Michael P. Reger

1948 - 2017

Michael P. Reger

A celebration of the life of Michael Reger, former Executive Vice President of Administration at South Dakota State University, will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 7, 2017, in the Robertson Reception Hall of the SDSU Performing Arts Center. Mike died January 27, 2017, at the age of 68, at Estelline Nursing and Care Center in Estelline, SD. Rude's Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Mike Reger spent his life as a student, university administrator, avid reader, lifelong learner, and leader impacting others with his calm, steady presence, sharp intellect, and magnetic smile.

Mike was born on December 9, 1948, in Chicago to William and Barbara Reger. The Reger family moved to Villa Park, Ill., outside of Chicago, where Mike graduated from St. Francis High School. He spent many memorable summers with his siblings and grandparents at a lake near Eagle River, Wis.

After finishing high school, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology in 1970 followed by a Master of Science in College Personnel Services in 1972, both from Western Illinois University. He earned his Ph.D. in 1983 in Higher Education Administration from Ohio State University and completed the Harvard University Institute for Educational Management in 1999.

Mike came to SDSU in 1979 as Associate Director of Housing from the University of Vermont where he had been Coordinator of Residential Life. He was appointed SDSU Dean of Student Affairs in 1985, Vice President for Administration in 1993 and in 2000, was named Executive Vice President for Administration.

While at SDSU, he supervised financial operations, human resources, communications and physical facilities, including the South Dakota Art Museum and the Agricultural Heritage Museum. During his 30 years with SDSU, more than 70 construction and renovation projects were completed.

He was instrumental in the SDSU move to NCAA Division I athletics and saw the implementation of a multimedia advertising campaign that contributed to a more than 30 percent growth in enrollment.

Additionally, he oversaw development and implementation of the University Master Plan that reshaped the campus, setting the stage for future growth of the university, while encouraging collaboration among students, employees, and colleagues.

Mike was an integral part of the University's first capital campaign as well as other fundraising initiatives that tripled the number of scholarships to be awarded at SDSU.

In 2006, Mike received "The President's Special Citation" for extraordinary contributions to higher education and excellence in student and administrative leadership.

He was famous for mentoring those he supervised as well as university students, his ultimate responsibility as vice president.

Among the many expressions sent at his retirement, words to describe Mike included unselfish, positive, caring, trusting, respectful, appreciative, honest, patient, and wise. One colleague said, "You may not have taught, but all learned from you."

Mike made it a priority to support those he supervised in their roles as parent or spouse. He thought it was important for workers to discover how to balance their home and professional lives in ways that allowed them to progress.

Mike married his wife Patricia in 1986. Together they enjoyed traveling, entertaining friends and family, hanging out on their deck with their dogs, and always supporting Jackrabbit events.

He gave Pat his unconditional love, being supportive, understanding, and considerate, including regularly sending her roses to show how much he cared.

Throughout their 30 years of marriage, Mike served as an inspiring role model and great friend for his stepson Paul Heer of Brookings.

One of his outside interests was a passion for hockey that began with his skating experience at the University of Vermont.

Such interest, skills and passion led to 17 years as referee-in-chief for the South Dakota Amateur Hockey Association. He spent weekends training, evaluating and scheduling games. Each April Mike traveled to Colorado Springs to train other hockey referees and instructors from across the nation.

His professional work and outside interests led to his being an active and valued community member. Mike was a member of the Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce, Brookings Optimist Club, where he served as president and regional lieutenant governor, and on the Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter board.

Among numerous awards, Mike received recognition as Patriotic Employer from the National Guard for his support of SDSU National Guard employees. He received an honorary letter from the SDSU Athletic Department for his support of Jackrabbit athletics.

In addition to his wife Patricia and stepson Paul, he is survived by two brothers, Dave (Dee) Reger of Sugar Grove, Ill., and John (Eileen) Reger of Elburn, Ill. and two sisters, Cathy (Rick) Anderson of Sycamore, Ill., and Libby (Dan) Faivre of DeKalb, Ill. and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial scholarship in his name has been established at the SDSU Foundation.

Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com