Legends of Delzell Awards

Once a Legend, Always a Legend

The School of Education Legends are awarded each year to exceptional members of our community who share in our vision to prepare and support reflective professionals and leaders who serve South Dakota and beyond.

RSVP Today

Meet the 2026 Legends Recipients

Elizabeth (Liz) Pekas '17

Rising Legend

Liz Pekas is a cardiovascular physiologist turned medical affairs and scientific communications professional whose career has focused on improving the lives of people affected by cardiometabolic diseases, including diabetes, obesity, liver disease and cardiovascular disease. Over the past decade, she has worked at the intersection of biomedical research, medical affairs and scientific communications, contributing to more than 75 peer-reviewed publications and supporting evidence-based healthcare initiatives.

Passionate about translating science into practice, Liz collaborates with healthcare professionals to better understand the challenges they face in delivering patient care and applies those insights to develop meaningful scientific communications and educational resources. Her work includes clinical practice guideline development, medical writing and scientific engagement, with a focus on helping healthcare professionals interpret emerging evidence and improve care for people living with cardiometabolic diseases.

In addition to her work in medical affairs and scientific communications, Liz is a frequent speaker for graduate students and early-career STEM professionals. She shares perspectives on professional development, networking, scientific careers and navigating career pathways across academia, healthcare and industry.

Nate Tibbetts '01

Living Legend

Nate Tibbetts' journey to professional basketball coaching began at the University of South Dakota, where he was a standout point guard from 1997 to 2001. During his time at USD, he helped lead the Coyotes to three consecutive North Central Conference championships and NCAA Division II Tournament appearances. He finished his collegiate career among the program's all-time leaders in assists and steals and was inducted into the USD Coyote Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.

After graduating from USD, Tibbetts began his coaching career at the collegiate level before advancing to professional basketball. He served as a head coach in the NBA G League, where he led multiple teams to playoff appearances and earned recognition for his leadership and player development. His success led to assistant coaching positions with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers and Orlando Magic, where he spent more than a decade coaching in the NBA.

In 2024, Tibbetts was named head coach of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury. Throughout his coaching career, he has remained connected to the University of South Dakota, where his experiences as a student-athlete helped shape his approach to leadership and team development. His career reflects a commitment to continuous growth and the lasting impact of his time as a Coyote.

Faith Spotted Eagle '73 '74

Lifetime Legend

Spotted Eagle is a fluent speaker of the Dakota language and a member of the Ihanktonwan. Spotted Eagle earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from USD in 1973 and her master’s in guidance and counseling in 1974. Throughout her long career, Spotted Eagle has served as a high school counselor, teacher and principal; manager of human services programs and youth programs; Indian Child Welfare Act worker; organizational development consultant; teacher in a psychiatric setting; peacemaker/mediator; and community activist. She has also been a delegate of the Treaty Committee NGO at the United Nations and helped create an important cultural survey of Ihanktonwan lands along the Missouri River. Spotted Eagle received the first presidential electoral vote ever cast for a Native American in U.S. history. She has two children – Kip and Brook – and three grandchildren – River Marie, Tokana Ikpanajin, and Mia Rae – and credits all of her lifelong work to the strong Dakota culture she was raised in.

Michael Hoadley

Legend of Delzell

Michael R. Hoadley earned his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1982 and began his academic career at the University of South Dakota as an assistant professor in the Division of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) within the School of Education. Over the next 20 years, he advanced through the faculty ranks to become a full professor, dedicating his career to teaching, research and service.

Throughout his time at USD, Dr. Hoadley taught undergraduate and graduate courses in health and safety education. He emphasized experiential learning by combining classroom instruction with laboratory and community-based experiences. His students gained practical experience by partnering with nonprofit health organizations through research projects and service-learning initiatives, reinforcing the connection between academic study and professional practice.

Dr. Hoadley was an early advocate for the integration of technology in higher education, promoting its effective use in both traditional and online learning environments. He helped train faculty, staff and students in the School of Education to incorporate technology into teaching and learning and was appointed the inaugural chair of the Division of Technology for Training and Development (TTD) and director of the Center for Interactive Technologies (InTEC). He also served as co-director of the Center for Instructional Design and Delivery (CIDD), supporting technology-enhanced instruction across campus.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Hoadley authored more than 20 publications, delivered more than 50 presentations at professional conferences and secured more than $2 million in research funding. He attributed his success to a collaborative approach, valuing partnerships with colleagues and professionals across disciplines to advance teaching, research and innovation.

Meet the 2026-27 Scholarship Recipients

Past Recipients