Honoring the Class of 2021
Update: February 1, 2023
View the Honors Ceremony page on our website to learn more about the current class or the next class announcement.
Ten extraordinary people, whose life works have enriched the state, will be the newest inductees into the South Dakota Hall of Fame. These 10 inductees were selected for their achievements in agriculture, art, philanthropy, medical, inventions, and other professional works.
The 2021 South Dakota Hall of Fame inductees are: Gary Cammack (Agriculture), Jon Crane (Art), Ray Hillenbrand (Philanthropic), David Kapaska (Professional), Angela Kennecke (Professional), Dan Kirby (Professional), Steven Lindquist (Professional), Ryan McFarland (Professional), Marian Sullivan (Professional), Craig Tieszen (Professional).
The Class of 2021 will be introduced and celebrated across the state in the coming months. Join us for an in-person Honors Ceremony on April 1 & 2, 2022 in Chamberlain/Oacoma, SD. (Note: Due to its postponement because of the pandemic, the Class of 2020 will be enshrined during an in-person Honors Ceremony September 10 & 11 of 2021).
The 2021 Class will join over 700 South Dakotans already enshrined in the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame’s mission is to “Champion a Culture of Excellence” and is built upon the recognition, celebration, and preservation of the stories of South Dakotans instrumental in establishing that culture.
Class of 2021
Gary Cammack
Union Center, SD | Agriculture
Visionary Agriculturalist and Statesman
Gary Cammack of Union Center served two years in the state House of Representatives and currently serves as Majority Leader of the state Senate. He and his wife, Amy, grew their 320-acre ranch into 11,000 acres of living environmental stewardship. His land practices have been lauded by state-wide conservation organizations. Recognizing a need for equipment and supplies, he started a successful agribusiness during a difficult economic time in the late 1970s. Gary has been an influential force for positive change to benefit youth and community, resulting in a new elementary school, community center, church, firehouse, and cemetery. He hosts leadership classes to demonstrate first-hand rural community empowerment and personal impact.
Jon Crane
Hill City, SD | Art
Capturing the Beauty of Rural America
Jon Crane’s art is known for a subtle and realistic treatment of subjects from rural America in transparent watercolor. Using a dry brush technique, he captures nostalgic landscapes with exquisite detail. Claiming the trademark of "Art That Takes You Home," Jon's paintings evoke emotions of familiarity and belonging. He is adept at finding old farms and homesteads that evoke a sense of the simpler life, telling through his nostalgic watercolors the story of rural America. Jon lives in the Black Hills with Gail, his wife near a secluded trout stream. His highest award was presented in 2015 when he received the South Dakota Governor’s Award for Distinction in Creative Achievement.
Ray Hillenbrand (1934–2019)
Rapid City, SD | Philanthropy
Guardian and Guiding Light of the Community
"Every community has an angel" and for the Rapid City community, that angel was Ray Hillenbrand. It started with his store Prairie Edge, showcasing the beauty of local Native American culture, then moved on to Ray being a part of the Governors REDI Fund for Economic Development. Ray was integral in researching, funding, and developing Main Street Square, the development of Legacy Commons playground, and the rebuilding of Memorial Park and the 6th Street Promenade joining downtown to the Civic Center. The OneHeart Campus will truly be a huge part of the Ray Hillenbrand legacy. Hundreds if not thousands of people could have their lives turned around by this cornerstone of helping people adjust during hard times.
David Kapaska
Sioux Falls, SD | Medical
Improving Rural Critical Care with Telemedicine
After a successful military career, and family medicine practice, David Kapaska became the Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs at Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, a position he held for almost a decade before retirement. Dr. Kapaska has impacted healthcare statewide with his innovative push and adoption of Avera eICU, now Avera eCARE ICU, which was among the early telemedicine offerings and now is the world’s most robust and extensive telemedicine network serving rural health care. He also facilitated the development of the state’s only transitional care unit at Avera Prince of Peace and the Avera eCARE School Health program. He has served on numerous nonprofit boards and is an avid volunteer.
