Strategist Jarding chosen as SDSU Lusk Fellow
Political and media strategist Steve Jarding, a Mitchell native, has been chosen as the 2010 Lusk Fellow by the faculty of the South Dakota State University Department of Journalism and Mass Communication.
“We are thrilled that Steve Jarding will be sharing his knowledge and experience with our students and with the community as our 2010 Lusk Fellow,” said Mary Arnold, head of the SDSU Department of Journalism and Mass Communication.
“Steve is a nationally known expert on political and media strategy, and our students will benefit tremendously from his experience,” Arnold said.
Photo Credit: Harvard Kennedy School photo by Martha Stewart
The Lusk Fellowship recognizes prominent South Dakotans for their contributions to media industries. Lusk Fellows serve as professionals-in-residence at SDSU, conducting seminars with journalism and mass communication students and giving a public presentation on an issue of importance to them.
Jarding’s Lusk Lecture discussing the influence of money in politics will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, in the Rotunda, Room D on the SDSU campus. The event is free and open to the public.
Jarding, a lecturer in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, is recognized as an expert in campaign management and political and media strategies. He has managed campaigns or served in senior roles for U.S. Sens. Tom Daschle, D-S.D.; Bob Kerrey, D.-Neb.; Jim Webb, D.-Va.; Tim Johnson, D.-S.D.; and Mark Warner, D-Va. He has run a National Leadership Committee for Kerrey and has served as senior adviser to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
In 1996, Roll Call magazine named Jarding one of the “50 most influential” political people in Washington, and in 2002, the New York Times Magazine profiled Jarding as someone who wins races in places he is not supposed to win.
He has been a fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics and a fellow at the Congressional Studies Center at the University of Oklahoma, where he received his master’s degree in government. He was recently named manager of Scott Heidepriem’s campaign for South Dakota governor.
Previous Lusk Fellows include Randell Beck of the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, South Dakota blogger Denise Ross, former Mitchell Daily Republic Publisher Noel Hamiel, Gene Chamberlin of the Mobridge Tribune; former Argus Leader Publisher Larry Fuller; Huron Daily Plainsman Managing Editor Roger Kasa; Tena Haraldson, bureau chief for The Associated Press in South Dakota and North Dakota; and Cindy Eikamp, executive editor of the Aberdeen American News.