Monday Message, August 10
ϳԹs community,
Welcome to another beautiful week on campus as we begin the second week of August. The energy across campus continues to build as we prepare for another academic year, which by my count will be the 143rd academic year since the first classes were offered in 1884. Meet State is now just 12 days away, and soon our campus will once again be filled with students, faculty and staff. It looks much different today than when the first class of fewer than 50 students attended our university.
As we look ahead, I want to highlight several events that will make this fall especially meaningful.
South Dakota State University takes great pride in our land-grant mission and the agricultural heritage that helped build our state. On Saturday, Aug. 29, we will honor that legacy with the dedication of a sculpture recognizing Edgar S. McFadden, a Webster native whose pioneering wheat research had a profound impact on South Dakota and the nation.
As State College’s plant breeder in the 1920s, McFadden developed “Hope” wheat, which contributed to increased wheat production before and during World War II. His legacy of research and innovation continues at SDSU today as we prepare the next generation of researchers across agriculture, healthcare, engineering and many other disciplines. The sculpture is located between Raven Precision Agriculture Center and the Edgar S. McFadden Biostress Laboratory, an appropriate site representing SDSU’s continued commitment to innovation. I invite you to join us for the dedication at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 29.
Another important fall tradition returns Sept. 10 as the SDSU Alumni & Foundation hosts the 10th annual . This 24-hour celebration of philanthropy has become an incredible demonstration of SDSU pride. This year’s goal is to rally 5,000 donors, whose gifts can unlock more than $700,000 in additional challenge funds. Activities will include Jack’s Journey on Sept. 9, a lunchtime patio party at the University Student Union and the Yellow and Blue Block Party on the Alumni Green.
Please don’t forget that faculty and staff are invited to our annual Welcome Back Picnic on Tuesday, Aug. 18, from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Club 71 in Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium. Additional information and the RSVP link are included below.
Finally, we are making one last push for Meet State volunteers. Volunteers help direct traffic, greet students and families and, when able, assist students moving into the residence halls. Those interactions help create an important first impression of the caring and welcoming community that defines SDSU. Please consider volunteering if your schedule allows.
Thank you for everything you do to make South Dakota State University a premier land-grant university. I hope you have a wonderful week.
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.
The Lucas P. Wintrode Learning Laboratory opened July 27 with the snip of a giant pair of scissors.
We’re recognizing all the people who helped bring the lab to that moment. That includes the generosity of Paul and Maria Wintrode; the hard work of Evan Ortlieb, dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences; and Keena Melville, director of the Lucas P. Wintrode Autism Support Services; Sioux Falls School District staff; and everyone else who had a hand in creating this unique space.
The new learning lab is a partnership between SDSU and the school district and is co-led by both entities. The lab is located at the district’s new Community Campus at Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls.
It has three goals:
Enhance educational opportunities for students with disabilities, including those with autism
One of the most exciting services the new lab will offer is transition programming for Sioux Falls students. There, the district’s students with disabilities ages 18 through 21 can pursue continued education.
The programming teaches academic, social and life skills. It includes a simulated apartment where students can get experience with daily tasks like meal prep and household chores.
It transitions students to independence — and can set them on the path to higher education. If student graduates choose to pursue a college education, they can easily transition to the Lucas P. Wintrode Autism Support Services at SDSU.
Provide hands-on experiences for SDSU students majoring in education and special education
Our students will work within the Sioux Falls school system to develop and implement special education strategies. They will also have a hand in early screening efforts for children ages 3 to 5.
Support mutually beneficial research activities
The new space includes the Practical Assessment Exploration System lab, which will empower SDSU students, staff and faculty to conduct applied research, design and test innovative teaching interventions, and develop advanced teaching expertise — all of which will elevate special education within the Sioux Falls School District.
This fall, more than 110 students are expected to enroll in the transition programming, and most will use the new learning lab. The program is expected to be at near capacity already.
