WASHINGTON – Philanthropist T. Denny Sanford has given $30 million to the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, and $2.5 million of that is expected to come to South Dakota State University in scholarships over the next decade.

The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education.

The Horatio Alger-Denny Sanford Scholarship Program will provide $3 million per year in scholarships – for the next 10 years – to Horatio Alger Scholars choosing to attend any of the 12 universities selected by Sanford. Seven of the schools are in South Dakota.

Receiving up to $250,000 in scholarship funds per year from the program are: 

• University of South Dakota

• South Dakota State University

• University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) 

• University of California San Diego (La Jolla, California) 

• National University (San Diego) 

• Long Island University (Brookville, New York) 

• Arizona State University (Tempe, Arizona)

Receiving up to $150,000 in scholarship funds per year from the program are:

• Augustana University

• University of Sioux Falls

• Dakota State University

• South Dakota School of Mines

• Black Hills State University

These universities will receive a scholarship allocation based on current enrollment served.  

“This is a historic gift to the association and one that will benefit deserving young men and women across this nation for the next decade,” said Matthew Rose, president, Horatio Alger Association and 2013 Horatio Alger Award recipient. “We are immensely grateful to Denny for his commitment to our mission and his willingness to step forward with such a magnificent gift. It is an act of generosity that won’t soon be forgotten.”

Sanford is a Horatio Alger Association member and chairman of the board for United National Corporation, the holding company for First Premier Bank and Premier Bankcard, headquartered in Sioux Falls. 

The gift is the largest single donation ever received by the association since its inception in 1947.

“The association’s mission of transforming young lives through its scholarship programs perfectly aligns with my motto in life, which is, ‘Aspire to inspire before you expire,’” said Sanford, who received the Horatio Alger Association Award in 2016.  “I wanted to create a program that would remind students that if someone like me can overcome challenges to succeed, they can, too. I am proud to make this gift and hope it will not only allow these resilient young men and women to take that next step forward in their lives, but also inspire continued generosity toward all of our scholars.” 

“On behalf of SDSU, I want to thank T. Denny Sanford for his generous gift and his continued support of young people through the benefits of higher education both nationally and in the state of South Dakota,” SDSU President Barry Dunn said. “A gift like the one given to the Horatio Alger Association allows students in South Dakota to dream and earn degrees that will transform their lives and allow them to be impactful citizens.

“The Horatio Alger-Denny Sanford Scholarship Program supports a mission at South Dakota State University we embrace daily of creating opportunities and access to a quality education for all learners,” Dunn added. “Allowing students who have faced adversity in life to pursue a degree and find ways to give back to their communities is one of the greatest rewards higher education has to offer. We could not be more excited to share in that same vision and fulfill the goals of the program in honor of Mr. Sanford.” 

The scholarship program will benefit students beginning in the 2019-2020 academic year. 

Horatio Alger Association aims to educate young people about the limitless opportunities afforded to them by the free-enterprise system. The organization awards scholarships to outstanding high school students who are committed to pursuing higher education and giving back to their communities. 

Since being established in 1984, the scholarship program has provided more than $125 million to students in need.

“When Denny Sanford became a Horatio Alger member in 2016, he spoke of making the world a better place and with this gift, he is doing exactly that,” said Terrence J. Giroux, executive director, Horatio Alger Association. “We are grateful for his commitment to our scholars, and we are honored to have the 12 selected universities under this new program as collegiate partners of the Horatio Alger Association.”  

For more information regarding Sanford’s gift to the association, visit www.horatioalger.org.