BROOKINGS Brookings Mayor Oepke Ope Niemeyer, along with several of the citys volunteer boards and commissions, have announced the 2025 Mayors Awards honorees.
The public is invited to help honor the recipients at the Mayors Awards event, in conjunction with the Mayors Holiday Celebration, on Dec. 3 at the Dacotah Bank Center, 824 32nd Avenue. The event will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. with the awards program beginning at 6 p.m.
Award recipients are:
MAYORS MOST INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
Awardee: Barry Dunn, President of South Dakota State University
The Mayors Most Inspirational Award recognizes the inspiring work and commitment of individuals in Brookings. The award is given to a community member age 40 or older who has made a significant impact in the community by contributing to community engagement, collaboration, inclusiveness, diversity, and innovation.
MAYORS GENERATIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARD
Awardee: Stephanie Mason
The Mayors Generational Award is given to a community member age 35 or younger who has affected the community in the following ways: positively changes how people think about the community and city; helps Brookings attract and retain young professionals and families; motivates new generations to be active in their communities; contributes to the advancement and well-being of the community through service in areas such as education, sports, fundraising, charitable and voluntary service, economic development, arts, and the environment.
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION AWARD
Category: Dorothy & Eugene T. Butler Award
Awardee: Van Fishback
The award is presented to a person who has contributed to advancing the cause of human rights. The award bears the name of the first recipients, Dorothy and Eugene T. Butler, who were recognized for their lifelong advocacy in human rights issues on local, regional and national levels.
Category: Youth Award
Awardee: Thomas Reynolds
This award is presented by the Brookings Human Rights Commission (BHRC) to an individual or a group of local youth who promote and/or contribute to human rights in the Brookings area and abroad.
BROOKINGS DISABILITY AWARENESS COMMITTEE AWARDS
Category: A.B.L. E. Award (Ability, Belief, Leadership, Equality to Achieve Access for All)
Awardee: Lucas P. Wintrode Autism Support Services at South Dakota State University
This award is presented to an individual or organization with outstanding commitment to fulfilling the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Category: Empower Award
Awardee: Cubbys Sports Bar & Grill
This award is presented to an individual or organization with outstanding commitment to creating or expanding opportunities for employment of disabled individuals.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION AWARDS
Category: Excellence in Rehabilitation
Awardee: 418 Main Ave.
Awardee: 427 Main Ave.
Awardee: 501 Eighth St.
This award recognizes projects that make compatible use of a building through repair, alterations or additions while preserving features of the property that convey its historic value. Nominees in this category must demonstrate how their restoration or rehabilitation of an historic property was a laudable effort using the Secretary of the Interiors Standards for Historic Preservation, or achieved a satisfactory result by going over and beyond the normal accepted practices.
Category: Stewardship – Residential Awards
Awardee: 701 Harvey Dunn St.
Awardee: 725 Fifth St.
This award recognizes those who have ensured the preservation of historic properties through long-term care and maintenance, stabilization, and protection, or continuous family ownership.
Category: Stewardship Commercial Awards
Awardee: SDSU Horse Barn
Awardee: South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum
PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD PARTNERSHIP AWARDS
Category: Impact Award
Awardees: Nick Curry
The Impact Award honors individuals or groups who have shown exceptional leadership and advocacy in advancing the mission of parks and recreation.
Category: Champion Award
Awardees: Brookings Figure Skating Club
The Champion Award recognizes outstanding contributions and initiatives that enhance community well-being through parks and recreation.
Category: Public Lands Preservation Award
Awardee: Robin Buterbaugh
The Public Lands Preservation Award recognizes exceptional efforts in the stewardship and conservation of public lands.
SUSTAINABILITY COUNCIL AWARDS
Category: Impact Initiative
Awardee: Kool Beans Coffee & Roasterie
This award recognizes a project, program, business, or organization that demonstrates outstanding leadership in advancing sustainability within the Brookings community. The honor highlights innovative efforts that make a measurable difference whether through environmental stewardship, community engagement, or long-term sustainability practices. Recipients of the Mayors Award exemplify how local action can create lasting, positive change for both people and the planet.
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