Dickinson State University (DSU) formally welcomed Stephen D. Easton, J.D. as its 13th President during a ceremony in May Hall’s Dorothy Stickney Auditorium Friday, Oct. 9, 2020. A number of distinguished guests addressed the audience and welcomed the new president, including North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum. State Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner and State House Representative Mike Lefor, both alumni of Dickinson State, welcomed their fellow alumnus to the role of president.

Nathaniel Easton, the president’s son and fellow Blue Hawk alumnus, also spoke during the ceremony. Nathaniel, who, as President Easton says, goes by “Nate” only in Dickinson, is one of the founders of the Hawk Talk show produced by the DSU Heritage Foundation. He was also instrumental in popularizing the phrase “Hawks are up!”, a sort of rallying-cry that is used heavily in the Blue Hawk community. Nate was among the last to speak during the ceremony and shared his experiences in growing up under the guidance of a lawyer, one of President Easton’s former professions. Nate focused on the loyalty and service to DSU that has run in their family for generations.

President Stephen D. Easton, J.D. was then presented with the chain of office by Nick Hacker, chair of the State Board of Higher Education, and Lisa Johnson, vice chancellor for Academic & Student Affairs for the North Dakota University System.

A recording of the ceremony is available on YouTube and photos can be found on Flickr.