Dr. Robert Arnio was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2023 for his contributions to the betterment of mental healthcare across South Dakota. South Dakota Hall of Fame board member and 2015 Inductee Ann McKay Thompson sat down with Dr. Arnio to discuss the ways in which he has championed excellence in South Dakota. 

In this episode, you will hear about:

• Dr. Arnio’s early life
• The impact a positive mindset focused on possibility had in his life
• Dr. Arnio’s impact on mental health across the state. 

“If we work together, we can have a far greater impact than we ever imagined possible when we were younger,” – Dr. Arnio. 

To learn more about Dr. Robert Arnio’s contributions, you can visit his legacy page on our website. 

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Gary Conradi comes from deep South Dakota roots. With two sets of great-grandparents who homesteaded in Aurora County South Dakota, he holds a keen interest and strong love for the state. Gary was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2011 for his devotion to South Dakota.

Gary recently joined South Dakota Hall of Fame Board Director Steve Flanery to discuss his legacy and contributions to the state he loves.

In this episode, you will hear about:

• Gary’s early life that set him on the path to where he is today
• The impact professors and mentors had on Gary’s mindset in life
• Gary’s contributions to preserving historical sites through photography 

“Don’t be satisfied with just ‘getting by,’ use your imagination to create goals, and then strive to achieve them to the very best of your ability.” – Gary Conradi

To learn more about Gary Conradi’s contributions, you can visit his legacy page on our website. 

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Bruce Bad Moccasin’s 30-year career dedicated to building a stronger tomorrow started with building roads in 1977. His leadership within the Indian Health Service (IHS) as an engineer, and eventually as Area Director of the Aberdeen Office, allowed him to effectively bring many changes to funding processes for projects important to improving the lives of Native Americans living on reservations. The initiatives taken by Bad Moccasin paved the way for connecting tribal leaders and tribal health boards to IHS leadership and Congress. 

Bruce joined South Dakota Hall of Fame (SDHoF) Board Director Marci Burdick to discuss his life, career, and the lessons that have guided him to become a strong community builder in South Dakota. Bruce was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2023 for the impact he has had on the state, and this conversation highlights the ways Bruce has championed a culture of excellence across the state. 

In this episode, you will hear about:

• Bruce’s childhood and educational journey
• The impact Bruce has had on Native communities in South Dakota
• Bruce’s humble life lessons for the youth across the state

“Think about what you want now, don’t wait. And think about the hope that’s in what you want to do.” – Bruce Bad Moccasin 

To learn more about Bruce Bad Moccasin, you can visit his legacy page here.

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Larry Rohrer was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2023 for his work in public broadcasting. His vision of public media has had an impact on every South Dakota high school, creating ahead-of-its-time coverage of events on the internet, and increased television broadcasts of high school athletics and fine arts.

Larry joined South Dakota Hall of Fame Board Director Ann McKay Thompson to discuss his life’s work and the lessons he has learned along the way.

In this episode, you will hear about:

• Larry’s early years, including his unique college path 
• His impact through public media 
• Larry’s work to establish Honor Flight South Dakota

“Say hello to as many people as you can, and say thank you to anyone who is helping you with something that day.” – Larry Rohrer

To learn more about Larry Rohrer’s impact on South Dakota, click here.

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Kitty Kinsman is a passionate advocate who has used her voice to positively influence the health and quality of life in South Dakota and her community. 

Inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame (SDHoF) in 2020, she is known for her strong leadership and ability to energize, engage, and support others to get things done.

Kitty sat down with SDHoF Board Director Steve Flanery to discuss her life’s impact on South Dakota, and to share some of the lessons she has learned along the way. 

In this episode, you will hear about:

• Kitty’s impactful career as a lobbyist
• Her impact on the health of South Dakotans
• Lessons that Kitty learned over her career

“Be open to opportunities, and things that you may not see for yourself,” said Kitty, “Say yes when asked, and be ready to do the work. People see things in you that you may not see in yourself, and that will open doors for you in ways that you cannot possibly imagine.” 

To learn more, you can read Kitty Kinsman’s biography on our website.

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Dr. José-Marie Griffiths was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame (SDHoF) for her outstanding accomplishments in the field of higher education. These accomplishments are a coalescence of her professional drive and lifelong passion for learning.

She has transformed South Dakota since her arrival to the state in 2015 and has moved Dakota State University (DSU) to a new place in the higher education world.

