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The South Dakota Humanities Council (SDHC), founded in 1972 in response to an act of Congress, is the only cultural organization whose sole mission is to deliver humanities programming to the people of South Dakota. Through literature, history, and other humanities subjects, the Council promotes increased cultural awareness and appreciation of the state’s rich cultural heritage while emphasizing the importance of understanding the universal human experience. This programming vision forms the core mission of SDHC.

The agency supports and promotes public programming while providing grant funding to South Dakota non-profit and educational organizations for programs in traditional humanities disciplines. For 35 years, the SDHC has offered a wide range of opportunities. Financial grant support is available for community organizations through Discussion Grants, Media Grants, and Research Grants.

The Council is operated by a staff of five full-time professionals and governed by an 18-member volunteer board of South Dakotans who set policy, provide guidance, and determine programming goals and missions. The board includes citizens from varied backgrounds, with four members appointed by the Governor of South Dakota.

The Brookings Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) was founded in 1931 with 37 members under Miss Gertrude Young. Full membership recognition for South Dakota State College (SDSC) graduates came in 1950 after sustained effort.

Early programs included promoting a kindergarten, which the branch ran in the city library basement from 1932 to 1941 before it joined the public school system. During World War II, members supported the war effort through ration distribution, Red Cross work, and material salvage. The branch has consistently contributed to the National Fellowship Fund through events such as bridge benefits, style shows, and sales of maps, books, and calendars.

Scholarships have long been a priority. A junior-year fellowship evolved in 1962 to awards for a high school senior and an incoming SDSC student. Following Miss Young’s death in 1964, these became the Gertrude Young-AAUW Scholarships.

Study groups have grown in importance. By 1954, groups covered child study, money management, international relations, music, and crafts. In 1963–64, the focus shifted to four areas: community problems, cultural interests, education, and world issues. These groups spurred action programs including support for educational television, international book distribution, special education initiatives, and engagement with legislative issues, particularly in education and women’s rights.

The Ethical Culture Club / Forum was organized in Brookings, South Dakota in January 1906. It was then called the Ethical Culture Club; according to one of its historians. It held its original meetings on Sunday and "was to be a substitute on a basis of liberal theology for church going". These early days notwithstanding, the Forum, as it became known after October 14, 1910, was essentially a meeting for the free discussion of any topic of interest. Topics included, child labor laws, the establishment of a public library, promotion of a league to enforce peace, and the use of metric measures. Many of these topics, particularly the building of a library, actually became calls to action.

The Forum was made up of members of both the college and the town with the majority being drawn from all parts of the College. According to William Powers, Forum historian, the outside membership has been distributed among different professions, including clergymen. Membership seems to have only been limited to men, with the added provision that all members were expected at some time to present a paper.

Governance of the organization was made up of a president, vice president and secretary treasurer who made up the executive committee. There were also two standing committees for programs and for membership.

Rotary International is a global organization of business and professional leaders dedicated to humanitarian service, promoting high ethical standards in all vocations, and fostering goodwill and peace. The movement began in 1905 when four Chicago businessmen met to build fellowship within the business community. As membership grew, meetings rotated among members’ places of business, inspiring the name ""Rotary."" Rotary became international in 1910 with the formation of a club in Canada, and by 1921 it had expanded to every continent. The organization formally adopted the name Rotary International in 1922.

The Brookings Rotary Club was established in 1919 through the efforts of local businessmen Ivan Cobel and Clyde Hinkley, who believed a Rotary Club would help strengthen ties among the business community. With support from other local business leaders and sponsorship from the Watertown Rotary Club, the Brookings club received its charter on February 1, 1920. Arthur Stoll served as the first president, and the club began with 21 charter members.

