Television personality, and technical education supporter Mike Rowe is slated to visit South Dakota in recognition of the 10 year anniversary of the Build Dakota scholarship fund.

Courtesy photo

SIOUX FALLS — The Build Dakota Scholarship Program is thrilled to announce that television personality, author, and advocate for the skilled trades, Mike Rowe, will visit South Dakota at the end of September to celebrate the program’s 10th anniversary. Rowe, a strong supporter of vocational education, 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 Mike Rowe’s upcoming visit, “We are honored to welcome Mike Rowe 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.

Heartland area students who are among the recipients of the 2024-25 Build Dakota Scholarhships include, from Lake Area Technical College in Watertown: Emerie Binger, Redfield; Brandon Forrette. Huron; Damon Froke, Woonsocket; Westin Hagman, Woonsocket; David Hague, Tulare; Jaelyn Hamilton, Huron; Rhayonna Hood, Huron; Jody Linke, Woonsocket; Karter Miller, Hitchcock; Jaylee Noyes, Huron; Logan Peterson, Miller; Jadit Pouk, Tulare; Cassi VanDerWerff, Miller; Landon Wagner, Miller, Cooper Wangsness, Miller and Zayne Winson, Huron.

From Mitchell Technical Institute: Ryan Aldrich, Wessington Springs; Kydan Copton-Hollingsworth, Woonsocket; Dylan Dorn, Huron; Trinity Flowers, Wessington Springs; Cooper Goldammer, Woonsocket; Tristen Jacobsen, Artesian; Ciara Kobold, Alpena; Jeritt Kokesh, Woonsocket; Kristina Kole, Huron; Olaf Kruse, Huron; Fernando Martinez, Huron; Trey Moody, Woonsocket; Haeleigh Mulder, Wessington Springs; Kennadie Ochsner, Alpena; Gabriela Rivera Sanchez, Huron; Dylan Rowcliffe, De Smet; Braeden Seidel, Miller; Katie Stange, Woonsocket and Naw Ywe, Huron.

At Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls: William Knippling, Huron; Kelsie Roberts, Wolsey and Khu Kle Shee of Huron.

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