The School of Design - South Dakota State University

09/02/2026

09/01/2026

Please join us for the 10th Annual One Day for State 2026. Mark your calendars to donate on September 10th!

08/26/2026

Our students are humbled and proud to be learning, designing, and creating in the building named after this important innovator. Please join us on campus for this historic event if you are able.

One idea. One discovery. A legacy that changed the world. 🌾

On Aug. 29, will dedicate a new sculpture honoring Edgar McFadden, whose Hope wheat helped save more than 25 million people from starvation — and whose legacy continues to grow more than 100 years later.

H.O.P.E. — A Helix of Resilience now stands as a lasting tribute to his perseverance, discovery and impact.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3U8EhuG

08/19/2026

The School of Design is delighted to announce that Cynthia Runia has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the College of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences Outstanding Civil Service Staff award for 2026, in acknowledgment of her remarkable dedication and commitment to South Dakota State University. We are privileged to have her as a valued member of our team and look forward to her ongoing contributions to the School of Design's continued success.

08/10/2026

Strong communities are built through meaningful partnerships. The Landscpe Architecture Program is partnering wth SDSU Extension and Hill City residents to create a vision for future open space connections throughout the community. This collaborative effort highlights how SDSU programs work alongside communities across South Dakota to support local priorities and help shape vibrant places to live, work, and explore.

08/03/2026

Huge congratulations to our Architecture Summer Graduate Students on completing their final projects and classes! We're proud to have contributed to their growth and can't wait to see the impact they'll make in the architectural community with their innovative designs and sustainable solutions. 🎉🌎

07/20/2026

Looking for ways to beat the heat indoors this summer? Be sure to check out this link to a Washington Pavilion exhibit entitled ARTifacts of Play, featuring creations from our previously featured event called What Makes Your Soul Breathe, a collaboration between the SDSU School of Design and the SDSU School of Performing Arts.

“ARTifacts of Play” brings together works from the South Dakota State University School of Design and The School of Performing Arts.

06/30/2026

Faculty and students from the School of Design led by Dr. Pat Crawford recently met with members of the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas. The tribe is preparing to develop a traditional garden in their community near their school and has asked SDSU to assist in preparing a plan and vision for the garden space. The project is an initiative of the Tribal TAB program sponsored by USEPA and KSU with SDSU providing design assistance. The site visit was an amazing opportunity to learn about traditional plants and stories that are a foundation of the Kickapoo culture. They learned a lot from elders and community leaders and are excited to be a part of this new expression of the tribe’s heritage in their community.

06/01/2026

Our School of Design travelers are back from the Big Apple! Here is just a small sample of some of their adventures, including the Empire State Building and Times Square, just to name a few! Be sure to check back to see more updates from our international trip as well.

05/26/2026

Students from all five School of Design majors have arrived in Paris, ready to dive into their studies and experience a lively new culture. The city is home to famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Versailles, and The Louvre, as well as nodes such as Place de l'Étoile. They are exploring works from Rodin to Tamara de Lempicka in person, striving to understand the inspiration and emotion behind every form and brushstroke. Away from the busy streets, quiet neighborhoods offer a break with cozy cafes, shady trees, and friendly bicyclists. As one student noted, “A photograph just doesn’t do Paris justice.”