BHSU Scholarship Gala raises $155,000 for academic scholarships

Over $155,000 was raised for academic scholarships at Black Hills State University during the Scholarship Gala hosted by University Advancement on July 30.  This is the second-highest amount raised in the annual event’s history. Around 177 people attended the gala. 

“It truly was a wonderful night for all.  Our academic scholarship program is awarding one million dollars more than it did prior to the founding of the gala in 2014, so it is definitely making a difference,” said Steve Meeker, vice president for University Advancement. “We can’t thank First Interstate Bank, Pioneer Bank and all of the supporters that attended enough.” 

This year’s Difference Maker Award was presented to Sue Morris, ’58. In 2021, Sue pledged one million dollars to BHSU to create a scholarship in honor of her late husband, Dr. Jim Morris, who taught business at BHSU from 1957 to 1967. Her hope is that the Dr. Jim Morris Scholarship will help working students reach their full potential. The first award of $10,000 will be awarded to a BHSU student in Fall 2022.