In the heart of South Dakota, where the values of community, education, and perseverance shine brightly, Judy Olson Duhamel has left an indelible mark. Her induction into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2014 was not just a recognition of a career well-spent but a celebration of a lifetime devoted to service, education, and advocacy. Judy joined South Dakota Hall of Fame CEO, Laurie Becvar, to talk about her life and legacy as a leader in education in South Dakota. In this episode, you will hear...
May 08, 2025•41 min
Life doesn’t always take a straight path. For Greg Sands, the road was winding, filled with obstacles that tested his resilience. But through perseverance, faith, and an unwavering belief in second chances, Greg turned his story from struggle to success—both in business and in giving back to the community. Greg was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2024 for his legacy of giving and his ability to inspire others to live their best lives. He joined South Dakota Hall of Fame Board Dire...
Apr 09, 2025•36 min
Coming from humble roots on her family’s homestead, Judith Knittel Meierhenry has led a life of excellence, paving the way for generations as a trailblazer for women in Law. Judith has had many firsts, overcoming adversity to rise to the highest position a judge can reach within South Dakota’s Supreme Court. She was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2024 for her exemplary leadership and service to the state. Judith joined South Dakota Hall of Fame Board Director, Cathy Clark to disc...
Feb 25, 2025•24 min
Jim Entenman was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2024 in recognition of his impactful contributions to the state. His strong business leadership has sparked economic growth, while his philanthropic efforts have enriched communities throughout South Dakota. Jim joined 2021 Inductee, friend, and nominator Angela Kennecke to discuss his life and legacy. In this episode, you will hear about: A pivotal turning point in Jim’s Life that set him on a path to success What it means to give ...
Jan 16, 2025•22 min
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 acro...
Dec 11, 2024•30 min
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 pa...
Nov 06, 2024•17 min
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 bo...
May 09, 2024•28 min•Ep. 58
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 hea...
Apr 11, 2024•41 min•Ep. 56
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 epi...
Mar 14, 2024•31 min•Ep. 55
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 ...
Feb 10, 2024•41 min•Ep. 54
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, Gar...
Dec 09, 2023•37 min•Ep. 53
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 Lako...
Apr 13, 2023•21 min•Ep. 52
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...
Mar 30, 2023•12 min•Season 1Ep. 51
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 G...
Mar 09, 2023•17 min•Season 1Ep. 51
South Dakota Hall of Fame 1987 Inductee Adeline Gnirk had a love for writing, and a drive to tell the collective story of the place she called home. In this Legacy Podcast episode, her two sons – Paul and David Gnirk – share the legacy of their mother’s work to document the lives of the people who called Gregory and Charles Mix counties home. In this episode, you will hear: Adeline Gnirk’s early life and the now fifth generation family farm in Burke Her process to document the history of her com...
Feb 23, 2023•14 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Mark Shlanta (1965–2022) was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2022 for his life’s work in the telecommunications industry in South Dakota. Mark led by example, and his legacy of vision, community involvement, and a love of work and learning brought an entire region together. He created jobs and opportunities across many communities in South Dakota and exemplified excellence in the way he connected the state. In this episode, you will hear: Mark’s life and early years. The way Mark ...
Feb 09, 2023•18 min•Season 1Ep. 50
2015 Inductee Craig Lloyd began his career with the management of 100 apartment units, and transitioned into work as a contractor, growing exponentially to include a portfolio of nearly 4,000 apartment units and 1.5 million square feet of commercial space. Lloyd Companies’ construction division experienced a series of record-breaking years with over 50 million dollars worth of construction value being completed annually. In this episode, you will hear: Craig’s mindset to see challenges as opport...
Jan 26, 2023•20 min•Season 1Ep. 47
2016 Inductee Robert (Bob) Burns made a massive impact on the State of South Dakota and joined Miles Beacom to talk about his legacy in higher education. During his tenure at South Dakota State University, Robert Burns received many teaching awards including being named College of Arts and Sciences “Teacher of the Year” seven different times. In this episode you will hear: Bob’s early life, and time in the military, what drew Bob to higher education and what kept him there, and how Bob hopes to ...
Jan 12, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 46
William (Bill) Walsh was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2007 for his service to South Dakota through multiple forms of outreach. Bill has served five parishes as an ordained catholic priest and teacher; he has helped shape prison reform in the state; he served in positions with Social Services for the Black Hills and West River Mental Health Services; he formed the Black Hills Forum and Press Club; and he has helped restore Deadwood to its old west appearance. Bill sat down with ...
Dec 29, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 45
The impact of Ron Reed’s work can be felt all across the state, from Vermillion to Pierre to the Black Hills. For over five decades, Dr. Reed has worked tirelessly and behind the scenes to enrich the lives not only of individuals with special needs but of all South Dakotans. He joined Marci Burdick for a conversation about his life’s work. In this episode, you will hear: The way Ron navigated challenges to provide the best life possible for his daughter Kathleen. The impact he had in creating sp...