Dr. Griffiths sat down with 2013 Inductee Beacom to discuss the path that brought her to South Dakota and the leadership lessons that have helped her make a lasting impact on the state. 

In this episode, you will hear about:

• Dr. Griffiths’ early years and education in London
• The path that brought her to the United States and later to South Dakota
• Important lessons Dr. Griffiths learned during her career 

“If there is one thing I can share with the youth [of South Dakota], it is the importance of connections. Maintain connections, and continue to share your life with others. When someone helps you, share your success with them,” said Dr. Griffiths. 

To learn more, you can read Dr. José-Marie Griffiths’ biography on our website.

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Gary Cammack was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2021 for his community impact. Both for his work at Cammack Ranch Supply—a pillar of Union Center—and his time serving South Dakota through public service.

Gary’s public service career began when he was asked to serve as a Meade County Commissioner. In 2012, he was elected to serve as District 29’s Representative. In 2014, he was elected to serve in the South Dakota State Senate. He also served as President pro tempore. In 2020, Gary became the majority leader of the Senate.

Gary sat down with South Dakota Hall of Fame CEO, Laurie Becvar, to talk about his life and the leadership lessons he has learned through years as a rancher, community leader, and public servant.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Gary and his family’s early years as business owners
• Life lessons for leadership
• Gary’s conservation work to preserve the land for generations to come

“Make sure that the things you do make a difference for others long-term.” — 2021 HoF Inductee Gary Cammack

To learn more, you can read Gary Cammack’s biography from his 2021 induction into the South Dakota Hall of Fame.

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James ​​Emery was a humble man who overcame challenges in his life to forge a better future for his community. He was born on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in 1904, at a time when speaking the Lakota language was discouraged. One of Emery’s greatest contributions in life was saving his native language. Our host, Miles Beacom joined David Emery, James Emery’s grandson, to discuss his grandfather’s legacy.

In this episode you will hear:

• James Emery’s early life
• His passion for preserving the Lakota language,
• And more about the Emery Lakota Language Collection

James combined his natural gifts, and great creativity, to begin a project that spanned several decades. This project resulted in over three hundred hours of recordings of the culture, history, language, and songs of Native Americans, including an interview with the daughter of  Walks Alone, a survivor of both The Battle of the Little Bighorn and Wounded Knee.

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Dr. Paul Gnirk was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2022 for his work as an engineer, professor, and dedicated community servant to South Dakota. Dr. Gnirk joined Board Director Steve Flanery to share more about his professional career which has spanned nearly six decades.

In this episode, you will hear:

• How Dr. Gnirk chose the path to becoming a mining engineer
• The ways in which his work took him all over the world
• How his dedication to South Dakota continues today

“When I got the award at School of Mines, I thought I had reached the pinnacle of my career—but here I am today,” reflected Dr. Gnirk about his induction into the South Dakota Hall of Fame.

His recognition is well earned for the commitment he has shown to his career, his students, and the state of South Dakota. He has provided employment for many Ph.D. engineers and scientists and has advocated scholarship opportunities for students. As former SD Mines Alumni President, Dr. Gnirk was also awarded the university’s March Medal which exemplifies a caring spirit for students. We are proud to share Paul Gnirk’s legacy here at the South Dakota Hall of Fame.

To learn more about Dr. Paul Gnirk, you can visit his legacy page here: Legacy Paul Gnirk - SD Hall of Fame Programs

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Grace Martin Highley (1895–1985) was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame for laying the foundation for child welfare practices across the state. Her descendants, Karen Lockhart (granddaughter), Cheryl Zimiga (granddaughter), and Toni Hansen (great-granddaughter), recently joined Steve Flanery, South Dakota Hall of Fame Board Director, for a conversation about Grace’s lasting impact in South Dakota.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Grace’s early life working doing welfare work during the Great Depression
• The leadership Grace showed that set an example for other state’s welfare programs
• The lasting impact her work has had, still seen today.

“The best thing you can do is listen to the child.” – Grace Martin Highley

Early in her career, Grace took on the position of Relief Worker for the Fall River County Commissioners, where she was to decide which families should be given federal money to buy food. The first family she visited lived in a cave, had nine children, and only milk from six goats and flour. This experience solidified her lifelong dedication to the welfare of children in the state, and by 1939, she became the director of South Dakota Child Welfare. For 21 years, she built a nationally-recognized program based on the needs of children and on goals and professional training–which did not exist in 1939.

Learn more about Grace Martin Highley on her Legacy Page here: https://sdexcellence.org/Grace_Martin_Highley_2022

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