Monday Message, August 31
ϳԹs community,
I want to begin by thanking everyone involved in an exciting Saturday at South Dakota State University! Congratulations to our football team on earning its first victory of the season with a win over Stetson. A sellout crowd of more than 19,000 created an outstanding game-day atmosphere, and it was especially great to see thousands of our students in attendance bringing tremendous energy to Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium. The Pride of the Dakotas was outstanding as always and provided some great entertainment and energy.
Saturday afternoon included an important event for our campus as we celebrated the dedication of the Edgar S. McFadden sculpture. Thank you to everyone who participated in the ceremony honoring McFadden and his remarkable contributions to wheat breeding and agriculture. The sculpture provides a lasting connection between our agricultural heritage and the research and innovation continuing at SDSU today.
I also want to thank everyone who represented SDSU at Downtown at Sundown last Thursday evening. Events like this are important opportunities to strengthen the connection between our university and the Brookings community.
The excitement continues this week. On Wednesday, our ϳԹs volleyball team welcomes top-ranked Nebraska to a sold-out First Bank & Trust Arena. The volleyball team will also host the SDSU Invitational, while ϳԹs soccer welcomes Colorado College on Thursday and Idaho on Saturday.
Last week, we released results from a statewide perception study conducted by Hanover Research that reinforces the impact of our collective work. The survey found 92% awareness of SDSU among respondents, with 77% reporting a positive or very positive impression. SDSU also led its peer group in awareness, familiarity and overall impression.
Those results are encouraging, but they represent more than brand awareness. They reflect the experiences people have with our graduates, faculty, staff, research, outreach and university throughout South Dakota. They also reinforce our responsibility as the state's land-grant university to demonstrate the value of higher education through academic excellence, workforce development, research and service to our communities.
Thank you for the role each of you plays in building that reputation and fulfilling our mission. The more effectively we connect with the people of South Dakota, the better they understand the tremendous impact this university has on our state and region.
Finally, please remember the university will be closed next Monday in observance of Labor Day.
Thank you for everything you do to advance our vision of being a premier land-grant university. I hope you have a wonderful week.
Sincerely,
Barry H. Dunn, President
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.
Today, we’re recognizing the hundreds of volunteers who welcomed students to campus and moved them into their home for the 2026-27 academic year.
Meet State 2026 is a two-day event where volunteers greet students and their families and assist with move-in at six areas around campus.
More than 825 people helped make Meet State a success this year. They lugged refrigerators up to the fourth floor, directed snaking lines of traffic and organized piles and piles of students’ belongings. They did it all with a smile.
Thank you to every volunteer who shared a small interaction with a student or family member — who answered a question, who joked with a parent, who smiled wide and said, “Welcome to SDSU!” to an incoming student. On Aug. 21-22, they helped more than 3,000 new and returning students move in.
Here’s Meet State by the numbers:
- First-day volunteer numbers: 281 faculty and staff, 545 students and community members
- Golf carts used on the first day: 37
- Shuttles used on the first day: 3
- Second-day volunteers: 305
Volunteers filled a variety of roles to keep the event running smoothly. Several were movers and welcomers, golf cart drivers, traffic volunteers, and building and lot coordinators. Everyone played their part to perfection.
Join me in celebrating all the volunteers who donned a yellow T-shirt for Meet State. We should also lift up the Housing and Residential Life staff, the University Student Union team, Facilities and Services, and our food service team.
There are some people on campus who deserve extra accolades for their work. The Meet State Committee members are:
- Sloane Bertke
- Heidi Bushong
- Adam Karnopp
- Jamison Lamp
- Shari Landmark
- Rebecca Peterson
- Wendi Schuerman
- Chad Vossekuil
- Kelly Wendell
Of that list, please give an extra round of applause to Rebecca Peterson, director of Housing and Residential Life, Jamison Lamp, university event coordinator and Adam Karnopp, assistant director of student activities and orientation.
To every ϳԹ — welcome back to SDSU!
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.
Yellow, Blue & You: Academic Success Week
The Wintrode Student Success and Opportunity Center invites students to participate in Academic Success Week, Sept. 7-11. The week features events designed to help students build confidence, connect with campus resources and develop strategies for academic success.
Activities include:
- Ice Cream Social and Kickoff — Tuesday, Sept. 8, noon-1:30 p.m., Main Street, University Student Union. Enjoy SDSU ice cream, meet staff, participate in activities and have a chance to win prizes.
- Syllabus Extravaganza — Wednesday, Sept. 9, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Bailey Rotunda F. Students can get organized, better understand course expectations and deadlines, and pick up free organizational supplies while supplies last.
- Academic Success Fair — Thursday, Sept. 10, 2-4 p.m., Volstorff Ballroom, University Student Union. This come-and-go event provides opportunities to explore academic resources, connect with faculty, staff and campus partners, and learn strategies for college success. Door prizes will also be available.
Follow @sdstatewintrodecenter on Instagram and Facebook for additional information and updates.
Rabbit Report Submission Guidelines
Students' Association publishes a weekly newsletter emailed to all SDSU students every Monday. This is a great way to get information out to students each week.
In order to streamline the Rabbit Report process, the Students' Association is proud to announce the launch of the Rabbit Report Submission Form, where all future submissions should be placed. The submission form can be found on the Students' Association Rabbit Report webpage linked below. As a reminder, all Rabbit Report submissions must abide by the guidelines and should be submitted before 11:59 p.m. Thursday for full consideration.
To learn more and access the Rabbit Report submission form, visit Rabbit Report | South Dakota State University.
Gen Z and Gen Alpha Workshop
South Dakota State University will welcome Eric Kirby, Ph.D., to campus Sept. 17-18 for a professional development opportunity focused on Generation Z and Generation Alpha students and employees. Kirby is a national leader in generational engagement and leadership development and author of the 2024 book “Leading Gen Z: Insights and Strategies for Managing, Parenting and Teaching Generation Z.”
All sessions will be held in the Pheasant/Crest Room (USU 253) of the University Student Union.
Thursday, Sept. 17
- 9-10:15 a.m. – Academic Leadership and the Generational Shift
- 10:30 a.m.-noon – Leading Multigenerational Teams
- 1-2 p.m. – Understanding Today’s Student-Athlete
- 2-3:30 p.m. – Teaching Generation Z
- 3:45-4:45 p.m. – Career Readiness and Future-Ready Graduates
Friday, Sept. 18
- 9-10:30 a.m. – Teaching Generation Z (repeat of Thursday session)
- 10:45 a.m.-noon – Frontline Service for Generation Z and Generation Alpha
- 1-2:30 p.m. – Connecting with Gen Z: Communication That Builds Engagement and Trust
- 2:45-4 p.m. – Well-being, Resilience and Student Success
Faculty and staff are encouraged to attend sessions that align with their roles and interests. is available on his website.
Student Essential Needs Hub
The Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management has launched the Student Essential Needs Hub, or The Hub, to help students access resources that address essential needs and support their academic success.
The Hub provides a centralized, student-focused resource connecting students with food assistance, emergency aid, clothing, transportation support, household essentials, financial wellness education and university and community services.
Initially, The Hub will bring together existing resources and services in one online location, making it easier for students to identify and access available support. As additional resources are secured and a permanent location is established, The Hub will continue to expand its services.
Learn more, access resources and find opportunities to get involved by visiting the Student Essential Needs Hub webpage. Updates are also available through The Hub’s and accounts.
CommUNITY Meetings: Connection, Constitution and Civic Engagement
Two upcoming CommUNITY Meetings will provide opportunities to connect with others, strengthen community and participate in civic engagement.
On Sept. 14 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Volstorff Ballroom, Kim Bartling and the Humanity Launch will present “It’s More Important to Be Interested than to Be Interesting.” The interactive program will explore how curiosity and meaningful interpersonal communication can create deeper connections, build stronger communities and foster a sense of belonging.
In celebration of Constitution Day and National Voter Registration Day, “From the Constitution to the Ballot Box” will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on the second floor of Lincoln Hall. Activities will include voter registration, voting rights trivia, pizza and guest speakers discussing information voters should know before participating in an election.
The events are presented through partnerships involving Student Connection and Engagement, the Student Engagement Center, the School of American and Global Studies, Jacks Stand Together, Yellow, Blue & You and the Humanity Launch.
One Day for STATE
On Sept. 10, the SDSU Alumni & Foundation will host the 10th annual , a 24-hour challenge for ϳԹs to celebrate SDSU and the impact made through philanthropy.
Gifts of all sizes made during One Day for STATE help unlock $700,000-plus in additional funds, thanks to generous challenge donors. This year’s goal is to rally 5,000 donors in 24 hours.
- will kick off One Day for STATE the night before on Sept. 9. Jack will depart from the SDSU Alumni & Foundation at 6 p.m. and start his trip around Brookings.
- A patio party will be hosted during One Day for STATE outside of the Union from noon-1 p.m., including free SDSU ice cream and giveaways.
- The will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Sept. 10 on the Alumni Green. The event will include performances from The Pride of the Dakotas Marching Band and the SDSU dance and cheer teams, along with food trucks, free SDSU ice cream, the Bummobile and kids’ activities. To keep our guests safe during the celebration, Parking Lot 139 will be closing at 4 p.m. and Medary Avenue (from Eighth Street to 11th Street) will be closed from 4:30-8 p.m. on Sept. 10. Detour signs will direct traffic around the road closure.
Learn more at .
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. .
Yellow, Blue & You
Yellow, Blue & You is South Dakota State University’s first six 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. 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 Office of International Student and Scholar Engagement will host information sessions addressing recent regulatory changes affecting international students and scholars, as well as SDSU’s new Curricular Practical Training policy.
Two sessions will be offered:
- Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 2 p.m.
- Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 3 p.m.
Both sessions will be held in the Lewis and Clark Room of the University Student Union, with a .
Faculty, staff, students and scholars interested in learning more about these changes are encouraged to attend.
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.
