Dakota State University receives $60M for cyber security program

Dakota State University announced a huge gift Sunday. They received $60 million, one of the largest donations to any South Dakota university for higher education. The gift will be used to launch Dakota State University into the future of cyber security. The future was a big theme at Sunday’s celebration.

Lisa and Miles Beacom and Denny Sanford were there to announce a $30 million donation at the same time Governor Dennis Daugaard and Senator Mike Rounds also announced a major investment in government funding.

“So that's 30 million from Denny and Miles, 10 million from the state, 20 million from the federal government, for a total of $60 million,” South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard said.

Dakota State University is rising into the future with a major investment.

“$60 million. Holy cow,” DSU donor, Miles Beacom said.

The gift will be used to enhance DSU's School of Technology.

“Will be used toward student scholarships, new faculty and staff, the launching of new academic programs, the construction of the Madison Cyber Labs building, and some additional to money to support academic endeavors,” DSU President, Dr. José-Marie Griffiths said.

Putting the university at the forefront for cyber security education in the nation.

“We are celebrating the future. We are welcoming the future,” South Dakota Senator, Mike Rounds said.

Sunday’s announcement at DSU officially opened the Beacom Institute of Technology. It's the first academic building on DSU’s campus in 30 years.

“Dakota State University is now armed with a bolder vision and a stronger resolve,” Griffiths said.

State leaders hope this gift will allow more DSU students to stay in South Dakota.

“It’s estimated that 85 percent of DSU students leave the state after graduation. This new facility will change that and now Madison will have the capabilities to play a vital role in cyber security which is so crucial to our national security today,” Rounds said.

With this new gift, university leaders said DSU will step forward into the future.

“Rising to the challenge of new possibilities of new opportunities of new futures. We are grateful, we are ready, and we are Dakota State University. We are rising,” Griffiths said.

After just unveiling the new Beacom Institute Sunday, the university said it will also break ground on the Madison Cyber or MadLab building in the spring of 2018. That building is projected to draw new cyber business and grant opportunities to the state of South Dakota. Classes will start Monday in the Beacom Institute of Technology. DSU announced the College of Computing has been renamed to the Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences in recognition of Sunday’s incredible donation.