MITCHELL, S.D. — Dakota Wesleyan University will honor three distinguished alumni and present its first-ever Legacy Family award at the annual Legacy Banquet to be held Thursday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m. in the Sherman Center on the DWU campus. Three prestigious awards are given each fall to alumni who represent the three colleges through their college major, their professional life, or their volunteer and philanthropic activities.
From the Donna Starr Christen College of Healthcare, Fitness and Sciences, the honoree is Wyonne Kaemingk ’76, ’77, of Rapid City, formerly of Mitchell. Kaemingk dedicated over 30 years to Dakota Wesleyan University’s nursing program, becoming a cornerstone of the department and a guiding force for generations of students and faculty. As a classroom instructor, clinical mentor and program leader, she shaped the future of nursing education at DWU, always putting students first. She earned multiple honors for teaching excellence, including the Clarke Award for Teaching Excellence and South Dakota Nursing Association Nurse of the Year. Kaemingk retired from Dakota Wesleyan in 2015.
Representing the Ron and Sheilah Gates College of Business, Education and Social Science is Rita Johnson ’70, of Webster. Johnson built her career in business, technology and leadership, making a lasting impact on the real estate industry and her community. She was recruited to establish a regional Multiple Listing Service in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, where she served as president and CEO for 12 years, providing business products and services to more than 33,000 real estate professionals. Her 25-year career helped her develop expertise in technology, financial management, customer service and organizational strategy. Johnson served on the DWU Board of Trustees for 12 years.
From the College of Arts and Humanities is Don Jorgensen ’87, of Sioux Falls. Jorgensen has been a trusted voice in South Dakota journalism for more than three decades, dedicating his career to telling the stories that shape the state. His broadcasting career began in Winner with KWYR before moving to Sioux Falls, where he served as assistant news director for KSOO. He joined KELOLAND News in 1990. His excellence in journalism has been recognized with multiple awards, including South Dakota Broadcaster of the Year, the Edward R. Murrow Award and multiple Emmy Awards. In addition to his broadcasting career, Jorgensen served 22 years in the South Dakota Air National Guard.
Established in 2025 to mark DWU’s 140th birthday, the Legacy Family Award honors families with a longstanding, multigenerational connection to DWU. This award recognizes families who have demonstrated enduring commitment and contributions to the university community across generations and celebrates the deep-rooted relationships and traditions that have helped shape the university’s identity and values.
The first-ever recipient is the Grinager Family. The Grinager family’s connection to Dakota Wesleyan spans more than 120 years, beginning with Lars Jacob Grinager, who enrolled
in the winter term of 1901. Lars married Ethel Estella Kaye ’13, uniting two families deeply rooted in DWU’s early history. Their children and grandchildren carried forward this tradition,
including Esther Grinager Embrey ’37 and Lloyd Kaye Grinager HD’66.
In celebration of Dakota Wesleyan’s 140th anniversary, DWU will recognize the Grinager siblings: Howard ’70, HD’07, Christine ’71, John ’75, Eric ’75 and Donn ’84. As a sibling group, they have demonstrated exceptional dedication to Dakota Wesleyan, championing its values through lifelong service and support.
Pre-registration is required for the banquet. Tickets are $30 per person and are available for online purchase at www.dwu.edu/blue-and-white-days.
