Monday Message, June 15
SDSU Community,
A beautiful Monday morning welcomes all of us to another week at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ. While it is a shorter week with the university closed Friday in observance of Juneteenth, there continues to be a great deal of activity across campus as we prepare for the months ahead.
It is hard to believe, but we are now just over two months away from the start of the 2026-27 academic year. The attendance for New Student Orientation remains strong and we have hosted dozens of camps in athletics and throughout the different academic colleges and programs at our university. Hundreds, if not thousands, of young people, future students and their families have visited our premier university in the past few weeks. It is an exciting time.
While summer orientation programs continue to welcome future Jackrabbits and their families to campus, planning is already well underway for one of our most important traditions — Meet State.
Meet State 2026 will take place Aug. 21-22, and the committee is currently seeking volunteers to help make the event a success. Volunteers assist with directing traffic, welcoming families to campus and, if able, helping students move their belongings into their residence halls. Meet State represents one of the first impressions many students and families have of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ, and it provides a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the welcoming and supportive culture that makes SDSU special.
This event would not be possible without the hundreds of faculty, staff, students and community members who generously volunteer their time each year. If you are interested in assisting, I encourage you to sign up .
I am also pleased to announce that we have hired a new university ombuds. Mary Christensen has accepted the position and will begin her duties July 22. Mary currently serves as assistant dean for academic programs in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and brings a wealth of experience, professionalism and a strong commitment to serving others. I would like to thank everyone who participated in the search process and helped us fill this important role.
Finally, I would like to remind everyone that SDSU will continue celebrating America 250 throughout the summer and into the upcoming academic year. This national commemoration provides an opportunity to reflect on the ideals that shaped our nation, recognize the individuals and communities who have contributed to its growth, and inspire future generations to carry forward the promise of opportunity, innovation and service.
As South Dakota's land-grant university, SDSU is uniquely positioned to participate in this historic celebration. Since our founding in 1881, we have remained committed to expanding access to education, advancing research that benefits society and strengthening communities through service and outreach. America 250 provides an opportunity to highlight how SDSU's mission reflects the enduring values that have helped shape our nation for generations.
I encourage you to visit the America 250 website to learn more about the events and activities SDSU will host as part of this celebration.
Thank you for everything you do to make Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ a premier land-grant university. I hope everyone has a wonderful week and enjoys the upcoming holiday.
Barry H. Dunn
President
Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ
Above and Beyond recognizes individuals and groups of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ employees, faculty and students for individual and team efforts that go Above and Beyond to make the campus community a better place.
Of all the traditions at South Dakota State, commencement may be the most meaningful. It’s a time when the campus comes together to celebrate our new graduates’ exceptional achievements.
Graduating with a college degree is no small feat — and neither is celebrating these new grads.
The success of these ceremonies depends on the support and participation of faculty, staff and volunteers from across the campus community.
On May 9, our employees and volunteers helped at three ceremonies for all our graduates who received new degrees, from associate through doctorate.
Take a moment to recognize and celebrate the people who went above and beyond to recognize and celebrate our graduates. They gave their time and talents to support one of the most important celebrations in a person’s life. They were a welcoming smile for the graduates’ family and friends. They were ready and willing to lend a hand. Most importantly, they gave the event the gravitas it deserved.
Before you read on, take a guess at how many people it took to pull off SDSU’s 2026 spring commencement. The number includes volunteers and paid staff.
Got a number in your head? Here’s the breakdown:
- Approximately 40 volunteers (mainly faculty and staff)
- Eight to 10 people from the University Police Department and the Brookings Police Department
- Eight to 10 people from the Registrar’s Office and the graduate school team
- Eleven people from Parking Services
- Seven people from University Marketing and Communications
- Around 15 people from Facilities and Services
- Ten people from the ticketing, box office and athletics teams
- About 30 people with the SDSU Wind Symphony
- Approximately six people from the SDSU Alumni & Foundation
- Seven students from Admissions
- Twelve cadets from Army and Air Force ROTC
- Two employees from Jackrabbit Central
Add all that up, and the answer is approximately 160 people. Besides the legion of volunteers and staff, there’s someone who deserves a special shoutout. Jamison Lamp is SDSU’s university event coordinator.
He’s in charge of putting together some of the largest events on campus, including convocation, Family Weekend, the Celebration of Faculty Excellence and, of course, commencement.
Lamp once walked in the event he now coordinates. He’s an alumnus who earned his bachelor’s in journalism with a minor in political science. He’s been working behind the scenes on several Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ events since 2014.
We’re beyond thankful to have a Jackrabbit of this caliber helping make a big event like this a success.
Thank you to Lamp and to everyone who helped provide a premier experience for graduates and their families at South Dakota State’s spring commencement.
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.
Student Success Certificate Advocates: Partnership and Growth
The SDSU Opportunity Center is proud to recognize departments and individuals who have demonstrated a strong commitment to student success through participation in the Student Success Certificate Program.
The Distinguished Student Success NETwork Partner Award recognizes outstanding departmental engagement in supporting student success initiatives. Congratulations to Lucas P. Wintrode Autism Support Services, led by Keena Melville, for earning the 2025-26 award. The team’s commitment to fostering a supportive environment, providing meaningful learning opportunities and strengthening campus partnerships exemplifies the mission of the Opportunity Center.
The Opportunity Center also recognizes staff members who voluntarily participated in the Student Success Certificate Program and achieved the 15-point milestone during the past academic year.
Year 1 Participants
Brad Blaha, Jacque Danielson, Abby Exner, Kennedy Goblirsch, Katie Grayson, Kendra Hybertson, Heewon Sarah Kim, Nicole Lounsbery, Mikayla May, Keena Melville, Linde Murray, Kiera Packer, TJ Pederson, Sydnie Peters, Zelaya Richburg, Mercedes Schievelbein and Jessica Sommerfeld
Year 2-3 Participants
Carla Anderson, Matthew Badura, Shelly Bayer, Stephanie Bebensee, Cody Burggraff, Nathan Bylander, Mary Christensen, Nancy Hartenhoff-Crooks, Marjoanne Collins, Alaina Corgard, Katie Derrick, Jesse Enstad, Nicole Gertken, Dan Hagen, Kristen Kponyoh, Jessica Lewis, Ariana Limoges, Lee Mangler, Brooke Merry, Jay Molock, Meghan Peterson, Laura Plowman, Noah Roerig, Lisa Roker, Brenna Rubendall-LaVoy, Moneik Stephens and Chanda Walter.
Congratulations to all award recipients and certificate participants. These accomplishments reflect SDSU’s ongoing commitment to student success, collaboration and excellence.
Summertime Food Trucks and Fun
Join the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum for the seventh season of Summertime Food Trucks and Fun events. Each event will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. every other Wednesday on the north side of the museum and will feature food trucks, live music and outdoor seating. In the event of inclement weather, music and seating will move indoors.
This summer’s schedule includes:
- June 17 – The Patty Wagon
- July 1 – Shorty’s Hot Box with live music from AJ the Band
- July 15 – The Patty Wagon with live music from AJ the Band
All are welcome to attend and enjoy food, music and community at the Agricultural Heritage Museum.
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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For questions, contact Jacks Cupboard by email.
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.
