Back row, from left: Steven Kappes, Terry G. Nelson and Diana VanderWoude. Front row, from left: Kevin Roberts, Larry Tidemann and Wesley Tschetter.
Six graduates from the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s were honored as Distinguished Alumni of South Dakota State University during activities on Hobo Day weekend Oct. 12-13.
• Steven Kappes, Elkridge, Maryland, Class of ’80/M.S. ’86;
• Terry G. Nelson, Black Hawk, Class of ’65/M.Ed. ’67;
• Kevin Roberts, Hillsboro, Missouri, Class of ’78;
• Larry Tidemann, Brookings, Class of ’70/M.S. ’72;
• Wesley Tschetter, Brookings, Class of ’69; and
• Diana VanderWoude, Sioux Falls, Class of ’82/M.S. ’91.
Kappes, whose degrees at State were in animal science and reproductive physiology, has served as associate administrator for the Office of National Programs within the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service since 2016. He has oversight responsibilities for the research direction of the $1.1 billion ARS program.
Nelson, whose degrees at State were in psychology and guidance and counseling, is owner of Nelson Investments and retired first vice president of RBC Wealth Management of Rapid City. He has a long history of involvement with the Alumni Council and SDSU Foundation, serving eight years on the council, including a term as president. He has served as an SDSU Foundation trustee since 2010.
Roberts, whose degrees at State were in political science and history, is a prominent St. Louis-area attorney. In addition to his practice and service on the Missouri Lottery Commission and Missouri State Fair Commission, he also chaired the SDSU Foundation through two-thirds of the entity’s six-year, $255 million fundraising effort, which ended in April 2013.
Tidemann, whose degrees at State were in dairy manufacturing and dairy science, followed a 32-year career with the South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service with a 14-year career in the South Dakota Legislature. He served all 14 years on the Appropriations Committee and was a strong advocate for SDSU, particularly in funding buildings.
Tschetter, whose degree was in ag engineering, retired in June as the university’s vice president of finance and business. He was director of the Legislative Research Council in Pierre when asked in 1982 by then-President Sherwood Berg to serve as SDSU’s chief financial officer. His responsibilities included the operating budget, accounting, purchasing, payables, receivables, property acquisition and providing financial management for the construction of $500 million investments in research, academic and residence halls as well as other student services facilities.
VanderWoude, whose degrees at State were in nursing, served as executive director of the South Dakota Board of Nursing for 11 years (1991-2002) and since that time has been with Sanford Health. She is a senior executive director of human resources, overseeing leadership, education and development, managing a multimillion budget and more than 100 professionals.
– Dave Graves
