Carol Dilse

The Frank E. Dilse Memorial Scholarship was established by Frank’s family to support and encourage young men and women to pursue agricultural endeavors in North Dakota and beyond.

Frank was a 1971 graduate of the College of Agriculture at NDSU with a degree in Agricultural Economics. He was a hands-on farmer who oversaw the growth of a second-generation farming operation north of Scranton, ND.

In addition, Frank became active in agricultural organizations and interests, devoting time and energy to promote the furtherance of agriculture across the state, and even nationally and internationally. His involvement in statewide organizations included the North Dakota Grain Growers Association and later the North Dakota Wheat Commission, where he served as the governor-appointed member-at-large. After his untimely death in 2001, Frank’s work to promote agriculture was recognized by North Dakota State University when a new variety of durum was named Dilse Durum in honor of his commitment to agriculture.

Frank’s agricultural legacy continues, both at home and at North Dakota State University. The third and fourth Dilse generations are involved in the family farming operations. Plus, out of Frank’s two sons and four grandsons, four majored in Agricultural Economics at NDSU, while the remaining two also graduated from NDSU but with other degrees.