FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 14, 2026

CONTACT: Kevin Larsen, Media Coordinator, 605-773-6000, Kevin.Larsen@state.sd.us

State Historical Society announces Governor’s Award for History Recipients

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota State Historical Society (SDSHS) will be honoring multiple individuals and organizations with awards Wednesday June 3, 2026, during the annual state history conference in Fort Pierre.

Two organizations and five individuals are being recognized by the State Historical Society with Governor’s Awards for their efforts in preserving South Dakota history. The organizational award winners this year are the Mead Museum in Yankton and the Mellette County Historical Society in White River. Connie Carlisle of Fort Pierre is being honored in the individual category.

Ryan Decker of the Tea Area School District is being honored as the Board of Education Standards William Beadle History Teacher of the Year. Decker, a high school history teacher, is being honored for his remarkable ability to create a unique and engaging class where his teaching style helps all students learn and think critically. He also initiated a course on South Dakota history this year, enabling students to dive deeper into the history of our state. Decker will receive a $1,000 dollar stipend made possible by the South Dakota Board of Education Standards.

Bill Hoskins of Sioux Falls is being honored with the prestigious Doane Robinson Award. Hoskins, the Director of Siouxland Heritage Museums, is being recognized for his lifetime contributions to preserving South Dakota’s history.

Lisa Lindell of Brookings is this year’s recipient of the Herbert S. Schell Award for the best article in “South Dakota History,” the State Historical Society’s award-winning quarterly journal. The Schell Award is named for Herbert S. Schell, a historian and long-time University of South Dakota professor. Augustana University Professor of History Michael J. Mullin of Humboldt will be honored with the Jerome A. Greene Award for his article in “South Dakota History” about how the EROS data center arrived in South Dakota.

The Wednesday awards luncheon is part of this year’s State Historical Society annual history conference, taking place June 1-3. This year’s theme is “Grit and Glory.” Registrations for the conference are still being accepted. Call 605-773-6000 for more information or visit www.history.sd.gov.

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About the South Dakota State Historical Society

The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division of the Department of Education. For questions or memberships, call 605-773-3458 or visit www.history.sd.gov for more information. The society also has an archaeology office in Rapid City; call 605-394-1936 for more information.