Throughout its history, the Brookings Rotary Club has contributed significantly to local civic and youth initiatives. These include supplying instruments and uniforms to the Brookings High School band, sponsoring Boy Scouts and youth sports teams, and initiating the concept for the Brookings United Retirement Center. The club also helped establish the United Fund, provided equipment for the Brookings Hospital, and developed Rotary Park. Members have contributed to international efforts as well, including book drives for schools in South Africa and the Philippines, financial support for the Polio Plus campaign, and contributions to the Rotary International Foundation.

Brookings Rotarians have played an active role in the broader Rotary organization, with six members serving as District Governors. The club has sponsored young professionals for international group study exchanges and awards a four-year scholarship annually to a local student attending South Dakota State University. It also provides educational awards for students studying abroad.

The Brookings Rotary Club remains active today, supporting local projects and promoting fellowship and service among members from the business, industrial, and educational sectors. Weekly meetings continue to serve as a platform for community engagement and informative programs.

Dan W. Johnson was born on June 2, 1917, in Ivanhoe, Minnesota, to William and Nora Johnson, owners of the Ivanhoe Times. Following in his family’s footsteps, he pursued a career in journalism, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Political Science from the University of Minnesota in 1940 and later a Master of Science in Journalism and Political Science from South Dakota State University in 1963. After college, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II. While stationed in Europe, he met his future wife, Jeanne, a native of Liverpool, England, and a member of the Canadian Armed Forces. They were married on July 16, 1945, in Antwerp, Belgium. The couple had two children, Craig W. and Judith J.

Johnson devoted his entire professional life to the newspaper industry. He began working at the family paper after high school and later studied journalism at the University of Minnesota. During his military service, he briefly served in the Coast Guard Artillery and was appointed editor of the Narragansett Bay Digest. He also worked in the Counter-Intelligence Corps in the European Theatre. After the war, he returned to the Ivanhoe Times, serving as Associate Editor from 1945 to 1951. He later held positions at the Minneapolis Tribune and the Brookings Register before joining South Dakota State University in 1961 as News Editor. In 1965, he became the Information Officer for the South Dakota Board of Regents.

In 1969, Johnson relocated to Marshall, Minnesota, where he served as Director of News and Publications at Southwest State University until his retirement in 1981. Beyond his university work, he consulted on several community initiatives, including the Brookings senior high school bond issue, the Marshall medical center bond issue, and Schwan’s Sales Enterprises corporate publications. He also contributed columns to the Brookings Register and the Marshall Independent. Dan W. Johnson passed away on December 17, 2001.

Verl Thomson was a pioneering South Dakota broadcaster. Born on April 26, 1906, he began his career at Sioux Falls' first broadcast radio station in 1924. He later served as an announcer and program director for KSOO and KELO, and worked as an announcer for NBC in Chicago. In 1948, he established radio station KSID, which he operated until its sale in 1966. From 1962 to 1987, Thomson served as executive director of the South Dakota Broadcasters Association. He passed away on July 7, 1989.

Anthony S. Dylla was born on December 21, 1924, in Andover, South Dakota, to Julius and Lucy Dylla. Raised on a farm, he entered the U.S. Army in 1946 and served in Japan until 1948. Following his military service, Dylla attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, where he earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree in agricultural engineering. From 1959 to 1982, he worked as an agricultural engineer with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, conducting irrigation research in Reno, Nevada; Morris, Minnesota; and Columbus, Ohio. He retired in 1982 and settled in Pueblo, Colorado. Dylla married Colette Lathrop of Sioux Falls in 1955. He passed away on January 7, 2006, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

In the fall of 1952, a group of faculty members, with the support of the South Dakota State College administration, organized a private stock corporation to address the growing need for faculty housing. The corporation aimed to acquire property and construct apartment buildings primarily for faculty rental, with assistance from the Federal Housing Administration. It developed and owned two six-unit apartment buildings located north of Sixth Street between 16th and 17th Avenues, across from Hillcrest Park. The Faculty Housing Company operated until January 21, 1963, when stockholders voted to dissolve the corporation at a special meeting.

