South Dakota State to celebrate 100,000 alumni

South Dakota State University will reach the milestone of 100,000 graduates as the university hosts its 137th commencement May 6 at the Swiftel Center in Brookings.

“Every commencement is exciting as we welcome new members to the alumni family, but this is a special milestone in the life of a university. We hope that all alumni join us in celebrating their place in SDSU’s storied history,” said Andi Fouberg, president and CEO of the SDSU Alumni Association.

Moving graduation ceremonies from campus for the first time ever for the Class of 2023 is due to the construction in Frost Arena as that facility continues its transformation into First Bank & Trust Arena during the next 18 months.

SDSU will have three ceremonies as more than 1,600 students plan to walk across the stage for their degrees at the Swiftel Center.

Graduates, associate through doctoral degrees, will walk with their respective colleges at the following times:
    •    10 a.m. – College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering.
    •    2 p.m. – College of Education and Human Sciences and the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions.
    •    6 p.m. – College of Nursing, College of Natural Sciences and the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Due to capacity restrictions and the graduating class size, six general admission guest tickets will be available for each graduate. Graduates who have RSVP'd will receive an email from SDSU.Graduation@sdstate.edu with a unique Ticketmaster access code.

Guests unable to attend ceremonies at the Swiftel Center are invited to watch via the livestream or at viewing locations at the University Student Union and at McCrory Gardens.

The University Student Union will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 6. The ceremony livestreams can be viewed at the Market stage or any screen placed throughout the union. Visitors can also snap a photo with an SDSU-themed backdrop and the Bummobile, and take advantage of photo opportunities with Jack the Jackrabbit at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The SDSU Alumni Center, located in the Lohr Building at 815 Medary Ave., will be open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. to celebrate 100,000 alumni. Head to the west side of campus to climb the Campanile. Then snap a photo with different SDSU-themed backdrops and, at noon and 4 p.m., with Jack the Jackrabbit at Woster Celebration Hall. The first 500 graduates at the Alumni Center will receive a Bold & Blue water bottle and alumni decals.

Admission to McCrory Gardens, open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 6, will be free for graduates and their families May 5-7.

Parking for SDSU commencement ceremonies is free to graduates, families and guests. Ingress traffic flow will be directed from the south, where guests can find their designated parking lot. Traffic leaving the Swiftel Center will be directed north to the Highway 14 Bypass. There will be no traffic directed to the south. Find our graduation parking map.

The Swiftel Center is located at 824 32nd Ave. in Brookings. For more information on spring 2023 graduation ceremonies and activities, go to the graduation page.