89 Notable alumni of
University of South Dakota

Updated:

EduRank

The University of South Dakota is 979th in the world, 356th in North America, and 334th in the United States by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 89 notable alumni from the University of South Dakota sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff.

  1. Tom Brokaw

    Tom Brokaw
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1940-.. (age 86)
    Occupations
    news presenterwritertelevision journalistopinion journalistprogram host
    Biography

    Thomas John Brokaw is an American author and retired network television journalist. He first served as the co-anchor of The Today Show from 1976 to 1981 with Jane Pauley, then as the anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News for 22 years (1982–2004). In the previous decade he served as a weekend anchor for the program from 1973 to 1976. He is the only person to have hosted all three major NBC News programs: The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, and, briefly, Meet the Press. He formerly held a special correspondent post for NBC News.

  2. John Thune

    John Thune
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1961-.. (age 65)
    Enrolled in the University of South Dakota
    In 1984 graduated with Master of Business Administration
    Occupations
    railway executivebusinesspersonpolitician
    Biography

    John Randolph Thune is an American politician serving as the senior United States senator from South Dakota, a seat he has held since 2005. From 1997 to 2003, he was the U.S. representative for South Dakota's at-large congressional district. A Republican, Thune has been the Senate majority leader and Senate Republican leader since January 2025.

  3. Ernest Lawrence

    Ernest Lawrence
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1901-1958 (aged 57)
    Occupations
    university teachernuclear physicistphysicist
    Biography

    Ernest Orlando Lawrence was an American accelerator physicist who received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1939 for his invention of the cyclotron. He is known for his work on uranium-isotope separation for the Manhattan Project, as well as for founding the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

  4. Tom Laughlin

    Tom Laughlin
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1931-2013 (aged 82)
    Occupations
    television actorfilm directoractorwriterfilm producer
    Biography

    Thomas Robert Laughlin Jr. was an American actor, filmmaker, educator, activist, and perennial candidate. He was best known as the star and director of the Billy Jack tetralogy of action drama films, produced between 1969 and 1977. His unique promotion of the 1974's The Trial of Billy Jack (TV trailers during national news and an "opening day" nationwide release) was a major influence on the way films are marketed.

  5. Faith Spotted Eagle

    Faith Spotted Eagle
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1948-.. (age 78)
    Occupations
    political activistteacherpolitician
    Biography

    Faith Spotted Eagle is an American activist and politician. She is a citizen of the Yankton Sioux Tribe who attempted to block development of the Keystone XL pipeline and the Dakota Access Pipeline.

  6. Greg Mortenson

    Greg Mortenson
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1957-.. (age 69)
    Occupations
    writermountaineerphilanthropistnurse
    Biography

    Greg Mortenson is an American professional speaker, writer, veteran, and former mountaineer. He is a co-founder and former executive director of the non-profit Central Asia Institute and the founder of the educational charity Pennies for Peace.

  7. Andrew Van Ginkel

    Andrew Van Ginkel
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1995-.. (age 31)
    Occupations
    American football player
    Biography

    Andrew Van Ginkel is an American professional football linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Dakota Coyotes before transferring to the Wisconsin Badgers. Van Ginkel was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL draft.

  8. Kevin Brady

    Kevin Brady
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1955-.. (age 71)
    Enrolled in the University of South Dakota
    In 1990 graduated with Bachelor of Arts
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Kevin Patrick Brady is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for Texas's 8th congressional district from 1997 to 2023. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district includes northern Houston, including The Woodlands. He retired after the 2022 election cycle.

  9. Scott DesJarlais

    Scott DesJarlais
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1964-.. (age 62)
    Enrolled in the University of South Dakota
    In 1987 graduated with Bachelor of Science
    In 1991 graduated with Doctor of Medicine
    Occupations
    politicianphysician
    Biography

    Scott Eugene DesJarlais is an American politician and physician serving as the U.S. representative for Tennessee's 4th congressional district since 2011. The district stretches across East and Middle Tennessee. He is a member of the Republican Party and a conservative.