Angela Kennecke
Sioux Falls, SD | Business
Tireless Advocate and Investigative Reporter
Award-winning investigative reporter and broadcast journalist, Angela Kennecke, has spent three decades keeping people informed on the evening news. Her investigative reports led to changes in state laws. In recent years, many of Angela’s stories focused on the growing opioid crisis. On the day her 21-year-old daughter, Emily, died of an overdose, Angela was working on a story on Good Samaritan Laws and overdose deaths. Angela has taken Emily’s story nationwide and internationally. She speaks tirelessly about the issues surrounding opioid addiction, a parent’s frustration, and a sense of helplessness and tells it all from the perspective of a mother who has lost her child. Angela started a charity called “Emily’s Hope,” because she wants to offer hope to other families struggling with addiction.
Dan Kirby
Sioux Falls, SD | Business
Public Service Uplifting Art and Community
Dan Kirby has been one of the state’s most successful businessmen, leaders, and philanthropists. His career success has been admirable, but the work he has done through public service and philanthropy has been truly remarkable, sending ripples throughout his city, state, and nation. Dan advocated tirelessly for South Dakota as a long-time member of the United States Chamber of Commerce board. Perhaps his most significant, singular accomplishment was leading the team that made the dream of a Washington Pavilion a reality. The Washington Pavilion has made Sioux Falls a better, richer place to live for people from all walks of life and all ages. This strong support for the Arts has also emboldened other South Dakota communities to make the Arts a priority.
Steven Lindquist
Sioux Falls, SD | Medical
Career Dedicated to the Mental Health of All
Steve Lindquist has devoted his career to helping others. He was appointed Administrator of the South Dakota Human Services Center in the wake of a crisis at that facility. At that time, he was the youngest Administrator in that facility's 100+ year history. He led the design and construction of the George S. Mickelson Center for the Neurosciences and served as Director of Mental Health for the State of South Dakota, making him one of only two people to have that dual role. As the executive leader of Avera Behavioral Health, he expanded treatment programs and led the design and construction of the Avera Behavioral Health Center. The number of outpatients served by his programs is well over 100,000.
Ryan McFarland
Rapid City, SD | Inventor
Lifelong Passion of Entrepreneurship
Ryan McFarland is an entrepreneur with a passion for mountain biking and motorsports. His mechanical inclination, and early exposure to entrepreneurship led him to invent two award-winning U.S. Patents. Innovations continued when Ryan’s first son, Bode, was just two years old. Ryan was eager to have his son join him in adventure sports and the great outdoors. The original bike built for his son evolved through numerous prototypes and was ultimately issued a U.S. Patent. Strider Sports International was born in 2007 with its global headquarters located in Rapid City, SD. McFarland’s company has evolved from his backyard garage in South Dakota to 75+ countries worldwide and sales of 16 million in 2019.
Marian Sullivan
Sioux Falls, SD | Business
Innovation in the Gift Industry
Marian Sullivan learned at an early age the value of hard work, dedication to a goal, and a lifestyle of giving back. After graduating from college, she met and married her life-long partner, Bill. Together they started the Sullivan Import Company (now Sullivans). After the passing of her husband, Marian carried on and the company continued to grow as a viable business in the gift industry. In 1994, Sullivans moved from two warehouses to a 137,000 square foot state-of-the-art complex. The business expanded and was a highly respected global entity within the gift industry. Marian received many awards and accolades for her business prowess and philanthropy. She has shared her life philosophy, business expertise, and generosity with her home state of South Dakota.
Craig Tieszen (1949–2017)
Rapid City, SD | General
Lifetime Dedication to Community Service
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. This lifelong learner was always chasing that big adventure. Craig believed that everyone could learn to be tolerant and care for each other. He never stopped learning and worked hard to make life better in our state and in our world. That’s the South Dakota way. His experiences and learning prepared him for his exemplary life and public service. “From Peace Corps to a police officer, to Chief of Police, and then legislator, his life was one of service to his family, friends, community, and the State of South Dakota,” stated Dave Oyler of the RC Club for Boys.