The Scotland, South Dakota chapter of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) is an active organization dedicated to promoting agricultural education and leadership among high school students. Established in the mid-20th century, the chapter has a long-standing tradition of excellence in FFA judging competitions, community service, and student leadership development. Under the guidance of dedicated advisors, the Scotland FFA has produced numerous state contest winners and alumni who have gone on to leadership roles in agricultural education and industry. The chapter remains a vital part of the Scotland School District and continues to participate in local, state, and national FFA programs.

Robert Brewster Gay was an American architect active in South Dakota. He became a member of the American Institute of Architects in 1964 and was a partner in the architectural firm Gass & Gay from approximately 1961 to 1967. Gay’s work focused on civic and institutional design during the mid-20th century. He died in 1985.

Eugene Goodale graduated from South Dakota State College in 1957 with a degree in civil engineering. He built a successful career in engineering and remained a dedicated supporter of his alma mater. Gene and his wife, JoAnn, contributed to student success at SDSU through scholarship support and alumni engagement. He passed away in Brookings, South Dakota, in 2022 at the age of 86.

JoAnn Goodale, originally from Huron, South Dakota, earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from South Dakota State College in 1959. She later completed a master’s degree in rehabilitation administration and management at DePaul University. Throughout her career, JoAnn remained active in nursing and community service. Alongside her husband, Eugene, she supported nursing education through the establishment of the Goodale Nursing Scholarship at South Dakota State University.

Born in Bradley, South Dakota, on March 28, 1917, Barbara Bates Gunderson was one of six children of newspaper editor Carmon L. Bates and Helen E. (Lyman) Bates. The family resided in Onida and later Redfield, South Dakota, where Carmon owned the Journal Observer Co. until his death in 1942. Helen later married Charles Whiting Gardner in 1954 and passed away in 1978.

Barbara worked her way through Yankton College, taking on roles in kitchens, retail, and local newspapers. After earning her degree, she became the Continuity Director for WNAX radio in Yankton and occasionally performed on-air as “Ma Brown” on the Flying Arrow Ranch Show. She later worked as chief copywriter for R.J. Potters Advertising Agency in Kansas City, Missouri. On October 25, 1941, she married Robert W. “Bob” Gunderson in Jackson, Missouri, just before his deployment to Europe during World War II. The couple later settled in Rapid City, South Dakota, in 1947, where Robert opened a law practice and Barbara continued freelance writing.

Barbara’s political involvement began in 1952 as Vice-Chair of the Pennington County Citizens for Eisenhower and later as South Dakota State Vice Chair. She went on to serve as a Republican National Committeewoman and, in 1954, as national Co-Chair of the Citizens for Eisenhower Congressional Committee.

In August 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed her as one of the first women to serve on the U.S. Civil Service Commission. As Vice Chair, she oversaw federal personnel policies and founded the Federal Woman’s Award Program—Washington, D.C.'s first major recognition of women in government. Her tenure included nationwide travel, public addresses, and participation in forums such as a UCLA symposium on women. After leaving the commission in 1961, she continued consulting on equal opportunity issues and held appointments under President Lyndon Johnson, including vice-chair of the President's Advisory on Personnel and public member of the U.S. Information Agency Retirement Board.

In 1974, Gunderson ran in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate from South Dakota. She also wrote a column for the Rapid City Journal during the late 1960s and early 1970s and published two romance novels under pseudonyms: Love’s Bold Embrace (1979, as Brynn Gilbert) and Seasoned to Taste (1981, as Benna Gray).

Active in civic life, Gunderson served on the board that unified Rapid City’s hospitals and oversaw the development of Rapid City Regional Hospital. She was President of the Rapid City Library Board during the construction of the new facility, and also led the local AAUW chapter and Women’s Fellowship at First Congregational Church. Her community contributions earned her an Honor’s Day award from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and a “Woman of Worth” award from AAUW. She also served on the YMCA Building Committee and boards for Pennsylvania Medical College and Yankton College.

