A Spearfish couple has endowed the Cal and Mary Hayenga Department Head of Animal Science at South Dakota State University. Cal, a 1969 agriculture major, and his wife, Mary, a 1967 sociology major, utilized a gift of land to make a difference at their alma mater. By investing in the department head position, the Hayengas are fueling opportunities and resources for staff and students alike.
A business plan developed by four South Dakota State University students — to manufacture biodegradable, single-use plastic bags out of soybean hulls — has earned them a chance to advance in an international contest with the next stop Nairobi, Kenya.
For the third year in a row, the award for the best student chapter of civil engineering students went to South Dakota State University.
The Robert Ridgway Student Chapter Award is presented by the American Society of Civil Engineers to the top chapter nationwide. On April 18, adviser Zach Gutzmer learned that the SDSU chapter was tops among 416 student chapters nationwide and 26 foreign countries. Before its 2022-2024 streak, SDSU also won the award in 1999 and 2004.
Jackrabbits Forensics has just wrapped up a historic season, with several “firsts” achieved by one of South Dakota State University’s longest-running cocurricular teams.
South Dakota State University leaders, faculty, staff, students and supporters celebrated a Montana couple whose investment has endowed the McComish Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering. A $5 million gift from Richard “Dick” and Karen McComish created the university’s first endowed and named department. The McComishes were honored at an April 26 naming ceremony and reception at Chicoine Architecture, Mathematics and Engineering Hall.
Seven members of the professional staff at South Dakota State University will be honored for their quality work at the upcoming SDSU Professional Staff Advisory Council annual meeting.
Following a family history of answering the call to serve, Catie Natvig will be commissioned into the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant Friday, May 3. The South Dakota State University senior was preceded in the ROTC program by her grandfather, Virgil Natvig, and her father, David Natvig. There are two more Natvigs in the wings. Sisters Carlee and Kimber Natvig are slated to commission and earn their bachelor’s degrees in 2025 and 2027, respectively.
Four individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to South Dakota and beyond will receive honorary doctorates from South Dakota State University and the South Dakota Board of Regents at the university’s 138th commencement May 4 at the Dacotah Bank Center in Brookings.
The Mellon Foundation has awarded South Dakota State University a grant to help SDSU provide a pathway to higher education for previously incarcerated individuals looking for a better future. SDSU’s Post-Carceral Educational Opportunity Program will be funded by Mellon’s Higher Education in Prison Program with a three-year, $150,000 grant and led by Victor Taylor, SDSU vice provost for graduate education and extended studies.
South Dakota State University surpassed its half-billion-dollar Bold and Blue fundraising goal, announcing $604,345,119 in gifts and pledges had been received from nearly 31,000 different donors.
