Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) will celebrate its 2026 graduates with a series of events recognizing their achievements and readiness to enter high-demand careers. These celebrations reflect the college’s commitment to hands-on education and student success across a wide range of career programs.
Events will include WDTC’s 58th Commencement Ceremony, the Outstanding Graduates Banquet, Registered Nurse and Practical Nurse Pinning Ceremonies, and a Law Enforcement Graduation Recognition Ceremony. Each occasion will highlight the dedication, skill, and accomplishments of this year’s graduating class.
Gov. Larry Rhoden
S.D. Gov. Larry Rhoden is the 2026 WDTC Commencement Speaker. He is a lifelong West River rancher, a dedicated husband and father, and a proven leader with a record of service for South Dakota. He serves as the 34th Governor of South Dakota.
Gov. Rhoden was elected as Lieutenant Governor alongside Gov. Kristi Noem in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. He rose to the office of governor in January 2025. In 2000, Gov. Rhoden was elected to the state legislature.
Gov. Rhoden served as House Majority Leader and chaired both the Senate and House State Affairs Committees. He served as Interim Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Agriculture from May 2020 to September 2020 and as South Dakota’s Agriculture Ambassador from 2020 to 2025. He has also served as a past President of State Ag and Rural Leaders.
Gov. Rhoden served in the South Dakota National Guard for six years. He attended Western Dakota Technical College.
Event Schedule
All events will take place at Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC), 800 Mickelson Dr., unless otherwise noted.
Friday, May 8
- Outstanding Graduates Banquet - 5 p.m., WDTC Event Center.
Thursday, May 14
- Registered Nurse Pinning Ceremony - 1 p.m., WDTC Event Center
- Practical Nurse Pinning Ceremony – 3 p.m., WDTC Event Center
Friday, May 15
- Law Enforcement Technology Graduate Recognition Ceremony – 9 a.m., WDTC Dakota Lecture Hall
Saturday, May 16
- Commencement Ceremony - 10 a.m., the Monument Summit Arena, 444 Mt. Rushmore Rd.
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ABOUT WESTERN DAKOTA TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) was established in 1968 and is the only technical college serving the western South Dakota region.
WDTC offers nearly 40 programs in a variety of fields, including Business and Computers, Construction and Manufacturing, Energy and Environmental Technologies, Health Sciences, Legal and Public Services, and Transportation Technologies.
One hundred percent of Western Dakota Tech's most recent graduates are working, continuing their education, or are enlisted in the military, per the WDTC 2024 Placement Report. There were 249 respondents out of 286 graduates surveyed. [*Placement information is derived from graduate surveys, faculty-collected data, placement surveys started six months after graduation, and the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation. Overall placement rate is figured by: (responding graduates employed, continuing education, or in military service)/(responding graduates who are seeking employment). The number of program graduates are unduplicated by CIP code.]
Western Dakota Technical College faculty, staff, and administration focus their efforts on helping students gain the skills and experiences they need to succeed. Through hands-on learning, internships, and industry partnerships, Western Dakota Tech students graduate ready to make a real and immediate contribution to their employers and to their communities.
For information about WDTC, call (800) 544-8765 or (605) 718-2565 or send an email to Admissions@wdt.edu. Visit us on the web at wdt.edu.
