2019: Dr. Clyde Brashier

Dr. Brashier taught in the biology department from 1967-1992. A trained botanist with a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska, he authored or was lead author on 30 successful grant applications from 11 local and national organizations such as the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the EPA. Many grants involved water quality, and projects he worked on included silt removal and lake rehabilitation of Lake Herman near Madison, and dredging of Covell Lake in Sioux Falls. In addition to teaching, Brashier directed science education workshops for teachers, sponsored educational field trips for students, and served on the task force to develop the original draft of South Dakota K-12 benchmarks in science and mathematics. Droge said that at the time of the school’s mission change in 1984, which designated all majors become technology centric, “Dr. Brashier created the framework for a lot of the biology programs the institution now offers.” He was also instrumental in building the current science building, Habeger Science Center, which was completed in 1972. “His personal touches are all over this building,” said Droge. Brashier’s former colleague Jim Swanson, a retired English professor at DSU, said “he was the most devoted and motivated person I’ve ever worked with. He was interested in everything.” Besides his academic work, Brashier was active with many organizations, including the local historical society, serving three terms on the Smith-Zimmermann Museum Board of Directors.