Monday Message, Jan. 12
SDSU Community,
Welcome back to campus and to the start of the spring semester. I hope the weeks ahead are filled with renewed energy, purpose and momentum. Spring is always a time of optimism at State — a season marked by fresh beginnings, academic focus and the collective drive that comes from being part of a vibrant land-grant university community.
As classes resume and our campus comes back to life, we also turn our attention beyond Brookings. Tomorrow marks the beginning of the South Dakota legislative session, an important period for higher education across the state. In the weeks ahead, we will be actively engaged with legislators and partners in Pierre to advocate for SDSU, our students and our mission. These conversations are critical as we work to ensure access, affordability and the resources necessary to educate the next generation of leaders and innovators while advancing research and outreach that benefits every corner of South Dakota. I am grateful for the many faculty and staff who support this work and help tell the SDSU story.
I also want to share an important milestone in the life of our university community. Effective Jan. 1, the SDSU Alumni Association and the SDSU Foundation officially consolidated to become one unified organization: the SDSU Alumni and Foundation. This transition reflects decades of close collaboration and a shared commitment to advancing South Dakota State University. Together, these teams have supported more than 100,000 graduates, celebrated historic milestones and helped transform our campus through philanthropy, engagement and service.
While the consolidation brings new opportunities, it also comes with a few visible changes. Communications from the SDSU Alumni and Foundation will now come from the email domain @sdstateloyalty.org, and you will see updated names and branding across social media and other platforms. A refreshed website — — now serves as a central hub for alumni programs, events, STATE Magazine and giving opportunities.
What has not changed is the heart of this work. The unified team remains in the Jerome J. Lohr Building and continues its strong commitment to alumni, donors, friends and the university. This new chapter strengthens our ability to serve SDSU and ensures that our alumni and supporters remain deeply connected to the university we all cherish.
Thank you for the energy and dedication you bring to SDSU. I look forward to a productive and impactful spring semester.
Sincerely,
Barry H. Dunn
President
South Dakota State University
Above and Beyond recognizes individuals and groups of South Dakota State University employees, faculty and students for individual and team efforts that go Above and Beyond to make the campus community a better place.
This week’s Above and Beyond recognizes the many hands who helped lift the university’s new finance program off the ground.
It’s official — starting in fall 2026, the Ness School of Management and Economics will offer Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in finance.
This program seeks to fill a need in the state. Careers like financial managers, investment analysts, financial examiners and personal financial advisers are all projected to grow in double-digit percentages in South Dakota and nationally, according to the O-Net Online dashboard.
First, let’s recognize the exceptional leadership at the Ness School of Management and Economics. Joseph Santos is the school’s academic director. Nicole Klein is the associate academic director of the Ness School.
A number of the faculty at the school personally helped create and promote this program. They include:
- Zhiguang (Gerald) Wang, DuBois Professor of Business Finance and Investments
- Nacasius Ujah, associate professor of corporate finance
- Matthew Diersen, Griffith Chair in Agricultural Finance and risk and business management specialist for SDSU Extension
We’re also recognizing Dennis Hedge, provost and vice president for academic affairs; Teresa Seefeldt, vice provost for undergraduate education, and Janell Hoffelt, catalog and curriculum coordinator, for their hard work getting the new academic program up and running.
Students who earn a B.A. or B.S. in finance will get advanced training in finance theory and practice. They’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of financial analytics, portfolio investments and corporate finance.
And, of course, they’ll get extensive use out of the Ness School’s e-trading lab.
Anytime you come across a South Dakota State graduate in banking, money management, investment banking, insurance, corporate treasuries and other finance careers in the future, remember to thank the subjects of this week’s Above and Beyond and the rest of the phenomenal team at the Ness School.
The Monday Message appears weekly during the academic year and less frequently during the summer months and holiday breaks.
Information for the Monday Message, including nominations for Above and Beyond, can be submitted online.
Fourth Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Rally and Marade
The Division of Student Affairs will host the fourth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Rally and Marade, Monday, Jan. 19, in Club 71 at Dana J. Dykhouse Football Stadium.
