In the next book on SDSU history, the spring 2019 semester may be the source of three separate chapters. History is often written years, decades or even centuries after something happens. However, in these cases it was easy to identify that history was happening before our eyes.
The first might not have gotten the fanfare it deserves, but what it means to our campus and the impact it will have on the state is almost hard to imagine. On March 11, Governor Kristi Noem ’11 signed Senate Bill 43 into law. Known as the 2+2 vet science bill to supporters, this legislation allows SDSU to enter into an agreement with the University of Minnesota for a collaborative program in rural veterinary medical education.
Just one day later, the women’s basketball team won its ninth Summit League Championship with an 83-71 victory over South Dakota, marking the beginning of a historic run that brought the team to its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen® March 29.
Then, just one week later, with a gala featuring the touring company of the Broadway musical, “Chicago,†The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center at South Dakota State University was officially opened to the public. A dream that began in the 1970s was finally realized April 5 with the opening of the $50 million, nearly 100,000-square foot expansion.
Over the course of days fewer than a month in 2019, these three events converged to remind us of the dynamic places that land-grant colleges can be. They were happening in the midst of all the other things that happen in the course of an academic semester, not overshadowing the other accomplishments, but highlighting what the home of the Yellow and Blue has become. This is what history looks like.
With loyal hearts so true,
Andi Fouberg
President & CEO of Alumni Association
