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Contact Information:

Office of the President
The University of South Dakota
414 E. Clark St.
Vermillion, SD 57069
phone: 605-677-5641
president@usd.edu

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Last Modified: 10/01/07

biography - James W. Abbott

James W. Abbott was named the 17th president of The University of South Dakota by the South Dakota Board of Regents on February 12, 1997, and began his term of office on July 1, 1997.  Abbott has two degrees from The U (BA '70 and JD '74) and is the first alumnus named president of The U.

Mr. Abbott is a lifelong resident of South Dakota, growing up in Irene and Yankton.  He has taught middle and high school social studies and college-level political science, practiced law, and actively managed various businesses.  Prior to becoming president, he was president and chief executive officer of Zylstra Communications Corporation, Yankton, SD.

President Abbott is a former Yankton City Commissioner (1985-1990) and served in the South Dakota House of Representatives (1991-1992).  He has served as a board member of many state and community organizations, including the South Dakota Community Foundation, the South Dakota Lottery Commission, the South Dakota Economic Development Finance Authority, Dakota Wesleyan University, and the United Way.  He currently serves on the American Council on Education's Commission on Government and Public Affairs, The Freedom Forum's Al Neuharth Free Spirit Award Selection Committee, The Freedom Forum Diversity Institute Board of Directors, the Datatel Scholars Foundation, and serves as an Advisor for the state of South Dakota on the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Since becoming President in 1997, Mr. Abbott led The U in a long-range planning process, culminating in a five-year strategic plan entitled Setting the Standard.  As part of that plan, The U implemented a programmatic review of every department, college and school.  Building on Setting the Standard, a new strategic plan for the next five years, Building an Extraordinary U, is currently underway.  Campaign South Dakota, a $60 million fund drive (the largest ever in South Dakota history) was initiated, to increase student scholarships, build and remodel facilities for the School of Medicine and School of Business, and fund endowments to increase faculty salaries.  Now completed, the campaign raised over $132 million, more than double its original goal.

Under President Abbott's leadership, new doctoral programs are being introduced, student recruitment is up, and construction of a new Student Center, Medical School and Business School are either underway or about to begin.