Honorary Degree Committee
Mission: Solicit nominations and make selections for honorary degree recipients.
| Membership: | Position: |
| Laurie Nichols, Chair | President, BHSU |
| Nancy Roberts | President, Faculty Senate |
| Nancy Shuck | President, Staff Senate |
| Steve Meeker | VP of University Advancement |
| Jon Kilpinen | Provost, BHSU |
| Megan Reder-Schopp | Community Member |
BHSU Honorary Degree Recipients
Joe Floyd
2023, Doctorate of Public Service
Recently named Cable TV Pioneer for guiding the construction and purchase of cable systems in South Dakota and surrounding states. President and COO of Midco until his 2001 retirement.
Dale Lamphere
2022, Doctorate of Humane Letters
Western regions outstanding sculptor, known for Native American and Pioneer sculptures, particularly Arch Dreams in Sioux Falls and Dignity located in Chamberlain. Lamphere designed "The Hive" located on Jackson Blvd. and at the entrance of BHSU.
Dick Termes
2021, Doctorate of Humane Letters
An American artist known for his creation of spherical art using the six-point perspective system, the unique paintings on large spheres are known as Termespheres.
Johnnie Johnson
2021, Doctorate of Public Service
CEO of Cenex Harvest States; led cooperatives and its predecessors through several difficult financial periods and helped the cooperative maintain its status as a Fortune 500 company.
Kenneth Hagishi
2019, Doctorate of Public Service
WWII Veteran and member of the C “Charlie” Company, 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a famous Japanese American special fighting force.
Lt. Col. Brett Theeler, MD
2019, Doctorate of Science
Deputy Chief of the Department of Neurology at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Dr. Lowell Amiotte
2018, Doctorate of Public Service
Recognized for his dedication and commitment to Native American education.
Jodi Archambault-Gillette
2016, Doctorate of Public Service
Former special assistant to President Barack Obama for Native American Affairs.
Jerome Greene
2015, Honorary Doctor of Letters and Literature Degree
National Park Service employee and award-winning author.
Michael Shann
2014, Doctor of Public Service
Producer of movie premieres, conferences, educational programs and large scale events including closing ceremony for Olympics.
Guido Della-Vecchio & Johanna Meier
2003, Doctorate of Humane Letters
Owners of the Black Hills Passion Play.
Alice Kundert
1985, Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters
A former teacher who served as Auditor, Secretary of State, and in the state House of Representatives of South Dakota.
Korczak Ziolkowski
1981, Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters
Ziolkowski was the sculptor of Crazy Horse Monument near Custer.
Leland Case
1980, Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters
Case is a Tuscon, Ariz., author and publisher who donated land and a collection of western history to the college.
Honorable George McGovern
1978, Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters
McGovern is a former South Dakota senator and was the Democratic presidential candidate in 1972.
Honorable Arthur Westwood
1976, Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters
Westwood is a former pastor of the Spearfish United Methodist Church of Christ.
Honorable JoAnn Haberman
1975, Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters
Haberman, an Eagle Butte native, is considered one of the world’s leading authorities in cancer research.
Honorable James Abourezk
1974, Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters
Abourezk was a former South Dakota senator.
Honorable Joseph Foss
1973, Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters
Foss was a former South Dakota governor
Joseph Meier
1972. Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters
Meier was the owner of the Black Hills Passion Play and portrayed Christ in the production.
Lloyd Eaton
1971, Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters
Eaton, a 1940 BHSU graduate, was the head football coach for the University of Wyoming and was later the director of player personnel for the Green Bay Packers.
Honorable E.Y. Berry
1970, Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters
Berry was the West River Congressman who helped BHSC get funding for the library learning center that was later named in his honor.
Spearfish
1200 University Street
Spearfish, SD
57799-9502
Phone: 605.642.6131
Fax: 605.642.6254
Admissions@BHSU.edu
Rapid City
4300 Cheyenne Blvd
Box Elder, SD
57719-7700
Phone: 605.718.4112
Questions?PrivacyTitle IX
Terms of UseEmail LoginEmail Password Reset
Copyright © 2024 · Black Hills State University