BROOKINGS – Keith Bartels of Brookings was honored with the Jerome J. Lohr Award for Volunteer Leadership in recognition of his involvement and support of the South Dakota State University Foundation. The award was made Oct. 13 in conjunction with the SDSU Foundation Council of Trustees’ fall meeting.

Bartels was a vice president for The Martin Group Inc. in Mitchell until his retirement. He and his wife, Glynn, were longtime residents of Mitchell before relocating to Brookings in 2017.

Bartels has been a member of the Foundation’s council of trustees since 2002. He is currently a member of the Foundation’s board of governors. Throughout his tenure, he has served on the Foundation’s budget and finance committee, including time as its chair, and is presently on the compensation and governance committees. Bartels was also on the SDSU Alumni Association’s board of directors from 1989 to 1993.

He holds two degrees from SDSU – a bachelor’s in economics, and a bachelor’s in electrical engineering. Bartels was on the dean’s advisory council for the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering.

The SDSU Foundation created the award in 1999 as a tribute to Jerome J. “Jerry” Lohr, who has actively served on the Foundation board without interruption since 1988. The award is designated to recognize an individual “who demonstrates exemplary volunteer leadership on behalf of the Foundation and outstanding philanthropic support of SDSU.” The award is not just about financial contributions, but signifies significant contributions of time and expertise to the betterment of SDSU.

Recipients must serve on the Foundation’s council of trustees, which currently has 114 members. Lohr personally selects the winner, in consultation with Foundation staff and leadership.

The Bartels are generous supporters of SDSU. They will be recognized as members of the Stephen F. Briggs Society at the April 26, 2018, Donor Celebration. That society is designated for donors with at least $1 million in support to SDSU.

Steve Erpenbach, the Foundation’s president and CEO, said Bartels is the epitome of the award’s intent. “Keith and Glynn have been incredibly generous, including a leadership gift to the Alumni Green project and sponsorship of the Alumni Gallery in the expanded Lohr Building.

“However, they recognize that their time as volunteers is also important. In my 12 years at the Foundation, Keith has repeatedly been asked to serve in different capacities, which means an additional time commitment. He’s never declined. He’s incredibly committed.”

Lohr praised Bartels for his willingness to ask the tough questions. “Keith is someone who I’ve always respected and enjoyed working alongside in service to the Foundation and SDSU,” Lohr said.

Bartels is only the 13th recipient of the prestigious award. Past recipients include:

• Anson Yeager, former editor of the Argus Leader and lead donor of Yeager Hall who died in 2005;

• Roland Jensen, a former energy industry leader who served on the board until his death in 2006;

• Dr. Charles “Scotty” Roberts, a physician and local philanthropist until his death in 2004;

• Bill Larson, a Colorado rancher who earned three degrees at SDSU in the 1960s;

• Aelred J. Kurtenbach of Brookings, a co-founder of Daktronics;

• Duane Sander of Brookings, a co-founder of Daktronics;

• Errol EerNisse of Salt Lake City, an electrical engineering graduate and founder of multiple research-based companies;

• Barbara B. Fishback of Brookings, a home economics graduate who is active in local, regional and statewide organizations;

• Dana Dykhouse, an agricultural business graduate and CEO of First PREMIER Bank in Sioux Falls;

• Duane Harms, an agricultural business graduate and owner and president of Harms Oil Co. in Brookings;

• Paul Moriarty, a homebuilder, developer and apartment owner in Brookings; and

• Bill Folkerts, real estate investor and owner in Watertown.