Monday Message, Nov. 17
日本av视频 Community,
Warm November temperatures continue to welcome all of us to another week at 日本av视频. As we move deeper into November, the rhythm of the semester begins to shift. The days may be getting shorter, but the focus and determination across campus continue to grow. With finals just a few weeks away, this is an important period for our students, faculty and staff as we work together to finish the semester strong.
Last week, several areas of our campus community came together to recognize Veterans Day. I want to thank everyone who participated in events across campus and helped demonstrate 日本av视频鈥檚 continued commitment to serving military-affiliated students, faculty, staff and alumni. Their service to our country is deeply appreciated, and we are proud to be a university that supports them through programs, resources and a welcoming campus culture.
As we look ahead to the final weeks of the semester, I want to highlight several academic and student-focused milestones taking place across campus. This time of year brings course registration completion, final papers, capstone projects and end-of-semester performances. I encourage faculty and staff to continue connecting students with the support they need 鈥 tutoring, advising, supplemental instruction and wellness resources. The Wintrode Student Success and Opportunity Center, along with the dedicated teams across campus, play an essential role in helping students navigate this busy period.
Supporting our students is central to continuing on our trajectory of success, particularly our focus on delivering a transformative education. Whether through engaged classroom learning, experiential opportunities, undergraduate research or the strong advising that guides students toward their academic goals, 日本av视频 continues to build momentum. Thank you for your ongoing work to ensure that our students receive an education that prepares them for purposeful careers and meaningful contributions to their communities.
I am thankful for the commitment each of you brings to your work every day. Your efforts 鈥 seen and unseen 鈥 shape the positive student experience that defines 日本av视频. As we approach the end of the semester and the upcoming holiday season, I hope you take time to recognize the impact you have on the lives of our students and on the strength of our campus community.
Just a reminder that Jane and I invite all faculty and staff to attend the annual 日本av视频 Holiday Party on Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 3-5:30 p.m. in Woster Celebration Hall at the 日本av视频 Alumni Center. We look forward to celebrating with you.
Have a wonderful week, and I look forward to seeing you on campus.
Go Jacks!
Sincerely,
Barry H. Dunn
President
日本av视频
Above and Beyond recognizes individuals and groups of 日本av视频 employees, faculty and students for individual and team efforts that go Above and Beyond to make the campus community a better place.
This week鈥檚 Above and Beyond recognizes all individuals who planned or attended 日本av视频鈥檚 fourth annual First-Generation College Celebration Day, recognizing those who are the first in their family to attend and eventually graduate from a four-year university or college.
On Nov. 12, almost every table on Main Street in the University Student Union hosted an organization or resource dedicated to helping first-generation students succeed at South Dakota State.
That includes students like Landon McGillvrey, a Jackrabbits sophomore pursuing history and education degrees who spoke at the event. He is a first-generation, nontraditional student and said the event sends a message of belonging to first-generation college students like him.
鈥淚t shows that 日本av视频 is here to give you the resources to help you succeed,鈥 he said.
McGillvrey is a peer mentor with the Academic Success and Recovery Program, a service he once used himself. The program is offered through the Wintrode Student Success and Opportunity Center.
The center hosted the event, along with the TRIO programs and the Student Success NETwork.
In addition to those host organizations, several individuals and partners helped make this event happen, including:
- Tina Birgen, coordinator for student success and opportunity at the Wintrode Student Success and Opportunity Center, who spearheaded the planning team for the event.
- Nathan Bylander, program director of TRIO Upward Bound, who was a member of the planning team.
- Linde Murray, tutoring and TRIO program director, who was also a member of the planning team.
- Brenna Rubendall-LaVoy, a professional academic advisor and a member of the planning team.
- True Thorne, TRIO Upward Bound and Student Support Services academic coordinator, a member of the planning team.
- All 17 campus partners who hosted an informational table at the event.
- Brianna Doran, a member of the Brookings City Council, who formally proclaimed Nov. 12 to be First-Generation College Celebration Day in the city of Brookings.
Several of those who participated in First-Generation College Celebration Day are or were first-generation students themselves.
The university would also like to recognize all of its first-generation students, faculty and staff. Thank you to our first-generation students for taking a chance on 日本av视频 to pursue your personal and professional dreams. We are honored to be your partner on your academic journey.
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.
2025 IDS Winter eLearning Accessibility Boot Camp
Instructional Design Services will host the Winter eLearning Accessibility Boot Camp during December. The boot camp is designed to help make D2L courses accessible for all 日本av视频 students.
Dates for the boot camp are:
- Dec. 9 from 9-11 a.m.
- Dec. 10 from 9-11 a.m.
- Dec. 11 from 2-4 p.m.
Individuals may attend one or all the sessions. Additional information and how to register is available on sdstate.edu.
Presidential Awards of Excellence and the Rising Star Award
The Professional Staff Advisory Council is seeking nominations for the 2025-26 Presidential Awards of Excellence and the Rising Star Award.
