DSU welcomes Class of 2030 at Fall Convocation ceremony
August 26, 2026
MADISON, S.D. – Dakota State University welcomed the Class of 2030 into the Trojan community during its Fall Convocation ceremony Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the Dakota Prairie Playhouse.
Convocation marks the official beginning of a student’s college experience and serves as the counterpart to commencement. The two ceremonies are often described as the bookends of the college journey: students begin that journey together at convocation and later celebrate their accomplishments at commencement.
The ceremony brought students, faculty, staff, university leaders, and members of the South Dakota Board of Regents together to open the 2026-27 academic year. Faculty processed in academic regalia behind College of Business & Information Systems Professor Dr. Daniel Talley, who carried the university mace. Vocalist Jared Jankord performed the national anthem and pastor Matt Stone delivered the invocation.
DSU President Dr. John Ballard welcomed the new students and thanked the faculty, staff, and coaches who spent the summer preparing to support them. He told students they are DSU’s top priority and encouraged them to take full advantage of the opportunities available across campus.
“Be fully engaged. Ask tough questions. Probe issues. Accept risk, and, yes, push forward wherever you can in this wonderfully secure environment that we have here in Madison,” Ballard said.
Ballard said the rapidly changing world allows students to think, learn, and prepare to address complex challenges. He encouraged them to build self-awareness, strengthen areas in which they need to grow, and sharpen the abilities they already possess.
“We are so proud to call you Trojans and to have you join this wonderful community,” Ballard said.
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Rebecca Hoey then introduced students to the faculty members who will guide them through their academic careers. Faculty from each of DSU’s four colleges stood as Hoey called on students in their respective majors, allowing the Class of 2030 to see the professors who will teach, mentor, and support them.
Hoey described DSU faculty as experts who are deeply committed to student success. She encouraged students to seek their help with coursework, internships, research opportunities, and graduate school preparation.
Hoey offered the incoming class two pieces of advice: embrace the temporary discomfort of being new and go to class. Showing up, participating, and building relationships with faculty can open the door to opportunities throughout a student’s time at DSU, she said.
“Class of 2030, the faculty, the staff, the Board of Regents, and our leadership team are fully invested in your success,” Hoey said. “We know you’re going to become lifelong learners, problem-solvers, innovators, and leaders who live lives of positive purpose and consequence, and we are here for it.”
DSU’s Chief Marketing Officer Andrew Sogn closed the ceremony by reminding the new students that their DSU journey will be filled with possibility, discovery, growth, and new connections.