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Scholarship fund honoring beloved M State counselor Dan Sperling marks a milestone

A plaque on the wall of M State Moorhead honoring Dan Sperling, former counselor, and the memorial scholarship created in his honor.
Two memorial plaques honoring Dan Sperling hang on the walls at M State Moorhead.

The Dan Sperling "Realize Your Dream" Endowed Scholarship Fund, created to honor the life and legacy of longtime M State counselor Dan Sperling, has surpassed the $100,000 mark in endowed funds, a significant milestone in its mission to support students facing adversity.

Established in 2010 following Sperling’s passing at the age of 53 from scleroderma and cancer, the scholarship fund was inspired by the love and admiration of his family, friends and colleagues. An original $50,000 investment was raised through their heartfelt fundraising efforts, including spaghetti dinners, silent auctions, ice cream socials and an annual golf tournament in Hawley, Minn., now in its 15th year.

Sperling, remembered for his warmth, humor and unwavering support for students, spent much of his career at M State’s Moorhead campus. He was known for his dedication to helping students overcome challenges and realize their educational dreams. 

“Dan was always looking out for the underdog,” says Tom Dubbels, fellow M State counselor and longtime friend. “He wanted to help students who were having a rough go of it. ‘Realize Your Dream’ was a perfect reflection of his belief that every student deserves a chance.”

Dubbels, who worked alongside Sperling for 15 years, recalls his friend’s infectious positivity: “He was the kind of guy who always had a smile on his face. He made work fun and was always there to lift others up.”

The “Realize Your Dream” scholarships are not awarded for academic performance but rather resilience and determination. Any M State Moorhead student who has faced significant life challenges is eligible. The fund has grown to support three $1,000 scholarships each semester.

'Realize Your Dream' scholarship committee members Tom Dubbels, right, a counselor at M State, and Kim Gould, left, associate registrar at M State, with M State student Shelby Franke, a fall 2024 recipient of the scholarship.
'Realize Your Dream' scholarship committee members Tom Dubbels, right, a counselor at M State, and Kim Gould, left, associate registrar at M State, with M State student Shelby Franke, a fall 2024 recipient of the scholarship.

“Dan would be fully supportive of helping students in this way,” Dubbels adds. “I’d like to believe he’d be more than happy that this scholarship is in his honor.”

Two plaques on the Moorhead campus commemorate Sperling’s contributions, and his spirit lives on through the annual golf tournament and the students whose lives are changed by the scholarship.

Shannon Britton, associate director of advancement and development for the M State Foundation, which awards the scholarships, emphasized the impact of the fund: “This scholarship fund is a testament to the power of community and the enduring legacy of a man who dedicated his life to helping others. We are proud to continue Dan’s mission and support students in realizing their dreams. Our hope is that this fund – and the life-changing scholarships it provides – will continue to grow and support students for many years to come.”

For more information, contact Britton at shannon.britten@minnesota.edu.