  10. Joe Foss

    Joe Foss
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1915-2003 (aged 88)
    Occupations
    writermilitary officeraircraft pilotpolitician
    Biography

    Joseph Jacob Foss was a United States Marine Corps Major and a leading Marine fighter ace in World War II. He received the Medal of Honor in recognition of his role in air combat during the Guadalcanal campaign. In postwar years, he was an Air National Guard Brigadier General, served as the 20th Governor of South Dakota (1955–1959), president of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) and the first commissioner of the American Football League. He also was a television broadcaster.

  11. Dusty Johnson

    Dusty Johnson
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1976-.. (age 50)
    Enrolled in the University of South Dakota
    In 1999 graduated with Bachelor of Arts
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Dustin Michael Johnson is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for South Dakota's at-large congressional district since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he served as South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioner from 2005 to 2011, when he was appointed chief of staff to Governor Dennis Daugaard, a position he held until 2014. Between his state political career and congressional service, Johnson was the vice president of Vantage Point Solutions in Mitchell, South Dakota.

  12. Bud Day

    Bud Day
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1925-2013 (aged 88)
    Occupations
    military officerlawyeraircraft pilot
    Biography

    George Everette "Bud" Day was a United States Air Force officer, aviator, and veteran of World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War. He was also a prisoner of war, and recipient of the Medal of Honor and Air Force Cross. As of 2025, he is the only person to be awarded both the Medal of Honor and Air Force Cross. He was posthumously advanced to the rank of brigadier general effective March 27, 2018, as directed by the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act.

  13. Larry Pressler

    Larry Pressler
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1942-.. (age 84)
    Enrolled in the University of South Dakota
    Studied in 1964
    Occupations
    lawyerentrepreneuruniversity teacherpolitician
    Biography

    Larry Lee Pressler is an American lawyer and politician from South Dakota who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1975 to 1979, and United States Senate from 1979 to 1997, as a Republican. He briefly ran for the Republican nomination for President in 1980. He remained active in politics following his failed reelection campaign in 1996 and attempted to regain his former seat in 2014 as an independent, but was unsuccessful. He has since supported Democratic tickets.

  14. Joe Robbie

    Joe Robbie
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1916-1990 (aged 74)
    Occupations
    lawyerentrepreneurlobbyistpolitician
    Biography

    Joseph Robbie was an American attorney, politician, and the principal founder of the Miami Dolphins.

  15. Tim Johnson

    Tim Johnson
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1946-2024 (aged 78)
    Enrolled in the University of South Dakota
    In 1969 graduated with Bachelor of Arts
    In 1975 graduated with Juris Doctor
    Occupations
    adviserlawyerpolitician
    Biography

    Timothy Peter Johnson was an American lawyer and politician who served as a United States senator from South Dakota from 1997 to 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the United States representative for South Dakota's at-large congressional district from 1987 to 1997 and in the South Dakota Legislature from 1979 to 1987. Johnson is the last Democrat to hold statewide and/or congressional office in South Dakota. He and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin are also the last Democrats to win a statewide election in South Dakota.

  16. Dennis Daugaard

    Dennis Daugaard
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1953-.. (age 73)
    Enrolled in the University of South Dakota
    In 1975 graduated with Bachelor of Science in government
    Occupations
    lawyerbusinesspersonpolitician
    Biography

    Dennis Martin Daugaard is an American attorney and politician who served as the 32nd governor of South Dakota from 2011 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he was the first chief executive of a U.S. state to be the child of deaf parents. Before being elected governor, he was a lawyer, banker, development director for a nonprofit organization; he also served as a state senator from 1997 to 2003 and the 37th lieutenant governor of South Dakota from 2003 to 2011.

