BROOKINGS – Dean Kattelmann, associate vice president for facilities and services, announced his retirement from South Dakota State University Tuesday after 18 years leading the unit. Kattelmann’s retirement will be effective July 21.

“It has been an honor to serve South Dakota State University for nearly two decades, but the time is right for me to begin the next chapter in my life,” Kattelmann said. “I have been fortunate to work with three wonderful presidents and lead hundreds of great employees. What we have accomplished during that time is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone to make SDSU such a wonderful university.”

Kattelmann came to SDSU in 2002 after retiring as colonel from the U.S. Army. His tenure included working for former presidents Peggy Miller and David Chicoine and current president Barry Dunn. Kattelmann’s wife, Kendra, is the director of health and consumer sciences at SDSU.

“Quality facilities and a sound campus infrastructure play a vital role in preparing students to enter the workforce while allowing faculty the ability to teach and conduct important research and scholarly activities. Dean’s leadership for the past 18 years has transformed the physical structure of SDSU to meet those needs,” Dunn said. “When I visit with alumni who have not been on campus for a few years, they regularly comment about how much campus has changed for the better and how it is more beautiful than ever. Those comments are a credit to Dean’s leadership and we thank him for his service.”

Facilities and Services is responsible for maintenance of more than 385 acres on the Brookings campus and nearly 4 million square feet located in 179 buildings. Kattelmann was responsible for developing the 2025 Design and Master Plan, which resulted in more than $500 million in capital improvements.

The plan included seven new residence halls, the new Chicoine Architecture, Mathematics and Engineering Hall, the Avera Health and Science Center, Daktronics Engineering Hall and improvements to the Alfred Dairy Science Hall, the Davis Dairy Plant and Harding Hall. Kattelmann also led the construction of the American Indian Student Center that is being completed this summer and the ongoing construction of the Raven Precision Agriculture Building that will be completed for the fall 2021 semester.

Kattelmann was also involved in the development and implementation of the Athletics Facilities Master Plan that resulted in building the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex, Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium and the men’s and women’s basketball practice facility.

Another major accomplishment during his time was decreasing the university’s utility costs by 14% since 2014 through the construction of more efficient chiller plants, boiler plants, ventilation systems, lighting upgrades and solar panels. The city of Brookings recognized these efforts with the 2019 Mayor’s Award for Sustainability in the environmental resilience category.

Barry Mielke has been named interim assistant vice president for facilities and services until a national search can be conducted.