Daktronics Founders Establish Sander Endowed Professorship

Through the generosity and innovation of donors, endowed professorships continue to heighten the SDSU margin of excellence.

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South Dakota State University ushered in its 12^th filled endowed faculty position on August 27, 2021, though the position is the result of a dream that first began over fifty years ago.

The Duane Sander Endowed Professorship in Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship was funded by Duane Sander, Al Kurtenbach, Jim Morgan, and Daktronics, Inc.. All contributors bear close ties to the Daktronics organization, as Sander and Kurtenbach founded the company in 1968, both electrical engineering professors with SDSU at the time. While Kurtenbach would later leave his faculty position to give his full focus to Daktronics, Sander remained with the electrical engineering department, moving to department head and dean from 1990-1999. Though funded by multiple sources, the $1 million endowed professorship bears Sander’s name to honor his dedication to the university.

Reece Kurtenbach, Dean Berdanier, President Barry Dunn, Duane Sander, Dr. Liu, Al Kurtenbach, Jim Morgan, and Jerry Lohr smile together after the investiture ceremony. — L to R: Reece Kurtenbach, Dean Bruce Berdanier, President Barry H. Dunn, Duane Sander, Dr. Liu, Al Kurtenbach, Jim Morgan, and Jerry Lohr

No one is more deserving or more suited to have this professorship named for them.

Al Kurtenbach

Daktronics was founded in large part due to Sander and Kurtenbach hoping to utilize an untapped asset: SDSU students and graduates. While the establishment of the company benefited students, Sander and his cohorts would someday go on to benefit the faculty who instruct Jackrabbits at State. The Sander endowed professorship will not only boost opportunities for the college and the faculty member holding the prestigious position, but will also help to innovate engineering academic programs on a grand scale.

“The Duane Sander Endowed Professorship in Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship ensures the work in innovation and economic development in engineering will continue into future generations,” said SDSU President Barry Dunn. “It is the highest academic award we can bestow on a faculty member. Therefore, it is both an honor to the named holder, and it serves as a lasting tribute to the donor.”

Endowed professorships are essential to recruit and retain premier faculty members, with earnings from the endowment used to enhance the professor’s salary, as well as supporting research. The prestige of endowed professors also helps attract top-tier students. As of September 2021, commitments are in place for 38 endowed faculty positions, with a goal set to reach 50. While the Sander Professorship is the 12^th endowed position filled with the university, there are many more commitments in place for additional positions in the future.

Yucheng Liu, new head of the mechanical engineering department, was recognized as the inaugural recipient of the professorship at an investiture ceremony held August 27 at Woster Celebration Hall in the Lohr Building.

Dr. Liu smiling while receiving his medallion from Duane Sander and Al Kurtenbach.

“To address today’s global challenges, we need novel approaches that only can be developed by students with an entrepreneurial mindset,” said Liu. “On one hand, I’m ready to work with faculty to help them apply for patents. On the other hand, I’m excited to prepare our students as entrepreneurs.”

Liu joins Nadim Wehbe (civil) and Reinaldo Tonkoski (electrical) as endowed professors in the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering. The college has commitments for six additional professors.

Through the generosity and innovation of donors, endowed professorships continue to heighten the SDSU margin of excellence.