Monday Message, August 17
ϳԹs community,
Welcome back to our faculty and all those returning to campus as we prepare to begin another academic year at South Dakota State University. There is a special energy that comes with this week as months of preparation turn toward the arrival of our students and the start of classes.
Friday begins another important journey for our students. For many, it is a return to a familiar campus and friends they have missed throughout the summer. For our first-year and transfer students, it represents something entirely new — the beginning of their experience as ϳԹs. I know our campus community will make them and their families feel welcome.
There are also a number of things happening before Friday. New Faculty Orientation begins today and continues Tuesday, providing an opportunity to welcome our newest faculty colleagues to SDSU. On Wednesday, the SDSU Fall Conference will bring our university community together in the Volstorff Ballroom for conversations focused on career readiness, student success and global trends in higher education. Thursday provides time for colleges, schools and departments to prepare for the semester ahead.
I also hope you will join us tomorrow for the annual Welcome Back Picnic from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Club 71 in Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium. This is always an enjoyable opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, meet new employees and celebrate the start of another academic year. If you have not already done so, .
As we move toward the weekend, I want to thank everyone volunteering for Meet State. From helping families find their way around campus to carrying boxes into residence halls, the enthusiasm you bring creates an important first impression of SDSU. I encourage everyone to be especially welcoming as you encounter students and families throughout campus.
The opening weekend will culminate Sunday afternoon with University Convocation at 2 p.m. on Sylvan Green. Then, on Monday morning, our classrooms will once again come alive as classes begin for the 2026-27 academic year.
Thank you to the faculty for the work you have done to prepare for another year of teaching, mentoring, research and service. To our staff, thank you for everything you have done throughout the summer to prepare our campus and support our students.
It is going to be another exciting year at South Dakota State University. I look forward to experiencing it with all of you.
Thank you for everything you do to make SDSU a premier land-grant university.
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.
There’s a grand reopening happening at the start of the fall semester. It’s been a long time in the making and has required the support and dedication of dozens of ϳԹs.
The Larson Commons dining facility is firing up its grills and pulling out its food prep tables for the first time since it closed in 2025 for extensive renovations.
The dining center is located on the second floor between the Young and Binnewies residence halls. It features several restaurant-style stations where students, staff and faculty can satisfy their hunger, plus extended hours to serve guests between traditional mealtimes.
It serves familiar favorites, including burgers, pizza, soup, sandwiches, pasta, desserts, salad and more. There are also two new stations opening this fall:
- UCook Kitchen: A hands-on kitchen where diners can cook and customize their own meals with provided ingredients.
- Mediterranean Grille: A quick-serve, build-your-own-bowl experience serving Mediterranean cuisine.
There’s a long list of people to recognize for the completely renovated space, including Jennifer Novotny, assistant vice president for student life, Jacks Dining leaders Julia Neer and previously James Quinn, and Jacks Dining general manager Emily O’Connor.
We should also lift up EAPC Architects, Clark Drew Construction, various subcontractors and SDSU Facilities and Services project managers Dave Law, Keith Skogstad (retired) and Cory Coners.
Other staff members who deserve thanks include:
- Returning staff:
- Aaron Doolittle
- Mandip Paudel
- Ross Meyer
- Paul Gillespie
- Dallas Perry
- Staff that have helped during the summer and to start the year:
- Ayden Doherthy
- Mani Velmula
- Keren Quinones Diaz
- Chefs and manager:
- Chef Matt Higgason
- Chef Billy Salada
- Eric Singleton
We should also take a moment to show our gratitude to everyone involved in opening and maintaining the temporary replacement dining location over the past academic year. There were several challenges to address at Larson Dining at Yeager, and our entire team did so excellently.
Larson Commons would regularly serve as many as 1,200 guests during a single dinner in a space spanning over 30,000 square feet. Our dining staff successfully served ϳԹs in a much smaller location over several months.
Larson Dining at Yeager is now closed, but all who served in the dining space or behind the scenes deserve their accolades before we return to normalcy.
When you try out the renovated Larson Commons this semester, remember to thank the staff member serving you wonderful food and everyone who worked to create the space you’re standing in.
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 Faculty and Staff Sale
ϳԹ Central is welcoming faculty and staff back to campus with a 30% storewide discount on Tuesday, Aug. 18, and Wednesday, Aug. 19.
The discount applies storewide, including already reduced clearance merchandise, and is available in stores only.
Stop by ϳԹ Central and take advantage of the savings as we prepare for the start of another academic year.
One Day for STATE – Sept. 10
The SDSU Alumni & Foundation will host its 10th annual One Day for STATE on Sept. 10. This 24-hour celebration of philanthropy brings ϳԹs together to demonstrate their SDSU pride and support the university.
This year’s goal is to rally 5,000 donors, whose gifts can help unlock more than $700,000 in additional challenge funds.
Activities begin Sept. 9 with Jack’s Journey and continue throughout One Day for STATE on Sept. 10. Events include a lunchtime patio party at the University Student Union and the Yellow and Blue Block Party on the Alumni Green.
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.
They Were There: Witnesses from Sept. 11
As the nation marks 25 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States, SDSU’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences will present “They Were There: Witnesses from Sept. 11.”
The public panel will feature firsthand accounts from individuals who were present during critical moments of response, reporting and national defense. Panelists will share their experiences and perspectives on what it meant to witness the events of Sept. 11 as they unfolded and reflect on their lasting impact.
The event will be held Friday, Sept. 11, at 10 a.m. in Larson Memorial Concert Hall at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center.
The event is free and open to the public. .
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. 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 emailed directly to the International Student and Scholar Engagement office, call 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, at Colleen Butler.
Your partnership is critical in helping us provide clear, coordinated support during this transition.
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 has released its , 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.
