Monday Message, Jan. 26
SDSU Community,
As we begin the final week of January, I want to thank our university community for the energy and momentum you continue to bring to South Dakota State University — even in the heart of winter. The past week and weekend were excellent reminders of how vibrant and welcoming our campus is and how deeply your work supports student success and institutional excellence.
I want to begin by recognizing the many staff and faculty members who helped deliver another highly successful Distinguished Scholars Weekend. This signature event provides an opportunity to welcome high-achieving prospective students to campus and showcase what it truly means to be a premier land-grant university. From interviews and academic conversations to campus tours and student engagement, this experience reflects the best of SDSU. Thank you to everyone who contributed time, expertise and hospitality to make this weekend meaningful for students and their families.
Looking ahead, this coming weekend promises to be just as busy. Capers will be held Friday and Saturday while the Lamb Bonanza will also take place Saturday during the Jackrabbits basketball game. We will welcome future students and families to campus Saturday as part of our Junior Day program. Our winter sports teams are also very busy. This week, our teams host very important games and matches with women's basketball playing Omaha on Wednesday, wrestling facing Air Force on Friday and men's basketball playing USD on Saturday, all in First Bank and Trust Arena. We will also host Community Art Day at the South Dakota Art Museum on Saturday, followed by senior honors recitals on Sunday at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center. These events highlight the depth and breadth of experiences SDSU offers — from academics and the arts to athletics and community engagement. Even during the winter months, our campus attracts thousands of visitors each week, and your efforts ensure they leave with a strong sense of what makes SDSU special.
Finally, I want to thank you for your continued commitment to our R1 Our Way efforts. Last week, the university reconfirmed and sharpened its research focus to address the complex challenges facing South Dakota and the nation. SDSU has identified three strategic research themes where our strengths and expertise can make a measurable difference now and in the future: bioproducts innovation, rural health and well-being and agricultural technology innovation. This direction will serve the university moving forward on many fronts, and it will be an important message to share with key stakeholders, state leaders and elected officials. I encourage you to take time to read and reflect on this work, which is critical to our future as a research university.
One more reminder about the Celebration of Faculty Excellence that will be held Feb. 17. Information about the day and the events that will take place can be found below.
Thank you for everything you do to make our university special. I hope everyone has a wonderful week.
Go Jacks!
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, we’re recognizing those responsible for the creation of a new research journal that highlights a field of science taking place in every classroom around campus. The Interdisciplinary Journal for Research on Pedagogy and Learning Design shares research on, best practices in and new approaches to higher education teaching and learning.
It treats classrooms as laboratories and teachers and learners as scientists and subjects. What works best in which situations? Is there a better way to tackle teaching certain concepts?
The journal fits perfectly into South Dakota State University’s R1 Our Way research campaign as a university-sponsored academic journal that promotes our research culture on campus and draws national attention to our stellar faculty and staff.
There are many Jackrabbits and professionals from other universities behind the new publication. Thank you to the journal’s:
Executive co-editors:
- Kevin Sackreiter, South Dakota State University
- Victor Taylor, South Dakota State University
Managing editors:
- Jamie Fryslie, South Dakota State University
- Haley Greer, Iowa State University
Associate editors;
- Samuel Jay, Metropolitan State University of Denver
- Nicole Lounsbery, South Dakota State University
- Shouhong Zhang, South Dakota State University
Advisory board;
- David Blakesley, Clemson University
- Darcy Briggs, South Dakota Mines
- Pamela Carriveau, Black Hills State University
- David Earnest, South Dakota State University
- Erin Fouberg, Northern State University
- Graeme Harper, Oakland University
- Jason Kemnitz, University of South Dakota
- Laura Niesen de Abruña, Metropolitan State University of Denver
- Evan Ortlieb, South Dakota State University
- Daniel Scholl, South Dakota State University
- Todd Zakrajsek, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Editorial board:
- Mary Bowne, Center for Professional Enrichment and Teaching Excellence and College of Education and Human Sciences, South Dakota State University
- Leda Cempellin, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, South Dakota State University
- Liz Droke, College of Education and Human Sciences, South Dakota State University
- Theresa Garren-Grubbs, College of Nursing, South Dakota State University
- Greg Heiberger, interim dean of the Van D. and Barbara B. Fishback Honors College, South Dakota State University
- Brittney Meyer, College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, South Dakota State University
- Greg Michna, Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering, South Dakota State University
- Madhav Nepal, College of Natural Sciences, South Dakota State University
- Rosie Nold, College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and Department of Animal Science, South Dakota State University
Its inaugural issue this summer will explore how artificial intelligence can be used as a teaching or learning tool in higher education.
Submissions are accepted from South Dakota State and other institutions across the country. Proposals are due by March 1.
Interested parties can submit via email. Let’s go above and beyond to make the inaugural issue as yellow and blue as we can!
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.
Celebration of Faculty Excellence
The annual Celebration of Faculty Excellence will be held Feb. 17. The event provides an opportunity to recognize the outstanding teaching, research, creative activity and service demonstrated by our faculty.
The celebration is central to our land-grant mission and plays a vital role in student success, scholarly achievement and community impact across South Dakota and beyond.
Additional information about the event is available 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 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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Digital Accessibility Training
The April compliance deadline for universitywide digital accessibility is approaching quickly, and the efforts to ensure digital content is accessible continues to be shared responsibility.
Several training opportunities are available throughout the semester to support this effort.
Information about training sessions, resources and expectations can be found online.
Undergraduate Research Funding Application
Applications are now open for select summer undergraduate research programs at SDSU. Students can submit one application for research support from a variety of different funding sources, including the Joseph F. Nelson Mentorship and the Honors College Undergraduate Research Fund.
Faculty and staff should encourage students from all disciplines to submit their research interests for possible funding. Awards will be competitive and based on the design of the proposed studies, quality of the application and potential for project success.
Completed applications, including a mentor assessment of the applicant, must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Feb. 22.
Schultz-Werth Award Competition Application
The application portal for the Schultz-Werth Award Competition is open. Faculty and staff should encourage senior undergraduate students from all disciplines to submit their scholarly or creative projects for consideration. Awards up to $2,500 per winning student will be awarded at the end of the academic year. The deadline to submit a paper for the Schultz-Werth award is March 1.
Interdisciplinary Research Clusters
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:
- Bioproducts innovation
- Rural health and well-being
- Agricultural technology innovatio
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.
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.
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.
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. is available online.
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.