  17. Bill Janklow

    Bill Janklow
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1939-2012 (aged 73)
    Enrolled in the University of South Dakota
    In 1964 graduated with Bachelor of Science
    In 1966 graduated with Bachelor of Laws
    Occupations
    lawyerlobbyistpolitician
    Biography

    William John Janklow was an American lawyer and politician and member of the Republican Party. He holds the record for the longest tenure as the governor of South Dakota: sixteen years in office. Janklow had the third-longest gubernatorial tenure in post-Constitutional U.S. history at 5,851 days.

  18. Jason Ravnsborg

    Jason Ravnsborg
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1976-.. (age 50)
    Occupations
    lawyer
    Biography

    Jason Richard Ravnsborg is an American attorney and politician. A Republican, he served as Attorney General of South Dakota from 2019 until his removal in 2022. Ravnsborg ran for the U.S. Senate in 2014, losing in the Republican primary to former Governor Mike Rounds, who won the general election.

  19. David Rumelhart

    David Rumelhart
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1942-2011 (aged 69)
    Occupations
    computer scientistpsychologistuniversity teacher
    Biography

    David Everett Rumelhart was an American psychologist who made many contributions to the formal analysis of human cognition, working primarily within the frameworks of mathematical psychology, symbolic artificial intelligence, and parallel distributed processing. He also admired formal linguistic approaches to cognition, and explored the possibility of formulating a formal grammar to capture the structure of stories.

  20. Matt Mooney

    Matt Mooney
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1995-.. (age 31)
    Enrolled in the University of South Dakota
    Studied in 2015-2018
    Occupations
    basketball player
    Biography

    Matthew Marren Mooney is an American professional basketball player who last played for the New Zealand Breakers of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball for the Texas Tech Red Raiders and South Dakota having transferred after his freshman year at Air Force.

  21. Al Neuharth

    Al Neuharth
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1924-2013 (aged 89)
    Occupations
    authorjournalistbusinesspersoncolumnist
    Biography

    Allen Harold "Al" Neuharth was an American businessman, author, and columnist born in Eureka, South Dakota. He was the founder of USA Today, The Freedom Forum, and its Newseum.

  22. Tyler Starr

    Tyler Starr
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1991-.. (age 35)
    Occupations
    American football player
    Biography

    Tyler Starr is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Dakota Coyotes. He was selected by the Falcons in the seventh round (255th overall) of the 2014 NFL draft.

  23. George S. Mickelson

    George S. Mickelson
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1941-1993 (aged 52)
    Occupations
    lawyerpolitician
    Biography

    George Speaker Mickelson was an American politician and Vietnam War veteran who served as the 28th governor of South Dakota from 1987 until his death in 1993 in a plane crash near Zwingle, Iowa.

  24. Peter Norbeck

    Peter Norbeck
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1870-1936 (aged 66)
    Occupations
    politiciangeneral contractor
    Biography

    Peter Norbeck was an American politician from South Dakota. After serving two terms as the ninth governor of South Dakota, he was elected to three consecutive terms as a United States senator.

  25. Chen Shu-hui

    Chen Shu-hui
    Years
    1957-.. (age 69)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Chen Shu-hui is a member of the Kuomintang and a former member of the Legislative Yuan in Taiwan.

  26. Stanley Umude

    Stanley Umude
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1999-.. (age 27)
    Occupations
    basketball player
    Biography

    Stanley Umude is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Arkansas Razorbacks and the South Dakota Coyotes.

  27. Andrea Thompson

    Andrea Thompson
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1966-.. (age 60)
    Enrolled in the University of South Dakota
    In 1988 graduated with Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and journalism
    Occupations
    military officerofficial
    Biography

    Andrea Lee Thompson is an American government official and former military officer. She is the former Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs. Prior to this, she was the National Security Advisor to Vice President Mike Pence. Before entering government service, she was a career intelligence officer in the United States Army.

