2025A Year In Review
Moments, Milestones, and Memories
Every year, the SDSU community creates stories worth celebrating.
From scholarships and student success to transformative gifts, meaningful connections, and moments of pride across Jackrabbit Nation, the impact of alumni, donors, and friends can be felt throughout South Dakota State University and beyond.
STATELY Review is our annual opportunity to reflect on the year that was and recognize the people who make that impact possible. Explore the stories, milestones, and highlights that defined 2025, and discover how alumni, donors, and friends continue to shape the future of SDSU.
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Highlights | Stories | Financials | Lifetime Giving | Loyal Blue Society | Sylvan Circle
2025 Highlights
The SDSU Foundation and SDSU Alumni Association have been the university’s two largest relationship-building partners for decades, driven by a united purpose to support South Dakota State.
They’ve shared a common mission, a database of 120,000 names, and, since 2017, the same building. In a historic action in October 2025, the two organizations’ boards voted unanimously to become one: the SDSU Alumni & Foundation.
With an ever-growing alumni base and a compelling list of causes to champion, the consolidation opened doors for strategic growth and new ways to uplift the Jackrabbit community. The consolidation took effect January 1, 2026.
Throughout 2025, evidence of the necessity, value, and power in shifting to a unified organization was on display. On September 4, the 9th annual One Day for STATE celebration rallied 6,126 donors and raised $3.2 million in just 24 hours. The endowment reached an all-time high. Premier facilities continued to evolve, punctuated by the SDSU Metro Center that opens this fall and a new on-campus soccer stadium that will break ground this summer.
All of these milestones speak to the same momentum and message: there’s never been a better time to be a Jackrabbit.
After a year of laying the groundwork for a bold future, the SDSU Alumni & Foundation is poised for what comes next:
to inspire a culture of connection, build a legacy of impact, and treasure the people who make SDSU truly special – a place where loyalty lives.
Featured Stories
2025 was a year of meaningful impact across South Dakota State University. These stories celebrate the donors, alumni, and friends whose loyalty and generosity helped advance student success, strengthen programs, and create new opportunities for future generations of Jackrabbits.
For the Public Good: The Ness School of Management and Economics
When asked how the Ness School of Management and Economics became a reality, Dr. Joe Santos is quick to credit the work of donors championing the public good.
Generations of Generosity
When it comes to philanthropy, Scott Ramsdell ’75 has learned by example about giving back – and it’s an example he continues to model for his own family.
Brudos Engineers Stellar Support
With his scholarship to the Lohr College of Engineering, Curtis Brudos hopes to encourage students to pursue the industry that shaped his life.
Scholarship Supports Students From Classroom to Newsroom
Suzanne Fuller is honoring her late husband by fueling opportunity in the field that defined their careers.
Professional Pairing, Personal Progress
The SDSU Alumni Mentor Program gave Erica DeBoer and Carley Mullins the opportunity to form a lasting bond through their passion for nursing.
Woodbine Productions: Scholarships Take Center Stage
What began as an anonymous donor’s idea 19 years ago has led to over 50 shows featuring globally recognized performers, countless opportunities for students, and over $1 million in scholarships.
Growing Student Potential with Gifts of Grain
When a corn seed emerges from the soil in the spring, it has so much potential – and like many South Dakota farmers, Randy ’99 and Cindy (Abraham) ’78 Frederick do everything they can to maximize its yields.
Trailblazing Teachers: The First of Many
The first class of elementary education majors graduated from South Dakota State in May 2025.
A Purpose in the Pain
A scholarship gave nursing student Hanna Eide hope at exactly the right moment.
Financials
The SDSU Alumni & Foundation recorded its sixth largest fundraising year ever in 2025, with $70.5 million in new gifts and pledges. That includes $17.4 million in new gifts to the endowment. It was the thirteenth consecutive year that the fundraising total has exceeded the $50 million mark.
Total Giving
Including planned gifts and pledges (in millions)
The SDSU Alumni & Foundation had its sixth largest fundraising year in 2025. The total includes gifts, pledges, and planned gifts made in the calendar year.
- $70,515,176 Total Giving in 2025
Total Assets
(in millions)
Assets have grown by more than $271.5 million since 2016. That total reflects the pooled endowment, land, real estate, and other funds held and managed by the SDSU Alumni & Foundation.
Historic market value of pooled endowment
(in millions)
The SDSU Alumni & Foundation’s pooled endowment was $308.2 million, as of December 31, 2025.
The SDSU Alumni & Foundation manages more than 2,200 individual endowment funds. The funds are pooled together for investments purposes, yet each endowment maintains its own identity and separate accounting. Amounts available for distribution are calculated annually using a spending formula consisting of a percentage (currently 4%) of each fund’s average market value over a period of time (currently 20 quarters).
Pooled endowment portfolio investment returns vs. benchmark
December 31, 2025
The endowment grew 13.9% over the one-year period ending December 31, 2025. Over the trailing 3 and 5-year periods, the endowment returned 10.6% and 6.6%, respectively, net of investment manager fees. The SDSU Alumni & Foundation maintains a diversified portfolio, with an asset allocation of 20.9% U.S. Equity, 23.0% Non-U.S. Equity, 51.7% Fixed Income, 0.1% Hedged Strategies, and 4.3% Private Investments.
Total Support
Provided for scholarships, programs, and capital projects. (in millions)
The $30.5 million in support reflects funding that the university was able to spend from private gifts in 2025.
Lifetime Giving Societies
The SDSU Alumni & Foundation recognizes cumulative financial commitments throughout a donor’s life with membership in its lifetime giving societies. These societies represent our most generous and committed donors. All gifts and pledges – either current or deferred – qualify these benefactors for membership. Through their exemplary philanthropy, these friends and alumni have a special place in the history of South Dakota State University.
View Members
Loyal Blue Giving Society
Beyond the giving societies above, Loyal Blue recognizes a special kind of dedication — donors who give at least $100 annually for three consecutive years. These donors' consistent support keeps SDSU moving forward, and Loyal Blue celebrates that lasting commitment.
View membersSylvan Circle Society
The Sylvan Circle Society honors friends who make a commitment to the future support of SDSU through planned and deferred gifts to the university. The recognition society takes its name from the Coolidge Sylvan Theatre, one of the treasured landmarks on the campus. Qualifying gifts include a bequest in a will or a revocable living trust to the SDSU Alumni & Foundation, designation as a beneficiary in an insurance policy or retirement plan, a life-income agreement, or a life estate gift of a residence or farm property.
Sylvan Circle members each receive a specially designed Sylvan Circle lapel pin, a membership certificate, and an invitation to the annual recognition event on campus.
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One good story deserves another
We all have a story to tell. Whatever yours may be, we want to hear it!