Dec 08, 2022•18 min•Ep. 44
1991 Inductee Duane Reichert has become best known to rodeo fans all over the country as "Dr. Ben Krazy", the nut with the ersatz ambulance. Reichert brought a wide variety of comedy to the spectator. He is highly visible throughout the rodeo with his animals, magic, excitement, and humor. In this episode you will hear: Duane’s early life and career in rodeo, his outreach work with the youth, visiting thousands of schools and his message to young people of South Dakota to chase their dreams. “I ...
Nov 24, 2022•17 min•Season 1Ep. 43
2021 Inductee Craig Tieszen led a dedicated career as a Police Chief and legislator with honesty, kindness, and integrity. As a leader, he was analytical, practical, and respectful. In this episode of the Legacy Podcast, retired CEO of the South Dakota Hall of Fame Greta Chapman joined the Tieszen family to talk about Craig’s legacy. In this episode you will hear: Craig’s legacy as a husband, father, and community leader, his impact on the youth through his work, and the way his legacy is contin...
Nov 10, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 42
2011 Inductee Lynn Seppala has exhibited what it means to overcome great adversity to continue to pursue one’s dreams. Mid-career as a world-leading designer of state-of-the-art optics for pure and applied science, Lynn suffered a massive stroke, which paralyzed his right side and seriously affected his speech and cognitive abilities. A month into his rehabilitation, still wheelchair bound, he realized with surprise that he could not add or subtract. The doctor in charge of his rehabilitation su...
Oct 27, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Believing that the key to success is hard work and caring about other people, 2011 Inductee William A. (Bill) Hinks left his Wisconsin home in 1960, at age 22 with nothing more than $50 and an old Buick, to work with his uncle and make his mark in South Dakota. This led him to start his own furniture company, Furniture Outlets USA. In this episode you will hear: Bill’s early years in South Dakota how he got his start in the furniture industry, and his encouragement to the youth in South Dakota t...
Oct 13, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Ryan McFarland is an entrepreneur with a passion for mountain biking and motorsports. He spent his early years with a grandfather who was a race car owner and a father who owned a motorcycle dealership. After the birth of his first son Bode, Ryan was anxious to share his passions with Bode, and the Strider Bike was born. In this episode you will hear: Ryan’s life story, His goal to see every child learning to ride a bike by the time they are in kindergarten, and how he grew Strider Sports into t...
Sep 22, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Ted Muenster’s integrity and leadership are well known in South Dakota and he has left behind a positive impact wherever he goes. A South Dakotan by choice, Ted’s career spanned over 40 years and included senior positions in higher education, state government, business, and civic affairs. In this episode you will hear: Ted’s early life story, his time working in state government in the Kneip administration, and his dedication to higher education. Some of his accomplishments over those four decad...
Sep 08, 2022•36 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Adam Weaver is a 2021 Acts of Excellence recipient, for his work exploring and preserving caves across not just South Dakota but the world. He recently joined Miles Beacom to discuss his work, and what it means to be an Acts of Excellence recipient. In this episode you will hear: Adam’s history and how he came to live in South Dakota, what piqued his interest in cave exploration, and the work he is doing to preserve caves not just in South Dakota but worldwide. Adam serves as the current vice pr...
Aug 25, 2022•10 min•Season 1Ep. 37
For more than 50 years 2019 Inductee Tony Bour has built a lasting enterprise in the cabinet manufacturing business, winning numerous awards including the “Spirit of Sioux Falls” Leadership Award. In this episode you will hear: Stories from Tony’s early years in South Dakota, what set him on the path of his career, and challenges Tony faced, and the choices he made to overcome them. Today Tony’s company, Showplace, has over 600 employees in three manufacturing facilities with over 300,000 square...
Aug 04, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Johnny Brockelsby, son of 2000 Inductee Earl Brockelsby joined Miles Beacom to discuss his dad’s legacy in the tourism industry in western South Dakota. A visionary of the South Dakota Tourism Industry, as early as 1935 Earl recognized the need to bring and maintain visitors to the state. Through his love and fascination with reptiles, Brockelsby created the Black Hills Reptile Gardens, an enterprise that would eventually become the world’s largest collection of reptiles and one of the main attr...
Jul 21, 2022•18 min•Season 1Ep. 35
2016 Inductee Christine Hamilton’s life journey has taken her many places, but she ultimately returned to South Dakota and built a life that she loves. She is the owner and managing partner of Christiansen Land and Cattle, Ltd. The fourth-generation farm and ranch business includes several thousand acres of farm and ranchland dispersed throughout south-central South Dakota, east and west of the Missouri River. In this episode, you will hear: Christine’s early life in central South Dakota; how he...
Jul 07, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 34
