SDSU announces ’23 Distinguished Alumni

From football to physics, six graduates who have gained prominence in their field have been selected for the 2023 Class of Distinguished Alumni by the South Dakota State University Alumni Association.

They are:

• Gerald Blazey, Class of ’79, DeKalb, Illinois

• Tim Czmowski, Class of ’85, Sioux Falls

• Jeff Eckhoff, Class of ’82, Sioux Falls

• Ann Progulske-Fox, Class of ’74, Gainesville, Florida

• John Stiegelmeier, Class of ’79, Brookings

• Kim Tyler, Class of ’82, Sioux Falls

They will be honored during activities on Hobo Day weekend Oct. 13-14.

Blazey, a math and physics major, served as a science adviser in the White House during the Obama administration and concluded a 27-year career at Northern Illinois University June 30, retiring as vice president for Research and Innovation Partnerships. An expert in experimental particle physics and science policy, the Brookings native is a fellow of the American Physical Society. 

Czmowski, a dairy manufacturing graduate, retired in May 2022 after nearly 40 years in the cheese industry, the last 12 with Agropur, an international dairy firm, where he was its Midwest vice president for U.S. Operations. While serving the industry globally, the native South Dakotan has been instrumental in helping grow South Dakota’s dairy industry and has encouraged investment in SDSU dairy programs and students.

Eckhoff, a sociology graduate, serves as director of Planning and Development Services for the City of Sioux Falls. His career has focused on business development and includes 16 years as executive director of the Lincoln and Minnehaha County Economic Development Associations.

Progulske-Fox, a bacteriology and biology graduate, is a distinguished professor and director of the Center for Molecular Microbiology at the University of Florida. Her research developed a patented technology to identify early disease markers for periodontal disease that affects more than 50 million people annually. She is a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.

Stiegelmeier, a math and physical education major, is credited with discovering the formula for scoring more points than the other football team. The head coach retired after SDSU’s national title with a career record of 199 wins and 112 losses in 26 seasons, leaving him the winningest football coach in school history.

Tyler, a commercial economics graduate, had a 31-year career with the Kellogg Company, retiring as vice president of Alternative Channel Sales. She is co-chair of the SDSU Foundation’s Bold & Blue Campaign, which seeks to raise $500 million in private funds.

For more information on the Alumni Association’s Legends and Leaders event.

About South Dakota State University Alumni Association

The SDSU Alumni Association is an independent, not-for-profit organization, non-dues association that welcomes all graduates, former students, faculty, staff and friends of South Dakota State, as well as students, to be SDSU Alumni Association members. We strive to connect alumni to SDSU and each other, through the promotion of the University and by providing valuable benefits, services, and resources to members.

The SDSU Alumni Association embraces each one of its more than 100,000 alumni and friends who are proud to be Jackrabbits. We are a highly diverse and global family that is an influential force in both keeping STATES traditions alive and advancing South Dakota State University.

For more information: State Alum | Leaders and Legends