  28. Frank Farrar

    Frank Farrar
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1929-2021 (aged 92)
    Enrolled in the University of South Dakota
    Graduated with Bachelor of Science
    Occupations
    lawyerjudge
    Biography

    Frank Leroy Farrar was an American politician who was the 24th Governor of South Dakota. A Republican from Britton, he served as the state's attorney general from 1963 to 1969, and as governor from 1969 to 1971. After leaving office, he chaired several holding companies and became the owner of numerous banks.

  29. John H. Lawrence

    John H. Lawrence
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1904-1991 (aged 87)
    Occupations
    university teacherphysicianphysicist
    Biography

    John Hundale Lawrence was an American physicist and physician best known for pioneering the field of nuclear medicine.

  30. Tyler Cain

    Tyler Cain
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1988-.. (age 38)
    Occupations
    basketball player
    Biography

    Tyler Cain is an American basketball player who last played for Derthona Basket of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA). He played college basketball for the University of South Dakota (USD). He is best known for being the inaugural winner of the Great West Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year award in 2009–10, the conference's first as a Division I basketball league. As a senior that season, Cain became the second player in USD history to record 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. He is also USD's all-time leading shot blocker after compiling 361 during his career.

  31. Arch Hall, Sr

    Arch Hall, Sr
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1908-1978 (aged 70)
    Occupations
    screenwriterfilm directorfilm produceractorfilm actor
    Biography

    Archibald Williams Hall, known as Arch, was an American actor and filmmaker, best known for making a series of B-movies in the early 1960s starring his son, Arch Hall Jr. Hall used various names throughout his career including Nicholas Merriwether, William Waters, and Archie Hall.

  32. Gabor Boritt

    Gabor Boritt
    Born in
    Hungary Flag Hungary
    Years
    1940-.. (age 86)
    Occupations
    historianuniversity teacher
    Biography

    Gabor Szappanos Boritt was a Hungarian-born American historian. He was the Robert Fluhrer Professor of Civil War Studies and Director of the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College. Born and raised in Hungary, he participated as a teenager in the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 before escaping to America, where he received his higher education and became a scholar of Abraham Lincoln and the American Civil War. He was the author, co-author, or editor of 16 books about Lincoln or the Civil War. Boritt received the National Humanities Medal in 2008 from President George W. Bush.

  33. Brendan Johnson

    Brendan Johnson
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1975-.. (age 51)
    Occupations
    lawyer
    Biography

    Brendan Van Johnson is an American attorney who served as the 40th United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota. He is the son of former U.S. Senator Tim Johnson and currently is a partner at Robins Kaplan LLP, where he serves as the Chair of the Firm's National Business Litigation Group and Member of the Firm's Executive Board. In 2024, Johnson was recognized as one of America's Top 200 Lawyers for his litigation work and representation of Native American tribes.

  34. Dan O'Brien

    Dan O'Brien
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1947-.. (age 79)
    Occupations
    novelisthusbandry workerautobiographer
    Biography

    Daniel Hosler O'Brien is an American author, wildlife biologist, and rancher.

  35. Kevin Locke

    Kevin Locke
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1954-2022 (aged 68)
    Enrolled in the University of South Dakota
    Graduated with master's degree in educational management
    Occupations
    teachermusician
    Biography

    Kevin Edward Locke was of Lakota descent of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and Anishinaabe of White Earth. He was a preeminent player of the North American Indigenous Flute, a traditional storyteller, cultural ambassador, recording artist and educator. He was best-known for his hoop dance, The Hoop of Life.

  36. Rick Weiland

    Rick Weiland
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1958-.. (age 68)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Richard Paul Weiland is an American businessman, politician and member of the Democratic Party from the state of South Dakota. Weiland was the chief executive officer of the International Code Council, was appointed by Bill Clinton to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and served as senior advisor to former U.S. Senator Tom Daschle.

  37. Matt Michels

    Matt Michels
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1960-.. (age 66)
    Occupations
    lawyerpolitician
    Biography

    Matthew Michels is an American politician who served as the 38th lieutenant governor of South Dakota from 2011 to 2019.

