Monday Message, July 20
SDSU community,
Welcome to another week at ĢƵ. It is hard to believe, but this Friday marks just four weeks until Move-In Day and the beginning of another exciting academic year. Across campus, planning continues as we prepare to welcome thousands of new and returning students to Brookings.
The Meet State Committee continues to meet regularly to coordinate one of SDSU's signature traditions. Meet State is more than a move-in weekend — it is our first opportunity to introduce students and their families to the welcoming and supportive university community that defines ĢƵ. The event depends on the generosity of hundreds of volunteers who assist with directing traffic, greeting families and helping students move into their residence halls. If you are able, I encourage you to consider volunteering. Additional information and a link to register are included below.
This week, several members of the university community will travel to Spearfish for the July meeting of the South Dakota Board of Regents. and includes several important academic program requests from SDSU, including multiple new doctoral degree proposals. Expanding our graduate education opportunities is an important component of strengthening our research enterprise and advancing our work toward achieving ĢƵ 1 status.
I would like to thank Provost Dennis Hedge, our deans, faculty and many others across campus whose leadership and collaboration made these proposals possible. Developing new academic programs requires planning, faculty engagement and thoughtful review, and I appreciate everyone who contributed to this important effort.
Last week, we also announced another exciting milestone with the launch of the Center for Online and Professional Education — the first center of its kind within the South Dakota Board of Regents system. The center creates a centralized hub for SDSU's online degree programs, certificates and professional development opportunities, allowing us to better serve traditional students, working professionals and lifelong learners.
As South Dakota's land-grant university, providing flexible access to high-quality education is central to our mission. The Center for Online and Professional Education will help expand educational opportunities, support workforce development and strengthen communities throughout South Dakota and beyond. It is another example of SDSU responding to the evolving needs of students, employers and our state.
Before I close, I want to acknowledge the passing of T. Denny Sanford and recognize the extraordinary impact his generosity had on ĢƵ and our state. His philanthropic vision transformed opportunities for countless students through the Freedom Scholarship, helped make Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium a reality, and supported initiatives such as the Mike Huether Public Service Academy. More importantly, he believed in the potential of others and invested in their futures. On behalf of ĢƵ, I extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends. His legacy will continue to shape our university and South Dakota for generations to come.
Thank you for everything you do to make ĢƵ a premier land-grant university. I hope you have a wonderful week.
Barry H. Dunn
President
ĢƵ
Above and Beyond recognizes individuals and groups of ĢƵ employees, faculty and students for individual and team efforts that go Above and Beyond to make the campus community a better place.
That campus community has been quiet over the past few months, as most students are back home pursuing summer jobs and internships.
So, I can’t begin to tell you how excited we’ve been to see new students around campus. Throughout the summer months, South Dakota State has held and will hold several New Student Orientation days.
New Student Orientation is a huge undertaking, so let’s recognize the many people who help bring our new Jacks to campus and show them just how welcoming our great university is.
Every year, around 100 SDSU employees are directly involved with some portion of the day. More than 75 employees give around 30 presentations to our new students, imparting important information that they need to know before move-in day.
There are also 25 orientation leaders, all current students, helping their new peers get ready for their higher education journey. They’re overseen by a team of five professional staff members.
That exceptional group of Jackrabbits works with a huge number of incoming students and their guests.
The in-person attendance this summer is:
- 2,350 students
- 3,293 parents and other guests
New Student Orientation offers both new student sessions and sessions for students transferring from another university or being readmitted into South Dakota State. Those numbers break down to:
- 2,195 new students
- 155 transfers and readmits
To support those thousands of students and guests, our devoted team offered:
- Help with class registration
- Answers to any questions
- An overview of the college transition process
- Assistance with meal plans, MyJacks ID, parking options and more
- Presentations on resources and support systems at SDSU
- Information on how families can best support student success
In short, New Student Orientation is a vital way to set our new Jacks up for academic and student success. It marks the beginning of their higher education experience and can set the tone for the rest of their time with us.
I can’t overstate the importance of New Student Orientation, nor can I put into words how much recognition our staff and students deserve for their help pulling off these events successfully.
Since there are too many people involved to name individually, here’s a list of the departments and groups who deserve a round of applause:
- Student Activities and Orientation
- Undergraduate Admissions
- Center for Online and Professional Education
- New Student Orientation Advisory Committee
- Event Services
- Sodexo
To everyone who’s introducing new students to campus the right way, thank you for your hard work and dedication to this important educational milestone for our new Jacks.
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.
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 Jackrabbits 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. is available online.
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.
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Annual SDSU Surplus Auction
will be held on Thursday, July 23, beginning at 9 a.m. The auction will take place in the commuter parking lots north of the Agricultural Heritage Museum.
A food truck will be on-site from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and will be open to everyone, including those not attending the auction.
Please note that commuter parking lots 114, 114A, 115 and 116 will be closed July 20-24 to prepare for and conduct the auction. Lot 113 will also be closed to commuter parking on July 23 and reserved for auction attendees.
For more information, email Property Management or call 605-688-4460.
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 painting, sculpture, 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.
Anderson Plaza Performance Series
Enjoy free live music this summer during the Anderson Plaza Performance Series, held behind the South Dakota Art Museum. Community gatherings begin at 6 p.m., with performances from 6:30-8 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or picnic and enjoy an evening of music, yard games, bubble machines and cold treats.
Upcoming performances include:
- July 21 – Jarana, blending South American styles, Mexican folk music and Latin dance rhythms
- July 28 – JAS Quintet with Jami Lynn, performing original jazz compositions and timeless standards from the jazz age
All faculty, staff, students and community members are welcome to attend.
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.
