Yote Notes

Professional Achievement

April Hamilton

April Hamilton '08, '05 recently joined Rogers Corporation as Assistant General Counsel responsible for the company's compliance program, trade compliance and sustainability.

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Professional Achievement

Ayisha Mahama

Ayisha Mahama '26 started her career in Medical Affairs on July 27, 2026. She's currently a medical writer at Real Chemistry and she's excited to develop her craft and understand the biopharma industry, so that she can contribute to getting much-needed drugs to patients.

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Professional Achievement

Carly Dearborn

In 2026, Carly Dearborn '10 was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure at The Ohio State University, recognizing her contributions to teaching, research, and service in the field of archival science.

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Obituary

Nancy McCahren

Nancy McCahren '57 passed away on June 18, 2026 in Vermillion, SD.

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Professional Achievement

Celia Williams

Celia Williams '94 recently launched CK Business Consulting Group LLC, a scientific and business consulting firm. Leveraging her experience in chemistry, research and development, and project management, she provides consulting services in project management, process improvement, technology transfer, commercialization, and strategic planning.

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Obituary

Rod Fisher

Rod Fisher, 94 died on June 5, 2026 at the Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion. 

Rodney Eugene Fisher was born on May 30, 1932 to Loyal and Goldie (Donat) Fisher. He graduated from Webster High School in 1950 where he was an outstanding athlete. He obtained a Master of Arts degree from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion in 1976. Rod served 3 years in the United States Coast Guard, was a teacher, a DCI agent, a past mayor of Parker, and worked security for Augustana College during his retirement.

Rod is survived by his son Scott (Gayle) Fisher of San Diego, CA and their 3 children and 6 grandchildren; stepsons, Gary (Denise) Hanten and Bruce Hanten, all of Parker, SD, a stepdaughter Teresa (Todd) Schwartz, Polk City, IA and all their children and grandchildren. Rod was preceded in death by his parents and wife Sjyrlie. 

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Professional Achievement

Judy Dawson Benitez

Judy Dawson Benitez '83, '85 recently published her memoir "Eleven Years of Grace: Our Journey Through Sepsis and Life Thereafter."

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Professional Achievement

Bruce Blumer

Bruce Blumer '80, '85, '92 has published two new books. "Attracted to Hope" and "Parable of the Bridges." Profits from these books, and previous books, are donated to Haiti Alive, a non-profit he co-founded with Sharon Blumer, a ministry on the island of LaGonave, Haiti.

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Professional Achievement

Paul Wurth

Paul Wurth '18 recently accepted a publication contract for his debut YA Fantasy novel The Last Conduit. Scheduled to be published July 1, 2026.

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Professional Achievement

Kim Lee

Kim Lee '14 recently published a book as the only editor about the Minnesota River Bend Area Immigrant story.

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Professional Achievement

David Colwell

The University of South Dakota orchestra will premiere David Colwell's '75 new work entitled "Vermillion Air: Plain Talk on the Prairie" on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.

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Professional Achievement

Todd Pokrywa

Todd Pokrywa '13 captained Team Viera in the first ever Florida Space Coast NHL Pro/Am for charity in February 2025.

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