![The winning DSU team at the global Collegiate Pen Testing Competition, Merrill Newman, Hunter Wade, Derek Manzella, Gwen Vongkasemsiri, Ryan Kleffman, and Rayn Light.](2025/cptc-global-win2.gif)
January 29, 2025
DSU wins global pentesting competition
Dakota State students reached a milestone achievement this year – taking first place at the global Collegiate Pen Testing Competition (CPTC). They competed against 100 schools from seven global regions.
![Dakota State University is now a Cisco Network Academy certified campus, and students will be able to take advantage of this curriculum when fully operational later this year.](2025/01/cisco-networking-campus.gif)
January 23, 2025
Dakota State joins Cisco Networking Academy
Dakota State University is now a Cisco Network Academy certified campus. When fully operational later this year, this collaboration will provide a huge benefit for faculty and students to draw from Cisco’s resources.
![DSU’s role as a founding partner with the ACE Institute will help students train for cybersecurity jobs.](2025/20241017_dsu_778.jpg)
January 22, 2025
DSU founding partner with ASU on cyber education platform
Dakota State University and Arizona State University have created a partnership that will help train individuals for cybersecurity jobs through the American Cybersecurity Education Institute.
![Assistant Professor Erik Pederson (standing) provides feedback to two students working on a game for Global Game Jam 2024.](_files/2025/01/game-jam-1350x900-2.jpg)
January 21, 2025
DSU again hosts site for annual Global Game Jam
Dakota State’s game design program is hosting a Global Game Jam site the weekend of January 24-26. Global Game Jam (GGJ) is an event designed to bring people together for 48 hours to create a game from start to finish. These can be video games, board games, or card games, as long as they relate to a central theme chosen annually.
![Noelle Vainikka art exhibition impulse featuring bright signage of pricing and advertisements with bags of garbage displayed in the middle of the floor.](_files/2025/01/noelle-1350x900.jpg)
January 21, 2025
Noelle Vainikka artwork featured at DSU
“Impulse,” an exhibition by Noelle Vainikka, is on display in Dakota State’s First Bank & Trust Gallery now through March 20. Vainikka, an interdisciplinary contemporary artist based in Watertown, South Dakota, explores themes of consumerism, nostalgia, femininity, popular culture, materialism, sustainability, and family.
![DSU students pose for a photo with (back row l-to-r): Assistant Professor Kanthi Narukonda, Dr. Ashley Podhradsky, President Jose-Marie Griffiths, Provost Rebecca Hoey, and Dean Mary Bell.](_files/2025/01/ctf-1350x900.jpg)
January 16, 2025
Competition wins translate to workforce success
DSU teams swept the top four spots at a recent CTF event, demonstrating that competition experience is a way to stand out in the cybersecurity job field.
![Night photo of Piccadilly in the United Kingdom featuring the neon signs, historic architecture, and fountain that draw tourists and locals alike. This image was taken at night with long exposure, creating blur motion in the image.](_files/2025/01/jones-1350x900.jpg)
January 13, 2025
Professor’s photo selected for international exhibit
“Piccadilly,” a photo by Professor Tom Jones, is part of an international exhibition, “Nocturne: Photographs After Dark” by Photo Artfolio. Photo Artfolio is an online gallery and resource center for emerging and established photographers.
![Callie Mueller is Miss Rodeo America pictured in an arena wearing her chaps, a sash, and hat. Photo credit to Sherry Smith Photography.](_files/2025/01/mueller-callie-1350x900.jpg)
January 10, 2025
DSU alumna crowned Miss Rodeo America
Dakota State alumna Callie Mueller’s 2024 was packed full of travel and accomplishments, serving as Miss Rodeo South Dakota 2024 and publishing her first children’s book “Faith Over Fear.” However, 2025 will be even busier as she takes on her duties as Miss Rodeo America.
![DSU alumnus Brandon Daniels (pictured back row third from the left) with his team with the AmeriCorps Rural Health Partnership.](_files/2025/01/brandon-team-1350x900.jpg)
January 9, 2025
Daniels gains rural health experience from AmeriCorps
A recent DSU graduate, Brandon Daniels (B.S. ’24), is working alongside Harvard doctors at Harvard’s teaching hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, while serving with the AmeriCorps Rural Health Partnership.
