South Dakota Hall of Fame Legacy Podcast

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 joi...

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 ...

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 p...

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...

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...

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 a...

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 shar...

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.

D...

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...

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 y...

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 ...

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,...

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...

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.

...

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.

...

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,
• wha...

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...

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 p...

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 thousand...