SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University Scholarship Gala, sponsored by First Interstate Bank, set a new record of raising $229,500 for academic scholarships at the annual event hosted by University Advancement Aug. 19. The event’s live drive represents $161,000 of that total.
Steve Meeker, vice president for University Advancement, said this year’s gala success went above and beyond expectations. “We’d like to thank all of the auction donors and those who came to the gala to support the event. We owe a special thanks to First Interstate Bank and Pioneer Bank as they both are very important to our success.”
This year’s Difference Maker Award was presented to Miles and Lisa Beacom. In 2022, Miles Beacom, CEO of Premier Bankcard, and his wife, Lisa, pledged the largest cash gift in BHSU history, a $5 million gift to BHSU athletics. The Yellow Jacket Foundation, along with the Beacoms, have introduced a matching gift program for women’s athletics at BHSU as part of the $5 million gift. The Beacoms will match up to $2 million raised for endowments earmarked for women’s athletics. The Beacoms’ daughter, Ashlee, played on the Yellow Jacket women’s basketball team from 2017-2022. Total giving to BHSU from the Beacom family is now over $6.2 million.
The date for the 2024 BHSU Scholarship Gala, sponsored by First Interstate Bank, will be Saturday, Aug. 17.
