Mildred Stoker White Society
Mildred Stoker White Society
Mildred Stoker White became one of South Dakota State University’s most generous benefactors, even though she never attended SDSU, and her late husband, Roger, attended only briefly. Mildred and Roger were both Sioux Falls Washington High graduates, but the onset of the Great Depression limited their options for college. Together, they built a successful furniture factory business in Pontiac, Ill.
Roger died in 1972. Mildred’s first gift to SDSU was a $40,000 contribution in 1992. That was followed by 14 different gifts over the next 4 ½ years. In all, Mildred Stoker White contributed $3.6 million to SDSU.
“We were just average people – just hardworking and dedicated to doing our best,” Mildred wrote in 1992. “God was good to us – we realized our ambitions and now it is time to share our good fortunes.”
Mildred Stoker White is the first non-alumni to have a Lifetime Giving Society at SDSU named in her honor. In recognition of White’s contributions, the Mildred Stoker White Society honors donors with lifetime gifts and commitments through the SDSU Foundation of $2.5 million to $4,999,999.
Members of the Mildred Stoker White Society:
Sonja Anderson
Ethel Austin Martin
Ed and Jennifer Bick
Stephen F. and Beatrice Briggs Family
CHS and CHS Foundation
Arthur C. Dickerson and Barbara Revell Dickerson
Bruce and Lynette Durheim
Farm Credit Services of America
Robert E. and Pat S. Fishback
James G. and Mary Lou (Sheil) Hammer
George and Gloria Hanson
Alyn R. and Connie Holt
Aelred and Irene Kurtenbach
Frank and Jean Kurtenbach Family Trusts
Gordon A. Larsen
Larson Manufacturing Company
Paul E. and Doris J. Moriarty
Jeffrey L. and Trudiann Nelson
Patricia J. Pierce
Brenda Ronning
David E. and Laurie J. Schaefer
South Dakota Crop Improvement Association
South Dakota Foundation Seed Stock Division
Dian and Harlan Stai
Wendell and Marlys Thompson
Valley Queen Cheese Factory, Inc.
Vernon P. and Cathrene M. Voelzke
Mildred Stoker White
Virgil H. and Josephine Wintrode
