An alumnus has been chosen as president of South Dakota State University over two Arkansans who were among four finalists for the position.
Barry Dunn, currently an agriculture dean at the university, will lead the school, the South Dakota board of regents announced Monday. He earned three degrees from South Dakota State: a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1975 and two graduate degrees in animal science.
Jim Rankin, top research officer at the University of Arkansas, and Zulma Toro, top academic officer at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, visited the campus last week to interview for the job. Toro has also applied to become chancellor at UALR to replace Joel Anderson, who is retiring.
John Mason Jr., vice president for research and economic development at Auburn University, also was a finalist.