South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, most comprehensive, and the only land-grant university with more than 200 academic programs, an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students, and over $60 million in annual research expenditures.
South Dakota State University offers a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusion and access through inspired, student-centered education, creative activities and research, innovation and engagement that improve the quality of life in South Dakota, the region, the nation and the world. Its employees embrace the university’s core values of being people-centered, expanding knowledge through creativity, embracing organizational and personal integrity, commitment to diversity of thought, and excellence through continuous improvement.
The Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering is one of eight colleges within South Dakota State University. The College has a rich history of success in fulfilling its land-grant mission in teaching, research, and outreach and is made up of six departments: agricultural and biosystems engineering, civil and environmental engineering, construction and operations management, electrical engineering and computer science, mathematics and statistics, and mechanical engineering. The College was officially named the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering in June 2013 to honor Mr. Lohr’s profound role in transforming the College as a donor, fundraiser and advocate. The vision of the College is to be a nationally recognized, regionally relevant, student-centered, and accessible land-grant college, and achieve the university’s mission of providing a rigorous, practical education oriented toward problem-solving, conducting world-class regionally relevant research, and providing technical assistance to existing and emerging business, industry and government.
The Mechanical Engineering Department is the largest department within the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering at SDSU with 16 faculty members and more than 430 students. The department offers BS, MS, and PhD degrees in mechanical engineering and has a rich history of success in fulfilling its mission in teaching, research, and service.
The department occupies modern facilities with well-equipped laboratories and supercomputing resources for both instruction and research. Active student branches of four technical societies provide students with opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities that develop professional competence and leadership skills. The environment for study and work is friendly and supportive.
As the state’s 1862 Morrill Act land-grant institution, the work of South Dakota State University is carried out on its main resident campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre, Rapid City, and Aberdeen, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across South Dakota.
Jackrabbits Athletics competes as an NCAA Division I member with membership in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the Summit League and the Big XII for wrestling.
Brookings is home to approximately 24,000 residents and is located 60 miles north of Sioux Falls and 200 miles west of Minneapolis. Brookings is listed as an ideal community for families, students, young professionals and retirees, and is rated among the safest and most vibrant cities in South Dakota.
The Brookings Public School District educates approximately 3,300 K-12 students and ranks among the state’s highest academic achieving school districts. The district includes three elementary schools, an intermediate school for fourth and fifth grade, one middle school, and a high school.
The city also boasts an abundance of attractions and activities, including the Children’s Museum of South Dakota, Dakota Nature Park, South Dakota Art Museum, McCrory Gardens, South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum, Outdoor Adventure Center and the Brookings Summer Arts Festival.