May 13, 2026

Ten individuals whose life’s work has had a profound impact on South Dakota and beyond will be inducted as the 2026 class of the South Dakota Hall of Fame.

They represent fields including business, education, arts and entertainment, and philanthropy.

The inductee class includes:

Dr. Susan Marie Anderson

Canistota

“A Heart of Rural Medicine”

From the Hall of Fame: Dr. Susan Anderson (1970-2024)  grew up on a farm near Canistota and rose to become executive dean of the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine. A champion of rural and underserved communities, she maintained an outreach clinic in her hometown throughout her career. Balancing motherhood with medical training and leadership, she inspired countless students.

Brian James Bonde

Sioux Falls

“A World Leader of Philanthropy”

From the Hall of Fame: One of only 117 worldwide holding the Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive credential, Brian James Bonde has raised over $450 million for nonprofits. He received the National Fundraising Excellence Award from AFP Global and founded Arts South Dakota. A noted speaker and consultant, he also earned both the Sioux Falls Arts Council and the Governor’s Lifetime Arts Achievement Awards through 40 years of board service.

Dr. H. Eugene Hoyme

Tucson, Arizona

“A Global Pioneer in Pediatric Medicine”

From the Hall of Fame: Raised in Dell Rapids, Dr. H. Eugene Hoyme is a pediatrician and medical geneticist who developed the internationally recognized Hoyme Diagnostic Criteria for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. He held leadership roles at Stanford, the University of Arizona and the University of Vermont before returning to South Dakota in 2007, where he co-founded Sanford Children’s Hospital and the first genetic counseling graduate program in the Dakotas.

James L. Johnson

Brookings

“A Legend of Theatre on the Prairie”

From the Hall of Fame: A theatre educator raised in South Dakota, Dr. James L. Johnson spent 30 years at SDSU as director of theatre and Prairie Repertory Theatre, directing 105 plays and shaping over 13,000 students. He championed arts access in rural communities and was one of many instrumental figures in establishing the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center in Brookings. He retired in 2003 as SDSU distinguished professor emeritus.

John “Jack” Neil Kucera

Lead and Phoenix, Arizona 

“A Visionary in American Industry”

From the Hall of Fame: Born in Deadwood, John “Jack” Neil Kucera captained U.S. Air Force Academy football and earned honorable mention All-American honors before building Climatec from seven to 850 employees, later acquired by Bosch. He co-founded Huntair and BasX, acquired by Daikin. He and his wife, Vianne, co-chaired the Homestake Opera House restoration, completed 400-plus charity flights, and, as board chair of the Air Force Academy Foundation, raised $330 million. He is a USAFA distinguished graduate.

Peter Larson

Hill City

“A Visionary in Paleontology”

From the Hall of Fame: Operating from Hill City for over 50 years, Peter Larson heads Black Hills Institute, the world’s largest private fossil company. Internationally known for work with T. rex specimens Sue and Stan, he has authored over 80 scientific articles, shaped federal fossil collection policy and built a collaborative community spanning business, academia and government.

Michelle Gross Lavallee

Sioux Falls

“A Champion of Community and Service”

From the Hall of Fame: A fourth-generation South Dakotan from Hand County, Michelle Gross Lavallee held senior leadership roles at NorthWestern Energy, USD, Avera McKennan and Raven Industries. As CEO of Children’s Home Society, she reversed an 80 percent staff turnover rate and championed a $50 million Rapid City campus. She was the 2018 Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor.

David Ellwood Lust

Rapid City

“A Statesman Devoted to South Dakota”

From the Hall of Fame: David Ellwood Lust (1968–2021) was a Rapid City attorney, South Dakota legislator and tireless civic leader who devoted his life to making South Dakota thrive. He served 11 years in the state Legislature, including two terms as House majority leader and was instrumental in founding Elevate Rapid City, which honored him with the David Lust Accelerator Building.

Matt Paulson

Sioux Falls

“A Founder Invested in the Dakotas”

From the Hall of Fame: Matt Paulson is the founder and CEO of MarketBeat, the largest digital media company in the Dakotas with more than 6 million subscribers. His venture capital firm, Homegrown Capital, has invested in more than 80 tech companies. Active in the Sioux Falls community, he serves on numerous nonprofit boards. Dakota State University awarded him an Honorary Doctor in Public Service degree in 2024.

Dr. Daniel G. Petereit

Rapid City

“Invested in Cancer Care for All”

From the Hall of Fame: A Sioux Falls native and radiation oncologist at Monument Health in Rapid City, Dr. Daniel Petereit founded the National Cancer Institute-funded Walking Forward program in 2002 to address cancer disparities among Native Americans. The program has enrolled over 5,500 Native Americans in clinical trials — the highest nationally — and facilitated over 2,500 cancer screenings. His work has produced 130 publications and secured $20 million in research funding.

The class of 2026 will be celebrated Sept. 11-12 in Chamberlain/Oacoma at a public event. Tickets go on sale in July.