DWU announces winners from Fall 2025 Scholarship Day

MITCHELL, S.D. – Dakota Wesleyan University has announced fall scholarship winners for the class of 2026.

23 high school seniors competed last month for the university’s most prestigious scholarships as part of DWU’s Fall Scholarship Day on Nov. 21. Students with outstanding academic status, leadership potential and commitment to serving others were invited to campus to meet with faculty, staff and students, or virtually, while exploring opportunities at DWU.

The following is a list of Randall and Presidential Leadership Scholarship winners, DWU’s most competitive scholarships:

Randall Scholarship winners: To qualify for a Randall Scholarship, students must have at least a 3.5 GPA and must meet certain leadership/service qualifications. The scholarship is $100,000 over four years.

Anna Becker, Howard, Howard High School, daughter of Matt and Jody Becker
Caroline Collins, Carlsbad, Calif., Carlsbad High School, daughter of Gregory Collins and Melanie Collins
Claire Crawford, Aberdeen, Aberdeen Roncalli High School, daughter of Glen and Heidi Crawford
Milo Sumption, Frederick, Frederick Area High School, son of Warren and Sarah Sumption

Presidential Leadership Scholarship winners: To qualify for a Presidential Leadership Scholarship, students must have at least a 3.0 GPA and must meet certain leadership/service qualifications. The scholarship is $84,000 over four years.

Rylee Benda, Jackson, Minn., Jackson County Central High School, daughter of Chad and Amanda Benda
Madisyn Cole, Grand Island, Neb., Northwest High School, daughter of Jeremiah Cole and April Cole
Anastasia Kieffer, Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls Washington High School, daughter of Mike and Cynthia McConniel

DWU also awarded Achievement, John Wesley, Trustee and Presidential Scholarships:

Achievement Scholarship winners: To qualify for an Achievement Scholarship, students must have a 4.0 GPA. The award is for $16,000 and is renewable for up to 10 semesters if the student remains in good standing.

Brock Collison, Pierce, Neb., Pierce High School, son of Ryan and Brooke Collison, also awarded extracurricular, Christian Leadership and dual credit scholarships
Mia Crank, Groton, Groton Area High School, daughter of Tom and Rachael Crank, also awarded an Impact and dual credit scholarships
Caden Schwader, Howard, Howard High School, son of Dale and Kristi Schwader, also awarded a dual credit scholarship
Will Young, Sioux Falls, Harrisburg High School, son of Steve and Tara Young, also awarded a dual credit scholarship

John Wesley Scholarship winners: To qualify for a John Wesley Scholarship, students must have at least a GPA of 3.99-3.75. The award is for $14,750 and is renewable for up to 10 semesters if the student remains in good standing.

Evan Anderson, Mitchell, Mitchell High School, son of John and Taryn Anderson, also awarded extra and dual credit scholarships
Naudia Edmiston, Albany, Ore., TEACH-NW Academy, daughter of Nick and Courtney Edmiston, also awarded extracurricular and dual credit scholarships
Kaitlyn Wald, Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls Lutheran High School, daughter of Heather Wald, also awarded a dual credit scholarship
Emma Watson, Tea, Tea Area High School, daughter of Becky Johnson, also awarded extracurricular and dual credit scholarships
Cameron Wolf, Dickinson, N.D., Dickinson High School, son of Brent and Karen Wolf, also awarded extracurricular and dual credit scholarships

Trustee Scholarship winners: To qualify for a Trustee Scholarship, students must have at least a GPA of 3.74-3.50. The award is for $13,750 and is renewable for up to 10 semesters if the student remains in good standing.
Erick Buechler, Menno, Menno Public High School, son of Mike Buechler and Christa Buechler, also awarded extracurricular and dual credit scholarships
Oden McFarlane, Norfolk, Neb., Norfolk High School, son of Kyle and Melanie McFarlane, also awarded extracurricular and dual credit scholarships
Everett Morrison, Mitchell, Mitchell High School, son of Jeremy and Katie Morrison, also awarded a dual credit scholarship
Mya Schelhaas, Corsica, Corsica High School, daughter of Byron and Tera Schelhaas, also awarded an Alumni and dual credit scholarships

Presidential Scholarship winners: To qualify for a Presidential Scholarship, students must have at least a GPA of 3.49-3.00. The award is for $13,000 and is renewable for up to 10 semesters if the student remains in good standing.

Jaxson Burns, Kennard, Neb., Fort Calhoun High School, son of Jeremy and Angelina Burns, also awarded extracurricular and dual credit scholarships
Randi Norgaard, Parkston, Parkston High School, daughter of Dustin and Amanda Bouza, also awarded an extracurricular scholarship