The Dwayne Rehfeld Award for Excellence in Service and Science annually recognizes an outstanding student from northeastern South Dakota
The Award
The selected student will receive:
- A $300 cash award
- A personal award plaque
- An award plaque for display in their school science classroom
- A nameplate, including their name and school, added to a plaque on display at Northern
- $300 for the student's high school science teacher for teaching materials
About Dr. Rehfeld
Dr. Dwayne Rehfeld, a professor of chemistry at Northern for 23 years, spearheaded the development of a regional science and mathematics fair for northeastern South Dakota in 1983. In large part through his many years of guidance, this fair has grown from a humble beginning with 80 projects to its current status as the largest in the state of South Dakota – annually hosting over 500 projects from young scientists from our region.
Dr. Rehfeld encourages the pursuit of excellence in scientific inquiry and associated critical thinking skills, as well as Christian values, respect for others, integrity, volunteerism, participation in extracurricular activities, and providing positive peer role models. His personal interest has always been to encourage students who demonstrate excellence in the scientific process, including the ability to plan a scientific inquiry and critical thinking skills to evaluate results. Beyond scholarship, Dr. Rehfeld emphasizes the importance of qualities such as integrity, respect for others, volunteerism, involvement in extracurricular activities, and providing positive peer role models.
His career at North State University began in 1977 when he became an assistant professor of chemistry, also serving as department coordinator and Faculty Senate president. He served on his church council and other church committees and coached elementary baseball and basketball. After 23 years of distinguished service, Dr. Rehfeld retired from Northern to work in his daughter and son-in-law’s business. Although they still own their family’s original 1885 homestead near Warner, S.D., Dr. Rehfeld and his wife, Claudette, reside in Webster, S.D.
Selection Criteria
- Each school may nominate one high school student with junior or senior status.
- Student may win this award only once
- Nominee must have completed, with a C or better, a chemistry or physics course or be currently enrolled in chemistry or physics and earning at least a C grade.
- Nominee must be in the top l/3 or their class (based on GPA ranking)
- Nominee must plan to attend the regional science fair during the year nominated and must present a project in their school's local science fair.
- (1) If the nominee's project earns a 'traveling' position at his or her local fair, they will attend the regional fair as would any local winner.
- (2) If the nominee's project is not selected for a 'traveling' position at their local fair, they should accompany their classmates to the regional fair but will not be allowed to enter their project. They will be recognized with all other nominees at the evening awards ceremony.
- Nominee must complete a nominee information form
Two letters of nomination, one from the student's science teacher; the other from the high school principal are required. Letters should attempt to evaluate the student in any or all of the following areas, citing specific examples where possible: honesty, trustworthiness, integrity, positive peer role modeling, concern for others, service to others, volunteerism outside of school, academics, skills in scientific inquiry (i.e., asking' good' questions, proper planning, organization, hypothesis identification, data collection, professionalism, critical thinking, problem solving, oral and written communications, summaries and conclusions), participation in extra-curricular activities (scouting, 4H, FFA, drama, performing arts, church activities, community activities, service projects, athletics, etc), working with others as a team.
The recipient of this award shall be determined by a subjective review of all materials by a committee of NSU faculty, including Dr. Rehfeld whenever possible.
Student Nominee Information Form
Nominee Information Form (PDF)
Nominating teachers are asked to send two letters of nomination and the student's nominee information form in a single envelope to the address below no later than March 1. Nominations must be postmarked no later than March 1.
Support This Award
Please submit one of the forms below. If donating online, specify "Rehfeld Award" in the Special Notes area. For information or assistance, contact the NSU Foundation at 605-626-2550.
Past Recipients
2022 - Dillon Browning, Warner High School
2021 - Mitchell VanderWal, Northwestern Area School
2020 - Dirby Bawek, Doland High School
2019 - Abraham (Abe) Wieland, Aberdeen Central High School
2018 - Sadie VanderWal, Northwestern School
2017 - Jenna Larson. Waubay School
2016 - Samantha Raile, Eureka High School
2015 - Lydia Wieger, Waubay High School
2014 - Kayla J. Breske, Waubay High School
2013 - Jenna Duncan, Northwestern School
2012 - Rebecca Gaikowski, Waubay High School
2011 - Austin Eggers, Rosholt High School
2010 - Amanda J Finley, Northwestern Area High School
2009 - Olivia Hollan, Aberdeen Central High School
2008 - Eric Hout, Aberdeen Central High School
2007 - Hannah Wickard, Ipswich High School
2006 - Sarah Heilman, Aberdeen Central High
2005 - Kelli Hammer, Northwestern High School
2004 - Dena Steward, Northwestern High School
2003 - Kerry Konda, Sisseton School
2002 - Melanie Ottenbacher, Selby Area School