About The South Dakota State University Alumni Association
The SDSU Alumni Association is an independent, not-for-profit organization, non dues association that welcomes all graduates, former students, faculty, staff and friends of South Dakota State, as well as students, to be SDSU Alumni Association members. We strive to connect alumni to SDSU and each other, through the promotion of the University and by providing valuable benefits, services and resources to members. The SDSU Alumni Association embraces each one of its more than 100,000 alumni and friends who are proud to be Jackrabbits. We are a highly diverse and global family that is an influential force in both keeping STATES traditions alive and advancing South Dakota State University.
Mission Statement
The South Dakota State University Alumni Association fosters a spirit of loyalty and community among its alumni, students, and friends.
Our Guiding Principles
Steward meaningful relationships
Manage engaging experiences
Tell the University's story in relevant ways
Be collaborators and catalysts
Alumni Association History
In 1889, before statehood had been achieved in South Dakota, 16 members of the class of 1889 met following commencement exercises, they formed the Dakota Agricultural College Alumni Association.
Those early graduates of what would become the state’s largest university came together “for the purpose of preserving a feeling of unity and fellowship between the several graduates and for the purpose of cementing more closely the bonds existing between the alumni and their Alma Mater.”
The first effort to keep the graduates in touch with the association occurred in 1908-09 under Chairperson Prof. B.T. Whitehead. In that year, two letters were sent out to graduates by the association. In 1910, the Alumnus was started with Hubert B. Mathews as editor. The Alumnus would lay the ground work for the Alumni Association's current publication STATE Magazine. Another major role of the Alumni Association in the early years was the establishment and support of Hobo Day activities in 1912.
One of the major tasks undertaken by the association began in 1962 when the SDSC Alumni Association passed a resolution advocating the change of South Dakota State College to South Dakota State University. “The success of the name change movement was largely due to the activities of the Alumni Association and its members,” said Art Sogn ’47, past chairperson of the Alumni Association. The idea of a permanent, separate headquarters for the Alumni Association was discussed in the early 1970s. During a nine-year period, the association had been located in five different offices. At an Alumni Council meeting June 23, 1973, with new chairperson Deane Antoine presiding, Keith Jensen, Alumni Association Executive Director, presented a proposal for an Alumni Center. Dedication of the Tompkins Alumni Center was held at the Alumni Days summer reunion June 12, 1976.
In June 1980, the SDSU Alumni Board of Directors, decided to explore the cost of building a patio area originally planned with Tompkins Alumni Center. It was suggested by Chad Kono, the Association’s Executive Director, that the patio be designed to include a clock tower that would house the Old North Clock donated to the University by the classes of 1922 and 1923. Later the bell from Old Central, which had been removed from Coughlin Campanile, was added.
In 1992, the Alumni Association became an independent 501 c (3) Non-profit corporation. V.J. Smith became the Alumni Association's Executive Director in 1997 and began a major fundraising effort, called the Return to Glory campaign. This campaign raised funds to restore our prairie icon, the Coughlin Campanile. After the restoration work was complete, the rededication of the Campanile took place on September 22, 2001. In 2006, the Association got “online” with a website and electronic newsletter.
Matthew Fuks became the Association's President & CEO in 2007. In 2008, a legislative advocacy group, the Jackrabbit Advocates, was formed to allow dedicated alumni to represent the independent voice of the Alumni Association in a strong collaborative partnership with South Dakota State University as they work with elected officials for the betterment of public higher education.
Then 2014 saw the first female President & CEO of the Alumni Association, Andrea Fouberg. In 2016, the Alumni Association and SDSU Foundation broke ground on the Alumni Green project. The Alumni Green project brought a new President's home, clock tower, and Alumni Center. The Alumni Association then moved into its new home, the SDSU Alumni Center, in the summer of 2017. The Alumni Center was dedicated on September 15, 2017. Alumni are encouraged to visit their alumni home when they return to campus.
With over 100,000 members, the South Dakota State University Alumni Association is Where Loyalty Lives!
Contact Information
The Association would like to keep in touch with all SDSU Alumni. We strive to keep you involved with SDSU activities on and off campus and updated with SDSU news.
South Dakota State University Alumni Association
SDSU Alumni Center, Box 515
Brookings, SD 57007-0299
Phone: 605-697-5198
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