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Fall is such a wonderful time of year. On campus, we experience the excitement of the students returning to school to continue their studies. The trees prepare for their winter slumber. Amid all of these changes, I ponder all of the ways I am grateful to serve as the Roberta K. Olson Endowed Dean for Nursing.

Long-standing partnerships between South Dakota State University and Black Hills State University have supported the health care needs of West River South Dakota since 1992. Now, increases to available student seats have allowed the programs to serve more students and prepare more nurses to enter the field. 

At the 2024 National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association conference, the life and legacy of Beverly Stabber Warne was honored. Warne, who died on April 14 at the age of 85, will be remembered for the many lives she touched and the impact she had on Native Americans, including through her work at South Dakota State University. 

As the grants program specialist for the College of Nursing at South Dakota State University, Marie Schmit works to secure funding for training and research opportunities. In May, she was recognized with the Presidential Award of Excellence, alongside six others at the SDSU Professional Staff Advisory Council annual meeting. 

Erica DeBoer’s journey didn’t start at South Dakota State University, but her decision to transfer to State is one that she says set her up for success. She was recognized during Hobo Week with the SDSU Alumni Association’s Legends and Leaders Award, giving DeBoer the status of being a distinguished alumnus of SDSU. 

Brookings, home to South Dakota State University, is the second most affordable college town in the U.S., according to a WalletHub study. In WalletHub’s “2025 Best College Towns in America,” factors including housing costs, cost of higher education and student loan debt per person, among others, were considered.

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. The SDSU Post-Carceral Education Opportunity Program is now accepting applicants for the spring 2025 semester.

Charles D. “Sam” Gemar, the only South Dakota-born astronaut, visited the South Dakota State University campus Oct. 4 at the invitation of an SDSU official. Gemar is originally of Scotland and is a 1973 graduate of Scotland High School. He joined the Army out of high school and got an appointment to a military prep school. That opened the door for an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy. He flew military aircraft before being accepted into NASA’s astronaut training program.

Former, current and future public servants gathered April 9 to celebrate the creation of the Mike Huether Public Service Academy at South Dakota State University.

Students in the South Dakota State University School of Communication and Journalism completed several projects for various businesses in Sioux Falls this semester. Advertising students presented their work at Startup Sioux Falls on Nov. 30.