Give Today, Gain Tomorrow

At South Dakota State University, philanthropy often stems from the desire to support the next generation of Jackrabbits, increasing opportunity for those that follow after you.

In the case of the College of Nursing’s Class of 2019, the motivation to give back comes from a group of more than 30 students who recently entered the workforce and encountered an overwhelming shortage of personnel in the medical field.

While most Jackrabbits fresh out of college wouldn’t be in a financial position to fund a scholarship on their own, the 2019 cohort realized that their power lay in numbers and a common goal to make a difference.

Dominick Weber, a post anesthesia RN at Sanford USD Medical Center, hatched the idea to establish the Class of 2019 College of Nursing Scholarship, inspired by his own appreciation for the scholarship support he received during his years as an undergraduate. He reached out to his fellow classmates to gage their interest in giving back, and many answered the call.

“Due to the number of members in the nursing class, I knew we could fundraise a considerable scholarship that would really benefit nursing students at SDSU,” Dominick explained.

Following graduation, Dominick quickly realized that his education within the College of Nursing at SDSU had well prepared him for what lay ahead. Upon entering the workforce, he and his classmates noticed the pivotal value in the clinical experiences they’d been offered during their time at State, providing access to a wide variety of medical units and healthcare professionals while allowing for a smooth transition from the classroom to the real world.

Thinking back to his days as a student at SDSU, Dominick wanted to ensure that future nurses at his alma mater had the opportunity to take advantage of the premier program without feeling encumbered by financial constraints.

“I think the nursing program at SDSU has been a standard for nursing education in the state of South Dakota and beyond for a number of reasons,” said Dominick. “Faculty in the nursing program truly care about the education they’re providing, and the coursework itself is comprehensive, rigorous, and engaging.”

The Class of 2019 unanimously found that their training and hands-on learning experiences had truly been a game-changer, particularly for the dramatic shift in healthcare needs brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, not long after the young graduates joined the world of healthcare. Dominick and the group also encountered a stark shortage of professionals in the medical field, placing a heavier strain on existing nurses.

“Like many jobs, there has been a shortage for years in the nursing profession,” Dominick reflected. “This shortage affects nurses, patients, and hospitals in a myriad of ways, but most personally, it often means higher patient ratios and busier workloads, with less support available.”

The College of Nursing Class of 2019 sought to ensure that, with their gifts, future nurses could embrace the challenge of the top-tier program and focus on their studies without the weight of financial stress.

With the burden lifted, student nurses could not only prioritize their classes, but be free to enjoy the full Jackrabbit experience, which Dominick himself remembers fondly. He counts his time spent with classmates as his favorite memories of SDSU, from studying together, attending classes together, and bonding over the many ups and downs of nursing school as they forged lifelong friendships.

“Brookings is a haven of creativity, kindness, and hard work, filled with people who care deeply about their community and its members,” said Dominick.

When it comes to caring deeply about others, the Class of 2019 clearly have that trait in common with the people of Brookings. Dominick and his classmates have first-hand knowledge that the journey future SDSU nursing students embark on is both challenging and rewarding, emotionally draining but ever important.

Through the Class of 2019’s philanthropy, the journey is made that much smoother for those that follow in Dominick and his friends’ footsteps. When today’s Jackrabbit nurses enter the workforce, the Class of 2019 will be working hand in hand with the results of their investment.

It’s a powerful message that transcends disciplines, a shining example from the College of Nursing that speaks to the university as a whole: today, alumni are making a difference for current Jackrabbits; tomorrow, it’s the next generation’s turn.