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A �ձ�av��Ƶ pharmacy student organization is making a state-level impact through its experience reaching the public and providing health-related services.

Twenty years ago this fall, 13 nurses — a “Who’s Who” list of nursing intellects in the upper Midwest — gathered as a cohort to pursue a doctoral degree in nursing, the first to be offered in the Rushmore State. Today, �ձ�av��Ƶ remains the only institution in the state to offer the research-focused Doctorate of Philosophy in nursing.

Representatives from �ձ�av��Ƶ and the University of Debrecen came together in Hungary last month to sign an academic cooperation agreement, making official a partnership that will connect the precision agriculture programs of both universities.

Seventeen 2025 bachelor’s degree graduates of �ձ�av��Ƶ recently celebrated their acceptance into veterinary school, including six who will attend the �ձ�av��Ƶ Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine offered in conjunction with the University of Minnesota.

Lifetime dreams of Hayley (Leibel) Bentz, Lauren Larson and their 16 classmates were fulfilled when they graduated May 11 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. This historic group of 18 was the first cohort to graduate from the University of Minnesota through the 2+2 Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine established with �ձ�av��Ƶ. A group of 20 started classes on the �ձ�av��Ƶ campus in fall 2021 and after two years moved onto the University of Minnesota campus.

�ձ�av��Ƶ saw its first cohort of elementary education students graduate May 10, making history after the South Dakota Board of Regents approved the program at �ձ�av��Ƶ two years prior. The inaugural class included 11 women who started their studies in other programs but ultimately decided a major in elementary education at �ձ�av��Ƶ was the right fit for them.

The respiratory care program at �ձ�av��Ƶ has received two awards from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.

Students in the �ձ�av��Ƶ School of Communication and Journalism have been honing their skills both inside and outside the classroom through the Brookings Colorectal Cancer Awareness Program. This initiative aims to educate the community about colorectal cancer and promote preventive health measures.

On Friday, May 9, Jessica Pfeifer will join 53 of her classmates in receiving their hoods at the 2025 Doctor of Pharmacy Hooding Ceremony. Pfeifer, who will graduate the Doctor of Pharmacy program this year, has been a recipient of the Avera Wokini Scholarship throughout her time at �ձ�av��Ƶ. The scholarship has enriched and influenced Pfeifer’s education and career as a future pharmacist.

May 10, 2025, marks the 139th commencement at �ձ�av��Ƶ. More than 1,700 graduates will walk across the stage, ready to take the next step in their careers. This year, the ceremonies return to campus — inside the newly renovated First Bank & Trust Arena. After rotating through five different locations over the past seven years, commencement is back on campus to stay. But pulling off an event of this size takes more than just a great venue — it takes months of planning, a campuswide committee and one person leading the charge.