South Dakota Hall of Fame announces 2024 inductees

May 7, 2024

Ten South Dakotans whose lives helped shape excellence in the state and beyond are being inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame.

The Class of 2024 was selected for their achievements in the arts and entertainment, professional, general, agricultural, education and business fields:

• Bryan Akipa, Arts and Entertainment.
• Jim Entenman, professional.
• Jeff Hazard, 1955-2019, general.
• Hugh Ingalls, Agriculture.
• A. Gay Kingman, Education.
• Janice Manolis, general.
• Judith Knittel Meierhenry, professional.
• Dr. Peggy Gordon Miller, Education.
• Greg Sands, Business.
• Dean Sorenson, Arts and Entertainment.

The class will be honored September 13-14 in Chamberlain/Oacoma. The public is invited to attend.

Here’s a closer look at the inductees, provided by the South Dakota Hall of Fame:

Bryan Akipa

Village Agency | Category: Arts and entertainment

“A cultural treasure”

Bryan Akipa, an enrolled member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate and life-long resident of South Dakota, is an award-winning native flautist who makes his own red cedar flutes by hand. A self-taught craftsman, he thanks the elders of the tribe for sharing their knowledge with him. In turn, Akipa passes this knowledge on to the next generation in a spirit of humility. Akipa studied at the Santa Fe School of Art and Design and with Dakota artist Oscar Howe at the University of South Dakota. He has impacted young people in many ways. His flutes and works of art are held in major museum collections across the country. In 2016, the National Endowment of the Arts awarded Akipa a National Heritage Fellowship, our nation’s highest honor in folk and traditional arts.

Jim Entenman

Sioux Falls | Category: Professional

“Excellence in leadership”

Jim Entenman is a longtime resident of the Sioux Falls area. For the past 47 years, Entenman has owned J&L Harley-Davidson, Glacial Lakes Harley-Davidson, Harley-Davidson of Fargo and Big Sioux PowerSports. Entenman served on the Sioux Falls City Council and was an active member of the community. His leadership on the Build It Now committee was instrumental in the adoption and construction of the Denny Sanford Premier Center. His philanthropic efforts have touched the lives of many members of our community. Twenty-six years ago, the Entenman family created Hot Harley Nights and raised more than $3.5 million for Make-A-Wish South Dakota. Entenman has been an active board member of numerous foundations and non-profit organizations in the Sioux Falls area.

Jeff Hazard (1955-2019)

Sioux Falls | Category: General

“A thoughtful community builder”

Jeff Hazard, with a dedicated team, built a strong architectural practice in the Sioux Falls area, beginning in 1988. Hazard produced thoughtful projects, approaching each design with serious investigation. His designs can be seen in South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa. Hazard’s work has been recognized at the local, state and national levels, with nearly 50 projects recognized through the American Institute of Architects South Dakota Chapter Design Awards program. Hazard’s leadership in the community has been felt through his participation on more than 30 boards of directors. His contributions to South Dakota architecture will be felt for generations. Hazard relentlessly pursued the idea of ​​continuous improvement and inspired and mentored those around him to do the same.

Hugh Ingalls

Faith | Category: Agriculture

“A real Stockman”

Hugh Ingalls is widely recognized in the cattle industry as a “true breeder” who promoted the cattle industry and the Angus breed. He influenced many South Dakota ranchers to produce better cattle. Cattle geneticists at South Dakota State University recognized the value Ingalls brought to his cattle, and a 30-year-plus research relationship was formed. Dr. Robbi Pritchard, a professor at SDSU with whom Ingalls partnered, said, “I don’t know of any other place in the United States where anyone has made this kind of contribution to academic land grant research in such a large scale. » Ingalls’ desire to lead is reflected in the beef industry as well as her involvement in numerous community efforts.