In 1994, she was the only woman featured in the A&E television program The Contentious Years of the Presidency, a biographical documentary on Eisenhower hosted by John Chancellor.

Barbara Bates Gunderson died on July 29, 2007, at age 90 in Rapid City. Her husband Robert had passed away in 1994.

Neva Marie Whaley Harding was born on June 5, 1872, in Rock Island County, Illinois, to Josiah and Susan Whaley. In 1880, the family relocated to De Smet, South Dakota, where Neva completed her education at De Smet High School in 1889. She then embarked on a teaching career in Kingsbury County before pursuing higher education at South Dakota Agricultural College, now South Dakota State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Domestic Economy in 1897.

On July 6, 1898, Neva married Albert S. Harding, and they settled in Brookings, South Dakota, where Albert served as a professor in the history department at South Dakota State College. The couple adopted a son, Robert Eugene Harding, in 1909.

Throughout her life, Neva played an active role in the educational and cultural life of the community. She was instrumental in founding the Brookings Women's Club, serving as its inaugural president in 1900, and remained an active member throughout her life. Neva also contributed to St. Paul's Episcopal Church and Guild.

In her later years, Neva developed a passion for painting, creating numerous artworks that reflected the beauty of her surroundings. She also chronicled her life experiences in an autobiography titled "I Recall Pioneer Days in South Dakota," offering insights into the region's pioneer era.

Governor Richard Kneip honored Neva's remarkable life by proclaiming June 5, 1974, as "Neva Harding Day," recognizing her enduring influence and legacy. Neva passed away on January 5, 1978, in Brookings, South Dakota, at the remarkable age of 105.

Reed “Rocky” G. Hart, Jr. was born on August 4, 1926, in Pipestone, Minnesota, to Reed Sr. and Marie (Johannsen) Hart. He grew up in Pipestone and graduated from high school in 1944. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army and served until the end of World War II. In 1947, he enrolled at the University of Minnesota, where he played on the freshman football team. He was later recalled to service during the Korean War and eventually returned to complete his B.S. degree in 1955.

Hart spent much of his professional life working on government contracts around the world, including assignments in Greenland, Guantanamo Bay (Cuba), Kwajalein (Marshall Islands), and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), as well as living in Washington, D.C.; San Diego, California; and New Orleans, Louisiana.

While stationed in Kwajalein and later in Saudi Arabia, Hart founded jogging clubs that organized races, events, and awards. A 1975 scrapbook notes, “October 8 [1975] Kwajalein loses Rocky Hart… Rocky has been a Kwaj resident for 8½ years and during that time organized the [jogging] club in 1968 and in the last five years has organized jogs, special events for the club and he even makes all the awards and trophies himself at the Special Services Hobby Shop.”

After retiring, Hart returned to Pipestone and later moved to Egan, Minnesota. In retirement, he founded the All-Star Jogging League, which served runners in southwestern Minnesota and southeastern South Dakota. At its height, the club had nearly 150 members.

Reed Hart passed away on July 14, 2014, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Hugill, Blatherwick, Fritzel, Kroeger, Griffin & Berg was a prominent South Dakota architectural firm whose evolution spanned much of the 20th century.

The firm began in 1921 when George C. Hugill and Wilfred F. Blatherwick established Hugill & Blatherwick in Sioux Falls. Both men were formally trained architects with experience in civic, educational, and ecclesiastical design. Over the next two decades, the firm became known for designing county courthouses, churches, schools, and public buildings throughout South Dakota, with several projects later listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1946, Wendell C. Fritzel joined as partner, forming Hugill, Blatherwick & Fritzel. Jean R. Kroeger entered in 1956, expanding the firm’s scope and reputation as Hugill, Blatherwick, Fritzel & Kroeger. After the deaths of Hugill and Blatherwick in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Edward L. Griffin and Milton L. Berg joined, and the firm continued under the name Fritzel, Kroeger, Griffin & Berg.

