In this special episode of STATE Stories, we sit down with Steve Erpenbach '85, president and CEO of the SDSU Foundation, and co-host Andi Fouberg '99, president and CEO of the SDSU Alumni Association, for an inspiring conversation about the future of Jackrabbit Nation. Andi and Steve reflect on their own SDSU experiences and how their time on campus shaped their leadership journeys. Together, they discuss the exciting next chapter, the planned 2026 consolidation of the Alumni Association and Foundation into one unified organization. They discuss why the timing is right, what it means for alumni and students, and how it will strengthen the Jackrabbit community for generations to come.

In this episode of STATE Stories, we sit down with Jeff Eckhoff, a 1982 sociology graduate and 2023 Distinguished Alumnus of South Dakota State University. From growing up on a farm near Hurley to becoming the Director of Planning and Development Services for the City of Sioux Falls, Jeff shares how his time at SDSU helped shape his career in community growth, economic development, and public service. He reflects on lessons he learned in the classroom that he still uses today, the challenges of guiding one of the fastest-growing cities in the region, and the lasting value of the Jackrabbit network. Plus, hear his thoughts on the exciting future of SDSU’s Metro Center, South Dakota’s potential for innovation and research, and a favorite campus story that highlights the enduring spirit of Jackrabbits everywhere.

In this episode of STATE Stories, we sit down with Dr. John ’11 and Alex (Hoffman) Bisson ’11, whose journey together began as student-athletes on the South Dakota State swim team. From their first impressions at practice to falling in love while on campus, their story is rooted in Jackrabbit pride. Now married, raising a family, and running Bisson Dental in Brookings, these STATE Sweethearts share how SDSU shaped their relationship, their careers, and their decision to build a life in the community that they love. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about finding your person, chasing dreams, and giving back to the place they’ll always call home.