On November 21, 2025, Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU) recognized outstanding high school seniors during its Fall Scholarship Day, awarding prestigious scholarships to the incoming class of 2026. A total of 23 students participated in the event, showcasing their academic achievements, leadership potential, and commitment to community service.
Scholarship Winners Announced
The university’s top scholarships include the Randall Scholarship and the Presidential Leadership Scholarship. Recipients of these awards exemplified strong academic records and leadership qualities, making them stand out among their peers.
The Randall Scholarship provides recipients with $100,000 over four years. To be eligible, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 and meet specific leadership and service criteria. The winners of this scholarship are:
- Anna Becker from Howard High School, Howard, SD
- Caroline Collins from Carlsbad High School, Carlsbad, CA
- Claire Crawford from Aberdeen Roncalli High School, Aberdeen, SD
- Milo Sumption from Frederick Area High School, Frederick, SD
The Presidential Leadership Scholarship, valued at $84,000 over four years, requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 along with similar leadership and service qualifications. The recipients are:
- Rylee Benda from Jackson County Central High School, Jackson, MN
- Madisyn Cole from Northwest High School, Grand Island, NE
- Anastasia Kieffer from Sioux Falls Washington High School, Sioux Falls, SD
Additional Scholarships Awarded
Beyond the top awards, DWU also granted several other scholarships, including the Achievement Scholarship, John Wesley Scholarship, Trustee Scholarship, and Presidential Scholarship. These scholarships further recognize academic excellence among students.
The Achievement Scholarship is awarded to students with a perfect 4.0 GPA and offers $16,000, renewable for up to ten semesters, provided the student maintains good standing. Awardees include:
- Brock Collison from Pierce High School, Pierce, NE
- Mia Crank from Groton Area High School, Groton, SD
- Caden Schwader from Howard High School, Howard, SD
- Will Young from Harrisburg High School, Sioux Falls, SD
The John Wesley Scholarship honors students with GPAs between 3.99 and 3.75, providing $14,750 renewable for ten semesters. Recipients include:
- Evan Anderson from Mitchell High School, Mitchell, SD
- Naudia Edmiston from Teach Northwest High School, Albany, OR
- Kaitlyn Wald from Sioux Falls Lutheran High School, Sioux Falls, SD
- Emma Watson from Tea Area High School, Tea, SD
- Cameron Wolf from Dickinson High School, Dickinson, ND
The Trustee Scholarship, awarded to students with GPAs between 3.74 and 3.50, offers $13,750 over four years. The winners are:
- Erick Buechler from Menno Public High School, Menno, SD
- Oden McFarlane from Norfolk High School, Norfolk, NE
- Everett Morrison from Mitchell High School, Mitchell, SD
- Mya Schelhaas from Corsica High School, Corsica, SD
Finally, the Presidential Scholarship is available to students with GPAs ranging from 3.49 to 3.00 and grants $13,000, also renewable for ten semesters. Recipients include:
- Jaxson Burns from Fort Calhoun High School, Kennard, NE
- Randi Norgaard from Parkston High School, Parkston, SD
These awards highlight Dakota Wesleyan University’s commitment to fostering academic excellence and leadership among its students. The scholarships provide significant financial support, enabling recipients to pursue their educational goals while contributing positively to their communities.
