Notable Alumni of South Dakota State University

Kristi Noem 1971–

American politician and diplomat

Bachelor of Arts · Class of 2011

Also attended: Mount Marty University, Northern State University

Tom Daschle 1947–

Former US Senate Majority Leader

Bachelor of Arts · Class of 1969

Spouse: Laurie S. Fulton (Georgetown University, University of Nebraska--Omaha)

Mike Rounds 1954–

U.S. Senator from South Dakota

Bachelor of Science · Class of 1977

Ben Reifel 1906–1990

Lakota politician and Bureau of Indian Affairs administrator

Also attended: Harvard University

Frank E. Denholm 1923–2016

U.S. representative from South Dakota

Also attended: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, University of South Dakota

Sigurd Anderson 1904–1990

19th Governor of South Dakota

Also attended: University of South Dakota

William E. DePuy 1919–1992

Army general and first TRADOC commander

Philo Hall 1865–1938

South Dakota attorney general and U.S. congressman

Gene Amdahl 1922–2015

Computer architect, founder of Amdahl Corporation

Bachelor's degree · Class of 1948

Also attended: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Theodore Schultz 1902–1998

Agricultural economist, 1979 Nobel laureate in economics

Also attended: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Austin Mardon 1962–

Canadian scientist and writer

Also attended: Texas A & M University-College Station

John Merton Aldrich 1866–1934

Entomologist at the United States National Museum

Attended until 1888

Also attended: University of Kansas, Michigan State University, Stanford University

Hannah Caroline Aase 1883–1980

Botanist and cytologist

Also attended: University of Chicago, University of South Dakota

Robert H. Burris 1914–2010

Biochemist and University of Wisconsin-Madison professor

Also attended: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Kang-i Sun Chang 1944–

Sinologist and Yale professor of classical Chinese literature

Also attended: Princeton University

Jerome Clark 1946–

Writer on UFOs and paranormal subjects

Also attended: Minnesota State University Moorhead

Harvey Dunn 1884–1952

Painter, illustrator and teacher

Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve 1933–

Lakota author of children's books

Adam Vinatieri 1972–

NFL placekicker and all-time leading scorer

Also attended: The United States Military Academy at West Point

Nate Wolters 1991–

Former pro basketball player, South Dakota State All-American

Baylor Scheierman 2000–

NBA player for the Boston Celtics

Also attended: Creighton University

Blake Treinen 1988–

MLB relief pitcher

Also attended: University of Arkansas, Baker University

Jim Langer 1948–2019

NFL center for the Miami Dolphins and Vikings

Mike Daum 1995–

Professional basketball player

Dallas Goedert 1995–

Tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles