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The annual Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ Celebration of Faculty Excellence recognized 30 faculty members, researchers and scientists Tuesday. The event honors faculty members in the university's colleges for outstanding research, teaching and service.

Professional sports, whether it be playing in or working for, is a goal for many high school and college students across the country. Samuel Pichura, a Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ senior, is no exception. This past summer, he fulfilled his dreams while interning for his one of favorite professional sports teams, the Minnesota Vikings.

After nearly two years of construction, the POET Bioproducts Center has officially opened its doors to the region's leading bioprocessing scientists. The new laboratory, located in the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ Park at Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ, will bring researchers from SDSU and South Dakota Mines together with industry partners to scale up innovative biotechnologies and varying South Dakota's economy.

Deirdre Cross is a Human Biology major at Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ, also pursuing minors in Chemistry and Health Education. She is on a Pre-Physician’s Assistant track, with plans to become a PA after graduation. In addition to pursuing her major, two minors, and being an Honors student, Cross has also earned a Phlebotomy Certificate.

Bold & Blue is the third and largest comprehensive capital campaign in Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ’s history with an ambitious goal of $500 million.

Started as the Sioux Falls Academy in July 2021, SDSU Connect creates meaningful connections to individuals, organizations and communities in the state’s largest and fastest-growing city. The Sioux Falls Academy began with a 40-member task force that included campus partners for several areas of the university.

The National Institutes of Health will fund work in the newly created Center of Biomedical Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ Excellence through a $10.9 million, five-year federal grant. Led by Adam Hoppe, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, the center aims to expand existing partnerships with South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and the Biomedical Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ Infrastructure Network at the University of South Dakota.

Myah Selland and Tori Nelson, both exercise science/community and public health majors, will be part of Jackrabbits women’s basketball lore for years. Careers that included winning conference championships, playing in NCAA tournaments and winning a WNIT championship are only part of their story.

The SDSU Foundation’s public launch of Bold & Blue came in October 2021, and since then the momentum of the campaign has been felt throughout South Dakota and beyond. With a goal of $500 million, the campaign is more than 87% of its way toward reaching its half-billion-dollar mark. Bold & Blue is the third and largest comprehensive campaign in Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ history, focusing on people, traditions, places and innovations.

Started in 2016, the Wokini Initiative is SDSU’s collaborative and holistic framework to support American Indian student success and Indigenous nation-building. The initiative builds upon current tribal partnerships and the American Indian Student Center services to enhance cultural programs and support for American Indian students while increasing research and outreach partnerships with tribes, tribal colleges and other organizations.