University of Sioux Falls Alumni

What a beautiful day for the 14th annual SID Shootout! 32 teams are teeing it up for a great cause supporting USF Athletics, and we’re enjoying seeing many alumni and familiar faces!

The memorial service for Dr. Owen Halleen, former USF (Sioux Falls College) president, will be on July 9 at 1 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sioux Falls.

Our thoughts are with his family, and we are deeply grateful for his commitment to the University's mission over the years.

What a joyful week of celebration for one of our alumni!

Yesterday, members of the USF team had the privilege of celebrating with Peggy (Hodgson) Frost, who turned 100 years old. Peggy graduated in 1948 with a degree in Christian Education from Sioux Falls College—known today as the University of Sioux Falls.

Fittingly, her milestone birthday coincided with another meaningful celebration. Family, friends, neighbors, and fellow church members gathered for a special dedication ceremony honoring Peggy's donation of the SculptureWalk statue "Cagey Birds." Peggy purchased and donated the piece for permanent display in the Trail Ridge Prayer Garden, where it will be enjoyed by residents and visitors for years to come.

Peggy's century of life reflects a remarkable legacy of faith, service, generosity, and community. As we celebrate her 100th birthday, we also celebrate the impact she has made on those around her and the lasting example of a life well lived.

Please join us in wishing Peggy a very happy 100th birthday! May God continue to bless her with joy, peace, and the love of family and friends.

🎉 Happy 100th Birthday, Peggy! 🎉

Do you have a milestone moment, achievement, or special life event to celebrate? We'd love to hear about it and celebrate with you. Share your news with the USF Alumni Office at [email protected].

In case you missed it, USF alumnus Andy Patterson '99 recently celebrated 20 years with the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation. Over the past two decades, Andy has played an important role in advancing philanthropy and strengthening the Sioux Falls community.

Take a look at the video linked below. In it, fellow USF alumna Sara Patterson '00 shares that "Andy's fingerprints are in a lot of places..." and reflects on the impact he has made throughout the community. You'll also hear from other USF alumni, including Mayor Paul TenHaken MBA '05 and Suzanne Veenis '92, who share their appreciation for Andy's leadership and service.

We're proud to see fellow Cougars making such a meaningful impact long after their time at USF.

Join us in congratulating Andy on this incredible milestone, and be sure to watch the full video below! 💜

🔗https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mIghJJugZY

The countdown is on! Whether you're planning to catch up with classmates, introduce your family to USF, or simply enjoy a summer day on campus, we hope you'll join us for this year's Back to Campus Summer Picnic - only 24 days away!

Take a look at the event map to see everything that's in store and start planning your visit. If you haven't made plans to join us yet, there's still time—we'd love to see you back on campus! We can't wait to welcome you home! 💜

RSVP Here: https://www.usiouxfalls.edu/events/back-to-campus-summer-picnic/2026-06-27

Who are you hoping to see at the picnic? Tag a fellow cougar and let them know you're coming!

Questions about accessibility, accommodations, or navigating campus? Contact us at [email protected] or (605) 331-6608.

The University of Sioux Falls has become the first higher education institution in South Dakota to earn the state’s Cardiac Ready Campus designation through the South Dakota Cardiac Ready Communities program.

The designation recognizes campuses that meet rigorous standards for CPR training, AED accessibility, emergency response planning and campus-wide preparedness for cardiac emergencies.

Read more: https://www.usiouxfalls.edu/news/first-sd-cardiac-ready-campus

Big things are happening for Chris Haugan! 👏

Chris, a 2006 graduate of University of Sioux Falls and a 2012 graduate of our Master’s in Educational Leadership and Administration program, is stepping into an exciting new chapter in the mortgage industry as he helps bring new home loan opportunities to the Sioux Falls community.

It’s always exciting to see Cougar alumni using their experience, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit to make an impact right here in the region. Congratulations, Chris, on this next step, we can’t wait to see all that’s ahead for you! 💜

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18UFfkZasW/

🥳 We'd like to welcome our newest Flat Branch family member, Chris!

🎉 We're excited to have you and welcome home!

🔗 Learn more about Chris by clicking the link below ⬇️
https://flatbranchhomeloans.com/team/chris-haugan

Alumni Spotlight 💜

Steve Young ’84 came to the University of Sioux Falls to play football and tennis, discovered a calling to ministry and met his wife, Pam ’84, along the way.

Today, Steve serves as associate pastor at GracePoint Church and recently completed 12 years on the USF Board.

“God blessed our family through USF.” - Steve

Join us for the Back to Campus Summer Picnic on June 27 starting at 12 p.m. on the USF Quad! Food, music, family fun and time to reconnect with your Cougar community.

RSVP at https://www.usiouxfalls.edu/events/back-to-campus-summer-picnic/2026-06-27

Alumni Spotlight!

Logan Dykstra ’17, MBA ’20 is serving as a defensive coordinator for an American football team in Legnano, Italy, where he’s building relationships and coaching athletes from around the world.

“Creating lasting relationships around the world is what I enjoy most.”

We love seeing Cougars making a global impact through leadership, teamwork and connection.