Nominations Open for 2026 Eminent Leaders Awards in South Dakota

SDSU seeks nominations for lifetime achievement in agriculture, family, and community service

Apr. 8, 2026 at 6:13am

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of an iconic agricultural tool or family-oriented object repeated in a tight grid pattern, capturing the celebratory spirit of the Eminent Leaders awards.The Eminent Leaders awards celebrate the unsung heroes who have dedicated their lives to strengthening South Dakota's agricultural, family, and community fabric.Brookings Today

South Dakota State University is accepting nominations for its annual Eminent Leaders in Agriculture, Family and Community award program. The awards recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the agriculture industry, strengthened families, and enhanced their local communities in South Dakota. Nominees must be current residents of the state and have a history of unselfish service and leadership.

Why it matters

The Eminent Leaders awards highlight the important role that agriculture, family, and community service play in the state of South Dakota. By recognizing exceptional individuals, the program aims to inspire others to follow in their footsteps and make positive impacts on the state's economy, social fabric, and quality of life.

The details

The Eminent Leaders in Agriculture, Family and Community award program was founded in 1927 and is presented annually by South Dakota State University's College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and College of Education and Human Sciences. Nominees must have made significant contributions to at least one of the three award categories - agriculture, family, or community. They should be known for their selfless dedication of time, talent, and leadership. Spouses can be nominated separately, and recipients must be current South Dakota residents who have not been employed by SDSU within the last five years. Three to five letters of support are required for each nomination.

  • The nomination deadline is May 1, 2026.
  • The next Eminent Leaders awards ceremony is scheduled for Friday, September 18, 2026 at McCrory Gardens in Brookings.

The players

South Dakota State University

The state's land-grant university and largest institution of higher education, founded in 1881. SDSU confers degrees from seven colleges and has a Doctoral University: High Research Activity designation.

College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences

One of the seven colleges at SDSU that presents the Eminent Leaders awards.

College of Education and Human Sciences

One of the seven colleges at SDSU that presents the Eminent Leaders awards.

Angela Loftesness

The contact person at SDSU's CAFES Dean's Office who can provide nomination forms and answer questions about the awards.

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What’s next

The nomination deadline is May 1, 2026. Individuals interested in submitting a nomination can find the official form and instructions online at sdstate.edu/eminent-leaders or by contacting Angela Loftesness at the SDSU CAFES Dean's Office.

The takeaway

The Eminent Leaders awards celebrate the unsung heroes of South Dakota who have dedicated their lives to strengthening the state's agricultural economy, supporting families, and improving their local communities. By honoring these exceptional individuals, the program aims to inspire others to follow in their footsteps and make a positive difference in the lives of all South Dakotans.