Throughout these transitions, the firm remained influential in shaping South Dakota’s built environment, contributing notable designs for universities, civic centers, schools, religious institutions, and airports. In 1985, the practice transitioned into Holman Beck Associates, which later became Holman & Associates, continuing operations until its closure in 2009.

Over nearly nine decades, the firm and its successors left a ignificant architectural legacy across the region, blending early 20th-century classicism with mid-century modernism in their wide-ranging portfolio.

Lawrence Alvin Hunt was born on July 22, 1918, in Verdel, Nebraska, to Warren and Elizabeth Hunt. He worked as a carpenter and cabinet maker. In 1946, he married E. Jeanne McCartney, and together they had three children.

David J. Law grew up in Gary, South Dakota, and graduated from South Dakota State University in Brookings in 1966. He began his studies as a geography major, later became a high school basketball coach, and eventually switched to a speech major, which evolved into a focus on journalism and broadcasting. Law later served as news director at KWAT in Watertown, South Dakota.

Eugene “Gene” Henry Lothrop was born on August 16, 1920, in Redfield, South Dakota. He graduated from Huron High School in 1938 and earned a degree in electrical engineering from South Dakota State College in 1942. On December 20, 1942, he married Wilma “Jean” Walters. Gene worked as the foreman for Lothrop’s Electrical Service, owned by Elmer M. Lothrop. He passed away on April 15, 2014, in Prescott, Arizona.

Harry Mansheim is a long-standing Brookings resident, father of seven, dedicated runner, and community-focused professional. He’s known both for his experience navigating a major cardiac health challenge publicly endorsing the quality of local care and for his role as a State Farm insurance agent. He's also participated in civic discussions, with at least one public letter to the local newspaper.

On January 20, 1933, a group of women met at the home of Mrs. A.H. Hoppe to organize a music club under the auspices of the American Association of University Women. They adopted the four-year study program of the National Federation of Music Clubs. In 1934, the club became officially affiliated with the Federation. The organization's goals were to promote mutual support among members and to advance music within the community.

Morris Nellermoe was born in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, and graduated from Watertown High School in 1944. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946 and earned a B.A. (1950) and M.A. (1952) from the University of South Dakota. He also studied at the Sorbonne in Paris and the Internationale Musik Akademie in Salzburg, Austria. Nellermoe worked as a translator for various organizations, including the United Nations, and later taught foreign languages at Colorado State University. He acquired the illuminated manuscript leaves from Ferdinand Roten Galleries in Baltimore.

Goldie Clare Burgeson, born October 20, 1901, taught in rural schools near Bryant and Hayti, drove a school bus, and worked at the Hayti Post Office and local grocery stores. The couple had two daughters: Lou Ellen (Mrs. Floyd Johnson) and Nona (Mrs. James Amerson). Goldie died on May 6, 1996.

William Sigurd Opdahl was born on April 19, 1894, in South Dakota to Hogen and Mathilda Opdahl. He married Goldie Clare Burgeson on February 28, 1920, in Watertown, South Dakota. The couple initially farmed the Opdahl homestead before relocating to the Byron Sour farm near Hayti. In 1929, they moved into the town of Hayti. Sigurd farmed in Hayti and Opdahl Townships, worked as a school bus driver, briefly worked for the railroad, was employed at a California factory during World War II, and later worked for the Hamlin County Co-op Oil until retirement. He died on May 10, 1975.

The Prairie Striders Running Club was founded in Brookings, South Dakota, in 1969 by community members Jay Dirksen, Russ Strande, Howard Sauer, Lyle Derscheid, Keith Morrill, Bruce Berger, Lornie Bartling, Bob Bartling, Harvey Mills, Scott Underwood, Don Solsvig, and Jim Egeberg.

A non-profit organization affiliated with the Amateur Athletic Union, the club aims to unite running enthusiasts and promote the sport throughout South Dakota. It hosts various local races, including 5K, 8K, the Jackrabbit 15, and the Longest Day Marathon.

