A Legacy Built Through Giving: T. Denny Sanford’s Impact on the University of South Dakota
Inspired by the hardships he experienced after losing his parents to health issues, Sanford focused his career around expanding care to those in need and giving back to pave the way for a healthier, hopeful future for the next generation.
Though his philanthropy was rooted in healthcare, Sanford also had a heart for higher education.
At the University of South Dakota, Sanford’s extraordinary generosity stretches across campus—from the Sanford School of Medicine to the Knudson School of Law and from the National Music Museum to the future Gassen Family Fieldhouse. It’s revitalized buildings, transformed academic programs and opened doors for generations of students.
With his gifts, Sanford inspired students, faculty and staff to believe in the impossible and dream bigger.
“Mr. Sanford’s impact is unmatched. What he has been able to do with his generosity has really shaped what we’ve been able to do as a campus,” said USD President Sheila K. Gestring. “His commitment to philanthropy, support of education and belief in a better future for all—that legacy is forever a part of USD’s story, and it will live on for decades to come.”
A Compassion to Ignite Change
Sanford’s philanthropic relationship with USD began in 2006 with a highly impactful $20 million gift to the USD School of Medicine, now Sanford School of Medicine, to propel the medical school forward.
That gift was part of Sanford’s lifelong effort to redefine the standard of care. By investing in USD’s medical school, he challenged those charged with building the healthcare workforce of tomorrow to reach higher and dream bigger. That generosity also laid the foundation for USD to position itself as a nationally recognized medical school with a focused mission of meeting the state’s healthcare workforce needs.
The resulting impact cannot be overlooked; since 2006, the USD Sanford School of Medicine has educated more than 4,000 physicians to date. The school is also ranked top in the country for graduates practicing in rural areas.
Together with Sanford, the USD SSOM shared a common vision that South Dakotans should enjoy the best health, the finest healthcare and the most outstanding quality of life in the nation because of the university’s sustained emphasis on education and research.
Preparing Future Business Leaders
In 2009, Sanford’s generosity made an indelible impact on business education at USD. His $5 million gift propelled USD forward in constructing a new business school, named after PREMIER Bankcard CEO Miles Beacom. Sanford, who came forward as the donor, suggested the Beacom School of Business name.
The donation was part of the $133 million Campaign South Dakota fund drive. It was presented to USD to ensure the Beacom School of Business remains competitive with the best small business schools in the U.S.
“The impact of Mr. Sanford’s gift to the business school has had a ripple effect across our programs and the larger business industry,” Gestring said. “Look at what we have been able to accomplish since that gift: We built Beacom Hall, which offers a contemporary space for networking and skill development; we have established strong partnerships across the state; and more than 10,500 students have walked the hallways of our business school, going on to be leaders in their industries. Mr. Sanford believed in our business school, and his investment in us has helped a new generation of business leaders launch and develop in their careers.”
Today, the Beacom School of Business continues to meet the needs of businesses, governments and communities now and in the future through student-centered initiatives, experiential learning and programs that prepare graduates to be future business leaders.
Opening Doors to Legal Education
In 2022, to celebrate and honor the friendship between Sanford and David Knudson, J.D., ’81—a skilled lawyer who has led many important developments in South Dakota and a public servant who has dedicated his life to serving the state—Sanford endowed $12.5 million to the state’s only law school, now known as the USD Knudson School of Law.
This endowment funds up to 10 full-tuition student scholarships for every incoming class, changing the lives of students who are dreaming of pursuing a legal education.
“The Knudson School of Law is not only serving students—it is preparing lawyer leaders for the state of South Dakota,” said Gestring. “Mr. Sanford’s gift to the law school ensures that the brightest minds have the opportunity to pursue their dreams of a legal education and develop the skills they need to thrive in this important space. Our communities are better because of it.”
Through the efforts of Sanford and Knudson, the gift ensures the law school remains a national leader, as it is an investment in the state’s future community leaders, business advisors and justice seekers.
A Legacy Worth Hearing
Sanford’s legacy at USD stretches beyond the academic classroom and research laboratory. Last year, the National Music Museum received a $1 million gift from Sanford to support the museum’s ongoing exhibit renovation project.
Sanford's generous donation plays a pivotal role in advancing the renovation of the museum’s second floor galleries, bringing the NMM closer to completing its vision for a world-class visitor experience and highlighting the technology and craftsmanship that have shaped the sound of instruments throughout history.
“This significant gift marks a milestone in the museum’s efforts to enhance our offerings and expand our educational impact,” said Scott Lawrence, NMM board chairman, when the gift was announced. “It provides essential momentum toward the completion of our exhibit renovation project, ensuring that the NMM will continue to inspire and educate for future generations.”
A New Starting Line for Coyote Athletics
In August of 2025, USD Athletic Director Jon Schemmel announced a $20 million gift commitment from Sanford to help build a new, state-of-the-art indoor track and field facility. The facility is in honor of the Bill and Jill Gassen family and, following approval from the South Dakota Board of Regents, will be known as the Gassen Family Fieldhouse.
The donation from Sanford matches the largest gift to South Dakota athletics in its history.
“I want to thank Mr. Sanford for this transformative gift to Coyote Athletics, and we are thrilled to honor amazing Coyotes in Bill and Jill Gassen,” said Schemmel in the gift announcement. “Not only will this gift build a world-class indoor track facility, but it will also create an entire new home for our track and field programs, allowing us to turn the DakotaDome into a turf-down facility. All 430 of our student-athletes and the community of Vermillion will benefit tremendously from this investment.”
The new indoor facility will feature a 200-meter banked track with a pair of perimeter warm-up lanes, plus a 60-meter straightaway. A prime space for fans, the venue will feature elevated seating for spectators and a viewing concourse.
Supporting All Coyotes
With every gift to USD, Sanford revealed the power of generosity by maintaining a firm belief in the transformative power of education. He also opened doors for students through scholarship support via the Horatio Alger Denny Sanford Scholarship.
USD was one of 12 universities selected to participate in the Horatio Alger Denny Sanford Scholarship, which provides eligible students with a $20,000 scholarship to support their collegiate journey.
Created in 2018 after Sanford’s $30 million donation to the Horatio Alger Association, the scholarship program provides $3 million annually through 2028 to high school students who have faced great obstacles in their young lives to overcome adversity, attend a post-secondary institution and achieve success.
USD is also a participating beneficiary of the Freedom Scholarship, which Sanford helped fund in 2021. This scholarship aims to help close the gap in post-secondary education and awards scholarships to South Dakota resident students of all economic backgrounds who dream of working, living and learning in South Dakota post-graduation.
Carrying a Legacy Forward
“I strongly believe that it’s not enough to just achieve whatever level of success we can while we’re alive on this earth but rather take whatever we have and turn it into something significant.”
Turning his belief into action, Sanford used his philanthropy to create opportunities that would extend far beyond his lifetime. His investments in USD reflect his belief that the epitome of success is doing something for someone else—not simply for oneself but to make a lasting difference in the lives of others.
His gifts will continue to inspire students who will learn, lead and serve their communities, carrying Sanford’s legacy forward and creating opportunities for Coyotes to come.
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