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Two individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to South ��ֱ���� and beyond will receive honorary doctorates from South ��ֱ���� State University and the South ��ֱ���� Board of Regents at the university’s 139th commencement May 10 at First Bank & Trust Arena.
 
The highest honor bestowed by the regents and university, an honorary doctorate is meant to pay tribute to worthy individuals. The doctorate recognizes the efforts of talented, selfless and energetic individuals who have performed beyond the call of duty in service to humankind.
 
An honorary doctorate may be granted to an individual who has done at least one of the following:
• Achieved distinction in his or her profession.
• Rendered outstanding contribution or service to the people of South ��ֱ����.
• Made a recognized scholarly or service contribution as a regional, national or international figure.
 
“South ��ֱ���� State University takes great pride in recognizing the outstanding contributions of these distinguished individuals for their dedicated support of education and communities in the state of South ��ֱ����, the region and beyond,” said Dennis Hedge, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “��ֱ����ing each an honorary degree is fitting recognition of their distinguished careers and the positive impacts they have made on thousands of people.”
 
The recipients of the honorary degrees to be recognized at two of the three commencement ceremonies on May 10 include:
 
2 p.m. ceremony 

Richard Deming 

Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters 

Dr. Richard Deming is the medical director of MercyOne Cancer Center in Des Moines, Iowa. He received a bachelor’s degree from South ��ֱ���� State University in 1976 and his medical degree from Creighton University in 1980. He served in the U.S. Navy as a physician from 1980-1989 and served as the diving medical officer for explosive ordnance disposal in Hawaii. Deming completed a residency in radiation oncology at University of California, San Francisco, and prior to moving to Des Moines, he worked at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, as staff radiation oncologist. 

Under Deming’s leadership, the MercyOne Cancer Center became one of the largest providers of radiation oncology services in Iowa. With Deming as principal investigator, his cancer center was selected to participate in the National Cancer Institute’s Comprehensive Community Cancer Center Program, which was instrumental in establishing guidelines, improving multidisciplinary cancer care and expanding research. 

In 2011, Deming founded Above + Beyond Cancer, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to elevating the lives of those touched by cancer and provides a holistic approach to cancer survivorship. The organization hosts physical activities, nature retreats, yoga, meditation, art as therapy, poetry, education, fellowship, support and more. 

Deming is actively involved in public policy advocacy to reduce the burden of cancer. He recently served as national board chair of the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network. For his commitment to his patients and his profession, Deming was honored in 2012 with both the SDSU Distinguished Alumni ��ֱ���� and the Creighton University Alumni Merit ��ֱ����. 

6 p.m. ceremony 

Velma Kills Back 

Honorary Doctor of Letters and Literature 

Velma Kills Back is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Nation of Porcupine, South ��ֱ����. Her traditional education began with her grandparents and mother, who raised her in a Lakota-speaking home. She was brought up with knowledge in herbal medicine, sacred ceremonies known only to few, Ohunkankan stories and traditional teachings of becoming a woman and a leader. She was taught the art of sewing, cooking and butchering. 

Kills Back entered the Western education system at the No. 16 BIA Day School in Porcupine at age 5. She went on to graduate from Oglala Community High School in Pine Ridge. She earned an Associate of Arts degree in education from Black Hills State College and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in Lakota studies from Oglala Lakota College. While employed as an early childhood special education coordinator, she received her master’s degree in early childhood special education with emphasis in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effects. 

She furthered her education, earning a Master of Science degree in education administration. She was an elementary teacher for over 40 years, teaching regular education, special education and alternative education, and taught four levels of Lakota language courses at Oglala Lakota College. 
Lessons from Kills Back’s family allowed her to teach Lakota children the Lakota language and culture during their most crucial developmental years. 

Kills Back and a friend started the movement to revitalize and sustain the Lakota language. They now partner with Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation of Porcupine to ensure the continuation of traditional teachings, the language, the history and culture by utilizing elders from Cheyenne River, Rosebud, Standing Rock, Sisseton and Oglala Sioux tribes. 

Find more information on spring 2025 graduation ceremonies and activities online.