The club also publishes a newsletter and offers running resources to its members. These include coverage of club events, state high school meets, regional collegiate races, and national competitions involving members and their families, along with record-breaking performances and historical insights from the world of competitive running.

David Richards grew up on a ranch along the Belle Fourche River, approximately 20 miles east of Sturgis, South Dakota, during the 1930s. He attended a one-room rural school and enrolled at South Dakota State College in 1946, graduating in 1950. As a student, Richards participated in various academic and extracurricular activities. He worked on a joint research project with institutions in Ames, Iowa, and the University of Minnesota to identify effective chemical dwarfing agents for lawn grass, and later conducted a senior project on budding and grafting evergreens. He was active on the Rifle Team, served as president of the Presbyterian student group, and was a member of ROTC.

After college, Richards returned to Meade County, where he became a dedicated rancher and agricultural leader. He served as president of the Meade County Stockgrowers, was involved with the Meade County Farm Bureau for over 60 years, and helped organize Ag Unity. In 1958, he received the Outstanding Young Farmer Award from the Sturgis Jaycees.

Richards was a long-time admirer of Niels Ebbesen Hansen, a pioneering horticulturist known for introducing hardy plant varieties suitable for the harsh climates of the Northern Plains. Hansen’s career with the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station produced a wealth of bulletins, circulars, and scientific manuscripts. After Hansen's death in 1950, Richards received permission to salvage numerous discarded documents from his office, recognizing their historical significance. His efforts preserved a valuable collection of Hansen’s writings, correspondence, research materials, plant catalogs, and travel records. Additional contributions by Helen Hansen Loen further enrich the understanding of Hansen’s personal and professional legacy.

The Saturday Literary Club, founded in 1897 with 14 members, was the first women’s club organized in Brookings, South Dakota. Dedicated to social engagement and cultural enrichment, the club played a significant role in the community’s intellectual life.

The Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) Summer Track Program began in 1969. It was part of the ""1969 Junior Champ Track Program,"" held in ten cities across South Dakota and sponsored by the South Dakota Jaycees and the Spader Camper Center of Brookings. Stan Jensen of Brookings served as the program’s chairman.

The program aimed to give youth the opportunity “to run, jump, or throw” and to experience the enjoyment, recreation, and sense of well-being associated with physical activity and fitness. It culminated in a state championship for boys and girls aged 15 to 18, with winners qualifying for the 6th/5th Annual U.S. Jaycee Junior Track and Field Championships at the University of Minnesota. Food, lodging, and transportation were provided by the sponsors.

From 1970 to 1973, the South Dakota Jaycees and the American Dairy Association of South Dakota continued supporting the Junior Track Program, with state meets held in Brookings.

The Sioux Falls Jaycees Developmental Meets, affiliated with the Sioux Falls Recreation Department and directed by Rich Greeno, were held from 1974 to 1976 and had reached their eighth year by then.

Clav Snow was from Onaka, South Dakota. In 1930, he enrolled in the engineering program at South Dakota State College and served as a military cadet in Company B, 4th Squad. He died at the college infirmary in January.

Sokota Hybrid Producers, Inc. was a South Dakota-based agricultural cooperative that supplied hybrid seed corn to farmers in South Dakota and neighboring states. The organization traces its origins to 1924, when Clifford Franzke, an agronomist with the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, began inbreeding local corn varieties to develop hybrids suited to the regional climate. In 1942, a new hybrid seed was released to farmers, and efforts to standardize seed grading were initiated by Fred Baldridge, a retired farmer.

The cooperative formally incorporated in 1944, with 24 farmers purchasing certificates of equity to establish the organization. E.G. Sanderson served as its first president. In 1945, W.L. Davis, a vocational agriculture instructor in Brookings, became manager and oversaw construction of Sokota’s processing plant in southern Brookings. Davis remained in the position for nearly 35 years.

