The Lynx Way

Southeast Tech awards two Brandon students full-ride Build Dakota Scholarships for 2026

Southeast Technical College awarded 176 full-ride Build Dakota Scholarships at a special Signing Day event this spring. The event recognized 176 students who are committing to high-demand careers across South Dakota, including two students from Brandon: Grace Walker, Licensed Practical Nursing, sponsored by Sanford Health; and Sienna Hewitt, Surgical Technology, also sponsored by Sanford Health.

This milestone marks the fifth consecutive year that STC has achieved record-breaking growth in Build Dakota Scholarship awards. It is also the fourth straight year that 100% of Southeast Tech Build Dakota recipients have secured an industry sponsor – a reflection of the college’s strong partnerships with employers and its commitment to connecting students with real-world experience and career opportunities from day one.

The Build Dakota Scholarship program provides full tuition, fees, books and other program expenses for students entering high-need workforce fields in South Dakota. Through hands-on learning and direct industry collaboration, Southeast Tech students graduate career ready.

Industry sponsors play a critical role in the success of the program by mentoring students, providing work-based learning experiences, and helping shape the future workforce.

Augustana Dean’s List celebrates nearly 900 students

Augustana University has announced its spring semester Dean’s List. The Dean’s List recognizes 898 full-time students who have a minimum of 12 credit hours with grade-point averages at 3.5 or above (on a 4.0 scale).

Area students included on the Dean’s List are: Brandon – Abby Anawski, Kate Bebensee, Lizzy Cole, Isaac Fode, Reagan Haase, Jadyn Knudson, Will Kotalik, Kaelynn Kranzler, Macy Mailander, Carson McKellep, Daniel Ramirez, Brian Schneider, Brooklyn Schroeder; Sioux Falls – Macee Bortnem, Amber House, Christian Jepperson, Holden Jepperson, Amina Koch, Russell Rivero, Bella Rivero, Ava Silvernail, Alana Thelen; and Renner – Ava Tiahrt.

LATC graduates 883 during spring commencement

Lake Area Technical College celebrated 883 graduates during its 59th annual commencement ceremony on May 15, at the Watertown Civic Arena. 

Among the area graduates are: Brandon – Taylor Suchy, Surgical Technology; Jayda Hanson, Dental Assisting; Emma Schneekloth, Dental Assisting; Joseph Schmidt, Welding Technology; Brady Braaten, Diesel Technology; Kolten Eszlinger, Law Enforcement; Garretson – Adair Hanisch, Agriculture; Rian Smidt, Dental Assisting.

Academic All-League Team sees handful of repeat #SummitOTF athletes

Thirty Summit League outdoor track and field student-athletes, 15 women and 15 men, have been named to the 2026 Summit League Outdoor Track and Field Academic All-League Team as voted on by a panel of Faculty Athletic Representatives and Sports Information Directors from the League’s member institutions. The recipients were chosen based on their academic and athletic performances during the outdoor season.
North Dakota State landed a League-leading 10 selections overall, including topping the women’s team with four and men’s team with six, respectively. South Dakota State earned five overall selections, while North Dakota and Kansas City garnered four, and South Dakota landed three. St. Thomas and Oral Roberts each had two.

Receiving his second career accolade was Jeremiah Donahoe, of Brandon. The biotechnology/pre-med major maintained a 4.0 grade point average.

To be eligible for the Academic All-League team, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.30 (on a 4.0 scale), completed at least one full academic year at the current institution and participated in 50 percent of their team’s competitions. 
Nominations are brought forth by sports information directors from the league’s eight institutions that carry track and field, and voting is conducted by both the SIDs and facility athletic representatives (FARs).

South Dakota State announces spring 2026 dean’s list

More than 3,900 students were recognized for their outstanding academic performance over the spring 2026 semester at South Dakota State University by being named to the dean’s list.

To earn dean’s list distinctions in SDSU’s colleges, students must have completed a minimum of 12 credits and must have earned at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Area students include: Brandon – Tara Ackerman, Nathan Andresen, Anthony Auch, Aspen Bartek, Abigail Christensen, Camden Coughlin, Ella Cushing, Joseph DeWitt, Landon Dulaney, Maiya Duncanson, Kazi Ellingson,Carter Ellsworth, Max Faber, Cooper Feenstra, Ellie Feldkamp, Ella Gerken, MacKenzie Griffith, Jason Gusso, Kaden Hanzel, Garret Hennen, Toni Hettich, Samarra Hoff, Carter Holmes, Kamryn Hunt, Alanna Ilchuk, Michaela Jerke, Danae Johnson, Keanna Johnson, Riley Katz, Tessa Keller, Paul Kern, Emma Kirlin, Ella Kjenstad, Celia Kucker, Morgan Lindekugel, Nicholas Lohr, Jenna Lundquist, Hadley Meier, Carmen Moeller, Lauren Moller-Welynn, Dawson Mork, Brianna Moss, Amelia Nelson, Samuel Nolz, Kaylee Phillips, MaKayla Poncelet, Tanner Rakebrandt, Jackson Ray, Riley Rippentrop, Sarah Rommann, Madisyn Rust, Dawson Rysavy, Madison Schlagel, Lincoln Semchenko, Lily Simonson, Zariah Sittig, Caden Sprecher, Hannah Sprecher, Chase St. Aubin, Kaelynn Swenson, Makenzie Tekrony, Aspen Thompson, Parker Thorsland, Jackson Thue, Madison Trout, Cailey Van Ryler, Max VanWesten, Ella Wendt, Emily Wright; Garretson – Hayden Ask, Logan Bly, Preston Bohl, Lexie Daugaard, Jeremiah Donahoe, Allison Ebbing, Ryan Flanagan, Hannah Frewaldt, Jayde Halverson, Addison Hove, Grace Hove, Jagger Jenks, Clay Lardy, Tayson Swatek, Baily Teveldal, Carmen VanHeel, Jenne VanHolland; Renner – Kennan Aman, Berklee Erickson, Kayley Gwin, Rylee Jensen; Sioux Falls – Mallory Babb, Zachary Brummels, Andrew Bunkers, Laura Jupiter, Cole Murray, Carter Petersen, Molly Reinschmidt; Valley Springs – Karson Beyer, Olivia Bork, Gabriel Dvorak, Tarynn Grieme, Lucille Peterson Amallia Ternus.

BVHS 2026 grads awarded Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation scholarships

The Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation recently awarded $386,700 in scholarships to area students pursuing post-secondary education.  These scholarships are funded by donors.

Three 2026 Brandon Valley High School graduates were among the 106 recipients: Lukas Gedge, Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz and Smith Scholarship; Ryley McKeown, Landon Wulf BVHS Scholarship; and Kenley Williamson, Duane and Bonnie Bly Family Scholarship and Shon Trimble Memorial Scholarship.

Hegland awarded J. Michael McMillin Scholarship

At the South Dakota State Medical Association Annual Awards & Scholarship Recognition Dinner on May 29, the SDSMA Foundation recognized scholarship recipients for medical students attending the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine during the 2026-27 school year. Jacob Hegland, of Brandon, is this year’s recipient of the J. Michael McMillin Scholarship.

J. Michael McMillin Scholarship was established in 2008 by J. Michael McMillin, MD. To be awarded to a first-year medical student for all four years of medical school at the USD Sanford School of Medicine. Eligible students must be a South Dakota resident, top ranked in their college class, and maintain ranking in the top 50% of their class for all four years receiving the scholarship. Previously the Excellence Scholarship.