Dr. Gabe Mydland delivers DSU’s 2025 Last lecture
Dakota State University held its 2025 Last Lecture on April 29 at the Tunheim Classroom Building, honoring retiring professor Dr. Gabe Mydland after 27 years at DSU. The annual event, beginning with a reception at 6:30 p.m. and lecture at 7 p.m., was introduced by Dr. Kurt Kemper, director of DSU’s General Beadle Honors Program.
In his introduction, Dr. Kurt Kemper explained that the Last Lecture concept originated at Carnegie Mellon University and has been a DSU tradition since 2017. Each spring, honors students select a retiring faculty member to deliver one final lesson. “Tonight we celebrate Gabe Mydland and his 27 years of service to DSU,” Kemper said, noting Dr. Mydland’s commitment to student-centered teaching and impactful service.
Mydland’s lecture drew on his experience in politics to address divisions in today’s society. “I’m not going to try to convince you to join my team,” Mydland said early in the talk. “But I do hope I can convince you that it’s going to take all of us together working to get to that better place, and I’m confident we can get there.”
Acknowledging current political polarization, he remained hopeful: “It’s not always going to be like this. We will return to a period of cooperation, mutual respect, and work together to accomplish things that right now just seem way beyond our reach.”
He suggested that shared curiosity can remind people of common goals and help bridge disagreements, encouraging everyone to step outside their comfort zone and engage with those who hold different opinions. “Find somebody with whom you disagree about something, and be curious — without preconceived notions — about where they’re at and how they got there,” he advised.
He also offered practical tips for difficult conversations, warning that asking “why” someone believes something can put them on the defensive. Instead, he recommended asking questions beginning with “what” or “how” to invite understanding.
“I propose that curiosity can help us rediscover how we share many of the same goals and objectives, and how shared curiosity reminds us that each of us is good and wants to do the right thing.” – Dr. Gabe Mydland
Reflecting further, Mydland quoted historian Jon Meacham: “Fear pushes people away. Hope pulls us together… Fear divides. Hope unites.” He concluded by encouraging attendees to remain engaged, seek common ground, and actively participate in democracy.
As the event concluded, Mydland thanked the DSU community and expressed gratitude to his colleagues, students, and family.
