Sustainability at USD

05/17/2026

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

05/17/2026

Celebrating our newest alumni

05/10/2026

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.

05/01/2026

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!

04/29/2026

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

04/27/2026

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

04/18/2026

Happy Earth Days 2026!

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

04/14/2026

We can't wait to see you!

04/13/2026

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

04/08/2026

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

04/08/2026

This Earth Day, join Greening Vermillion in celebrating the theme "Our Power, Our Planet" See full events list for Vermillion Earth Days.

Vermillion Earth Days 2026 are coming! Join us for a week of fun activities and taking action. Click link to view full events details: https://www.greeningvermillion.org/
Vermillion Public Library University of South Dakota Coyote Twin Vermillion Rotary Club Vermillion Area Community Group Vermillion Underground Vermillion Area Farmers Market United Way of Vermillion Sierra Club South Dakota University of South Dakota - Center for Teaching and Learning