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Gabe Mydland to give Last Lecture

April 26, 2025

Dr. Gabe Mydland was chosen by the General Beadle Honors Program to give this year’s Last Lecture on Monday, April 28.

Students of the General Beadle Honors Program vote to bestow the honor on any fulltime DSU faculty member who is retiring that year.

“The premise of the Last Lecture is simple, what would you say if you had one last lecture to give?” Dr. Kurt Kemper, director of the General Beadle Honors Program explained. “Last Lecturers are free to speak on any subject of their choosing.”

Mydland, associate professor in the College of Education & Human Performance, earned his doctorate in 1997 and taught as an adjunct teaching for South Dakota State University and Southeast Tech prior to joining Dakota State in the early 2000s. While teaching was a part of his original plans, Mydland realized his passion for it after working with students, faculty, and staff at DSU.

Inspired by his past in politics, Mydland hopes to talk about how individuals can make a difference and the importance of spending more time listening to others, even if they have differing opinions.

“I want to encourage people to find somebody who you don’t agree with on a subject or multiple subjects and ask the other person to explain how they get there?” Mydland shared. Adding, that in his experience most people agree on more subjects than they think.  

Mydland is looking forward to being involved in the community and spending time with family and friends in his retirement.

The Last Lecture will be in the TCB auditorium on Monday, April 28, starting with a reception at 6:30 p.m. and the lecture beginning at 7 p.m.

Tags: College of Education Academics All News

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