![Pictured (l-to-r): Student works with Dr. Patti Brooks in the classroom.](_files/2024/12/vipe-1350x900.jpg)
December 18, 2024
Virtual training benefits students and industries
Dakota State University health informatics and information students and other students in healthcare information systems or cybersecurity and faculty have the opportunity to participate in the Virtual Interprofessional Education (VIPE) program training with other universities and organizations throughout the world.
![Students excel at international competitions.](_files/2024/12/international-competitions.gif)
December 16, 2024
International competitions hone good cyber skills
Dakota State University students are honing their cybersecurity skills everywhere they can, in class, through campus clubs, and with competitions that take place around the world.
![Angela Slattery, #21, found her place at DSU in the classroom and on the basketball court.](_files/2024/12/slattery2_1350x900.png)
December 12, 2024
Slattery: DSU was made for me
Angela Slattery, the fall 2024 commencement student speaker, said DSU was made for her, allowing her to develop her identity in the classroom and on the basketball court.
![Commencement at DSU.](_files/2024/12/commencement-banner.gif)
December 10, 2024
Judy Dittman is DSU’s fall commencement speaker
Dr. Judy Dittman will be the fall 2024 commencement speaker at DSU on Dec. 14. Alumna Tammy Miller will be receiving an honorary degree for public service.
![Nanocon student organizers gain valuable experience in project management, teamwork, and leadership.](2024/Nanocon-2024-games.gif)
December 9, 2024
Nanocon is game changer
Nanocon is a game changer for the student committee members who organize the free gaming convention held at Dakota State University by teaching them project management, organizational skills, and teamwork.
![The Municipal Cybersecurity Grant Program will be led by Mike Waldner.](_files/2024/11/walder_1350x900.png)
November 18, 2024
Waldner appointed director of Municipal Cybersecurity Grant Program
Dakota State University and South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announce the hiring of Mike Waldner as director of the newly established Municipal Cybersecurity Grant Program. This initiative, funded through Senate Bill 187, will enhance the cybersecurity infrastructure of South Dakota's municipalities.
![Dr. Kevin Smith received a STEM outreach grant.](social-media/Kevin-Smith-grant.gif)
November 15, 2024
Smith awarded STEM outreach grant
Dr. Kevin Smith knows how important math is for STEM careers and a skilled workforce, and he’ll use a South Dakota Biotech/SD EPSCoR grant to create an outreach program helping students be positive about math and STEM.
![ATT has contributed $26,400 to the Dakota State University Foundation to help youth with limited internet access from South Dakota’s nine tribal nations.](_files/2024/11/att_donates_to_cybher_min.jpg)
November 14, 2024
AT&T donates to CybHER
AT&T is continuing its partnership with CybHER® to bring technology outreach and digital literacy training to the state’s tribal students through local Boys & Girls Clubs.
![DSU faculty who won the capture the flag competition at the Wild West Hackin’ Fest are Cody Welu, Tyler Flaagan, Shawn Zwach, and Andrew Kramer.](social-media/WWHF-Winners--Web.gif)
October 31, 2024
Faculty win Hackin’ Fest competition
Four DSU faculty in The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences won the Capture the Flag competition at the 2024 Wild West Hackin’ Fest in Deadwood.
![Gwen Vongkasemsiri smiling.](_files/2024/10/gwen-v-1350x900.jpg)
October 9, 2024
Competitions and passions drive Vongkasemsiri
Whether she’s on the volleyball court, participating in an international cybersecurity competition, or running the club she created, Gwen Vongkasemsiri loves competitions. A senior cyber operations and network & security administration double major, Vongkasemsiri chose to attend DSU after analyzing a list of schools across the U.S. that have excellent cybersecurity programs.
![Title card of Beau Headrick's animation DAYTRIP.](_files/2024/10/daytrip-1350x900.jpg)
October 4, 2024
’DAYTRIP‘ selected for multiple festivals
Dakota State senior Beau Headrick’s 2D animation “DAYTRIP” was selected for several film festivals, one of them international. Follow Fuzz on his journey to climb Mount Magoo all by himself, as he realizes along the way that maybe the summit is not the goal, but the company he keeps while on the journey.