It’s already a huge success for the university and for the larger Sioux Falls community. Let’s take a moment to recognize the generosity and dedication that went into opening this lab. Thank you to the lab’s partners and to all of the ϳԹs who will assist and learn there for years to come.
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.
Welcome Back Picnic
Faculty and staff are invited to attend the annual Welcome Back Picnic on Tuesday, Aug. 18, from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Club 71 in Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.
The picnic is an opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, welcome new employees and celebrate the beginning of another academic year together.
If you have not already done so, please RSVP online using the .
Meet State 2026 Volunteers Needed
Meet State 2026 will take place Aug. 21-22, and volunteers are still needed to help welcome new and returning ϳԹs to campus.
Volunteers assist with directing traffic, greeting students and families and, if able, helping students move into their residence halls. Meet State is one of SDSU's signature traditions and provides an opportunity to create a welcoming first impression for our newest students and their families.
The event is made possible by the hundreds of faculty, staff, students and community members who generously volunteer each year. If you are able to help, please consider signing up. The is available online.
Ask Me @ SDSU Volunteers Needed
This fall, SDSU is launching Ask Me @ SDSU, a new initiative designed to create a welcoming campus environment and encourage students to seek assistance early in the semester.
Ask Me stations will provide students with a convenient place to ask questions, receive directions, learn about campus resources and connect with individuals who can help them navigate their SDSU experience. While the program is designed primarily for new and transfer students, all students are welcome to visit an Ask Me station.
Faculty, staff and student ambassadors are invited to volunteer during the first week of classes at one of three outdoor locations:
- Near the Dairy Bar
- Near Chicoine Architecture, Mathematics and Engineering Hall
- Near Wagner Hall
Additional volunteer opportunities will be available in the University Student Union during the second week of the semester.
Volunteers will receive resource materials and referral information — no prior knowledge of every campus service is required.
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Thank you for helping make SDSU a welcoming place where students feel comfortable asking questions and confident that support is available.
Yellow, Blue & You
Yellow, Blue & You is South Dakota State University’s First 6 Weeks initiative, designed to help students successfully transition to college and find their place within the ϳԹs community.
Rather than creating a new series of events, Yellow, Blue & You brings together existing programs, activities and experiences from across campus under one shared framework. Weekly themes make it easier for students to discover opportunities, connect with campus resources and become engaged early in the semester.
The initiative focuses on helping students understand where to go, who to connect with and how to get involved. Through partnerships across campus, Yellow, Blue & You promotes opportunities that foster belonging, academic success, personal well-being and ϳԹs pride during the important first six weeks of the academic year.
SDSU Employees Free Access to Miller Wellness Center
SDSU employees and their families can enjoy free access to the Miller Wellness Center from Sept. 20-27. Employees simply need to present their employee ID for access.
Employees who join the Miller Wellness Center during the free access week can also have their initial membership cost waived when enrolling through payroll deduction or electronic funds transfer (EFT). Membership must remain active for at least six months to qualify.
For questions or additional information, contact the Miller Wellness Center membership office at 605-688-5521.
International Student and Scholar Federal Regulatory Change
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has amended regulations relating to international students and scholars and duration of status that will impact members of our university community.
Changes go into effect Sept. 15. As a university, we remain committed to supporting our international students and scholars and ensuring they have access to accurate information and appropriate resources as they navigate these changes.
To ensure that students, faculty, staff and administrators have access to the most current and accurate information, an International Student and Scholar Federal Regulatory Change webpage has been created and will serve as the central source for updates, guidance and frequently asked questions. Given the complexity and evolving nature of federal immigration regulations, we ask that you direct any impacted individuals to this webpage. Using a single, centralized resource will help ensure consistent communication, reduce confusion and provide students with reliable information as quickly as possible.
Questions related to specific student and scholar situations that are unable to be answered through the International Student and Scholar Federal Regulatory Change webpage should be directed to the International Student and Scholar Engagement office, or via phone at 605-688-4122 or in person to Hilton M. Briggs Library 119.
