Ellis Impact, established by USD alumnus Gary Ellis ’78 and his wife Sue Ellis through a $3 million gift, will match donations to Coyote Beginnings dollar for dollar up to a designated amount, effectively doubling the power of every contribution made to this program.

Coyote Beginnings is a general scholarship fund that seeks to bridge gaps in students’ financial aid needs and make higher education more accessible. The scholarship is designed to empower students in finding the path that is right for them; funds stay with the student rather than being tied to an academic unit or department. By magnifying the resources available to fund scholarships, Ellis Impact will ensure that more individuals have access to an affordable and transformative education at USD.

“Sue and I are proud to offer this matching opportunity to support Coyote Beginnings,” said Gary Ellis. “Education has been a transformative force in my life, and we believe every student should have access to the same experience. Ellis Impact is our way of giving back to USD and helping future generations of Coyotes achieve their goals while hopefully inspiring others to join us in making a difference.”

“The Coyote Beginnings scholarship is the University of South Dakota’s number one fundraising priority,” said USD President Sheila K. Gestring. “This gift will help us recruit and retain students who might not have otherwise been able to attain their dream of attending college. We are incredibly grateful for Gary and Sue’s generosity.”

For more information about Ellis Impact and how to participate, please visit USDAlumni.com.


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