Time, Talent, and Treasure: Meyers Make a Difference At State
For David and Patricia Meyer, there’s no place like Brookings. It’s where they made their living, made their home, and made countless connections with South Dakota State University. Though the two aren’t alumni, they’re true Jackrabbits in every other sense of the word, having integrated their lives into the institution that remains the heartbeat of the city. For more than thirty years, the Meyers have given back to the university through volunteering, financial support, and unfailing loyalty to their many passions at State.
It was David’s career in orthodontics that first brought the couple to Brookings in 1986. After graduating from the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry and practicing for five years, David moved his young family to Rochester, Minnesota, to acquire his orthodontic specialty degree at the Mayo Clinic. David and Patricia looked to return to their South Dakota roots to establish Meyer Orthodontics. Brookings appeared to be the right fit as a fine community to raise their family and for the amenities that a college town could offer.
The Meyers migrated to Brookings, where they’d settle for decades to come with their four children: Andrea, Scott, John, and Paul. An avid reader of The Brookings Register, Patricia noticed an ad for Prairie Repertory Theatre’s upcoming production of The Sound of Music, in search of children to join the cast. Andrea landed a role in the show, introducing the Meyers to the yellow and blue community and marking the start of a lifelong relationship with South Dakota State.
“SDSU has such a unique relationship between college and community,” explains Patricia. “It’s been such a big part of making our quality of life and what my children experienced growing up here.”
All four of the Meyers’ children would come to be involved with Prairie Rep, leading to Patricia spending plenty of time on campus. As a result, she found her way to what would become her greatest passion at SDSU: the South Dakota Art Museum. Patricia began volunteering as a docent, enjoying the chance to tell the museum’s story and interact with patrons of all ages.
“It was a chance to be involved with something just for me, where I could meet and learn from other women in the community,” Patricia recalls. The volunteer role would grow into over 30 years of service on the museum’s advisory board, culminating with her acting as president. Still today, the museum is a treasured place for the Meyers to visit with their ten grandchildren.
David found his passion with Jackrabbits Athletics, inspired by his own days of running high school and collegiate-level track. A regular fan in the stands at meets, he serves as a curve judge at the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex. The Meyers created an endowment to support the team, inspired by the caliber of both the coaching staff and the student-athletes they train.
“The reason I like the sport is every time I go to a meet, I see young athletes who surprise themselves, who didn’t know they could do as well as they did,” says David. “It’s so exciting to see them go beyond what they thought they could do.”
The Meyers also believe in helping Jackrabbits go beyond their own expectations in the classroom. Inspired by a conversation with Associate Dean of Academics and Student Success Greg Heiberger, David toured the Aamlid Family Human Anatomy Lab and was impressed by the innovations and advancements he encountered. The Meyers were moved by the possibilities of the environment and its technology, as well as the difference it could make for Jackrabbits studying in the medical field. The two decided to invest in an expansion of the lab, with their gift fueling many transformational experiences for undergraduates and grad students. The boost in funding and space will allow for more hands-on anatomy practice with cadavers, as well as engagements for current doctors to lecture and mentor on campus. The bump in student research endeavors is expected to catalyze a trickle-down effect for the university’s Ph.D. programs, elevating training overall and advancing SDSU to its goal of achieving R1 research status.
“The goal is to help these young students increase their chances of getting into their dream programs and creating opportunities that help them stand out,” says David. “Nothing pleases me more than to see young people come out of SDSU and do great things.”
Patricia believes SDSU is a place that has given to their family just as much in return. “We’ve been blessed to give to others. To me, there’s a real joy in giving.”
David echoed her thoughts, looking back on a place that helped to shape his life on all counts. “I’m just truly amazed by how much the university’s grown in opportunities, programs, buildings, all of it. I’m proud to be from Brookings and say that it’s home to South Dakota State University.”
