIER Bank and industry.

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South Dakota — The Build Dakota Scholarship Program is thrilled to announce that Mike Rowe, best known as “the dirtiest man on TV” from the iconic TV series Dirty Jobs, will visit South Dakota at the end of September to celebrate the program’s 10th anniversary. Rowe, America’s leading advocate for the skilled trades, will join the Build Dakota team and community members in showcasing the Build Dakota Scholarship program’s success.

Dana Dykhouse, Chairman of the Build Dakota Scholarship Board, shared his thoughts on Rowe’s upcoming visit, “We are honored to welcome Mike to South Dakota once again as we celebrate this significant milestone. Mike has been a tireless advocate for the skilled trades, and his support has helped to shine a spotlight on the importance of these careers. His visit is a remarkable opportunity to recognize the achievements of our scholars and to underscore the vital role that vocational education plays in our state’s future.”*

Since its inception, the Build Dakota Scholarship Program has been committed to filling the workforce needs of South Dakota by providing full-ride scholarships to students entering high-need fields. Over the past decade, the program has awarded nearly 4,000 scholarships, working alongside over 500 industry partners providing more than $21 million in matching scholarships.

This year, the program is proud to welcome a new cohort of dedicated students who have earned the scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year. The complete list of this year’s recipients can be found here.

Deni Martin, Program Director of the Build Dakota Scholarship Program, expressed her excitement for the new group of scholars, “Our 2024-2025 recipients are an exceptional group of individuals who have demonstrated a strong commitment to their chosen fields. These students are the future of South Dakota’s workforce, and we are proud to support them on their educational journey. The impact of the Build Dakota Scholarship Program over the past 10 years is a testament to the dedication of our partners, and we are excited to see what the next decade holds.”*

For more information about the Build Dakota Scholarship Program and upcoming events, please visit www.builddakotascholarships.com

Press Release

Our goal is to give students the opportunity to enter programs in our state’s high-need industries and finish school debt-free. Take a look at the list of the 2024-2025 Build Dakota Scholarship recipients!

View the full list of 2024-2025 Build Dakota Scholarship recipients (PDF) here.

Mitchell, SD — Summit Contracting, a premier agricultural construction service provider in South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa, proudly announces the awarding of a Build Dakota Scholarship to Gavin Hulstein during a special event at Dakotafest in Mitchell, SD.

Summit also announced the expansion of its partnership with Build Dakota Scholarship partnership and Lake Area Technical College (LATC) of Watertown, SD. This initiative provides recipients like Gavin Hulstein, a recent graduate from Pierre T.F. Riggs High School, a pathway to a debt-free education and a promising career in Building Trades Technology.

Gavin has been awarded the Build Dakota Scholarship through LATC’s Stretch-the-Million Partnership program. This scholarship includes all tuition, fees, books, and required program expenses, ensuring Gavin graduates without financial burden. Summit Contracting pays a portion of the scholarship and Build Dakota covers the remainder. Upon completion of his studies, he will join Summit Contracting for at least three years, committing to build a long-term career with the company.

“Building a great company culture starts with a strong foundation,” remarked Jerad Hutchens, President of Summit Contracting. “We’re delighted to welcome Gavin to Team Summit. His addition is a testament to our commitment to nurturing talent that upholds our core values and dedication to quality.”

At Summit Contracting, the company’s core values are integral to its identity. They hire individuals who share their principles and blend with their professional family. Core values include:

• We’ve got each other’s backs: First and foremost, we are a team. That means when someone is having a hard time, we step up and help each other out, whether it’s part of our day-to-day job or not. We’ve got each other’s backs. No questions asked.
• Own up: No one is perfect. If you make a mistake, own up to it, help to fix it, learn from it and move on.
• It’s not always sunny: Ag construction is a vital part of our rural economy, but it’s hard work. Whether it’s 75 and sunny, or 15 and snowing, we work in the elements, day in and day out. Because of that, positive attitudes are a must. We’re all in this together in every situation to do whatever it takes to get the job done.
• No jerks allowed: Treating each other with respect, having a good attitude, and taking responsibility for our work is of the utmost importance. Whatever job we’re on, we give 100% at all times, doing everything to the very best of our ability. We take pride in what we do, and how we treat one another is no exception.
• Everything we build, we build with excellence and pride: Summit Contracting wants to show the world that no one builds better than they do.

Congratulations to Gavin Hulstein on his scholarship. Summit Contracting supports workforce development through scholarships and training, ensuring a bright future for the agricultural sector.

Pictured (L-R) Josh Bryant, Summit Contracting; Hulstein family, Ashley, Kirk, Mya, and Gavin Hulstein; Chris McKinney, Summit Contracting; Jerad Hutchens, President, Summit Contracting.

About Summit Contracting

Founded in 2009, by Tyler and Katy Samuelson, Summit Contracting is a full-service on-farm construction company with specialized crews and support staff who focus on their area of expertise. They specialize in building premium grain systems, post-frame and metal buildings, irrigation systems and seed-treating solutions. From beginning the project in drafting/estimating to self-performing and managing each of our projects through completion, it is our goal to build lasting relationships with our customers and provide them with quality products they can be proud of for generations. Dedicated every day from dawn to dusk, Summit Contracting strives to emulate the farmer’s work ethic in every project, no matter how big or how small. The Future of Ag is Building. To learn more about Summit Contracting visit www.BuildSummit.com.

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