BROOKINGS – It does not happen often, but flowers do arrive at the South Dakota State University’s aviation program. When they do arrive, everyone knows they’re going to Deb Vigdal, who is its program assistant.

“In my 16 years with SDSU aviation, she is the only person I know who gets flowers from the students on a semiregular basis just because they appreciate her extra effort, professionalism and also her kindness,” said Cody Christensen, who leads the program.

For her efforts helping with the program in the College of Education and Human Sciences, Vigdal has been named South Dakota State University’s Civil Service Employee of the Month for February. Her reception will start at 2 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Brookings Regional Airport.

Nominators cite Vigdal’s care for students and attention to detail.

“Deb is an integral part of our program and routinely goes above and beyond to keep the program in good graces with the university, vendors, students and other team members,” Christensen said.

“Deb demonstrates care for the students in such ways as digging into a financial question well beyond her job duties to make sure the student can fly on their next flight or calling, texting and tracking down students when flights open and she sees an opportunity,” he continued. “She is there to console students after a failed checkride, and she is usually the first person students want to tell that they passed a checkride.”

Vigdal, who started at South Dakota State in 2012 and moved to the aviation program in 2016, is grateful to be working with the aviation program.

“I’m blessed to work with staff and students who love what they do and inspire so many, including myself,” said Vigdal, adding she and her husband, Ken, moved to South Dakota in 2012.