  38. Anna Johnson Pell Wheeler

    Anna Johnson Pell Wheeler
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1883-1966 (aged 83)
    Enrolled in the University of South Dakota
    Studied in 1899-1903
    Occupations
    mathematicianuniversity teacher
    Biography

    Anna Johnson Pell Wheeler was an American mathematician. She is best known for early work on linear algebra in infinite dimensions, which has later become a part of functional analysis.

  39. John Behring

    John Behring
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    20th Century
    Occupations
    television producercinematographertelevision director
    Biography

    John Behring is an American television director, cinematographer, and producer.

  40. William L. Harding

    William L. Harding
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1877-1934 (aged 57)
    Occupations
    lawyerpolitician
    Biography

    William Lloyd Harding was an American politician who served as the 22nd Governor of Iowa, from 1917 to 1921.

  41. Herbert J. Davenport

    Herbert J. Davenport
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1861-1931 (aged 70)
    Occupations
    university teachereconomist
    Biography

    Herbert Joseph Davenport was an American economist, educator and author. He was a member of the American Psychological School alongside Frank A. Fetter and Thorstein Veblen.

  42. Harvey Wollman

    Harvey Wollman
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1935-2022 (aged 87)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Harvey Lowell Wollman was an American politician who served as the 26th Governor of South Dakota from 1978 to 1979. He was the first Lieutenant Governor in the history of South Dakota to succeed to the governorship. To date, he is the most recent Democrat to serve as South Dakota's governor.

  43. Roberto Lange

    Roberto Lange
    Born in
    Spain Flag Spain
    Years
    1963-.. (age 63)
    Occupations
    lawyerjudge
    Biography

    Roberto Antonio Lange is the chief United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota.

  44. Todd Lee

    Todd Lee
    Occupations
    basketball coach
    Biography

    Todd Walter Lee is an American college basketball coach who is the former head coach of the South Dakota Coyotes men's basketball team.

  45. Nick Estes

    Nick Estes
    Occupations
    historian
    Biography

    Nick Estes is a Sicangu American community organizer, journalist, and historian at the University of Minnesota. He has cofounded The Red Nation and Red Media. In 2019, he was awarded the Lannan Literary Award Fellowship for nonfiction. In 2020, he was honored as the Marguerite Casey Foundation's freedom scholar.

  46. Jeremy Taylor

    Jeremy Taylor
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1978-.. (age 48)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Jeremy J. Taylor is an American educator and Republican politician. He served a single term on the Iowa House of Representatives from 2011 to 2013, and was a member of the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors between 2014 and 2020.

  47. Mark Mickelson

    Mark Mickelson
    Years
    1966-.. (age 60)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    George Mark Mickelson is an American lawyer, accountant, and politician who served as a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives, representing District 13 from 2013 to 2019. He is a Republican and a member of the prominent Mickelson family of South Dakota.

  48. Sigurd Anderson

    Sigurd Anderson
    Born in
    Norway Flag Norway
    Years
    1904-1990 (aged 86)
    Occupations
    lawyerjudgepolitician
    Biography

    Sigurd Anderson was the 19th governor of South Dakota. Anderson, a Republican from Webster, South Dakota, served in that office from 1951 to 1955.

  49. Frank E. Denholm

    Frank E. Denholm
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1923-2016 (aged 93)
    Occupations
    university teacherlawyerpolitician
    Biography

    Franklin Edvard Denholm was a member of the United States House of Representatives from South Dakota.

  50. Loren Terveen

    Loren Terveen
    Enrolled in the University of South Dakota
    In 1984 graduated with Bachelor of Arts in mathematics, computer science, and history
    Occupations
    computer scientistuniversity teacher
    Biography

    Loren Terveen is an American computer scientist and was the president of the Association for Computing Machinery's SIGCHI professional group from 2015 to 2018. Terveen is a professor of computer science and engineering and studies human-computer interaction at GroupLens Research at the University of Minnesota. Since 2025, he has served as the head of the Computer Science department.

