Scholarships - School of American and Global Studies

MOA not yet completed. Award to a student that is Jackrabbit Guarantee eligible and is majoring in Political Science.

(Established in 1999)
Marian Barnes provides funding. The recipient of the Allen Barnes Memorial Scholarship is based on scholastic ability, extracurricular activities and financial need. Dr. Allen R. Barnes was born on June 12, 1926 in Newport, Nebraska and he died April 10, 1999. His career at SDSU spanned 25 years arriving in Brookings as head of the Foreign Languages Department in 1961. He married Marian Clark in 1950. In 1966, Allen became the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and served as such until his retirement in 1986. He retired as Dean Emeritus and Regental Professor.

Funding is provided by Bob and Donna Burns. Bob Burns is a 1964 SDSU graduate, a Briggs Scholar and a National Defense Fellow at the University of Missouri, where he earned his M.A. and Ph.D. Bob Burns has been a member of the SDSU Political Science faculty since 1970. He served as Dean of the SDSU Honors College, Distinguished Head and Professor of Political Science and Head of Philosophy and Religion before retiring in June 2008. Donna Burns was a political activist during the 1970s. She was the first layperson appointed to the State Board of Pharmacy by Governor Kneip and continues to serve as a community volunteer.

Recipients of the Charles Sewrey Scholarship must be majoring in History at SDSU and must attain at least a "B" average within the History major as well as their cumulative grade point.

Scholarship dedicated to the memory of Chris Rieb, by his family in Watertown, South Dakota. Chris was a brilliant Political Science major, who also served as a legislative intern at Pierre, South Dakota. The $1,000 scholarship goes to support a political science major, who has successfully participated in an unpaid internship.

(Established 2010)
Funding is provided by DeAnna Granholm who graduated from Augustana College and has been actively involved in civic life, and Nels Granholm, who received his Ph.D. from Iowa State University and completed his tenure at SDSU as the Coordinator of SDSU’s new Global Studies Program (2004-2011). The recipient of this scholarship is a Global Studies Major with demonstrated engagement and desire to become an authentic global citizen and make a clear difference in the world.

Four-year scholarship for an incoming Freshman enrolled in both Political Science and Honors College. The recipient receives $5,000 each year, for up to four years. Funding is conditional upon the student making good progress each year. Students must demonstrate excellent academic skills and leadership ability.

Dr. Schwab served the Department of Political Science for thirty years. She earned a B.A. in Political Science from Temple University in 1955 and a M.A. in Political Science from New York University in 1956. She began her career at SDSU in 1966. Professor Schwab was instrumental in the birth of SDSU’s Women’s Studies program, teaching the first Women’s Studies course and serving as its first director. Professor Schwab passed away on January 5, 2002. Funds go to the most deserving Political Science major who is not funded by any other scholarship and who has accomplished academic work in the politics of diversity, especial women's studies. Preference is also given to a transfer (or other) student who is NOT qualified for the Jackrabbit Guarantee scholarship.

This scholarship is given in memory of Rodney and Fayne Bell’s infant son, Gregory Drew Bell, who was born on October 18, 1962, in Jamestown, North Dakota, and died November 2, 1962. Rodney Bell joined the SDSU History Faculty in 1970 and soon after was named Head of the History Department. He received his M.A. and Ph.D. in History from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Fayne Bell was a computer resource specialist at SDSU and received her B.A., MEd., and M.A. from SDSU. Together, they served more than 45 years at SDSU retiring in 2000.

The recipient of the Gregory Drew Bell Scholarship shall be a student majoring in History who is in at least their second year at SDSU and has maintained a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

(Established in 1999)
Funded by Dr. Karen Hardy Cardenas in memory of her nephew, who died when he was a senior in high school. Dr. Cardenas was a professor in the Modern Languages Department at SDSU and then became the department Head.

• A student enrolled in their sophomore year or above.
• A student pursuing studies in political science.
• A student residing in Western South Dakota
• A student demonstrating financial need
• First preference shall be given to a student that is an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe.

(Established in 1980)

Was created through a generous bequest from Mrs. Hasslinger as provided in her last will and testament and as received from her estate. Dr. Hilda Hasslinger, professor emeritus of foreign languages at SDSU, died in 1977. She taught German at SDSU from 1947 to 1970, when she retired as full professor emeritus. In honor of her many years of dedicated service to SDSU, the Foreign Language Library was named the Hilda R. Hasslinger Library in 1974.

