Dr. Brandt is an Emeritus Professor of English specializing in the English Renaissance, particularly Shakespearean studies and Renaissance drama, prose, and poetry. He earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1977, following his earlier academic pursuits with an M.A. and B.A. from the University of Denver in 1971 and 1969, respectively. Upon completing his doctoral studies, Brandt joined the faculty at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota, in the fall of 1979. Throughout his tenure at SDSU, his expertise lies primarily in English Renaissance literature, with a particular focus on Shakespearean studies and Renaissance drama, prose, and poetry.

In addition to his teaching and research responsibilities, Brandt has been actively involved in academic leadership and service roles at SDSU. He has served on various committees, contributed to departmental initiatives, and provided guidance and mentorship to students and colleagues alike.

Brandt's academic achievements have been recognized through various accolades and honors. He received the F.O. Butler Foundation Award for Excellence in Scholarship in 1992. In addition, Brandt was honored with the College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Scholar award in 2015, further highlighting his scholarly achievements and impact.

Brandt has made significant contributions to academic discourse through his research and publications. His scholarly work includes numerous articles, books, and contributions to edited volumes, covering a wide range of topics within English Renaissance literature. Brandt's publications reflect his deep insights, rigorous scholarship, and commitment to advancing knowledge in his field. His research interests encompass a wide range of topics, from Marlowe studies to Shakespearean literature and beyond.

George Biggar, born on January 11, 1899, near Aurora, South Dakota, attended South Dakota State University, earning a BS in agriculture in 1921 and an MS in Dairy Husbandry in 1922. Noteworthy for his involvement in campus publications, he served as editor of the Industrial Collegian newspaper and contributed to the Jackrabbit yearbook. Transitioning to journalism after graduation, Biggar began his radio career in 1924 at station WLS in Chicago, focusing on agricultural and farm programs. His notable contributions included producing the National Barn Dance, a launching pad for many country performers, and dispatching Herb Morrison to cover the Hindenburg landing. In 1938, he joined WLW in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he managed rural and entertainment programs. Invited by the British Information Service, Biggar visited Great Britain during World War II, documenting agricultural practices during the conflict. After retiring from WLW in 1964, he acquired station WLBK in DeKalb, Illinois, where he concluded his career. Later relocating to Laguna Beach, California, and Fargo, North Dakota, Biggar passed away on March 19, 1989.

James K. "Tex" Lewis was born on October 24, 1924, in Waco, Texas. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Colorado State University in 1948 and a Master of Science in Animal Science from Montana State College in 1951. Lewis pursued graduate studies in range management at Texas A&M University.

Lewis assumed the role of professor of Animal Sciences at South Dakota State University, focusing on teaching and research in range management and range livestock nutrition. Lewis conducted grazing, supplementation, and range improvement studies at the Cottonwood Range Field Station and Antelope Range Field Station, including biometric analyses of grassland ecosystems. Recognitions include the Special Appreciation Award from the South Dakota Section of the Society for Range Management in 1975, the Trail Boss Award in 1980, and the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Society of Range Management in 1984.

James K. "Tex" Lewis retired from South Dakota State University in 1985, leaving behind a legacy in range management.

The Beckman Archives at the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum is composed of tractor and machinery manuals.

The Jerome J Lohr College of Engineering has requested to reorganize and rename the Department of Construction and Operations Management to the Department of Construction and Concrete Industry Management. This name and organization change reflects a program move of Operations Management to the Ness School of Management and Economics (in alignment with SDSU’s AACSB accreditation effort) and clear labeling of the academic home of the growing Concrete Industry Management program at SDSU. This change is effective July 1, 2024.

Willibald C. Bianchi was born March 12, 1915, in New Ulm, Minnesota to Joseph and Carrie Bianchi.

He enrolled at South Dakota State College in 1937. An active member of the R.O.T.C., Bianchi was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army upon his graduation in 1940.

That fall, Bianchi entered Infantry School in Fort Benning, Georgia, where he was later promoted to First Lieutenant. In April 1941, Bianchi joined the 45th Infantry Regiment of Philippine Scouts. His unit was to provide military training to Filipinos.

Bianchi remained in the Philippines after the United States entered World War II. On February 3, 1942, he was injured during the Battle of Bataan. Despite being wounded multiple times, he continued to push back Japanese troops until an explosion disabled him. As a result of his actions, General Douglas MacArthur presented Bianchi with a Congressional Medal of Honor, making him the third recipient of the medal during World War II.

After recuperating, Bianchi returned to service and received a promotion to Captain. Along with 75,000 other American and Filipino soldiers, he was captured by the Japanese on April 9, 1942. The captives marched 65 miles across the Bataan Peninsula in the heat with no food or water, in what is known as the Bataan Death March. Bianchi worked to help his fellow prisoners survive the grueling conditions of the march and prison camps.

After more than two years of being held prisoner, Bianchi was detained in several prison camps. On January 9, 1945, he was being held on an unmarked prison ship, which was bombed by an American airplane. He died instantly.

His body was never recovered, and Bianchi is remembered on the Wall of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Philippines. His grave marker is located at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii.

In 1998, South Dakota State University honored Captain Willibald Bianchi by dedicating a plaque placed in the Student Union, creating a scholarship, and holding a ceremony.