  51. Arlo L. Olson

    Arlo L. Olson
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1918-1943 (aged 25)
    Occupations
    military personnel
    Biography

    Arlo L. Olson was a United States Army officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

  52. John C. Miller Jr

    John C. Miller Jr
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1912-2000 (aged 88)
    Occupations
    military leader
    Biography

    John Carroll Miller Jr. was a decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of Brigadier general. A veteran of the Pacific War, he was wounded twice and received decorations for valor on Saipan and Okinawa. He remained in the Marines and retired as Brigadier general and Commanding general, Landing Force Training Command, Atlantic.

  53. Richard Barrett Lowe

    Richard Barrett Lowe
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1902-1972 (aged 70)
    Occupations
    politicianmilitary officer
    Biography

    Richard Barrett Lowe was the governor (and fifth appointed civil governor) of American Samoa (October 1, 1953 – October 15, 1956) and the eighth American governor (and third civilian governor) of Guam (October 15, 1956 – November 14, 1959). He was also a prominent educator and United Nations observer.

  54. Ryun Williams

    Ryun Williams
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1969-.. (age 57)
    Occupations
    basketball coach
    Biography

    Ryun Thomas Williams is an American college basketball coach who is the current head women's basketball coach at Colorado State.

  55. Jeffrey L. Viken

    Jeffrey L. Viken
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1952-.. (age 74)
    Occupations
    lawyerjudge
    Biography

    Jeffrey Lynn Viken is a former United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota.

  56. Jens Joneleit

    Jens Joneleit
    Born in
    Germany Flag Germany
    Years
    1968-.. (age 58)
    Occupations
    composer
    Biography

    Jens Gerd Joneleit is a German composer, known for his operas.

  57. Royal C. Johnson

    Royal C. Johnson
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1882-1939 (aged 57)
    Occupations
    military officerlawyerpolitician
    Biography

    Royal Cleaves Johnson was a U.S. Representative from South Dakota and a highly decorated veteran of World War I while he was still a member of Congress. Despite voting against United States declaration of war on Germany, he took a leave of absence from Congress to enlist. He became a highly decorated veteran receiving the Distinguished Service Cross from the United States government. He also received the War Cross 1914–1918 from the French government.

  58. Nels H. Smith

    Nels H. Smith
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1884-1976 (aged 92)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Nels Hansen Smith was an American politician who served as the 18th governor of Wyoming from 1939 to 1943. A member of the Republican Party, he served in the Wyoming House of Representatives from 1919 to 1920.

  59. Carl Gunderson

    Carl Gunderson
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1864-1933 (aged 69)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Carl Gunderson was an American politician who served as the 11th Governor of South Dakota. Gunderson, a Republican from Mitchell, South Dakota, served from 1925 to 1927.

  60. Dwight W. Burney

    Dwight W. Burney
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1892-1987 (aged 95)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Dwight Willard Burney was an American politician from the state of Nebraska. A Republican, he served as the 30th governor of Nebraska from 1960 to 1961.

  61. Scott Heidepriem

    Scott Heidepriem
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1956-.. (age 70)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Scott N. Heidepriem is an American attorney and former South Dakota state legislator.

  62. Hannah Caroline Aase

    Hannah Caroline Aase
    Years
    1883-1980 (aged 97)
    Enrolled in the University of South Dakota
    In 1906 graduated with bachelor's degree
    Occupations
    botanistbotanical collectorscientific collector
    Biography

    Hannah Caroline Aase was an American botanist and cytologist.

  63. Tyler Hagedorn

    Tyler Hagedorn
    Years
    1996-.. (age 30)
    Occupations
    basketball player
    Biography

    Tyler Joseph Hagedorn is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Long Island Nets of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for South Dakota.

  64. Raymond W. Carpenter

    Raymond W. Carpenter
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1948-.. (age 78)
    Occupations
    military personnel
    Biography

    Raymond W. Carpenter is a retired United States Army major general who served as acting Director of the Army National Guard.