Kingman gay

Fast city | Category: Education

“A champion of human rights”

Gay Kingman has dedicated more than six decades to defending the rights of Native American tribes. Having begun her journey as an educator in Pine Ridge, Kingman has spent more than 25 years in the field. She then focused on advocacy, joining the National Congress of American Indians in Washington, D.C., as a tribal liaison. Notably, during his tenure, Kingman played a key role in the creation of the National Indian Gaming Association. After her time in Washington, she returned to South Dakota and founded the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association. Known for her results-oriented approach, Kingman has earned the respect and friendship of many leaders. As executive director of the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association, she continues to navigate a variety of challenges.

Janice Manolis

Huron | Category: General

“A catalyst for care”

Janice Manolis has lived in Huron her entire life. After her husband suffered a stroke, Manolis served his term as city commissioner and served in that position for 24 years. One of her family members was a victim of domestic violence and her journey to helping those affected by domestic violence began when she was 50 years old. Alarmed by the lack of resources, Manolis and four other women formed a local committee that gave birth to the YWCA. Family Violence Program and Jan Manolis Family Safety Center. She served as executive director of both entities for nearly 40 years. In 1991, Manolis was the catalyst for the South Dakota Network Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault statewide. At 86 years old, she is the only original founding member still active.

Judith Knittel Meierhenry

Sioux Falls | Category: Professional

“Breaking the glass ceiling in SD”

Judith Meierhenry, a lifelong South Dakota native, has taught English in a variety of capacities from elementary to college level and touched the lives of many young people with her love of literature and writing. After earning her law degree, she was named director of the National Office of Economic Opportunity. She was later appointed secretary of the Ministry of Labor and secretary of the Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs. Returning from Pierre to Sioux Falls, Meierhenry worked at Citibank as a senior manager and assistant general counsel. His love of the law was instrumental in his appointment to the bench and as presiding judge of the state’s busiest circuit, the Second Circuit Court. Meierhenry truly broke the glass ceiling when she was appointed the first woman to the South Dakota Supreme Court.

Dr. Peggy Gordon Miller

Volga | Category: Education

“Pedagogical leadership”

Dr. Peggy Gordon (Elliott) Miller became the 18th president of South Dakota State University and the first woman to lead SDSU on January 1, 1998. She came to Brookings from Washington, D.C., where she was a principal investigator and interim vice president. for academic and international programs of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. In December 2005, Miller announced his intention to retire from the presidency at the end of the 2006 calendar year. At the time of his retirement, the university had completed its 125th anniversary. She oversaw the expansion of various programs, and the most significant program development under her leadership was the move to Division I athletics, which resulted in national recognition of SDSU’s excellence.

Greg Sables

Sioux Falls | Category: Business

“The power of a second chance”

Business owner and philanthropist Greg Sands illustrates the power of second chances. Sands grew up in a dysfunctional environment that ultimately led him to enter the criminal justice system at the age of 17. At one point, he was incarcerated for two years in a federal prison before being released through a presidential pardon in 2001. At this pivotal moment in his life, he made a promise to God to never disappoint again – a promise that led both of them into business. success with Sands Wall Systems and having a profound impact on the community. With his success in business and philanthropy, Sands proves that it’s not how you start in life or the initial path you take, but how you finish and what you gives back along the way.

Dean Sorenson

Sioux Falls | Category: Arts and entertainment

“A pioneer, a mentor and a leader”

Pioneer, leader, mentor. In every way, the life and countless accomplishments of broadcaster Dean Sorenson embody what it means to champion excellence. Drawn to broadcasting as a teenager, he worked nights at his hometown station KORN in Mitchell. Sorenson spent 65 years managing and owning more than 50 AM and FM stations. Sorenson Broadcasting Co. has served audiences and shaped opinion in every corner of South Dakota, from Hot Springs to Aberdeen, from Watertown to Pierre, from Brookings to Spearfish. Throughout his career, Sorensen mentored many broadcast professionals who still run stations throughout the state. His influence continues even as he approaches his 85th birthday. It would be difficult to find a local broadcaster who has not been touched by his mentorship and wise counsel.