Black Hills State University honored several alumni during the Alumni Awards Luncheon and the Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet held during Swarm Days on Sept. 26.
The honors began with the Alumni Awards Luncheon. The Distinguished Alumnus Award was presented to Clair Donovan, the Excellence in Education Award to Dr. Julie (Owen) Hatling, the Special Achievement Award to Sean Sherman, the Special Service Award to Calvin Crooks, and the Young Alumni Achievement Award to Cassidy (Kotelman) Peterson.
“The BHSU Alumni Association honored five individuals who, over the years, have gone above and beyond in their areas of expertise,” said Tom Wheaton, director of Alumni Affairs. “The success they have achieved and the commitment they have shown to their respective fields is truly inspiring. Well-deserved honors for each one of them.”
The Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet was held later that same day. The ceremony inducted five individuals and one team. Inducted individuals include Blakelee (Binning) Hoffman (Volleyball, Women’s Track and Field), Will John Johnson (Men’s Basketball), Kristal Keffeler (Women’s Track and Field), Kirk McLaughlin (Coach), and Brittney (Klipfel) Phillips (Women’s Basketball). The 1999 Women’s Cross Country Team was also inducted at the ceremony.
For more information about the recipients of this year’s Alumni Awards and the Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees, please view the Fall 2025 issue of the BHSU Alumni Magazine at BHSU.edu/AlumniMagazine.
Five BHSU alumni were honored during the Swarm Days Alumni Awards Luncheon. Pictured from left: Sean Sherman, Cassidy (Kotelman) Peterson, Clair Donovan, Dr. Julie (Owen) Hatling, and Calvin Crooks. (BHSU Photo by Rylan Bruns)
The BHSU Athletics Hall of Fame inducted five individuals during this year’s Swarm Days ceremony. (From Left) Will John Johnson, Kristal Keffeler, Brittney (Klipfel) Phillips, Blakelee (Binning)
Hoffman, and Kirk McLaughlin. (BHSU Photo by Rylan Bruns)
The BHSU Athletics Hall of Fame inducted the 1999 Women’s Cross Country Team during
this year’s Swarm Days ceremony. (BHSU Photo by Scott Thornburg)