Morningside University marks a significant milestone in its history with a generous $7.5 million gift from alumnus Dave Honeck ’75. This transformative donation will provide direct student support as well as enhance the student experience and support innovative new programs for which Morningside is well known.

Dr. Albert Mosley, in expressing his heartfelt gratitude to Honeck, highlighted the far-reaching implications of this gift for the future of Morningside. “We are incredibly grateful to Dave Honeck for his generous contribution. This gift has the potential to profoundly impact Morningside’s future, expanding educational opportunities, fostering innovation, and enabling more students to engage in the Morningside experience.”

A proud member of the Morningside community from Early, Iowa, Honeck earned his bachelor’s degree in 1975. At Morningside, he was active in football and track, a member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, and later pursued his juris doctor from the University of Denver Law School. Honeck served as an attorney in the Denver area before retiring and moving to Sioux City.

Honeck’s decision to make this vital gift to Morningside was inspired by his own undergraduate experience and the visible impact of Morningside graduates in the Siouxland community. He shared, “I wanted to give to an organization where I knew it would make a positive impact, and I was confident that a gift to Morningside would make a difference for students.”

Honeck shared high praise for the graduates of the Nylen School of Nursing for their significant role in providing care in the region and Morningside’s action to expand its offerings to include master’s degrees and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees to address the demand for healthcare in rural areas. He offered similar praise to the Sharon Walker School of Education for its work in producing skilled educators and offering online graduate options for teachers wishing to earn more advanced credentials. He also expressed his appreciation for the work that the Morningside School of Business does in preparing students for dynamic careers in business leadership and accounting, and acknowledged the critical role Morningside plays overall in building and keeping talent in Siouxland.

Morningside University Board of Directors External Relations Chair Curt White ’76 who is also a past board chair and friend of Honeck offered his gratitude for the gift in stating, “Morningside has always been a close-knit community where every contribution, big or small, made a noticeable difference. But a gift of this magnitude? It’s transformational. It’s like a beacon of hope, illuminating our path forward and enabling us to take leaps, not steps. It’s not only about the financial aspect; it’s about the faith someone has placed in us. This gift is a testament to the belief that we can make a world of difference, even from our small corner of the world. This isn’t just a donation; it’s a catalyst for change.”

Larry Mason ’73, also expressed his gratitude and excitement for Honeck’s generous donation, sharing, “I have been proud to call Dave my friend for 50 years. He was an outstanding student and athlete at Morningside and has told me how his experience prepared him for law school and his career. I congratulate his generosity and hope it will inspire others.”

Dr. Mosley described this gift as a decisive step towards a promising future for Morningside. “This gift marks the dawn of a new era for Morningside and is just the beginning of more transformative changes to come for our institution and the Siouxland region.”

On behalf of the entire Morningside community, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Dave Honeck for this incredibly generous and momentous gift.