The leaders of two Mitchell educational institutions are marveling over the generosity of Roger and Vicki Musick. The Mitchell couple recently donated $33-million dollars toward boosting pre-k through university-level education opportunities.
Dakota Wesleyan University president Dan Kittle says this provides a clear pathway for being a successful high school student all the way through the university level. “I’m getting goose-bumps just talking about this stuff,” said Kittle. “It is historic…that almost seems like an understatement, but this is a historic moment for, yes, the university but more importantly for the entire Mitchell community.”
Mitchell School District Superintendent Joe Childs says it’s a gift that will change the community immediately and forever, including families. “That’s going to be an avenue for us to meet with parents, and really help parents learn from what educators know,” Childs said. “We can talk about conversations like getting social media and cell-phones out of the hands of students…how we can build good habits.”
DWU and the Mitchell School District will each receive a $15-million dollar endowment with the remaining $3-million dollars for starting new programs.