By the late 1970s and early 1980s, Sokota operated one of the largest corn breeding programs in the region, reportedly exceeding the scope of similar efforts at South Dakota State University. The cooperative was sold in 1985 to North American Plant Breeders, marking the end of its independent operations.

Robert “Bob” Wilbur Bartling was a lifelong resident of Brookings, South Dakota, whose life was marked by dedication to athletics, business, education, and community service. Born on August 26, 1926, to Earl and Daisy Bartling, he graduated from Brookings High School in 1944, where he was Homecoming King and excelled in football, basketball, and track. His college education at South Dakota State University was interrupted by service in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. After the war, he earned a business degree from the University of Minnesota and completed training at the St. Louis College of Mortuary Science in 1952.

Bartling returned to Brookings and joined the family business, Bartling Furniture and Funeral Home, before later founding Bartling’s Shoes, South Dakota’s first Nike dealership. A devoted distance runner, he co-founded the Prairie Striders Running Club in 1970 and served as its first president and longtime treasurer. He ran the Jack 15 road race 38 times, held a U.S. Track & Field Masters record for the 30-kilometer distance, and remained active in athletics into his later years.

Bartling was deeply involved with South Dakota State University, where he established the Prairie Striders Running Library at the Hilton M. Briggs Library and began volunteering in the archives in 2015. He was honored by the South Dakota Library Association as “Friend of the Library” in 2019. Other recognitions included the Prairie Striders’ Friend of Running Award in 2007 and induction into the Brookings High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.

A longtime member of First Presbyterian Church in Brookings, Bartling served in various leadership roles and was named Outstanding Senior Presbyterian in 2016. He and his wife, Katherine Jean Taylor, were married in Brookings on June 11, 1949, and had two children, Jane and David. Bartling remained active into his 90s, including biking the Mickelson Trail at age 97. He passed away on February 24, 2024, at the age of 97.

Madge A. Kerlin was born February 9, 1901 in Iowa to Marvin P. and Anna R (Kisling) Kerlin. They moved to Chamberlain, South Dakota in 1903 and to Murdo, South Dakota in 1906. She attended South Dakota State College from 1920 to 1921.

Sometime between 1921 and 1923, Madge married World War I veteran Lloyd S. Bastian, who was born in Redfield, South Dakota on December 8, 1898. The 1930 United States Census shows Lloyd and Madge living in Beverly Hills, California with a one-year old son. Lloyd was listed as a dentist and Madge a homemaker. The 1940 US Census shows them living in Oxnard, California, with their two sons. Madge Kerlin Bastian died in Ventura, California on March 6, 1989. Lloyd Bastian died on September 20, 1989.

Elvin C. Bjorklund (1908–1990) served as Deputy State Conservationist with the U.S. Soil Conservation Service. His career focused on soil and water conservation, including work on the Conservation Needs Inventory, flood prevention, and watershed protection. He played a key role in advancing conservation practices in South Dakota and contributed to regional and national efforts through administrative leadership and technical expertise.

The Brookings Veterans Society was composed of discharged and separated members of the United States Armed Forces who were enrolled as students at South Dakota State University. In the preamble to its constitution, the society acknowledged its members’ dual roles as both veterans and students. Recognizing this unique perspective, they believed their primary responsibility was to support the interests and welfare of the broader student body. The society’s purpose, as outlined in its constitution, was to uphold the South Dakota State University Student Code and to support the educational mission of the institution. It sought to create a welcoming environment for new veteran students, offering help and assistance as they transitioned into university life. The organization also aimed to provide information and encourage discussion on legislation, current events, and political issues affecting the university, the state, the nation, and the world. Additionally, the society worked to advocate for the general interests of veterans and other students on campus, to improve classroom and residential facilities, and to encourage veterans to enroll in, remain at, or return to South Dakota State University.

