Simons named Philanthropists of Year at DSU Gala

A Madison couple recently was named the Philanthropists of the Year for Dakota State University.  Darrel and Patti Simon were named the 2019 Philanthropists of the Year for DSU during the university’s 2020 Gala held last week.

The Simons have supported DSU and its students for almost 50 years.  Darrel serves on the DSU Board of Trustees. Patti has been a student, taking continuing education classes for her teaching certificates; after retiring as a teacher at St. Thomas Catholic School in Madison, she supervised DSU student teachers. Together they have sponsored scholarships for students, served on the President Jerald Tunheim President’s Society, and are active in the Trojan Athletic Club.

  Darrel Simon noted the importance of DSU to Madison, and the importance of DSU’s cyber and technology degrees to the world.  Their overriding factor, however, is the students, those “young men and women who desire to better themselves and the world by seeking further education.”

The 333 people attending the 2020 Gala surpassed the goal of 150-thousand dollars, bringing in a total of more than 165-thousand dollars for student scholarships.   

The Philanthropist of the Year award was established in 2006 to acknowledge donors who make significant personal contributions of time, talent, and resources to DSU.