Tidemann Receives MHEC’s Sirotkin Award Recipient
Larry Tidemann of Brookings, South Dakota, received the Midwestern Higher Education Compact’s (MHEC) Phillip Sirotkin Award during the organization’s Annual Commission Meeting in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on November 14. Tidemann was also re-elected to serve as MHEC’s treasurer on the Compact’s governing board.
One of four regional higher education compacts in the United States, MHEC brings together midwestern states to develop and support best practices, collaborative efforts, and cost-sharing opportunities. Through these efforts it works to ensure strong, equitable postsecondary educational opportunities and outcomes for all.
A South Dakota native, Tidemann currently serves as South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s designee on the Compact’s governing board. He previously held four other commissioner terms during his tenure as a legislator, beginning in 2008. He was in the legislature for 14 years and spent a 32-year career with the South Dakota Cooperative Extension Service at South Dakota State University (SDSU), retiring in 2004.
“It is truly an honor and humbling to join the past recipients of this award,” said Tidemann. “I am a strong proponent of higher education having worked in this field for over 50 years. South Dakota’s membership in MHEC has provided the opportunity to collaborate and learn from other states. I am proud to be affiliated with this organization that strives to support best practices and collective problem-solving to strengthen postsecondary education in our region while maintaining the vision that this good work will impact the success of our students.” Upon receiving the reward, Tidemann reflected upon his career at SDSU and the opportunity to be in a leadership role for many years.
In the early 1990s, Dr. Sirotkin was the visionary behind the regional higher education compact in the Midwest. MHEC established the Phillip Sirotkin Award in his honor in 1999 and periodically confers the award upon individuals that have been voted upon by the entire commission.
“We celebrate Larry for his leadership and passion for higher education,” stated Heegaard. “We’ve appreciated his guidance and counsel as our treasurer and a strong supporter of our work in South Dakota and across the region. I am so glad to see him recognized with this award.”