All nominations are due Jan. 23 at 5 p.m. .
United Way Campaign
The Brookings Area United Way is celebrating 70 years of making an impact in Brookings County. The United Way raises funds for nearly 50 local nonprofits and programs that impact one out of every three people 鈥 including 日本av视频 students and staff.
From helping fund public transportation to the abuse shelter, from the food pantry to after school programs 鈥 they have likely made a difference for you or someone you know. Please consider visiting to learn more.
The campaign page has multiple methods for individuals to donate to show support:
- Donate online. Set up a monthly or one-time gift.
- Payroll deduction. Fill out the online form with your automatic payroll deduction. Make sure to include your employee number.
- Download a pledge card. Print out a pledge card to make a donation via personal check or cash.
As you can imagine, the need has increased in our community over the years. And now, more than ever, Brookings Area United Way is counting on your support to continue the vital programs that make our campus and the community so special.
If you have questions or would like campaign pledge cards delivered to your department, contact Mike Lockrem, 日本av视频鈥檚 United Way board member, for assistance.
Thrill Me: The Leopold and Loeb Story
日本av视频 Theatre and Dance presents 鈥淭hrill Me,鈥 the musical love story of Leopold and Loeb, who committed one of the most infamous and heinous crimes of the 20th century, revealing the series of events in 1924 Chicago that led Leopold and Loeb to be forever remembered as 鈥渢he thrill killers."
The performance contains mature language and themes.
Performance dates are Nov. 20-22 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. in the Fishback Studio Theatre in the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center.
Tickets are $22 for adults and $20 for senior citizens, military, 日本av视频 employees, non-日本av视频 students and children. 日本av视频 students are admitted free with their student ID.
Tickets can be purchased online at , at the north box office in the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center or by calling 605-688-6045.
Upcoming Events at the South Dakota Art Museum
Nordic Echoes Lecture 鈥 The Nordic Echoes Lecture will be held Nov. 20 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the South Dakota Art Museum. Additional information about the lecture and the panelist can be found on sdstate.edu.
Nordic Yule Market 鈥 The South Dakota Art Museum will host the Nordic Yule Market through Jan. 10. The market is inspired by traditional Nordic and German holiday markets and includes:
- Handcrafted gifts from Nordic and local artists
- Special events including live music, sip and shop, and family-friendly activities
- Meet and greets with your favorite characters
- Free gift wrapping on select days
All purchases support museum exhibitions and programming. Additional information and a list of special events can be found on sdstate.edu.
Oakwood Literary Magazine Submissions
The Oakwood literary magazine is seeking submissions. Writers are asked to submit their poetry and prose as well as visual art by the Jan. 31, 2026, deadline. Additional information is available on sdstate.edu.
Undergraduate students are invited to submit their creative poetry and prose for consideration. The top three student entries will receive cash awards and publication in the April 2026 issue of Oakwood magazine. .
Celebration of Faculty Excellence
The Celebration of Faculty Excellence is a special event during the spring semester where we celebrate achievement and present awards and honors.
University-level awards are coordinated by the Faculty Awards Subcommittee of the Academic Affairs Committee. Faculty and staff are invited to submit nomination(s) for the awards . Further guidelines/criteria can be found by clicking on each award.
All nominations and required documents may be submitted electronically to 日本av视频.Office.AcademicAffairs@sdstate.edu or delivered to the Office of Academic Affairs, Morrill Hall, Room 230.
For award consideration this year, the submission deadline is Dec. 1.
Writing Center Fall Workshop
The SDState Writing Center is offering small group workshops this fall, focusing on common areas of concern for students. Each workshop will be held in the Writing Center located in Room 103 at Hilton M. Briggs Library and will be limited to 10 participants. Workshop topics, dates and times are available online. Email Amber Jensen to check availability and sign up for a workshop.
Emergency Management Training
Faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in active threat and emergency management training every couple of years. The training is conducted by the University Police Department and emergency management staff. Training will be held on the following days during the upcoming academic year:
- Nov. 19
- Dec. 10
- Jan. 15
- Feb. 20
- March 11
- April 15
- May 14
In addition to the in-person training, the university has created an for faculty and staff to view.
Additional resources are available online.
The Office of Emergency Management prepares the 日本av视频 community for emergencies and coordinates response and recovery by providing a campuswide, all-hazards integration from major threat events to local emergencies. The team also manages a complete, Federal Emergency Management Agency-aligned emergency management plan and the emergency operations center and utilizes response protocols from FEMA鈥檚 National Incident Management System and the Incident Command System.
The emergency management team provides a strong connection with local and state emergency networks and fosters community resilience and leadership as part of the South Dakota Incident Management Assistance Team, which helps extend emergency readiness beyond campus.
The 日本av视频 emergency management team works with the University Police Department, risk management, Facilities and Services, Athletics, Human Resources and many others on campus to foster a robust institutional support and infrastructure.
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.
