The Power of Giving Back

Ever since his childhood, renowned business leader and USD alumnus Gary Ellis '78 has felt compelled to support others.

Ellis—the oldest of five siblings—grew up in Sac City, a small rural farming community in northwest Iowa. Inspired by the generosity of his mother and the community who helped raise him after his father's passing, Ellis said that he and his siblings have felt a lifelong call to give back.

"None of us will ever forget that, and anytime we can help give back to others brings us pleasure," Ellis shared. "We have been blessed in so many ways, and we want to pass that on."

That desire to help others inspired a transformative gift at the University of South Dakota—one that will have a lasting impact on students for years to come.

In early 2025, Gary Ellis and his wife Sue Ellis, whom he married while attending USD, created The Ellis Impact through a $3 million gift. The initiative matches donations to Coyote Beginnings, 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.

The Ellis Impact effectively doubles the power of every contribution made to the program, enabling sustainable scholarship support for future generations. By magnifying the resources available to fund scholarships, The Ellis Impact ensures that more individuals have access to an affordable and transformative education at USD.

For Ellis, that impact is personal.

"My family was in no place to help me financially when I attended USD, and without scholarship help, it is very hard for me to envision how I would have been able to finish my degree, especially without financial hardship," said Ellis, who earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting from the university. "Not having to worry about those issues allowed me to enjoy the university experience and focus on my chosen career.

"Our objective is to help as many students as we can to realize their educational opportunities and dreams," Ellis continued.

The Ellis Impact has already helped drive a historic achievement in support for students. USD raised a record-breaking $15 million for scholarships in 2024-25, with $3,561,720 raised for the Coyote Beginnings Scholarship Fund.

Those scholarship dollars directly impact students who need support. In 2025, 87.3% of first-time students at public universities relied on financial aid, and at USD, 82.8% of first-time, full-time freshmen received scholarships or grants. Gifts to Coyote Beginnings help bridge that gap.

Ellis encourages alumni and friends of USD to support this initiative, emphasizing that contributions provide USD students with the support they need not only to access a college education, but to thrive.

"My hope for all students that attend the University of South Dakota is that their experience and educational development allow them to develop into the best they can be," said Ellis. "I hope The Ellis Impact, working the Coyote Beginnings, provides even more students that opportunity."