Celebration of Excellence podium

Celebration of Excellence

The Power of Fine Arts

Founded in 1931, the University of South Dakota College of Fine Arts has long represented hope, inspiration and the power of the arts as a catalyst for change that spans across state lines. It’s vital we recognize the alumni, educators and friends of the USD College of Fine Arts who have played an integral role in establishing its 90 years of excellence.

The college has demonstrated those values as the only College of Fine Arts in the state of South Dakota. Serving the state as a cultural hub means bringing unique points of view, world-renowned artists and talented faculty to campus to create a welcoming community for the next generation of creative leaders.

Hall of Fame recipients will receive a custom award and will be recognized by brass nameplates on the sculpture honor wall, an installation constructed in 2021 on the wall east of the John A. Day Gallery in the Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts. The Celebration of Excellence takes place Friday, Sept. 25th, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. 

Meet the 2026 Recipients

Brian Mann

Brian Mann is an accomplished military musician, educator and USD alumnus whose career spans performance, operational leadership and ministry. He earned a Bachelor of Music in music education from USD in 2001.

Following graduation, Mann began his Air Force career with the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band. In 2003, he won a national audition to join The United States Air Force Band in Washington, D.C., serving as a percussionist with the Ceremonial Brass and ultimately rising to the rank of chief master sergeant. He later served as chief of operations, directing more than 1,600 missions annually for the 184-member organization. 

His service included performances at six presidential inaugurations and the state funerals of Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter, as well as thousands of ceremonial engagements at Arlington National Cemetery. Internationally, he has performed at NATO Fest and provided operational leadership for engagements including the Edinburgh Tattoo and Basel Tattoo. He retired from the United States Air Force after 24 years of distinguished service.

Beyond his military service, Mann is an active church musician and serves as senior director of worship at New Hope Church in Lorton, Virginia. An accomplished arranger and composer, his 2006 setting of Shirley Erena Murray’s “For Everyone Born” appears in multiple hymnals and was later published as a choral arrangement by MorningStar Music Publishers. He also serves as a lay counselor through New Hope, mentoring and supporting individuals through life challenges.

Mann’s ongoing contributions reflect sustained service, artistic excellence and mentorship, underscoring the enduring impact of a USD education.

Courtland “Skip” Swenson, Professor Emeritus

Courtland “Skip” Swenson grew up in Alcester, where he developed talents in piano, percussion and singing. After earning a degree in music education from the University of South Dakota in 1958, he taught vocal and instrumental music in Sibley before returning to USD to complete a master’s degree and help develop the university's percussion program.

During his 33 years at USD, Swenson directed choral groups, jazz bands, percussion ensembles and more than 40 Broadway musicals. He also performed with the Sioux Falls Symphony, Sioux City Symphony and Yankton Symphonette while serving as a clinician, adjudicator and arts advocate throughout the region.

Committed to expanding music education, Swenson studied percussion in Germany, explored Indigenous marimbas in Guatemala and studied Latin music in Puerto Rico. He introduced USD students to Latin percussion, Guatemalan marimbas and Caribbean steel drums. The USD Steel Drum Band later performed at the Percussive Arts Society Convention, and two handcrafted Guatemalan marimbas he helped secure are now housed at the National Music Museum.

Swenson received numerous honors for excellence in teaching before being named professor emeritus by the South Dakota Board of Regents upon his retirement in 1993. In retirement, he continued directing music and theatre programs in Jacksonville and Custer, where he now resides.

Ray T. DeVilbiss

Ray T. DeVilbiss was a foundational figure in the College of Fine Arts at the University of South Dakota, serving as director of bands and professor of music from 1953 until his retirement in 1981. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from the University of Missouri, taught high school band in Unionville and Winterset, and served as a Naval communications officer during World War II.

At USD, DeVilbiss directed The Sound of USD Marching Band, the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensembles while teaching brass, conducting and additional wind instruments. A skilled jazz musician and trumpet soloist, he established USD’s first jazz studies program and the Jazz Unlimited Program in 1962. He also founded the USD Summer Music Camp, directed the annual USD Instrument Clinic and helped establish the National Music Museum, serving on its inaugural board.

DeVilbiss earned national recognition as an educator and conductor, including election to the American Bandmasters Association in 1969 and numerous distinguished service awards throughout his career. He was inducted into the South Dakota Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 1992 and delivered the USD commencement address, “The Golden Years,” the same year.

