Rick and LaRayne Wahlstrom
BROOKINGS, S.D. — May 5, 2026 — The South Dakota State University College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences will soon have an endowed position focused on swine production. The Rick Wahlstrom Endowed Chair in Swine Production will help support a faculty member whose research and leadership will elevate scholarly research productivity and advance teaching efforts within swine production at SDSU.
Wahlstrom, who was a swine professor and department head of animal science, taught and conducted research at SDSU for 36 years beginning in 1952. He retired in 1988 and passed away just a few weeks shy of his 100th birthday in 2023.
During his tenure, Walhstrom was named Teacher of the Year in the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences three times. He authored or co-authored 437 journal and magazine articles and departmental reports. He even founded the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity at SDSU. He and his wife, LaRayne, were very active in the community.
Bob Thaler, Farm Credit Services of America Endowed Chair in Swine Production and SDSU Extension swine specialist, said Rick Wahlstrom was his master’s adviser.
“Incredible human being,” Thaler said. “He fought in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Came to SDSU. He was the first Distinguished Professor in the entire South Dakota regental system — incredible gentleman. He valued, greatly, teaching, and he valued research.”
SD Corn Endowed Dean of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Joseph Cassady will appoint an existing faculty member for this new endowment for the 2026-27 academic year. Thaler said the endowment strengthens SDSU’s ability to retain top faculty.
“We want the best and brightest here,” he said. “We’re willing to pay to get that next Rick Wahlstrom here so somebody can build a program, work as a team, value teaching — that’s the kind of people we want. That’s the kind of people we value. The endowment will really help us keep good faculty from being cherry picked to other places.”
Richard Wahlstrom, Rick Wahlstrom’s son, said his family is thrilled their dad is being honored with the endowed chair.
“Rick’s groundbreaking research in swine nutrition established SDSU as the premier land-grant university in the field,” Richard Wahlstrom said. “A humble man who never sought the limelight, this is the ultimate capstone to his career. That his gift for research, teaching and love of students will be a legacy passed on by future professors. That his name will be forever remembered as a family, as well as university, treasure.”
In total, there nearly a dozen donors for the endowment including industry leaders, individual families and Wahlstrom family members.
Barry Kerkaert, chairman of the board with Pipestone Holdings, said they are proud to support the endowment.
“Many of our team members and families have been positively influenced by SDSU over the years, and this endowment felt like a meaningful way to say thank you,” he said. “SDSU has consistently contributed valuable research and developed young talent that strengthens our industry. Through this endowment, SDSU can continue advancing impactful swine research while positively influencing the next generation of industry leaders.”
The South Dakota Pork Producers Council also donated to the endowment.
“The South Dakota Pork Producers are proud to have contributed to the Rick Wahlstrom endowment fund in honor of a gentleman who dedicated his entire life to improving the swine industry in South Dakota,” Glenn Muller, executive director of South Dakota Pork, said.
The endowment will be appointed by August of this year with a celebration to recognize all endowed faculty in September.
