$33 million gift from Roger and Vicki Musick promises to shape the future of school’s educational system

As the school year dawns in Mitchell, South Dakota, students from kindergarten through senior year are stepping into a transformed educational landscape—thanks to an extraordinary commitment from Mitchell High alumnus Roger Musick and his wife, Vicki.

On August 19, 2025, the Musicks announced a monumental $33 million donation that promises to profoundly shape the future of Mitchell’s educational system in lasting ways.

From the outset of the announcement, the magnitude of the gift left the audience in stunned silence, followed by a round of applause. The contribution is divided into two generous $15 million endowments—one for Mitchell Public Schools (MPS) and another for Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU)—plus an additional $3 million in immediate seed funding to ensure these new initiatives can begin without delay.

The Mitchell Public Schools endowment will be managed through the newly established Mitchell Public Schools Foundation for Academic Excellence. Its impact is far-reaching: it will permanently fund a full-day before-school program, robust after-school care across all three elementary schools, additional tutors and teacher aides, and enrichment activities. Crucially, these funds are designed to supplement—not supplant—existing federal, state, or local funding, ensuring sustainable improvements to the educational environment.

On the university side, the Dakota Wesleyan University endowment is set to uplift the institution’s education department with a focus on hands-on preparation for aspiring teachers. DWU students majoring in education will gain early access to Mitchell classrooms, creating valuable real-world teaching experience from the start of their university journey.

The funds are also earmarked for scholarships, faculty development, curriculum innovation, and tutoring and academic support—fostering a powerful synergy between Mitchell Public Schools and DWU.

The enduring nature of this gift cannot be overstated. Each endowment is expected to generate approximately $750,000 annually, resulting in roughly $1.5 million per year flowing into Mitchell’s educational infrastructure in perpetuity.

At this milestone moment, emotions ran high among community leaders. DWU President Dan Kittle, who called the gift “unprecedented … historic” and “the largest gift in the history of Dakota Wesleyan University,” found himself momentarily speechless by the size and potential of the donation

Similarly, MPS Superintendent Joe Childs described the gift as “transformational,” saying it “literally changes Mitchell now and forever”—a sentiment echoed when he called it “the beginning of a brighter future for all of Mitchell”

Roger Musick, now 76, expressed a desire to see tangible results: “I decided I wanted to do it in time so I had an opportunity to see the results in the next 10 years,” he said, with a laugh—referring to the satisfaction of witnessing the impact firsthand rather than waiting until after his passing.

This major gift builds on a legacy of generosity. Earlier this year, Musick and his foundation gave more than $1.2 million collectively—supporting Mitchell schools, local nonprofits, DWU, United Way, CASA, and other community causes

This includes the launch of a $1 million full-day before-kindergarten initiative, and start-up funding for programs like before-kindergarten and the KERNELS after-school initiative.

Musick’s deep roots in the community—having graduated from Mitchell High and the South Dakota School of Mines, then going on to found the successful tech firm Innovative Systems—have further fueled confidence in the lasting impact of his philanthropy; he’s served on numerous boards and received multiple honors for his contributions to the region.

Beyond the dollars, the Musicks are calling on the community to seize this moment collectively.

They encourage local businesses to create paid internships, urge a focus on affordable childcare, and highlight the importance of parental involvement and regular school attendance as key ingredients for success.

Their vision is clear—Mitchell should emerge as a beacon for families, one where educational excellence is built from the ground up.