Kevin Roberts is a partner in the law firm of Roberts, Wooten and Zimmer LLC, in Hillsboro, Missouri. Kevin Roberts graduated from SDSU with degrees in Political Science and History and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri at Columbia in 1981. Kevin has served on the Council of Trustees since 2004 and as the Chair of the Board of Governors for the SDSU Foundation. His wife, Debra Roberts, is employed by the Bank of Hillsboro. Their scholarship (in Support of the Jackrabbit Guarantee) goes to a junior or senior student majoring in Political Science. This scholarship can be renewed if the student remains eligible.

Professor Engberg obtained his B.A. degree in 1934 at Colorado State College and earned his M.A. degree from the University of Colorado in 1942. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. Professor Engberg served as acting head of SDSU’s Department of History-Political Science in 1964. He died in Rapid City in 1965. Frances Engberg attended Yankton College Conservatory of Music from 1929 to 1931. She received her Certificate of Music Education from Yankton College and took additional classes at Augustana College, Dakota State College and South Dakota State University. Frances taught music for grades K-6 in Brookings and worked as a resident hall director at Pierson Hall at SDSU. The recipient of the Engberg Scholarship should be a History or Political Science major, with preference to Political Science majors. Candidates must be in their junior year and have maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better during their freshmen and sophomore years.

(Established in 1999)

Funding is provided by Loren and Irma Blankenhorn. The Loren J. and Irma G. Blankenhorn Endowed Scholarship in Hispanic Language and Cultures is available to Spanish majors and minors seeking to improve their Spanish language skills and who have committed to participating in a study abroad experience in Spain or other Hispanic countries. The Blankenhorns have been strong supporters of the Spanish language program at SDSU for many years and established this scholarship to provide SDSU students the opportunity to have a cross-cultural experience.

(Established in 2005)

Funding is provided by Loren and Irma Blankenhorn. The Loren J. and Irma G. Blankenhorn Travel Scholarships in Modern Languages provide undergraduate scholarships for foreign language study in a non-English speaking country.

Funding is provided by Mike Whitford. Originally from Sturgis, South Dakota, Mike Whitford graduated from SDSU in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a minor in History and received a master’s degree from the University of Denver. The recipient of this scholarship shall be a student majoring in Political Science or History who is originally from West River, South Dakota. Preference is given to students who have a high degree of financial need.

(Established in 1993)
Was started in order to stress the importance of learning about cultures other than our own. Mrs. Garthune graduated from SDSU in 1932 with a degree in History. For 23 years she worked for the Federal Government, retiring in 1972 as Assistant Congressional Liaison Officer for the United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare.

Grandfather Amund Olson Ringsrud was the first Secretary of the State of South Dakota elected in 1886. He was a member of the 1889 Constitutional Convention. Olive Ringsrud served 2 terms as Secretary of State after her uncle, Amund Ringsrud. She was the first woman to run for a National Office in South Dakota. Ronald Ringsrud graduated from SDSU with a B.S. degree in 1937. He was a member of the ROTC and the 1935 Football Team. He served in World War II with honors. He retired from the service after 20 years. After returning to South Dakota, he directed and lobbied for the League of Municipalities for 4 years. Ronald Ringsrud died on January 5, 2004. The Ringsrud Family Scholarship is awarded annually to a sophomore student majoring in Political Science. The $500 scholarship is given to an average or above student who is trying hard to improve their GPA.

The Vivian Volstorff Scholarship is annually awarded to a student majoring in History at SDSU. The recipient must have at least a "B" average grade in the History major as well as the cumulative grade. The recipient should have an active role in campus activities.

Selection of the recipient(s) is based on the following criteria preferences:

• A student enrolled in the junior or senior year.
• A student pursuing studies in history.
• A student demonstrating financial need.
• The recipient shall be a U.S Citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States

The award shall not be available for the summer term. A student's GPA shall not be the only factor in selecting the recipient. The scholarship shall be renewable as long as the student remains eligible.

The scholarship shall be awarded by a university scholarship committee.

(Established in 2004)
William G. Macksam was born in Clark County, Wisconsin. Jean Costie Macksam was born in northern Ontario, Canada and came to the U.S. when she was a teenager. Bill met Jean Costie in 1942 while she was a civilian employee in an army hospital and they were married in September 1943. At the end of the war and after serving four years in the Army, Jean insisted Bill attend college. With income from the GI Bill and Jean’s earnings and urging, Bill succeeded in meeting the requirements for baccalaureate and graduate degrees at Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University) and Kansas State College (now Kansas State University). In December 1953, Bill interviewed for a position in the Department of Horticulture at South Dakota State College. He reported for duty in early 1954 and spent 12 years on the faculty in the Department of Horticulture. Jean worked full and part-time as a secretary, she took courses and earned bachelors and master’s degrees.