  65. Bryan Akipa

    Bryan Akipa
    Years
    1957-.. (age 69)
    Occupations
    flautist
    Biography

    Bryan Akipa is a Dakota flautist with five solo albums to date.

  66. Leslie Jensen

    Leslie Jensen
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1892-1964 (aged 72)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Leslie Jensen was an American businessman and politician who served as the 15th Governor of South Dakota.

  67. A. J. Schable

    A. J. Schable
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1984-.. (age 42)
    Occupations
    American football player
    Biography

    Andrew Joel "A. J." Schable is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Dakota Coyotes and was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He is currently a firefighter in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

  68. Lawrence L. Piersol

    Lawrence L. Piersol
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1940-.. (age 86)
    Occupations
    lawyerjudge
    Biography

    Lawrence Leroy Piersol is a senior United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota.

  69. Sam Kooiker

    Sam Kooiker
    Born in
    Japan Flag Japan
    Years
    1974-.. (age 52)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Sam Kooiker is an American politician who served as Mayor of Rapid City, South Dakota from 2011 to 2015.

  70. John Bailey Jones

    John Bailey Jones
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1927-2023 (aged 96)
    Enrolled in the University of South Dakota
    Graduated with Bachelor of Laws
    Occupations
    lawyerjudgepolitician
    Biography

    John Bailey Jones was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota.

  71. Dave Knudson

    Dave Knudson
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1950-.. (age 76)
    Occupations
    lawyerpolitician
    Biography

    David L. Knudson is an American lawyer, former Majority Leader of the South Dakota Senate, and a member of the Republican Party.

  72. Gordon Mydland

    Gordon Mydland
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1922-2022 (aged 100)
    Occupations
    politicianjudge
    Biography

    Gordon James Mydland was an American attorney and politician who served as the Attorney General of South Dakota. He was also a state senator, and a circuit court judge.

  73. Merrell Q. Sharpe

    Merrell Q. Sharpe
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1888-1962 (aged 74)
    Occupations
    lawyerpolitician
    Biography

    Merrell Quentin Sharpe was an American politician from Kennebec, South Dakota. Affiliated with the Republican Party, Sharpe was the attorney general of South Dakota from 1929 through 1933, and governor of South Dakota from 1943 through 1947.

  74. Harold Lovre

    Harold Lovre
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1904-1972 (aged 68)
    Enrolled in the University of South Dakota
    Studied in 1927
    Occupations
    lawyerpolitician
    Biography

    Harold Orrin Lovre was an American politician. A member of the Republican Party, Lovre represented South Dakota in the United States House of Representatives from 1949 to 1957.

  75. Joe Bottum

    Joe Bottum
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1903-1984 (aged 81)
    Occupations
    lawyerjudgepolitician
    Biography

    Joseph Henry Bottum was an American lawyer, jurist, and politician. He served as the 27th lieutenant governor of South Dakota and as a member of the United States Senate from South Dakota.

  76. Sioux K. Grigsby

    Sioux K. Grigsby
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1873-1968 (aged 95)
    Occupations
    lawyerpolitician
    Biography

    Sioux Kingsbury Grigsby was an attorney and politician in the United States state of South Dakota. Grigsby was born into a prominent pioneering family, Kingsbury family in South Dakota and set up a law practice which he would maintain for over 60 years. Grigsby served as state representative, state senator, and Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota from 1945 to 1949.

  77. Dave Mulder

    Dave Mulder
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1939-.. (age 87)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Dave W. Mulder is an American politician and educator who served as a member of the Iowa Senate for the 2nd District from 2005 to 2009.

  78. Kay Schallenkamp

    Kay Schallenkamp
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1949-.. (age 77)
    Biography

    Kay Schallenkamp is an American education administrator, most recently serving as Black Hills State University's ninth president in Spearfish, South Dakota. Before her job at Black Hills State, Schallenkamp also served as the fourteenth president at Emporia State University, provost and vice-chancellor at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, Chadron State College, and multiple positions at Northern State University.