The rally will begin at 10 a.m. and include a keynote address by Angela Lammers and conclude with the marade at 11:30 a.m. Additional information about the event can be found on sdstate.edu.
Tackling Burnout: Tips and Tricks from Experts
The Wellness Advisory Committee will host a panel discussion focused on workplace well-being and burnout, Thursday, Feb. 5, from 2-3:30 p.m. The panel will bring together campus professionals to explore how burnout differs from everyday stress, its common causes and its impact on individuals, teams and organizations.
Moderated by Mary Anne Krogh, the panel will feature Andrea Bjornstad, Becky Jensen, Whitney Keller-Reetz and Stephanie Johnson-Kayne, who will share practical, research-informed strategies for both prevention and recovery. Topics will include organizational interventions, personal coping tools and the role leadership and policy play in supporting sustainable and healthy work environments. Wiyaka His Horse Is Thunder will assist as chat and Q&A monitor, ensuring time for audience questions and discussion.
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Interdisciplinary Research Clusters
SDSU’s Multidisciplinary Research Initiative Task Force invites applications for the establishment of interdisciplinary research clusters to develop and submit major federal center grant proposals that focus on one of SDSU’s priority research areas:
- Bioproduct innovation
- Rural health and well-being
- Data-driven solutions for agriculture and natural resources
Associate or full professors may submit a one-year proposal for up to $30,000 to support center planning and pilot activities. Each proposed center must include key personnel from at least two different SDSU departments.
Timeline and information on how to submit a proposal can be found on sdstate.edu.
Seeking 2026 Orientation Leaders
New Student Orientation is seeking outstanding and motivated students to serve on the 2026 Orientation Leader Team. Orientation leaders play a vital role in the program by helping new students connect with fellow Jackrabbits and begin building a sense of belonging.
Faculty and staff are encouraged to nominate exceptional students who would be successful in this role. Nominations should be submitted by emailing Cody Burggraff no later than Monday, Feb. 2, at 8 a.m. Please include the student’s name, Jacks email address, major (if known) and one or two reasons why they would be a strong orientation leader.
As nominations are received, nominees will be sent position details, application instructions and a copy of your nomination statement (including your name) to help build their confidence and encourage them to apply.
Additional information about the nomination process is available on sdstate.edu.
Digital Accessibility Listen and Learn Sessions
The university is offering a series of “Listen and Learn” sessions designed to build awareness, understanding and confidence around digital accessibility. Upcoming sessions include:
- Thursday, Feb. 5, from 9-10:30 a.m. on
Commencement Speakers
South Dakota State University is seeking graduating students to serve as featured commencement speakers at each commencement ceremony May 9. Nominations are being accepted for exceptional students who would be strong candidates for this honor and who demonstrate the ability to craft and deliver a meaningful commencement address.
Qualification requirements:
- Graduating senior or master’s/doctoral student (summer 2025, fall 2025, spring 2026).
- A record of academic excellence (please indicate cumulative GPA).
- Ability to speak effectively to a large audience.
- Demonstrated leadership in student organizations, student activities, public service, etc.
- Representative of the best qualities of an SDSU graduate.
Nominations should include the nominee’s name, major, academic college(s) and a brief bulleted list of how they meet each of the qualification requirements above.
Commencement is May 9. Please submit your nominations to Neethesh Chakkingal by Feb. 1, 2026.
Presidential Awards of Excellence and the Rising Star Award
The Professional Staff Advisory Council is seeking nominations for the 2025-26 Presidential Awards of Excellence and the Rising Star Award.
All nominations are due Jan. 23 at 5 p.m.
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Oakwood Literary Magazine Submissions
The Oakwood literary magazine is seeking submissions. Writers are asked to submit their poetry and prose as well as visual art by the Jan. 31 deadline. Additional information is available on sdstate.edu.
Undergraduate students are invited to submit their creative poetry and prose for consideration. The top three student entries will receive cash awards and publication in the April 2026 issue of Oakwood magazine. .
Updated Policies
New and updated university policies continue to be adopted and published. For the most recent updates, visit the New and Recently Revised Policies page on sdstate.edu.
