It’s commencement weekend at Dakota State University. DSU will celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2026 during spring commencement ceremonies on Saturday, recognizing 480 graduates and highlighting student leadership, academic excellence, and military service.
Commencement weekend activities begin today with a rehearsal at 4:15 p.m. in the DSU Fieldhouse, followed by a reception for graduates and guests from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Trojan Zone.
Saturday’s events open with a hooding ceremony for master’s and doctoral graduates at 8:30 a.m. in the Dakota Prairie Playhouse. The main commencement ceremony is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. in the DSU Fieldhouse, where approximately 280 graduates are expected to participate in person.
Retiring DSU faculty member Dr. Chris Olson will deliver the keynote commencement address, while graduating senior Austin Kaiser has been selected as the student speaker.
Kaiser, a Faulkton native, is earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Cyber Operations with a minor in Digital Forensics. During his time at DSU, he earned top honors at the DSU Wildfire Labs Hackathon, founded the software company Key Stack Development, and served as an adjunct faculty member, teaching creative coding and computer science courses.
The ceremony will also recognize graduate Emily Helgeson, who will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force through DSU’s partnership with South Dakota State University’s Air & Space Force ROTC program. Helgeson is earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Cyber Leadership & Intelligence with a specialization in world affairs and human behavior. She will officially be commissioned today in Brookings.
Guests attending commencement are encouraged to arrive early and use parking areas near the DSU Fieldhouse, Dakota Prairie Playhouse, and Beacom PREMIER Complex. Tickets are required for admission to the Fieldhouse ceremony, with overflow seating and a livestream available at the Dakota Prairie Playhouse and through the university’s YouTube channel.