In addition to teaching, DeVilbiss performed professionally as a jazz musician, sang with the group “Chord On Blue,” and served as principal trumpet for the Sioux City Symphony and Sioux City Municipal Band. His legacy continues through the Ray T. DeVilbiss Band Scholarship and the Ray T. DeVilbiss Instrument Collection at USD.

Larry & Mary Jo Johnson

Larry Johnson and Mary Jo Johnson met in 1969 while performing in The Coyote Marching Band at the University of South Dakota. Their shared involvement in Symphonic Band, Choir and The Golden Age of Bands led to a lifelong partnership in music education and performance. After marrying in 1973, they taught in Menno, Clark and Henry before settling in Pierre, where they spent more than 30 years teaching and directing music programs.

The Johnsons became deeply involved in community and school theater, contributing to more than 100 productions after working with the Black Hills Playhouse as musicians, set builders, costumers and later music directors. In Pierre, Larry directed the Capitol City Band for 23 years while Mary Jo served as clarinetist and librarian. Together, they also founded several musical groups, including Over Forte’, South Madison Street Blues and The Dick C. Land Band, and spent more than 40 years as music directors at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Parish.

Larry served as band director at T.F. Riggs High School, leading regional contests and All-State Band events, while Mary Jo continued teaching elementary music. Larry later served as president of the South Dakota Bandmasters Association and received numerous honors, including the SDMEA Distinguished Service Award, the SDHSAA Distinguished Service Award and induction into the South Dakota Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 2024. Together, the Johnsons received the Capital Journal Fine Arts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.

Mary Jo passed away in 2024, leaving a lasting impact on the Pierre music community. Together, Larry and Mary Jo inspired generations of students and musicians throughout South Dakota, building careers rooted in the musical foundation they formed at USD.

Anna Marie & Graham Thatcher

Graham Thatcher and Anna Marie Thatcher formed a lifelong personal and professional partnership after meeting at the Black Hills Playhouse in 1968 and marrying in 1970. Graham earned degrees from San Francisco State University, the University of South Dakota and the University of Minnesota, while Anna Marie earned degrees from Dakota Wesleyan University, USD and Hamline University School of Law.

Throughout their careers, the Thatchers worked extensively in theatre, education and arts leadership. Graham performed in or directed more than 250 productions and taught at several universities, including Northern State University and USD. Together, the couple created arts programming for South Dakota Public Broadcasting, opened The Wine N’ Del in Vermillion and later operated Anakota Arts, Ltd. in Rapid City.

The Thatchers became nationally recognized for developing “CLE Theatre,” which combined live theatre and continuing legal education programs for attorneys. Through Periaktos Productions LLC, they wrote, produced and toured legal education productions across the country, including "Thurgood Marshall's Coming!," which received the American Bar Association Silver Gavel honorable mention in theatre award in 2005.

Both remained deeply connected to South Dakota arts organizations for more than five decades. Anna Marie co-founded the Black Hills Playhouse Alumni Association, led major fundraising efforts and continued producing documentaries and arts initiatives. Graham received numerous honors for excellence in education and the arts, while the couple jointly received the South Dakota Governor’s Award for Support of the Arts in 2017. Anna Marie continues consulting with artists and providing legal education webcasts from Red Wing.

Sara Steever

Sara Steever, ’84, earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in printmaking from the University of South Dakota in 1984 before building a successful career at Paulsen. Beginning as a designer, she advanced into leadership roles in web development, digital direction, president and ultimately chief technology officer, helping guide the agency through major technological and creative changes. She also served in executive leadership and as president of the National Agri-Marketing Association for seven years.

Steever credits professors Lloyd Menard, John Banasiak and Jeff Freeman, along with USD’s visiting artist program, for shaping her creative and technical approach to art and design. Their mentorship helped her recognize strengths in process-oriented and technical creative work that would define her career.

Throughout her career, Steever received honors including the Top Innovator Award from the Sioux Falls Business Journal, the Creative Legacy Award from the South Dakota Advertising Federation and both the Agri-Marketer of the Year Award and the Horizons Award from the National Agri-Marketing Association. Today, she serves on the boards of the South Dakota Agricultural and Rural Leadership Program and TSP Inc., while enjoying retirement with her husband, John, their family and life at Steever House.

Past Recipients

Behind the Awards

In the depth of the Great Depression, the University of South Dakota boldly founded its College of Fine Arts in 1931, a testament to its belief in hope, inspiration and the transformative power of the arts. Over the ensuing 90 years, that vision has shaped not only the campus community but the cultural life of the state.

Learn more
College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame Award