![DSU senior Madison Miller published her first poetry book recently.](_files/2024/09/madison-miller-1350x900.jpg)
September 25, 2024
Healing through art
Madison Miller published her first poetry book, "He doesn't deserve to know me." The book was a way for her to address her complicated relationship with her father.
![RayLee Wallis holding certificate and coin.](_files/2024/09/raylee-wallis-certificate-banner2.jpg)
September 20, 2024
No goal is too big
RayLee Wallis’s summer internship in the Secretary of the Army Primary Cyber Advisor’s office taught her that she is capable of doing big things. “I can develop the skills necessary for contributing in a fast-paced work environment.”
![For three years, Dakota State University has hosted an industrial immersion program for graduate students from DSU and Swedish universities.](_files/2024/09/2024-AISweden-Exchange.jpg)
September 10, 2024
Meaningful Contributions
Dakota State University’s research exchange program is growing in size, impact, and reputation through an industrial immersion program for graduate students from DSU and Swedish universities.
September 10, 2024
Big day elevates DSU legacy
The opening of the Beacom PREMIER Complex will create distinctive opportunities that will benefit Dakota State and the surrounding region for years to come.
![Arien Stalford, a senior at Chester (SD) High school, highly recommends the Governors Cyber Academy.](social-media/G-Cyber-Academy.jpg)
September 3, 2024
Exceeding Expectations
First-year numbers show that expectations were exceeded in the first year of the Governors Cyber Academy, a program that fuels students’ passions for cyber careers.
![The 2024 True Trojan award winners include Sierra Heppler (back left), Fenecia Homan, Cherie Noteboom, Kathy Engbrecht; Kristen Uilk (front left), Kindra Schneider, Erin Kahler. Not pictured, Addie Borah.](_files/true-trojans1.jpg)
August 27, 2024
DSU's True Trojans
Dakota State University has named several employees “True Trojans” at the 2024 Welcome and University Address on August 19.
![DSU student David Siemienas pictured with a blue background that has dots connected with lines.](_files/2024/02/david-s-1350x900.jpg)
February 14, 2024
DSU student sees latest tech at trade show
Dakota State University junior Cyber Operations major David Siemienas attended the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), an annual trade show organized by the Consumer Technology Association, in January.
![Stephanie Veltkamp and her grandmother, Arlene Johnson Hoek.](_files/2024/01/stephanie-and-grandma-1350x900.jpg)
January 5, 2024
Generations unite
Stephanie Veltkamp’s grandmother, Arlene Johnson Hoek, graduated from high school in 1953 and went on to earn her teaching certificate from DSU, when it was known as General Beadle State Teachers College. Now, Veltkamp is earning her teaching degree from Dakota State through the Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway (TAP) program.
![Connor Starrett](_files/2023/10/connor-starrett-1350x900.jpg)
October 18, 2023
Starrett to reach stars through position with Space Force
Connor Starrett learned recently that he was accepted for a position with the Space Force military branch and is excited to take on a cutting-edge role.
![Justice Forster](_files/2023/10/justice-forster-1350.jpg)
October 17, 2023
FDIC internship leads to job offer
DSU student Justice Forster has accepted a permanent position with the Federal Insurance Corporation (FDIC) upon his graduation in December. Forster spent the summer as an intern for the FDIC as part of the Financial Management Scholars Program.
![Emmanuel and Hazel](_files/2023/10/rolemodel_ws-1350x900-min.jpg)
October 10, 2023
DSU athlete is role model for local cancer survivor
Houston native Emmanuel Drain lost his left eye to retinoblastoma when he was four years old, but he didn’t let that stop him from living life and participating in things he loved, like football.
![Snakeskin samples collected by DSU student Adam Peak for research.](_files/2023/08/snake-skin-1350x900.jpg)
August 28, 2023
Student research looks to confirm snake fungal disease in SD
Through research, Adam Peak hopes to discover whether the Snake Fungal Disease can affect the Plains Garter Snake, South Dakota’s most common snake.
![Jenna Frank DSU Graduation](_files/2023/08/jennafrank-ws_1350x900.jpg)
August 21, 2023
DSU alum moves on to nursing career
DSU alum moves on to nursing career. Life can take unexpected but exciting turns.
