$500,000 Perpetual Scholarship Fund to Benefit Rural South Dakota Students for Generations

Thanks to the long-standing generosity and vision of Wayne (PHS 1957) and Gwynn Hansen, rural South Dakota students will continue to benefit from college scholarships designed to support careers in nursing, education, and the skilled professions — for generations to come.

The Hansen Scholarship Fund, established through the South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF), now exceeds $500,000 and has awarded over $130,000 in scholarships to date. This permanent endowment is dedicated to providing annual scholarships for Philip High School (PHS) graduates, helping them pursue meaningful careers that strengthen our communities.

“Years ago, we decided that the best way we could give something back to the community — and make a lasting impact — was through scholarships for graduating seniors,” said Wayne Hansen.

Honoring Family and Community Leaders Through Education

The fund consists of three distinct scholarships, each created to honor individuals who made a lasting impression on the Hansen family and the Philip community:

• Cecile Marie Hansen Nursing Scholarship – Established in 1998, this scholarship honors Wayne’s sister, Cecile Marie Hansen (PHS 1960), a dedicated and compassionate nurse whose career was tragically cut short by cancer. The first two recipients were Lacie Neville and Marcy Morrison.
• Vivian Hansen Education Scholarship – In 2003, Wayne and Gwynn created a second scholarship in memory of Wayne’s mother, Vivian Hansen (PHS 1937). A mother of ten who earned her Master’s degree in education with a focus on special education, Vivian’s legacy lives on in this scholarship. The first recipients were Halli Hansen and Lexi Albrecht Rhodes.
• Murphy/Hauk Vocational Scholarship – Recognizing the growing need for skilled professionals in rural communities, the Hansens more recently established a third scholarship for students pursuing a vocational/technical two-year degree program.  This scholarship honors longtime PHS ag teachers and Philip FFA Chapter leaders Francis “Murph” Murphy and Doug Hauk. The first recipients were Kelton Quinn (2021) and McCoy Peterson (2022).

“Education changes lives,” said Gwynn Hansen. “This fund is our way of making sure students from rural South Dakota always have that opportunity.”

A Legacy That Will Last Forever

In partnership with the South Dakota Community Foundation, the Hansens recently added $100,000 to their endowment, bringing the total to over $500,000. The fund is invested for long-term growth and is structured to provide scholarships in perpetuity, ensuring its impact continues for generations of PHS students to come.

“These scholarships have eased the financial burden for so many local students,” said Pamela DeJong, Guidance Counselor at Philip High School and Chair of the Scholarship Committee. “Many recipients return home to strengthen our rural communities with the skills they’ve gained.”

To date, the Hansen scholarships have supported students pursuing degrees and careers in nursing, teaching, and skilled professions — fields that continue to shape and support South Dakota’s rural communities in vital ways.