Governor's Office announces two new appointees to Board of Regents

Randy Frederick and Randy Rasmussen will be appointed to serve on the South Dakota Board of Regents, according to the Governor's Office in a press release sent Tuesday afternoon.

“The Board of Regents must revitalize the institutions under its control and to lead the nation by example. Together, we will work to provide an education that truly prepares our kids for the world they are entering without indoctrinating them with harmful, divisive ideologies,” Gov. Kristi Noem stated in the release. “I look forward to working with these folks to set an example to the nation of what strong higher education can look like.”

The SDBOR governs Black Hills State University, Dakota State University, Northern State University, South Dakota Mines, South Dakota State University, the University of South Dakota, the School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, South Dakota Services for the Deaf, BHSU-Rapid City and USD-Sioux Falls.

Frederick served in the South Dakota Legislature for 12 years. During his time in the Legislature, was on the Appropriations Committee.

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The Hayti Republican's occupation was listed as farming, according to the South Dakota Legislature's lawmaker archives.

"Free speech has been under attack at too many universities across the nation. I am dedicated to preserving American values at South Dakota’s higher education institutions,” Frederick said in the release.

Rasmussen, a Vermillion resident who works for HoChunk Inc. as a payroll supervisor, "has had the pleasure of interacting with employees, students and family members of the University of South Dakota community," according to the release.

Rasmussen graduated from the University of South Dakota with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and from Grand Canyon University with a master’s degree in business administration, according to the release.

“Higher education should teach students to think critically, independently, and form their own conclusions," according to Rasmussen in the release. "Students need a curriculum that not only prepares them for a career, but gives them solid understanding of civic virtue that allows them to contribute to their community in a representative republic.”

Neither Frederick or Rasmussen were listed on the South Dakota Department of Education educator's look up tool.

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Randy Frederick will replace Jim Thares. Randy Rasmussen will serve out the remainder of the term for the seat that John Bastian, according to the release.

The newcomers join Tim Rave, Jeff Partridge, Pam Roberts, student regent Brock Brown, Douglas Morrison, James Lochner and CEO ​Brian L. Maher, who will leave later this month to take on a new role in Nebraska as the state's education commissioner.

Noem recently sent a letter to the BOR challenging them to tackle a wide range of issues.

The letter tasks the SDBOR with the following:

1. Raise graduation rates to 65% by 2028;

2. Take more steps to partner with businesses on registered apprenticeship programs and offer the lowest possible credit rates;

3. Remove all references to preferred pronouns in all school materials and any enforcement of such;

4. Remove any policy or procedure that prohibits students from exercising their right to free speech;

5. Prohibit drag shows from taking place on university campuses;

6. Find ways to cut costs to ensure the affordability of college;

7. Require a course in American government and a course in American history as part of the general education graduation requirements; and,

8. Review all funding sources of university centers and all donations to ensure there is no money coming into our educational system from China.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Two new members to join the SD Board of Regents