The Dakota Farmer was established in 1881, eight years before North and South Dakota achieved statehood. It was first published in Alexandria, in what is now Hanson County, South Dakota, by founder James Baynes. Within its first year, Baynes sold the publication to Augustine Davis, who relocated operations to Huron, South Dakota. In 1883, Davis sold a half-interest to William Bushnell, who became sole proprietor by 1885.

Under Bushnell’s leadership as editor and manager, The Dakota Farmer gained early prominence. The publication relocated to Aberdeen in 1893 and became a vocal supporter of agricultural development in the region. It advocated for improved livestock, crop quality, and the advancement of local farm organizations. Bushnell’s influence extended beyond publishing—he was active in public affairs and later served as state statistician for South Dakota.

Over the following century, The Dakota Farmer continued to evolve with its readership, providing trusted agricultural news and guidance through changing economic and environmental conditions. In 1979, the magazine was acquired by Webb Publishing, which viewed it as a natural complement to its flagship title, The Farmer.

Today, The Dakota Farmer is part of Farm Progress Companies, a leading publisher of agricultural media. Farm Progress oversees 18 state-specific farm magazines and operates eight major farm shows across the country, including the nationally recognized Farm Progress Show.

"Ben Frank Hofer was born on August 16, 1926, in Milford Township, Beadle County, South Dakota, to Josua and Anna Hofer. He married Elsie Waldner in 1946, and together they farmed grain and livestock in Spink County, South Dakota, raising three children: Lowell, Darla, and Rachel. Following Elsie’s death in 2000, Ben married Agnes Glanzer Waldner in 2002.

In 1961, Hofer was named Outstanding Young Farmer by the Redfield Jaycees. He was actively involved in local agricultural and civic affairs, serving on the Spink County Pest and Weed Board, the Union Township Board, and as chairman of the Yale Board of Directors for the Farmers Elevator Cooperative. He also held a position on the South Dakota Weed and Pest Commission.

In 1995, Ben and Elsie moved to Huron, South Dakota, after their daughter Darla and her husband, Harold Loewen, took over the family farm. In Huron, Ben joined the Huron Area Chamber of Commerce and served on its Agriculture Committee and Consumer Awareness Committee. He ran as the Republican candidate for the South Dakota State Senate in District 21 in 1996 but was defeated by Democrat Charlie Flowers.

Hofer was a dedicated member of the Bethel Mennonite Brethren Church in rural Yale, South Dakota, and served on various church boards, including the Mennonite Aid Property Board, the Central District Conference Board of Trustees, and the Board of Youth and Evangelism. He passed away on May 2, 2018."

Delmar R. Johnson was born on July 17, 1947, in Mitchell, South Dakota. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from South Dakota State University in 1969 and a Master of Education from the same institution in 1991.

Johnson began his career at South Dakota State University in 1969 as a programmer. From 1969 to 1974, he taught mathematics and computer programming. In 1982, he was appointed Co-director of the Computing Center and later became Director of University Computing Services. He served in that role until 2003, when he became Director of Administrative and Research Computing. He played a central role in the development and expansion of the university’s computing infrastructure during a period of significant technological change.

Delmar Johnson retired from South Dakota State University in 2012.

Kari Rombs Kohlhoff is a graduate of South Dakota State University and has worked extensively in museum and archival settings in the Upper Midwest. She contributed to the preparation of manuscript inventories at the North Dakota State Archives during the late 1980s and later served as Curator of Collections for the Siouxland Heritage Museums in Minnehaha County, South Dakota. Her work has supported the preservation, organization, and accessibility of regional historical collections, and she has been listed among professionals maintaining North American natural history collections.

Harold E. Lee (1919–2012) was a lifelong resident of Moody County, South Dakota. Born on October 26, 1919, in Flandreau, he was raised in the nearby communities of Colman and Egan. He graduated from Flandreau High School in 1938 and enlisted in the Flandreau National Guard shortly thereafter. Lee maintained strong ties to his community throughout his life, participating in local organizations and preserving personal and family history. He was married to Mary Lee, and the couple were active in civic and social life in South Dakota