Alumni Achievement Awards
Recognizing Outstanding Alumni
A cornerstone Dakota Days event, the Unleash Your Legacy Alumni Achievement Awards celebrates outstanding alumni for their personal and professional achievements, service within their communities and loyalty to USD. Honorees are recognized in five categories: Young Alumni Award, USD Legacy Award, Public Service Award, Professional Achievement Award and Family of the Year.
Young Alumni Award: This award recognizes an outstanding alum under the age of 40 who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in their professional field or public service. Honoring those who embody the values of excellence, innovation and service, the award celebrates alumni making a meaningful impact in their communities and industries, inspiring others through their achievements and commitment to leadership.
USD Legacy Award: This award recognizes individuals who have strengthened USD's reputation and influence, embodying the university's tradition of excellence and commitment to shaping a better future. Honorees may be distinguished by sustained contributions of time and talent, organizational leadership, public service, philanthropy or a combination of these.
Public Service Award: This award recognizes those who have dedicated their time to bettering their communities and the lives of others through careers or volunteerism in government, nonprofit organizations, education, health care, advocacy or community initiatives. The award honors individuals who have made a lasting impact on society and exemplify a lifelong commitment to serving the public good and addressing critical social needs.
Professional Achievement Award: This award recognizes an alum who has demonstrated outstanding professional success, leadership and innovation in their field. It honors individuals who have made significant contributions to their profession and celebrates career excellence, entrepreneurial ventures and efforts that drive meaningful change. Recipients exemplify dedication, expertise and a lasting impact in their work.
Family of the Year Award: This honor recognizes a family whose strong and lasting connection to USD spans generations. Through continued involvement, shared experiences and enthusiastic display of Coyote pride, they embody the spirit of community and tradition that defines the university.
Take a Look Back at the 2024 Recipients
Award recipients were recognized at the Unleash Your Legacy reception and Alumni Achievement Awards ceremony on Friday, October 11, 2024, during the 110th Dakota Days.
Kelsey Smith ’10, ’16 – Emerging Leader
Kelsey Smith, a South Dakota native, has devoted her career to addressing the unmet needs of the state's residents. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science and Spanish and a master's degree in public administration from the University of South Dakota. As the Director of Development and Grants Management for Black Hills Special Services Cooperative in Sturgis, Smith advances the organization's mission to strengthen the community by helping individuals and organizations achieve their highest potential.
Smith's previous role as a Policy Advisor to Governor Dennis Daugaard provided her with insights into tourism, workforce, and health and human services in South Dakota, which have shaped her leadership style and goals.
David and Kathy Cullen '76 – Professional Achievement
David and Kathy Cullen are longstanding supporters of USD, known for their commitment to philanthropy, leadership, and hard work. Both earned their undergraduate degrees from the University of South Dakota. David joined the family business, JP Cullen: Commercial Contractor, in the 1970s, rising from laborer to CEO and contributing significantly to the company's growth and success. With over 40 years of service, David's impact on JP Cullen and the construction industry is marked by innovation and dedication.
Kathy, an accomplished speech pathologist, spent her career supporting individuals with complex needs in settings like the Janesville, WI, School District and the University of Wisconsin Waisman Center. Her experience in healthcare complemented her extensive volunteer work with organizations like the Ronald McDonald House Charities Foundation and the Susan G. Komen Charity.
The Cullens' professional and community contributions are exemplary, and USD is honored to recognize their achievements.
Gene D. Thin Elk – Service to the University
Gene D. Thin Elk, Sic'angu Lakota of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, dedicated 26 years to the University of South Dakota in various roles, including Native American Cultural Advisor and Director of Native Student Services. His deep roots in South Dakota influenced his holistic approach to education, integrating academic support with social, extracurricular, and cultural enrichment activities. Thin Elk established the S.T.A.R. program (Student Tracking And Retention), a university-wide initiative that collaborated with the Recruitment, Admissions, and Student Life departments to ensure comprehensive support for students.
Thin Elk's commitment to supporting individuals extended to his work with chemical dependencies, leading to the creation of the Red Road Approach. This program uses culturally based recovery and healing methods for chemical addictions and has been adopted nationally. Thin Elk views his service as a calling, and the university remains profoundly grateful for his contributions.
Ronald Place, M.D. '86 – Public Service
Ronald Place, M.D. is renowned for his achievements in medicine and his dedication to leadership and communication. A South Dakota native, he graduated from the University of South Dakota with a degree in chemistry, was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and received a ROTC commission. He earned his medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine and completed his general surgery internship and residency at Madigan Army Medical Center, Fort Lewis, Washington. He further specialized in colon and rectal surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas.
Dr. Place served as a full-time surgeon during the first half of his military career, with combat deployments including Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) twice, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Joint Guardian (Kosovo). He transitioned to executive leadership roles within the military medical system, serving as surgical department chief, chief medical officer, chief operating officer, and CEO of two community hospitals and two regions. After nearly 37 years, he retired as a Lieutenant General, having been the 3rd Director of the Defense Health Agency.
Currently, Dr. Place is the regional president and CEO of Avera McKennan and holds clinical professorships at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences and the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine. He is also an adjunct professor at Mount Marty University and serves on multiple boards dedicated to providing high quality care.
The Maloney Family – Legacy Family of the Year
The Maloney family, spanning four generations of dedicated Coyotes, began their legacy with Paul James Maloney, who earned a law degree, then known as an LLB, from the University of South Dakota in 1918. Known as "PJ", he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, served as sports editor of the Volante, and played quarterback for the Coyotes, competing against teams such as Notre Dame, Minnesota, and Creighton.
Two of Paul's three children attended USD. Dennis Maloney followed in his father's footsteps, receiving a law degree from USD in 1953. He went on to serve as the Brown County State's Attorney and was involved in various boards, including being recognized for Excellence in Economic Development by then Governor Mike Rounds in 2005 for his work with the Aberdeen Development Corporation.
Paul James Maloney Jr., also known as PJ, graduated in 1959 with a degree in business and industrial management. He, too, was an active member of SAE fraternity and a dedicated Coyote sports fan, a passion he continues to nurture to this day. He and his wife, Kathie, were named USD Parents of the Year in 1990, and he served on several boards, including the USD Foundation and the Athletic Board of Control. In recognition of his unwavering dedication, he was inducted into the Coyote Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 as an individual contributor.
Three of PJ's children - Kyle, Kelly (Gellerman), and Michelle - also attended USD in the late 1980s and early 1990s. They have maintained strong connections to Vermillion and the university, contributing to local businesses and serving on various boards, including those within the University, Foundation, and Athletics. Their commitment illustrates how unique skills can contribute to community support.
Finally, the Maloney/Gellerman grandchildren, Ben ('17, '24), Katie ('25), and Joey ('25), grew up immersed in the family's tradition of attending games and participating in Dakota Days parades. All three chose to attend USD, engaging in campus activities and building lifelong friendships.
For the Maloney family, the University of South Dakota has provided not only a solid academic foundation but also a strong sense of community, tradition, and enjoyment. They look forward to continuing their support for the university and its values.
