The Inaugural Celebration for Barry H. Dunn

The South Dakota Board of Regents and the faculty, staff and students of South Dakota State University are pleased to invite you to:

The Inaugural Celebration for Barry H. Dunn as the 20th President of South Dakota University

Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016

3 p.m. Coolidge Sylvan Theatre

Brookings, South Dakota

A Display of Greetings will be in the South Dakota Art Museum

Inauguration Reception to follow in Club 71 in the Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.

Parking and Event Location

Medary Avenue

Medary Avenue will close, beginning at 3 p.m. until the end of the ceremony (approx. 4:30 p.m.), north of 8th Street to 11 Street.

Vehicles needing to access campus from the north should plan on using North Campus Drive. 8th Street will be open in both directions from Medary Avenue.

Coolidge Sylvan Theatre

On Sept. 10, 1927, President Calvin Coolidge dedicated this outdoor theatre and the Lincoln Memorial Library.

Designed by Ada B. Caldwell, an art professor, Sylvan Theatre is decorated with wrought iron gates which were hand-forged on campus. From 1928 until 1973 Sylvan Theatre was the site of most graduations. The stage is still used for plays and films and has been the site of inauguration of SDSU presidents since 1998.

During the dedication, a granite memorial stone was laid by President Coolidge and wife Grace during their brief visit.

A marker of tribute to Caldwell was placed on the theatre after her death in 1938. The marker reads in part: “Hers was the vision which brought this theatre to us… A devoted and inspiring teacher / a skillful and courageous administrator / and an artist who created lasting beauty.”

In the Fall of 1952, Dwight D. Eisenhower visited the campus during his presidential campaign. Eisenhower is the only other person who was President of the United States to visit the SDSU campus.

Coolidge Sylvan Theatre on graduation day.