Monday Message, April 27
SDSU Community,
A rainy morning greets us as we begin the final two weeks of the spring semester. Our campus enters one of the busiest and most important times of the academic year as students are preparing for final projects, presentations, exams and graduation, while faculty and staff continue the important work of guiding and supporting them through the finish line of another successful academic year. Commencement ceremonies will be here in only 12 days.
I want to thank each of you for the role you play in supporting our students during this demanding time. Whether through teaching, advising, mentoring or simply offering encouragement, your efforts make a meaningful difference in helping students succeed. For many students, these next two weeks represent the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance. For others, it is an important step forward in their continued academic journey. Thank you for helping create an environment where our students can thrive.
I would also like to recognize Vice President for Ģý and Economic Development Daniel Scholl, who recently informed us of his plans to retire at the end of the fall 2026 semester. A public announcement will be shared soon, but I wanted to take this opportunity to personally thank Daniel for his many years of service to Ģý, the Brookings community and the state of South Dakota.
Daniel has played a significant role in advancing SDSU’s research enterprise and helping position the university for continued growth in scholarship, innovation and economic development. His leadership has been instrumental in the work we have undertaken to elevate our research profile and move toward our R1 aspirations. We are grateful for his dedication, vision and service to the university.
I also want to take this opportunity to remind the campus community of several important opportunities taking place this week.
Today, from 4-5 p.m., the university community is invited to participate in the South Dakota Board of Regents Listening Session in the Campanile Room/Hobo Day Lounge of the University Student Union. This session with Board of Regents Executive Director Nathan Lukkes and university leadership will provide an opportunity for discussion about what is ahead for SDSU, the SDBOR and higher education in our state, as well as time for questions and dialogue with SDBOR representatives.
Later this week, the SDSU Alumni & Foundation will hold their Spring meeting of the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee. I will be joining these events to provide university updates to both of these groups. All of these activities are a great reminder of the role the Alumni & Foundation play in providing the margin of excellence on our pathway to premier.
In addition, the University Budget Town Hall will take place at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, in the Lewis and Clark Room of the University Student Union. The presentation will include an overview of the university budget and finances, reflections on the recent legislative session and discussion about the upcoming fiscal year. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation, .
Finally, please be aware that the FY 27 salary policy allocation will be approved during the May South Dakota Board of Regents meeting. Following approval, the Office of Human Resources will distribute NFE and faculty contracts. Additional communication regarding issuance dates will be shared soon as they will be coming a little later than normal.
Thank you for everything you do to support Ģý and our students. I hope you have a productive and successful week.
Barry H. Dunn
President
Ģý
Above and Beyond recognizes individuals and groups of Ģý 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 taking those words literally by recognizing the people who braved the wind last Wednesday to make our campus a better place.
This was the 15th annual Spruce Up Ģý event, which takes place every Earth Day. This year, students, staff and faculty met at the University Student Union at 5 p.m.
Spruce Up Ģý celebrates the arrival of spring — knock on wood, but we may be done with false springs in 2026 — by bringing the SDSU community together to clean and maintain our beautiful campus.
This year, approximately 45-50 volunteers brought their passion for a litter-free campus to the event. These students, faculty, staff, deans and department heads represented a variety of campus groups, student organizations, colleges and departments.
The volunteers shared their love of campus and acted on the desire to keep it a clean and welcoming place for everyone to enjoy. They all deserve recognition for going Above and Beyond.
There are two people we need to call out directly. Terry Kelly, assistant to the associate vice president, and Ryan Hoffman, grounds services supervisor, with Facilities and Services handled all the logistics of the event.
They got the word out, made a plan for the day, coordinated volunteers and provided trash bags and gloves for volunteers.
This group picked up litter and beautified our campus. It was a shared, community effort that embodied everything the Jackrabbits stand for.
Thank you to Kelly and Hoffman for planning Spruce Up Ģý this year, and thank you to the people who volunteered.
Let’s keep their efforts going throughout the rest of the spring and summer months. This is our home and our place in the Brookings community. We can all make a difference together, one discarded plastic cup or empty candy wrapper at a time.
As a community, we can keep South Dakota State’s campus as beautiful as it should be.
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.
Jacks Stand Together
As the spring semester comes to a busy and demanding close, the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, in partnership with campus and community organizations, continues to offer programs that reflect SDSU’s commitment to safety, respect and community.
These efforts emphasize that Jacks Stand Together — to see, learn from and support one another — while fostering meaningful connections across campus.
Upcoming events to wrap up the semester’s series include:
- Listening Lunch – April 27, noon-1 p.m., Jackrabbit Room, University Student Union
- Crafting Narratives Together – April 28, 6-7:30 p.m., Lewis Room, University Student Union
- Denim Day – April 29, all day, campuswide
- Unity Walk – April 29, 6 p.m., beginning at the Hobo Day Gallery, University Student Union
All are welcome to participate. These programs are designed to create space for dialogue, build understanding and strengthen the SDSU community during a critical time in the semester.
Additional updates will continue to be shared through campus communications, including the Monday Message.
Early Alert Award Winners
Ģý’s Early Alert program helps identify undergraduate students who may benefit from additional academic or student support services. Through collaboration among faculty, advisors and staff, the program works to connect students with resources early in the semester to support academic success and persistence.
This month, SDSU is recognizing individuals and academic units whose work with the Early Alert program demonstrates outstanding commitment to student support and success during the 2025-26 academic year.
Recipients of the Early Alert Award for Excellence are:
- Missy Granum, School of Education, Counseling and Human Development
- Eli Kosse, Ness School of Management and Economics
- Jacque Danielson, First Year Advising Center
In addition, the Department/School Early Alert Award for Excellence recognizes an academic unit that exemplifies best practices in supporting the mission of the Early Alert program. This year’s recipient is the School of Communication and Journalism.
Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients.
Display Decorated Denim and Traveling Pants Project
During the month of April, members of the SDSU community created decorated denim swatches with messages supporting sexual assault prevention and nondiscrimination. Employees are invited to display this denim across campus as a visible demonstration that SDSU is a place for all individuals and stands united against sexual assault.
Decorated denim will be displayed April 20 through May 4. Units interested in displaying denim in their workspace are encouraged to participate.
In addition, the Traveling Pants Project invites departments to display a pair of jeans featuring sexual assault prevention messaging from April 27 through May 1.
To participate in either initiative, please contact Michelle Johnson.
PSAC Annual Celebration
The Professional Staff Advisory Council will host its Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, May 13, beginning at 2:30 p.m. CST in Woster Celebration Hall at the SDSU Alumni & Foundation.
The event will begin with an all-staff social, followed by the program and awards ceremony at 3 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with colleagues and celebrate this year’s Rising Star and Presidential Award of Excellence recipients.
Those unable to attend in person will have the option to join via Zoom, with a link to be shared in advance.
Participants are also encouraged to take part in door prize drawings during the event.
Summer eLearning Academy: Advancing Accessibility in the Age of AI
SDSU faculty are invited to participate in the , a fully online professional learning experience offered via Zoom. This academy is designed to support faculty in strengthening digital accessibility in D2L courses while exploring how emerging AI applications can enhance that work.
The academy will be offered in three live Zoom cohorts, and participants may choose the session that best fits their schedule:
- May 11 from 9-11 a.m. CST
- May 11 from 2-4 p.m. CST
- May 12 from 2-4 p.m. CST
Each session will cover the same content. Participants will earn an SDSU Credly digital badge in eLearning accessibility, recognizing their commitment to accessible, high-quality teaching and learning.
A $125 stipend is available for the first 50 nine-month faculty who complete the academy and achieve a 96% Panorama accessibility score in a fall course.
Supplemental D2L Accessibility Resources for Faculty
As part of SDSU’s commitment to accessibility, faculty are invited to utilize a new set of practical D2L accessibility resources designed to support course development and continuous improvement.
This self-paced course provides step-by-step guidance for improving the accessibility of common course materials, including Word documents, PDFs, PowerPoint presentations and Excel spreadsheets, along with practical tips and strategies to identify and remediate accessibility issues.
Faculty who complete all modules will earn an SDSU digital badge recognizing their professional development in accessible course design.
To enroll, log into D2L, select “Discover” in the top navigation and search for “SDSU: Practical Guidance for Improving D2L Course Accessibility.”
For questions or hands-on support, please contact Instructional Design Services.
Dialogue Over Dinner: Conversations About Vaccine Hesitancy
Join members of the Brookings community for a facilitated dialogue and expert panel discussion on vaccine hesitancy on Monday, May 11, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the McCrory Gardens Education and Visitor Center. This event will explore how to communicate about vaccine hesitancy, a complex and important topic affecting many in our community.
The evening will begin with a facilitated discussion using clips from the 2022 documentary Virulent, followed by a panel featuring local experts, including a physician, nurse, pharmacist, immunization advocate and health communication specialist.
Participants may earn 1.5 hours of nursing continuing professional development credit. Ģý College of Nursing is accredited as a provider by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
A free boxed meal will be provided. . For questions, contact Becky Kuehl.
This event is supported in part by the Karen McComish Interdisciplinary Faculty Ģý Program at Ģý.
What Makes Your Soul Breathe?
Faculty and students from the School of Performing Arts and School of Design invite the campus community to experience “What Makes Your Soul Breathe?,” a playful and immersive interdisciplinary arts event.
The experience will feature live painting, dance, music, wearable art and more, offering attendees the opportunity to engage directly with artists, help shape the creative process and create their own artwork.
The event will take place Saturday, May 2, from 1-3 p.m. at Sylvan Green. All are welcome to attend and participate.
Eminent Leaders in Agriculture, Family and Community
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 Eminent Leaders in Agriculture, Family and Community Awards, a longstanding program established in 1927. The awards recognize individuals who have demonstrated a lifetime of leadership and service benefiting the agriculture industry, families and communities across South Dakota.
The awards are presented jointly by the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and the College of Education and Human Sciences.
Nomination forms and instructions are available online. To request a printed copy, please email Angela Loftesness or call 605-688-6732.
Nominations are due May 1.
South Dakota Art Museum: America in Art Exhibition Survey
The South Dakota Art Museum is preparing for its upcoming exhibition, “America in Art,” which will be on view June 13, 2026-Jan. 2, 2027. Commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States, the exhibition will explore the promise and paradox of the nation’s legacy, examining the ideals, struggles, freedoms and contradictions that define it.
To help guide the curatorial direction of the exhibition, the museum is seeking input from the campus and broader community. Feedback will help ensure the exhibition reflects a wide range of perspectives and resonates with audiences.
and sharing it with others. Your input will play an important role in shaping this meaningful exhibition.
Distinguished Alumni Nominations
The SDSU Alumni & Foundation recognizes a class of Distinguished Alumni each year, honoring individuals whose outstanding achievements, service and leadership have made a lasting impact in their professions, communities and at Ģý.
Honorees are nominated by members of the SDSU community and selected by a committee that considers their impact on the history of SDSU, their contributions to the state of South Dakota and their demonstrated spirit of service throughout their lives and careers. Recipients will be recognized at the 2026 Legends & Leaders banquet on the eve of Hobo Day.
.
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.
