Sustainability at USD

Turning passion into impact! Congrats to sustainability alum Caleb Swanson on becoming a Knight-Hennessy Scholar and continuing his journey in environmental advocacy.

Full details on link: https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fusd.edu%2Facademics%2Fcolleges-and-schools%2Fcollege-of-arts-sciences%2Fsouth-dakotan-arts-and-sciences%2Fusd-alumnus-selected-as-a-2026-knight-hennessy-scholar%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawRxp31leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEehcdo-Ak-J8jHjDc0yamAXXbxstzVMQ-7WbiLA5Y5r_leEgdH8Uks5YwfskY_aem_6wwvssNZwn0geEM2Q4U1qQ&data=05%7C02%7Cirene.kamau%40coyotes.usd.edu%7Cc09a82b8cba5488f91f308deb120e098%7C9c36a7d0bf7b49919b78be91a52f0226%7C0%7C0%7C639142953930014353%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=%2BEEJ%2FbbaTBPerJt9T5TqYgdnjYhCCoiT1ruPCPe3lrE%3D&reserved=0

Celebrating our newest alumni

Celebrating our student researchers who presented at USD’s Social Science Interdisciplinary Consortium Conference! They had excellent research presentations on cohousing, sustainability and how Gen Z envisions the future.

Mark your calendar!
Join us for the Sustainability Program’s end-of-year celebration on
Thursday, May 7, 12:30 – 2:30 PM, Akeley Lawrence Science Center, Room 313

Celebrate community, connection, and the joy of sustainability with great food, trivia, and shared insights. Submit a fun fact or highlight in advance for a chance to win a special prize!

We look forward to celebrating with you!

IdeaFest highlighted incredible range of work across our Sustainability Department. From research and applied projects to big-picture thinking about the future. Sustainability was redefined, moving beyond sacrifice and regulation to emphasize abundance, joy, relationships, and possibility. Centering community, local connection, and futures thinking, students showed how sustainability can inspire creativity and collective growth.
USD IdeaFest Sustainability at USD

Congratulations to the 2026 Chiesman Democracy Award winners! Their work reflects how sustainability and civic engagement come together to create meaningful, lasting impact.
Learn more details here: https://www.usd.edu/academics/colleges-and-schools/college-of-arts-sciences/south-dakotan-arts-and-sciences/chiesman-center-for-democracy-announces-higher-education-civic-engagement-award-winners

Happy Earth Days 2026!

We had a great first event doing prairie management at Spirit Mound!

We can't wait to see you!

🚀 IdeaFest begins tomorrow! Visit the MUC April 15–16 for student presentations, creative scholarship events, panels, and keynote sessions. 👇For more information, a list of events, and past entries, click the link below 👇 https://sites.google.com/usd.edu/ideafest/2026-event-schedule 📩 Questions? [email protected] Office of Research & Sponsored Programs Slagle 105 | 414 E. Clark Street | 605‑658‑3742

Stay tuned!

✨ 3 Days Out ✨
Only 3 days until IdeaFest begins!!!
Get ready for posters, talks, performances, and panels from over 100 USD students.

💠Click the link below for more information and a detailed schedule of events:
https://sites.google.com/usd.edu/ideafest/2026-event-schedule

📩 Questions?
[email protected]
Office of Research & Sponsored Programs
Slagle 105 | 414 E. Clark Street | 605‑658‑3742

The count down to IdeaFest 2026 is on! We are so excited to see our students take the stage at the MUC on April 15-16th. Calling all Yotes! If you are at the event supporting our presenters we want to see it - snap a photo and tag Sustainability at USD so we can feature you on our story.

🎉We’re officially one week away from IdeaFest 2026!
Stop by the MUC April 15–16 to explore two full days of student research, creativity, and innovation across every discipline.

💠Click the link below for more information and a full schedule of the events:
https://sites.google.com/usd.edu/ideafest/2026-event-schedule

📩 Questions?
[email protected]
Office of Research & Sponsored Programs
Slagle 105 | 414 E. Clark Street
605‑658‑3742