Vice President Reger announces retirement plans
Michael P. Reger
South Dakota State University Executive Vice President for Administration Michael P. Reger announced today (Feb. 4) that he is retiring from his position at SDSU after 30 years of service to public higher education in South Dakota.
Reger, the administrative vice president since 1993, has supervised financial operations, human resources, communications and physical facilities of the state’s largest university. During his time, more than 70 construction and renovation projects have been completed or are in progress.
“SDSU is a tremendous institution because of its leadership, faculty, students and staff,” Reger said. “I have been a part of it for three decades and have worked with individuals committed to improving the academic mission of the institution. I would certainly like to thank President (David) Chicoine, President (Peggy) Miller and President (Robert) Wagner for their leadership and allowing me to have a positive impact on the growth of SDSU.”
Reger’s last full day on campus will be March 5.
“My wife, Pat, and I have been planning how we will enjoy our retirement for some time,” Reger said. “After 30 years of service, we are blessed with our health, family and friends and we are looking forward to doing some of the things that aren’t possible in the course of a full-time career.”
In addition to the numerous capital building projects, Reger was instrumental in SDSU’s move to NCAA Division I athletics and the implementation of a multimedia advertising campaign that contributed to more than a 30 percent growth in enrollment. Additionally he oversaw the development and implementation of the University Master Plan, which has reshaped the campus and set the stage for all future growth of the University. Reger was also an integral part of the University’s first capital campaign, in addition to multiple other fundraising initiatives responsible for more than tripling scholarship numbers on campus.
President David L. Chicoine, in his message to campus this morning, cited Reger’s noteworthy contributions across the University.
“The South Dakota State campus looks substantially different than it did when Vice President Reger came here in 1979 as associate director of housing,” Chicoine said. “He has guided numerous construction and renovation projects through the funding and approval system. He has built and fostered working teams that serve every segment of this university. He has developed relationships with people on campus and with people in the greater community, all to the benefit of SDSU. The context he adds to our administrative discussions will be missed.”
Reger has held leadership roles at SDSU since his arrival in 1979. His first appointment was as associate director of housing. In 1984, he was appointed acting dean of student affairs, an appointment made permanent in 1985. In 1993, Reger was named vice president for administration before being promoted to executive vice president for administration in 2000.
“It is hard to put into words my respect for Michael Reger,” said Zeno Wicks III, Fulbright professor of plant science and statistics at SDSU since 1980. “When the heat was on, he was always the man in the spotlight, but when the accolades and cheers resounded, it was not his style to take the stage. A great deal of the physical transformation that has taken place at our beloved institution over the last 25 years is a result of Michael’s influence and passion for SDSU.”
Active in the Brookings community, Reger is a member of the Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce. He is a former member of the Brookings Optimist Club and was chairman of the Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter Board. He also has been a referee for the USA Hockey Officiating Program since 1986, an instructor for hockey officials and South Dakota referee-in-chief since 1991.
Before coming to SDSU, Reger was area coordinator for the department of residential life at the University of Vermont. He received his bachelor of science degree in sociology and master of science in college personnel services from Western Illinois University, where he held two graduate assistantships. He received a Ph.D. in higher education administration from The Ohio State University, where he was awarded a university fellowship and served as graduate administrative assistant to the dean of the College of Education. In July 1999, Reger completed the Harvard University Institute for Educational Management.