SDSU News Center

Can grapevines help slow the plastic waste problem?

Addison DeHaven — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 09:16:52 -0500

A new study from South ��ֱ�� State University reveals how grapevine canes can be converted into plastic-like material that is stronger than traditional plastic and will decompose in the environment in a relatively short amount of time.

The Yellow & Blue Podcast | From Pharmacy to Phenomenon – Wall Drug | S2E2

Heidi Bushong — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 17:09:11 -0500

In this episode of “The Yellow & Blue Podcast,” we hit the road to explore the story behind Wall Drug — the legendary roadside stop just 8 miles north of Badlands National Park.

Dairy and food science students shine in national competitions

SDSU Strategic Communications — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 15:54:45 -0500

Students in the South ��ֱ�� State University Department of Dairy and Food Science brought home significant honors in two recent national collegiate competitions.

Cottonwood Field Station Field Day to highlight virtual fencing, precision feeding technology

Allie Arp — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 11:57:55 -0500

Innovative technology for range management will be the focus of the upcoming Cottonwood Field Station Field Day. All are invited to hear about the latest South ��ֱ�� State University research on the topic on Friday, Aug. 15, from 9 a.m.-noon at 23738 Fairview Road, Philip.

SDSU students bring home agribusiness case study championship

Alyson Swanson — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 10:33:43 -0500

A team of nine undergraduate students from South ��ֱ�� State University recently returned from Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, after competing in the prestigious 2025 IFAMA Global Student Case Competition, held in conjunction with the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association World Conference hosted by Harven Agribusiness School.

SDSU announces ’25 Distinguished Alumni

Dave Graves — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 16:26:25 -0500

Three women in wide-ranging leadership positions and three men with extensive legal careers comprise the six graduates who have risen to the top of their fields and have been selected for the 2025 Class of Distinguished Alumni by the South ��ֱ�� State University Alumni Association.

They are:
• Sheryl Doering Meshke, Class of ’88, Garden City, Minnesota
• Charles Gullickson, Class of ’77, Sioux Falls
• Rich Helsper, Class of ’74, Sioux Falls
• Jill Janecke, M.S. ’05, Pierre
• Hon. Alan G. Lance, Sr., Class of ’71, Calwell, Idaho
• Dawn Tobacco-Frank, Ph.D. ’10, Kyle

Setting up college students for success leads to global recognition at SDSU

SDSU Strategic Communications — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 15:58:13 -0500

Maura Valburg knew SDSU was the right fit for her. "I wanted to stay in South ��ֱ��, the campus was beautiful, and everyone was super welcoming," she said. But like many students, she didn't know exactly what transitioning to college involved.

High schoolers get taste of precision ag

Dave Graves — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 11:38:20 -0500

precision agriculture during the 2nd annual Precision Ag Camp at South ��ֱ�� State University, July 10-11.
Sponsored by Titan Machinery and hosted by SDSU’s Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, the camp drew primarily younger high schoolers from eastern South ��ֱ��.

Jackrabbit in the spotlight / Waggoner gets involved, builds a career

Dave Graves — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 11:28:36 -0500

Kevin Costner’s famed line in “Field of Dreams” is “If you build it, he will come.” For Carter Waggoner, the line is a little different. He came with the intention of building.
“I’ve always wanted to be an engineer. I knew when I came here, I wanted to be an engineer. I originally wanted to be a design engineer for heavy equipment,” Waggoner said.
Today, the 2020 Rapid City Stevens graduate is manager of engineering for AeroFly, a lunar startup company in Brookings. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from South ��ֱ�� State University and a year later, through the accelerated option, earned his master’s in mechanical engineering this May.
With degrees in hand, he became the first full-time employee of AeroFly, which was formed in 2021 by two SDSU faculty members and an alum.

Future Innovator spotlight / Sternhagen tackles challenge of building sweat biosensor

Dave Graves — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 11:16:08 -0500

Andrew Sternhagen, an electrical engineering major at South ��ֱ�� State University, is working under the guidance of electrical engineering assistant professor Xiaojun Xian to create a sweat biosensor.
The Brookings native, who just completed his freshman year, is one of 12 selected in December 2024 as a Future Innovators of America.