Sanford, Beacoms donate $30M to DSU

Denny Sanford along with Miles and Lisa Beacom have donated $30 million to Dakota State University, designed to make the school the nation’s leading institution in cybersecurity education.

The gift will help hire faculty and staff, provide more scholarships, add academic programs and fund facilities.

The announcement came at the dedication of the Beacom Institute of Technology.

“Their generosity has built this building and now they’re doing even more, so much more,” Gov. Dennis Daugaard said.

The gift will help house the Madison Cyber Labs, or Mad Labs, a proposed up to 40,000-square-foot research and development facility.

The DSU College of Computing also will be renamed the Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences.

“Thank you, all, and thank you South Dakota,” Sanford said, encouraging the crowd to chant “Beacom College.”

In addition, the state plans to contribute $10 million to support Dakota State University, Daugaard said, and the plan is apply for $20 million in federal funds.

“I don’t know anyone in South Dakota that has changed the landscape like Denny Sanford,” said Miles Beacom, CEO of Sanford’s business, Premier Bankcard.

Beacom, who graduated from DSU 40 years ago, said he remembers looking out at the campus from his dorm room. The view today would include the Beacom Institute of Technology.

“My family and I are honored to be part of this amazing future and what lays ahead for this institution,” he said.

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Sanford, Beacoms donate $30M to DSU

Denny Sanford along with Miles and Lisa Beacom have donated $30 million to Dakota State University to make the school the nation’s leading institution in cybersecurity education.

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