![Dan Beacom DSU Track](_files/2023/08/beacom-3.jpeg)
August 14, 2023
DSU Track to be named for alumnus Dan Beacom
The new track at Dakota State University in Madison will be named “The Dan Beacom Track Complex” after alumnus Dan Beacom, who passed away on May 24, 2023.
![An image of a lightbulb overlaid on a photo of a city and small circles surrounding it.](_files/2023/07/online-bis-student-1350.jpg)
July 13, 2023
Finding the Future
Brenna Smith, a veteran, and mother of two, has returned to school to earn a degree in Business Administration Technology through DSU's online programming.
![DSU Newman Club member Kelsey O’Connell accepted the BOR Award for Community Service, along with advisors Heidi Comes (left) and Pam Lewis. BOR Executive Director Nathan Lukkes, BOR President Tim Rave, and DSU President José-Marie Griffiths congratulated the group.](_files/2023/06/bor-newman_ws-1350x900-min.jpg)
June 23, 2023
DSU organizations honored by BOR
The South Dakota Board of Regents (BOR) honored three Dakota State University organizations at the June meeting.
![Fenecia Homan, Dean of the Governors Cyber Academy at Dakota State University, is one of the 40 members in the 10th class of Leadership South Dakota.](_files/2023/06/homan-portrait_1350x900.jpg)
June 20, 2023
Homan selected for Leadership South Dakota
Fenecia Homan, Dean of the Governors Cyber Academy at Dakota State University, is one of the 40 members in the 10th class of Leadership South Dakota.
![DSU Army Cyber Signing](_files/2023/06/ArmyCyber_ws-1350x900.jpg)
June 19, 2023
DSU, Army Cyber sign partnership agreement
Dakota State University and ArmyCyber (ARCYBER) have signed an Educational Partnership Agreement (EPA) at a ceremony held at DSU on June 19.
![Justice Forster headshot](_files/2023/04/justice-1350x900-2.jpg)
April 28, 2023
Forster to intern with FDIC
Justice Forster will spend 10 weeks of summer 2023 as an intern for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as part of the Financial Management Scholars Program.
![President Griffiths](_files/2023/04/Griffiths-ws_1350x900.jpg)
April 25, 2023
President Griffiths to be inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame
President Griffiths to be inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame
![Dakota State University and MarketBeat Partner to Reimagine the Kirby Science Discovery Center’s Space and Technology Floor](_files/2023/04/KirbyScience.jpg)
April 14, 2023
DSU and MarketBeat Reimagine the Kirby Science Discovery Center
Dakota State University and MarketBeat Partner to Reimagine the Kirby Science Discovery Center’s Space and Technology Floor
![DSU-Employees-5year](_files/2023/03/dsu-5year-employees1.jpg)
March 9, 2023
DSU recognizes 62 long-time employees
Dakota State University has recognized 62 employees for their dedication and commitment to the university at the annual Longevity Reception on March 1.
![Boyd-SRI](_files/2023/02/boyd_ws-1350x900.jpg)
February 24, 2023
Practical research leads to professional internship
Joseph Boyd’s research project has led to a summer internship opportunity, and could possibly lead to a career as well. Robert Richardson is Boyd’s faculty mentor for the research.
![CASE-Award](_files/2023/02/case-award_ws-1350x900.jpg)
February 10, 2023
Griffiths receives Chief Executive Leadership Award from CASE
Honor recognizes outstanding leadership and service in support of education
![ServiceAnimal](_files/2023/01/ServiceAnimals_ws-1350x900.jpg)
January 20, 2023
Service Animals
What they do and how to interact with them. A service animal is specifically trained to complete a task or service.
![Kemal-Kramer](_files/2023/01/Kemal_ws-1350x900.jpg)
January 17, 2023
Real-life tweet provides real-life research opportunity
Amir Kemal was inspired by a real-life tweet to do some real-life research on Twitter fake domains.
![Johanna Coffey is a first-generation college student.](_files/2023/01/coffey-1350x900.jpg)
January 10, 2023
Ask the questions
Johanna Coffey can ask a family member questions about the college process, but the DSU sophomore said any of the friendly people at the university can help.