SDSU recognized with Gladys Pyle Award for voter registration

South Dakota State University received the Gladys Pyle Award for efforts in young voter registration from South Dakota Secretary of State Monae Johnson on Sept. 30. 

The award reflects voter registration efforts by many on campus including the School of American and Global Studies, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Accessibility and the Diversity in Athletics Council. 

“Civic engagement is at the heart of the school’s mission and vision,” Christine Garst-Santos, director of the School of American and Global Studies, said. “We had an amazing day working together to help our fellow Jackrabbits register to vote, update or simply verify their voter registrations, and share information such as where to find sample ballots." 

On Sept. 17, the School of American and Global Studies hosted a day of events centered around voter engagement, including a voter registration drive, to celebrate National Voter Registration and Constitution Day. The registration drive resulted in 74 new or updated voter registrations. 

“It's up to you as citizens to recruit the young people to take an interest in our great state and country, because my generation will soon be giving it to you,” Johnson told the crowd during the award ceremony. “I want to thank every one of you for your time and effort in making this voter registration a success.”

“What an honor to be recognized,” SDSU President Barry Dunn said. “I'm so proud of all of your efforts to make this a robust election. I hope every one of you vote during every election.”

Through the election, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Accessibility will have voter registration forms available at the front desk. 

SDSU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representatives have been encouraging their fellow teammates to vote, and voter registration forms are available in the office.

This is the second year of the Gladys Pyle Award, which Johnson created once she became secretary of state. Pyle was an American educator and politician representing South Dakota. She was the first woman to be elected to the United States Senate without having been appointed to her position previously. Pyle also served as South Dakota secretary of state from 1927 to 1931.

“The School of American and Global Studies is very proud to have contributed to this award,” Garst-Santos said. “We work hard to ensure that our students leave with the knowledge, skills and values required to make a positive difference in the quality of life of their communities, through both political and nonpolitical processes. We love that this award was created to recognize that work — and to honor Gladys Pyle, the first South Dakota woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate, among other accomplishments.”

For more information about voter registration in South Dakota, visit the South Dakota Secretary of State website.