The Roberts family tree is rooted at South Dakota State University, growing in generosity and Jackrabbit spirit with every passing year. While three generations of Robertses have attended SDSU, it was the first generation, Leslie ‘Les’ Roberts and his wife, Wanda, that catalyzed the family’s philanthropic legacy at State.
Les graduated in 1948 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering while Wanda earned her nursing degree. The two married in 1950 and later had four children: Kevin, Mike, Ellen, and Thomas, all of whom would go on to study at SDSU. The couple instilled in their children a deep respect for education and philanthropy, modeling by example that giving back isn’t just about investing financially, but investing time, as well.
Les served on the boards of both the SDSU Foundation and the SDSU Alumni Association, as well as spending time on the Foundation’s Council of Trustees, a role his sons, Mike and Kevin, would later take up themselves. Through his engagements with State organizations, Les had a seat at the heart of the action, keeping up to date with all things SDSU. He and Wanda also had seats at the heart of the action for most university sporting events, remaining lifelong Jackrabbits fans.
The university recognized the difference the Robertses had made several times over the years: Les was named a Distinguished Alumnus in 1998, and the family was named the SDSU Family of the Year in 2008 followed by the Philanthropic Family of the Year in 2013. The 2013 award stemmed from the Robertses establishing several scholarships that benefit a wide range of campus areas: agricultural engineering, nursing, athletics, music, and a scholarship named for their family to recognize the indelible mark SDSU had made on each of them.
Though Wanda passed away in 1999, Les forged ahead with their support of SDSU, keeping an active role with campus organizations. When he passed away in October 2020, the Roberts children were determined to uphold their family’s support of State, continuing to contribute to Les and Wanda’s existing scholarship funds. Kevin, Mike, Ellen, and Thomas are no strangers to giving back when it comes to the university – each of them has established named scholarships themselves, as well as gaining membership to the Foundation’s giving societies. Meanwhile, several of Les and Wanda’s grandchildren have also become Jackrabbits and continue to support their alma mater. With unfailing generosity, the Roberts family has made an incredible impact at SDSU, each generation picking up where the last left off.
