The fund was established in 1985 in memory of Donald B. Sass by his wife, Cleone, and the Landman's Association of North Dakota. A native of Montana, Don graduated from Billings High School. In 1940, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. During his five year stint in the Corps, Don was active in the Pacific Theatre and attained the rank of Captain.

After the war, he enrolled in the University of Montana. Upon his graduation from law school in 1950, he began a law practice in Sidney, Montana. Shortly after Amerada Petroleum Corporation discovered oil in North Dakota, Don joined Amerada, first as a contract landman and then as a company junior landman. During his 20 year tenure with Amerada, Don was promoted to landman, ND District Landman (1962), and finally Regional Land Services Manager in 1969.

In 1971, he resigned his position with Amerada and became an independent based in Williston. During the next 10 years, his business evolved into Mineral Land Services. Mr. Sass was a noted Williston community leader and was posthumously named 1984 Landman of the Year by the Landman's Association of North Dakota.

• The recipient must have graduated from a North Dakota high school. The scholarship will assist upper class or post-graduate men and women in a college/university level field of study relating to the oil and gas industry.
• Fields of study may include, but are not limited to: petroleum land management, petroleum engineering, geology, geological engineering, chemical engineering, economics/finance, vocational training relating to the oil industry, and law.