LOCAL

Houghton native Herseth Sandlin named Augustana president

Kathy Jensen kjensen@aberdeennews.com
Aberdeen News

Former congresswoman and Groton High School graduate Stephanie Herseth Sandlin has been named the 24th president at Augustana University in Sioux Falls.

Augustana made the announcement Wednesday afternoon.

"I think that's pretty exciting," Deb Knecht said in a phone interview Wednesday evening.

Knecht, from Houghton, is a former Brown County commissioner who has been active in Democratic politics at the county and state level.

"Stephanie does well at whatever she does. There isn't anything, in my eyes, that she can't do," said Knecht, who's long known Herseth Sandlin.

Herseth Sandlin, 46, will speak at a news conference at 10 Thursday morning at the Edith Mortenson Center Theatre at Augustana.

A Houghton native, Herseth Sandlin served as a Democratic U.S. Representative for South Dakota's at-large congressional district from 2004 until 2011, when she lost to Republican Kristi Noem.

When elected in 2004, Herseth Sandlin was the first woman from South Dakota to serve in the U.S. House, as well as the youngest woman serving in the House at that time, according to a news release from Augustana.

Appointed by the Augustana Board of Trustees, she will be the first female president in Augustana’s 157-year history, according to the release.

"I think her other job was more travel than she wanted," Knecht said.

Herseth Sandlin is now working general counsel and vice president of corporate development for Raven Industries in Sioux Falls. Raven produces, among other items, high-altitude balloons and precision agriculture equipment.

The position with Augustana will allow Herseth Sandlin to be with her family more, Knecht said.

“Stephanie is a strong and dynamic leader, and I have every confidence she will bring the same leadership and enthusiasm to the Augustana community as she has to Raven," said Dan Rykhus, president and CEO of Raven, in the release.

Herseth Sandlin will assume office this summer and will succeed Rob Oliver, who announced his plans to retire in fall after more than 25 years at Augustana.

She will remain with Raven through the spring.

Heather Wilson, president of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, issued a congratulatory statement on Herseth Sandlin's appointment.

“I served with Stephanie in Congress and we have gotten to know each other again here in South Dakota. I’m confident that she will make a great university president and I couldn’t be happier for her," Wilson said in her news release.

Wilson, who served New Mexico as a Republican in the U.S. House, has been appointed by President Donald Trump as secretary of the Air Force.

Knecht still hopes that Herseth Sandlin will eventually return to the political sphere.

"She still comes to some meetings and is a little involved," Knecht said. "We haven't given up on her yet."

Herseth Sandlin's family has been active in South Dakota politics. Her father, Lars, still lives in Brown County. He ran for governor and served in the state Legislature. Her grandfather, Ralph Herseth, was the 21st governor of South Dakota. Her grandmother, Lorna Herseth, served as secretary of state.

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Stephanie Herseth Sandlin. Courtesy photo

Political career: From 2004 to 2011, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin served as a Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives. She was preceded in office by Bill Janklow and succeeded by Kristi Noem.

Political family: Herseth Sandlin's father, Lars Herseth, ran for governor and served in the state Legislature for 20 years. Her grandfather, Ralph Herseth, was South Dakota's 21st governor. Her grandmother, Lorna B. Herseth, was secretary of state.

Education: Stephanie Herseth graduated as a valedictorian from Groton High School. She received her bachelor's degree in government from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. She later earned her juris doctor from Georgetown.