News at SDState

For South Dakota State University pharmacy student Abigail Pape, the path toward becoming a pharmacist has been shaped by equal parts curiosity, connection and the desire to make a meaningful difference.

Despite being the recipient of numerous awards over the years, including this year’s F.O. Butler Award for Excellence in Teaching, Tadd Hellwig, a professor of pharmacy practice in SDSU’s College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, didn’t always picture himself as an educator.

Graduate students make up about 10% of the student population across more than 100 master’s degree and Ph.D. programs and specializations and 23 graduate certificate programs offered at South Dakota State University. Each graduate student is immersed in research and scholarship with the support of their advisor and the Graduate School staff. April 6-10 is Graduate Student Appreciation Week, a great opportunity to highlight a few graduate students at SDSU and the work they are accomplishing.

South Dakota State University’s College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions will hold its Medical Laboratory Science Day and Spring Convocation and Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, April 15.

Thanks to a series of grants, South Dakota State University offers a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling with tuition, fees and books all covered — meaning these counselors could get a graduate degree debt-free.

The Midwestern Higher Education Compact has awarded South Dakota State University, in partnership with Black Hills State University, a $250,000 Strategic Impact and Innovation Grant to support success for students pursuing careers in health professions.

The South Dakota State University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions has continued its long record of excellence, reporting a 94.1% first-time pass rate on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination for the 2025 Doctor of Pharmacy graduates.

Just how does a scientific discovery in a lab become a medicine that is available worldwide? Anamitro Banerjee, director of global chemistry, manufacturing and controls regulatory affairs at AstraZeneca, will discuss that journey at the 13th annual Francis Miller Lecture at 5:30 p.m. March 31 in Bailey Rotunda F.

Being a dancer as well as an active member and leader of the South Dakota State University Dance Team isn’t just a sport for SDSU pharmacy student Avery Webb. It’s a foundation for a richer, more well-rounded life.

In 2025, two doctoral researchers in the School of Health and Human Sciences earned major national recognition, underscoring the program’s contribution to SDSU’s growing research profile.