Just in time for the holidays, Dickinson State University (DSU) received an endowment gift of $200,000 from former associate professor of psychology William Stankard, Ph.D. The endowment makes Stankard one of the largest DSU faculty or staff donors in the university’s history. Stankard’s generous gift will be placed into an endowment that will benefit psychology students in the Department of Social Sciences for years to come.

“Dr. Stankard taught and inspired our students from 2003 to 2014,” said Debora Dragseth, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “With this incredibly generous gift, he continues his legacy of supporting undergraduate research.”

The Dr. William Stankard Endowed Psychology Research Scholarship will be given annually beginning in the fall of 2022 to students who demonstrate academic excellence in research and have declared their intent to enroll in a graduate program in psychology, among other criteria.

Stankard noted, “While at DSU, I was able to work with exceptional students, and it is my pleasure to have the opportunity to give back by contributing to DSU and the students who have chosen to study here.”

Dickinson State University President Steve Easton noted that the psychology major is growing in size as well as scope. “Dr. Stankard’s gift will add momentum to a phenomenal program that is filling the needs of our area.”