Dakota State University students walking around campus

Preparation + opportunity = success

That's the DSU equation. We're a four-year university with nationally recognized programs, cutting-edge facilities, and the brightest thinkers. But we're also a tight-knit, inclusive community. Small class sizes mean hands-on training and individualized attention. All this with an affordable, public school price that's among the best values in the region.

Majors & Degrees

DSU spring commencement is Saturday, May 10th

April 25, 2014

Video of the 2014 DSU Spring commencement can be found at http://streaming.dsu.edu/Graduation/GraduationSP14.wmv.

Dakota State University spring commencement is Saturday, May 10, at 10:30 a.m. at the DSU Fieldhouse.

Dakota State will award approximately 263 baccalaureate, master’s, doctor of science and associate degrees. The baccalaureate and associate degrees awarded also include summer graduates. Graduate John Niesen from Britton, S.D. will speak on behalf of the graduates.

Dave Bockorny serves as this year’s commencement speaker. Bockorny is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Bockorny Group, Inc., a leading bipartisan government affairs consulting firm located in Washington D.C. He has been with the firm for nearly 20 years—over which time he has guided the firm and cultivated it into one the largest independent lobbying firms in the nation’s capital.

Bockorny began his Washington career by serving as a legislative aide to his home state Congressman, and later Senator James Abdnor of S.D. His experience on Capitol Hill led to a lobbying position on behalf of the National Association of Realtors, the nation’s largest real estate advocacy group, where he served as Staff Vice President for Legislative Liaison from 1981 to 1985.

As recognition of his efforts in the private sector, Bockorny was offered a position to serve as a Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs for President Ronald Reagan. As a member of the White House staff, Bockorny served as President Reagan’s liaison with the House of Representatives in the 99th and 100th sessions of Congress with responsibility for implementing the Reagan Administration’s legislative agenda in the House. He worked closely with Congressional leadership in both parties on a daily basis and in particular interfaced with such key committees as Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce and Appropriations. Bockorny also served as the Director of Congressional Liaison for President George H.W. Bush in the 1992 Presidential Campaign. In this capacity, he was responsible for coordinating communications between senior campaign staff and Republican members of the House and Senate.

Bockorny received a B.S. degree cum laude from Dakota State College and an MBA from the University of South Dakota. He was recognized as one of the 27 most outstanding students to receive a degree during the first 100 years of operation of the South Dakota higher education system. David has continued his strong ties to his home state of S.D. In his capacity as CEO of the Bockorny Group, Inc., he oversees operations in both the Washington, D.C. headquarters and a regional federal, state and local lobbying practice located in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Chad Kurtenbach will be receiving the distinguished alumni award. Kurtenbach is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine, the care of athletic injuries and arthroscopic surgery. He received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minn., completed his Orthopedic Surgery Residency at Orlando Health in Orlando, Fla. and completed an Orthopaedic Surgery Sports Medicine Fellowship at TRIA Orthopaedic Center in Minneapolis, Minn.;In 2002, he received a Bachelor of Science in Biology for Information Systems from DSU.

Kurtenbach is the Team Physician for South Dakota State University as well as the Sioux Falls Skyforce and Miami Heat Development League Affiliate. He has also served as the Assistant Team Physician for the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx.

Kurtenbach is an outdoor enthusiast. He enjoys hunting, fishing, boating, skiing, golfing and playing basketball. As an avid sports fan, he looks forward to the start of football and basketball season each year.

Dakota State University spring commencement is Saturday, May 10, at 10:30 a.m. at the DSU Fieldhouse.

Dakota State will award approximately 263 baccalaureate, master’s, doctor of science and associate degrees. The baccalaureate and associate degrees awarded also include summer graduates. Graduate John Niesen from Britton, S.D. will speak on behalf of the graduates.

Bockorny.jpgDave Bockorny serves as this year’s commencement speaker. Bockorny is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Bockorny Group, Inc., a leading bipartisan government affairs consulting firm located in Washington D.C. He has been with the firm for nearly 20 years—over which time he has guided the firm and cultivated it into one the largest independent lobbying firms in the nation’s capital.

Bockorny began his Washington career by serving as a legislative aide to his home state Congressman, and later Senator James Abdnor of S.D. His experience on Capitol Hill led to a lobbying position on behalf of the National Association of Realtors, the nation’s largest real estate advocacy group, where he served as Staff Vice President for Legislative Liaison from 1981 to 1985.

