[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16686]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       DAKOTA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I wish to celebrate the 
125th anniversary of the founding of Dakota Wesleyan University, DWU, 
in Mitchell, SD. DWU has provided a well-rounded education that 
emphasizes learning, leadership, faith, and service to its students 
since its founding 125 years ago. Graduates of the university have gone 
on to become great community and professional leaders. Today, under the 
leadership of President Robert Duffett, DWU strives to connect its 
proud heritage with its promising future.
  In 1883, a group of Methodist settlers received a charter to found 
the Dakota Wesleyan University. DWU serves as the university for the 
Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Soon after the 
university opened, Dakota Wesleyan students demonstrated their success 
through their excellent oratorical skills. They participated in the 
Intercollegiate Oratorical Contest and won 5 of its first 11 
competitions. This is just one of many examples of DWU students' 
ability to excel.
  With a student body just larger than 750 people, the university 
offers a very personalized experience. The university is composed of 
three colleges: the College of Arts and Humanities, the College of 
Healthcare, Fitness and Sciences, and the College of Leadership and 
Public Service. These colleges allow for students to pursue an 
education in both liberal arts and professional programs.
  In addition to academic programs, students also participate in 
service work to aid people in South Dakota and around the world. Recent 
mission trip locations have included Tanzania and Mexico, where 
students served those living in extreme poverty. Through the Leadership 
and Public Service Program, students have the opportunity to study 
contemporary issues and perform public service through internship 
placements. Such broad educational opportunities provided by DWU help 
students explore citizenry locally and internationally.
  On Saturday, October 2, 2010, DWU will celebrate its Blue and White 
Bash at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD. Dakota Wesleyan University has 
provided our State quality education and a positive social environment. 
DWU students are well equipped to succeed in a competitive world, 
delivering countless benefits to organizations and communities close to 
home and around the globe. With alumni as accomplished as former U.S. 
Senator George McGovern and his wife Eleanor McGovern, DWU continues to 
live up to its mission of being ``a leading university that educates 
students to identify and develop their individual talents for 
successful lives in service to God and the common good.''

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