MHS Educational Foundation to Award New Scholarship

Jolene Rick, executive director of the Milbank High School Educational Foundation (MHSEF), announced the endowment’s newest addition – the Dwight Harrison Scholarship. The gift will fund an annual  $2,500 scholarship that will debut at the 2026 MHSEF banquet on May 7. 

The Dwight Harrison Scholarship marks the 56th award for the organization that was founded in 1986 and first presented five scholarships to members of the MHS Class of 1987. In 2025, 55 scholarships totaling over $242,000 were given to 28 MHS seniors. 

Jolene said, “Dwight had learned of our scholarship program from a relative who had received one, and he decided the scholarship fund would be a great investment in his alma mater.” 

Harrison now lives in Rochester, Minnesota, and is retired from a career at IBM that spanned nearly five decades. In preparation, Harrison had attended a technical college and served in the United States Marine Corps for two years. He was a member of the MHS Class of 1965, and he fondly recalls participating in intramural sports and the service and leadership group Key Club. He was also employed by Bleser Drug during high school.

Rick highlighted the roots of the benefactors that joined the foundation in 2025. All four generous gifts will fund one $2500 scholarship each year. 

The Lawrence and Joanne Andersen Scholarship
Joanne Burges Andersen was born and raised in Milbank and graduated from MHS with the class of 1951. She attended the University of South Dakota, where she met her husband Lawrence “Andy” Andersen while they both were on tour with the university’s concert band. 

The couple had begun careers in music, when Joanne’s father (Charles Burges) died unexpectedly in 1957.  The Andersens moved to Milbank to help with the family newspaper business, The Herald Advance. Apart from managing the newspaper, a strong civic commitment to the success and growth of Milbank was always a priority for the couple.

Joanne was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1983, and the Andersens were eventually forced to sell the newspaper in the 1990s. They spent  their retirement years in Milbank. Their son Charlie lives in suburban Chicago, and their daughter M.J. resides in Attleboro, Massachusetts.

Max Gonzenbach Memorial Scholarship 
Max Gonzenbach was born to Alfred and Trudy Gonzenbach in Milbank on July 15, 1936. He graduated from Milbank High School in 1954. After graduation, he attended Michigan State University, where he received his bachelor of science degree and played basketball for the MSU Spartans.

After graduating from MSU, Max returned to Milbank, where he joined his father Alfred and Alfred and Rudy Nef at Valley Queen Cheese. His career continued there for 42 years.  Max and his wife Jeanne had three children, who also graduated from MHS

Max was very involved in his church and the Milbank community. He served on many committees and boards. He loved Milbank for the people and its strong community and values.  He was proud to call Milbank his home. Education was also very important to Max, and he said he was honored to be able to contribute to furthering the education of Milbank students.

Nelson and Mildred Ransom Scholarship

Nelson and Mildred (Millie) Ransom farmed side by side on their farm near Stockholm, South Dakota, for 42 years. Nels was a man with a big heart. and he enjoyed visiting with friends, family, and neighbors. Millie established the Nelson and Mildred Scholarship after Nelson passed away in 2024.

POET Scholarship
POET, now headquartered in Sioux Falls, was founded in 1987, in Scotland, South Dakota. The company has grown from a single bioprocessing facility to the world’s largest producer of biofuel and a global leader in sustainable bioproducts. 

Today, POET encompasses 35 bioprocessing facilities across the Midwest – one which is located in Big Stone City.  POET Bioprocessing – Big Stone began full operation in June 2002 and now produces 105 million gallons of bioethanol per year.

POET also includes three corporate offices, four terminal locations, and nearly 2,600 team members. Their integrated business model combines research and development with expertise in design and construction, technology, operations, public affairs, and marketing.

 If you would like information on setting up a new scholarship, please contact Jolene Rick at 605.432.9000 or email her at milbankcf@itcmilbank.com. Visit the foundation website at mhsef-ca.com.

The 2026 Milbank High School Educational Foundation banquet will be held at the American Lutheran Church in Milbank on Thursday May 7.