Black Hills State University recognized alumni award recipients and Yellow Jacket Hall of Fame inductees during two Swarm Days events held Friday, September 25.
The 2026 Alumni Awards Luncheon honored five alumni at the Joy Center. The Distinguished Alumnus Award was presented to Jim Dzierwa ‘63, the Excellence in Education Award to Michelle Bartels ‘11, the Special Achievement Award to RF Buche ‘92, the Special Service Award to Dr. Elaine (Doll) Dunn ‘79, and the Young Alumni Achievement Award to Dr. Lacy (Stevens) DeGering ‘16.
The 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet took place later that day at the Holiday Inn Spearfish Convention Center. BHSU inducted five athletes, one coach, and two teams into the Yellow Jacket Hall of Fame this year. The individual inductees were Liz (Woodruff) Alderson for cross country and track and field, Scott Jaggi for Men’s Basketball, Mandy (Brumfield) Lemmel for volleyball, Janna (Schriber) Mason for women’s basketball, Allen Wood for cross country and track and field, and Paul Sather as a men’s basketball coach.
The two teams inducted into the Yellow Jacket Hall of Fame are the 1979 Football Team and the 2007-2008 Women’s Basketball Team.
“The events were very well attended, and it was wonderful to see so many people reconnect. We were honored to recognize many deserving individuals, and both events were a tremendous success,” said Tom Wheaton, director of alumni affairs.
Learn more about the 2026 Alumni Award recipients and Athletic Hall of Fame inductees in the Fall 2026 issue of the BHSU Alumni Magazine at BHSU.edu/AlumniMagazine
The 2026 Alumni Awardees
The 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees
The 2007-2008 Women's Basketball Team
The 1979 Football Team