Brookings, S.D. (KELO AM) - Members of the 2013 class of Distinguished Alumni from South Dakota State University hold a particularly close tie to their alma mater.Three are current or former faculty members, another directed the SDSU Foundation and another coordinated numerous partnerships between his current school and SDSU. Those chosen to be honored:
- Robert Gunsalus, class of 1969, Los Angeles;
- Merl Hackbart, class of 1963, Lexington, Ky.;
- Dan Hansen, class of 2003/'05, Brookings;
- Brian Kaatz, class of 1974, Sioux Falls;
- David Marquardt, class of 1964, Sioux Falls;
- Jane McKee Smith, class of 1983, Vicksburg, Miss.;
- Roberta Olson, class of 1964, Brookings; and
- Hugh Smeltekop, class of 1999, La Paz, Bolivia.
The distinguished alumni banquet is 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, the evening before Hobo Day, at the Swiftel Center. Tickets are $30 ($10 for age 12 and younger). They can be purchased from the SDSU Alumni Association at 605-697-5198 or 888-735-2257 or online at www.statealum.com. Reservations and payments are due by Sept. 25.