Barry Dunn named SDSU President

Sara Bertsch Editor-in-Chief

The South Dakota Board of Regents appointed Barry Dunn as South Dakota State University’s 20th president on Monday.

Dunn is the current dean of the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences at SDSU. He holds a Ph.D. and a master’s degree in animal science and a bachelor’s degree in biology, all from SDSU.

“I’m very excited and thrilled,” Dunn said. “It’s an incredible honor to be the president of my alma mater, the place I love so much. This university and its land grant mission has served me and my family for generations. I couldn’t be prouder to take the reigns and help move it into the future.”

Dunn said one of the biggest challenges he will face as the new president is enrollment management.

“The demographics of our region are not positive for growth, but we need to grow,” he said. “We need to be strong financially and serve as many people as we possibly can.”

Dunn wants students to know how much he cares about them. He believes that he will be “a grandfatherly figure.”

“I want the very best for them, so sincerely,” he said. “This place has changed my life and it was the greatest decision I ever made and it is for them too. We need to build their success. We need to do the very best job in the classroom and student life and all campus life for them to succeed.”

Dunn’s first official day will be on May 23. 

Dunn will succeed David Chicoine, who has served as SDSU’s president since 2007. Chicoine announced his decision to step down December 2015.