As recognition of his efforts in the private sector, Bockorny was offered a position to serve as a Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs for President Ronald Reagan. As a member of the White House staff, Bockorny served as President Reagan’s liaison with the House of Representatives in the 99th and 100th sessions of Congress with responsibility for implementing the Reagan Administration’s legislative agenda in the House. He worked closely with Congressional leadership in both parties on a daily basis and in particular interfaced with such key committees as Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce and Appropriations. Bockorny also served as the Director of Congressional Liaison for President George H.W. Bush in the 1992 Presidential Campaign. In this capacity, he was responsible for coordinating communications between senior campaign staff and Republican members of the House and Senate.

Bockorny received a B.S. degree cum laude from Dakota State College and an MBA from the University of South Dakota. He was recognized as one of the 27 most outstanding students to receive a degree during the first 100 years of operation of the South Dakota higher education system. David has continued his strong ties to his home state of S.D. In his capacity as CEO of the Bockorny Group, Inc., he oversees operations in both the Washington, D.C. headquarters and a regional federal, state and local lobbying practice located in Sioux Falls, S.D.

DKurtenbach.jpgr. Chad Kurtenbach will be receiving the distinguished alumni award. Kurtenbach is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine, the care of athletic injuries and arthroscopic surgery. He received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minn., completed his Orthopedic Surgery Residency at Orlando Health in Orlando, Fla. and completed an Orthopaedic Surgery Sports Medicine Fellowship at TRIA Orthopaedic Center in Minneapolis, Minn.;In 2002, he received a Bachelor of Science in Biology for Information Systems from DSU.

Kurtenbach is the Team Physician for South Dakota State University as well as the Sioux Falls Skyforce and Miami Heat Development League Affiliate. He has also served as the Assistant Team Physician for the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx.

Kurtenbach is an outdoor enthusiast. He enjoys hunting, fishing, boating, skiing, golfing and playing basketball. As an avid sports fan, he looks forward to the start of football and basketball season each year.

Dakota State University spring commencement is Saturday, May 10, at 10:30 a.m. at the DSU Fieldhouse.

Dakota State will award approximately 263 baccalaureate, master’s, doctor of science and associate degrees. The baccalaureate and associate degrees awarded also include summer graduates. Graduate John Niesen from Britton, S.D. will speak on behalf of the graduates.

Bockorny.jpgDave Bockorny serves as this year’s commencement speaker. Bockorny is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Bockorny Group, Inc., a leading bipartisan government affairs consulting firm located in Washington D.C. He has been with the firm for nearly 20 years—over which time he has guided the firm and cultivated it into one the largest independent lobbying firms in the nation’s capital.

Bockorny began his Washington career by serving as a legislative aide to his home state Congressman, and later Senator James Abdnor of S.D. His experience on Capitol Hill led to a lobbying position on behalf of the National Association of Realtors, the nation’s largest real estate advocacy group, where he served as Staff Vice President for Legislative Liaison from 1981 to 1985.

As recognition of his efforts in the private sector, Bockorny was offered a position to serve as a Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs for President Ronald Reagan. As a member of the White House staff, Bockorny served as President Reagan’s liaison with the House of Representatives in the 99th and 100th sessions of Congress with responsibility for implementing the Reagan Administration’s legislative agenda in the House. He worked closely with Congressional leadership in both parties on a daily basis and in particular interfaced with such key committees as Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce and Appropriations. Bockorny also served as the Director of Congressional Liaison for President George H.W. Bush in the 1992 Presidential Campaign. In this capacity, he was responsible for coordinating communications between senior campaign staff and Republican members of the House and Senate.

Bockorny received a B.S. degree cum laude from Dakota State College and an MBA from the University of South Dakota. He was recognized as one of the 27 most outstanding students to receive a degree during the first 100 years of operation of the South Dakota higher education system. David has continued his strong ties to his home state of S.D. In his capacity as CEO of the Bockorny Group, Inc., he oversees operations in both the Washington, D.C. headquarters and a regional federal, state and local lobbying practice located in Sioux Falls, S.D.

DKurtenbach.jpgr. Chad Kurtenbach will be receiving the distinguished alumni award. Kurtenbach is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine, the care of athletic injuries and arthroscopic surgery. He received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minn., completed his Orthopedic Surgery Residency at Orlando Health in Orlando, Fla. and completed an Orthopaedic Surgery Sports Medicine Fellowship at TRIA Orthopaedic Center in Minneapolis, Minn.;In 2002, he received a Bachelor of Science in Biology for Information Systems from DSU.

Kurtenbach is the Team Physician for South Dakota State University as well as the Sioux Falls Skyforce and Miami Heat Development League Affiliate. He has also served as the Assistant Team Physician for the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx.

Kurtenbach is an outdoor enthusiast. He enjoys hunting, fishing, boating, skiing, golfing and playing basketball. As an avid sports fan, he looks forward to the start of football and basketball season each year.