  79. Ellis Yarnal Berry

    Ellis Yarnal Berry
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1902-1999 (aged 97)
    Occupations
    editorpoliticianlawyerjudgejournalist
    Biography

    Ellis Yarnal Berry was an American attorney, newspaper publisher and politician, who served in the United States House of Representatives from South Dakota. He served ten consecutive terms in office from 1951 to 1971.

  80. Byron Bullock

    Byron Bullock
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1987-.. (age 39)
    Occupations
    Canadian football player
    Biography

    Byron Bullock is a former professional Canadian football linebacker.

  81. John A. Dubia

    John A. Dubia
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1943-.. (age 83)
    Enrolled in the University of South Dakota
    Graduated with Master of Science in business administration
    Occupations
    military personnel
    Biography

    John Austin Dubia was a lieutenant general in the United States Army who last served as Director of the Army Staff from 1995 to 1999. He was also executive vice president of AFCEA International until September 2013.

  82. Greg Stevens

    Greg Stevens
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1960-.. (age 66)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Greg R. Stevens is an American politician in the state of Iowa.

  83. Richard L. Gregg

    Richard L. Gregg
    Biography

    Richard L. "Dick" Gregg is an official in the United States Department of the Treasury who served as Fiscal Assistant Secretary of the Treasury from May 12, 2010 to June 30, 2014.

  84. Ron Jorgensen

    Ron Jorgensen
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1957-.. (age 69)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Ron Jorgensen is the Iowa State Representative from the 6th District. A Republican, he has served in the Iowa House of Representatives since 2011. Smith was born in Sioux City, Iowa, United States. He has a B.S. in business administration from Morningside College and an M.B.A. from the University of South Dakota. Jorgensen works as Vice President for Business and Finance at Morningside College.

  85. Roger Wendt

    Roger Wendt
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1933-2011 (aged 78)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Roger F. Wendt was a Democratic member of the Iowa House of Representatives, representing the 2nd District from 2003 until 2011, though he stepped down from the Iowa House in February 2010 due to serious illness. He died on March 30, 2011, from lung cancer.

  86. G. Homer Harding

    G. Homer Harding
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1925-.. (age 101)
    Biography

    Guy Homer Harding is an American former politician in the state of South Dakota. He was a member of the South Dakota State Senate from 1971 to 1988. Throughout his state senate term, he represented the 19th, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th districts. He was also Treasurer of South Dakota from 1991 to 1995. Harding, a Republican, is a veteran of World War II and Korean War, serving in the US Army. He reached the rank of brigadier general and was later Assistant Adjutant General of South Dakota. He is an alumnus of the University of South Dakota and was a car dealer. Harding is also a past president of the Pierre Chamber of Commerce and former member of the Pierre School Board.

  87. Homer Kandaras

    Homer Kandaras
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1929-2017 (aged 88)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Homer M. Kandaras was an American politician in the state of South Dakota. He was a member of the South Dakota State Senate from 1971 to 1976. Throughout his state senate term, he represented the 27th and 28th districts. He is an alumnus of University of South Dakota where he earned his law degree.

  88. Lowdon Heller

    Lowdon Heller
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1924-2016 (aged 92)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Lowdon B. Heller was an American politician in the state of South Dakota. He was a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives from 1957 to 1960. He was an alumnus of the University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University, and was later a businessman, teacher and farmer. He died aged 92 in 2016.

  89. Rodney Hall

    Rodney Hall
    Born in
    United States Flag United States
    Years
    1928-.. (age 98)
    Occupations
    politician
    Biography

    Rodney Maple Hall is an American former politician in the state of South Dakota. He was a member of the South Dakota Senate from 1971 to 1976. He attended Dakota Wesleyan University and the University of South Dakota where he earned a master's degree in education. He is a veteran of the Korean War and later worked as an educator in Iowa, California, Minnesota, along with South Dakota, as a teacher, supervisor, and principal.