D-Days board stresses alumni ties, week will host ‘Onward’ campaign ‘Red Tie Launch’

Once referred to as South Dakota Day at the University of South Dakota when it began Nov. 20, 1914, the tradition of Dakota Days is fast approaching its 100th year in Vermillion.

The homecoming theme, “Live the Tradition,” was announced by the Dakota Days committee May 29.

The homecoming week is scheduled for Oct. 5-11. Planning is centered on events that focus on past students as much current ones, said Kate Turner, Dakota Days external overall chair.

“A lot of the dignitaries and alumni are coming back, and we want to make sure they know how appreciative (students) are,” she said. “We want, as a student board, to make sure we include (alumni) as much as we can.”

One aspect of the week that is becoming apparent is the amount of collaboration between organizations to put on events, Turner said.

Student organizations like the Campus Activities Board, Dakotathon and Students Enhancing Resources for Vermillion Enrichment are all planning events with the student-led Dakota Days board. With a budget of more than $12,000, Turner said any added help in deferring costs is welcomed by the board.

One of the more noticeable changes to D-Days will be Thursday’s Vermtown Bash, Turner said. The board is looking to encourage more community involvement, which will mean changing its location and activities.

The event is typically held in Prentice Park, but Turner said the board has plans to close a part of Main Street to host the Bash. They also plan to coordinate hours that will be used for more family-friendly activities, while later hours will play host to a battle of the bands-style event and a beer garden.

Another special event marking the 100-year anniversary is a planned photo Oct. 10 in front of Old Main. The board is working with the Alumni Association to recreate a photo of former and current students, along with members of the campus community, to mark the occasion in the university’s history. The Alumni Association and USD Foundation are also coordinating other events with the board to avoid conflicting activities throughout the week.

The Friday pep rally, Turner said, will also look to incorporate more alumni. She said the student board is working to coordinate more mixed-generation events.

The biggest challenge for the students will be planning for a large turnout Friday and Saturday, Turner said.

“Probably the most pressure is that Vermillion is going to be packed,” she said. “We want to make sure that everything we plan for, we plan for a large quantity of people.”

All of this planning and coordinating the events falls on the shoulders of a student board that consists of 22 members, ranging from first-years to fifth-year seniors.This group works under the guidance of Student Services.

“Onward” campaign

While the “Onward” campaign to raise $250 million for the university was launched Jan. 1, 2012, this year’s D-Days will mark the transition to the public phase of the fundraiser, said Steve Brown, USD Foundation president.

The campaign raised about $105 million so far, and Brown said they need to continue to raise about $400,000 a month to stay on target. The goal of the Foundation is to raise at least $1 more than USD’s nine-year Campaign South Dakota — which brought in $134 million.

“Hopefully, we will have lots of campus participation, both from faculty and staff and students,” Brown said.

The “capstone event” for the campaign during D-Days will be the Red Tie Launch Event Oct. 10 in the Muenster University Center, Brown said. Save-the-dates have already been sent out to donors, and the night will include drinks, food and guest entertainment.

One special guest entertainer for the night will be alumnus Cody Strand, who has starred in number of productions like the Broadway musical, “The Book of Mormon.” Brown said he will be acting as a kind of emcee for the event, and will also be working with students throughout the week.

The Red Tie Launch will also consist of a 45-minute program “celebrating the university and the campaign,” Brown said.

The reason for the “Red Tie” motto is a result of conversations had within the “Onward” campaign about the kind of tone to be set that night, said Michelle Green, director of Marketing and Strategic Communications for the campaign.

“It speaks to USD’s unapologetic pride. What is more USD than red everywhere?” she said.

Additionally, the USD Foundation will work with alumni and athletics for a major tailgate on game day.