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South Dakota Mines receives $1 million donation for basketball program

South Dakota Mines
Dean Schauer

The South Dakota Mine’s athletic fundraising club has received a $1 million donation from alumni Dean Schauer.

Schauer’s donation will provide athletic scholarships through the Hardrock Club to men’s and women’s basketball student-athletes over the next two decades, according to a press release from the school.

"We cannot thank Dean enough for his dedication to changing the lives of our student-athletes," said Executive Director of the Hardrock Club Maria Cadwallader. "We continually strive to elevate the experience of our student-athletes and could not achieve this without the generous support of individuals like Dean."

Schauer is president and CEO of Confluent Medical Technologies. He was a member of the South Dakota Mines basketball team before he graduated in 1989.

"Had it not been for the basketball program at South Dakota Mines, I would have likely not graduated, and as a result, would not have been able to have the life experiences I have been able blessed to have," said Schauer.

School officials said the donation is one of the largest gifts in South Dakota Mines history.

Evan Walton is an SDPB reporter based in Sioux Falls. Evan holds a Master’s in English Literature from Southern New Hampshire University and was honorably discharged from the United States Army in 2015, where he served for five years as an infantryman.