For questions specifically related to full-time (nonstudent) employment authorization, hiring or employment-related implications, please direct inquiries to Colleen Butler, international employment manager.
Your partnership is critical in helping us provide clear, coordinated support during this transition.
Jack’s Cupboard Summer Volunteer Opportunity
Jack’s Cupboard, SDSU’s free on-campus food pantry for currently enrolled students, is seeking faculty and staff volunteers to help support operations this summer.
The pantry will be open on Tuesdays from 2-5 p.m., with additional opportunities to assist with restocking on Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. During the 2025-26 academic year, Jack’s Cupboard served a record number of students and will continue supporting students throughout the summer months.
Volunteers will assist with checkout, restocking, light cleaning and helping create a welcoming environment for students.
, please sign up online.
For questions, contact Jack’s Cupboard by email.
Downtown at Sundown: SDSU Night
Join the Brookings community for SDSU Night at Downtown at Sundown on Thursday, Aug. 27. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with local vendors, family-friendly activities and opportunities to connect with SDSU programs and organizations. Live music by Devon Worley begins at 6 p.m.
Featured SDSU participants include the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering, SDSU Alumni & Foundation, Hobo Day Committee and SDSU Athletics. SDSU ice cream will be served while supplies last.
Faculty, staff, students and community members are encouraged to attend. Additional event details are available on the Downtown at Sundown website.
Faculty, staff, students and community members are encouraged to visit the South Dakota Art Museum and experience these thought-provoking exhibitions.
IDS Fall Training Schedule
Instructional Design Services , featuring sessions focused on digital accessibility and teaching in the artificial intelligence era. Workshops include refresher sessions on creating accessible D2L courses, AI prompting strategies for course development and using the Copilot Create Agent for content creation.
New this fall is the Friday Faculty Drop-in, a casual Zoom session held every other Friday from 12:10-12:50 p.m. Faculty can stop by for quick support, course feedback or assistance with eLearning applications from an IDS team member.
Training opportunities also include eLearning workshops and the SDSU Online Instructor Certification Program, which is open to faculty, academic staff and graduate teaching assistants.
For the complete training schedule, visit the IDS 2026 fall schedule. Questions may be directed to Instructional Design Services. IDS looks forward to supporting faculty and staff throughout the semester.
Theatre: A New Brain
The School of Performing Arts, Department of Theatre and Dance, opens its 2026-27 season, “Second Chances,” with the musical “A New Brain” by William Finn and James Lapine.
Known for its quirky humor and poignant storytelling, “A New Brain” follows a children's television composer who, after being diagnosed with a life-threatening brain condition, confronts his mortality, relationships and the meaning of art.
Please note: This production contains mature language and themes.
Performances will be held in the Oscar Larson Theatre:
- Oct. 8-10 at 7 p.m.
- Oct. 11 at 2 p.m.
Tickets and additional information are available through the School of Performing Arts.
South Dakota Art Museum Exhibitions
The South Dakota Art Museum invites the campus and community to explore three featured exhibitions this fall.
“Flyover” brings together six longtime friends and artists from Flyover Country, showcasing individual works alongside collaborative pieces created through a unique process of shared artistic expression. Participating artists include Roger Broer, Bill Fleming, Dale Lamphere, Kenny Putnam, Susan Turnbull and Ray Tysdal. The exhibition celebrates friendship, experimentation and creative exchange and will be on display through early October.
“New Arrivals” highlights recent additions to the museum's permanent collection, many of which are on public display for the first time. The exhibition features paintings, sculptures, ceramics, photography and textiles by artists including Harvey Dunn, Signe Stuart, Skye Gilkerson, Dyani White Hawk and others, reflecting the museum's commitment to preserving and expanding artistic voices.
“America in Art” commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States by exploring the promise and paradox of the nation's history. Through works that examine America's ideals, struggles, freedoms and contradictions, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on the country's past while considering its future.
Faculty, staff, students and community members are encouraged to visit the South Dakota Art Museum and experience these thought-provoking exhibitions
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.
