Tom Brokaw is a Yankton, S.D. native who graduated from USD in 1964 while Meredith Brokaw, also a native of Yankton, graduated in 1962 from USD. In 2010, the Brokaws established the Tom and Meredith Brokaw Scholarship in Honor of America’s Greatest Generation with the USD Foundation.

Regarded as one of the most trusted and respected figures in broadcast journalism today, Tom Brokaw is currently a special correspondent for NBC News reporting and producing long-form documentaries while also providing commentary during election coverage and breaking news events. He is the former anchor of “NBC Nightly News” and most recently served as a correspondent during the network’s coverage of the 2012 Olympic Summer Games in London. He is also a best-selling author of several books, including “The Greatest Generation” (1998) and “A Long Way from Home” (2002). Meredith Brokaw is the founder of Penny Whistle Toys in New York City where she also served as operator until 1999. She wrote eight Penny Whistle books for children and in 2006, she co-authored a cookbook titled “Big Sky Cooking.” A director of the Gannett Company for 18 years, she was also vice-chair of Conservation International for 16 years and currently serves on the board of Maloto, Inc., whose mission is to transform the lives of children and women living in extreme poverty in northern Malawi. The Brokaws have three daughters and four granddaughters. A photo of Tom and Meredith Brokaw is available for download at www.usd.edu/press/news/images/releases/Tom_and_MeredithBrokaw.jpg.

In addition to the parade, the USD Alumni Association has announced the calendar of events planned for the 98th Dakota Days celebration, “Celebrating USD: 150 Years of Legacy,” Oct. 1-6, including the presentation of the Al Neuharth Award for Excellence in the Media at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 4 at Slagle Hall Auditorium; dedication of the USD Coyote statue, “Legacy” at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 5; and a celebratory book launch for “Pride, Persistence and Progress” at 1:30 p.m. in the Muenster University Center concourse. Additional activities include the Royalty Reveal ceremony at 7 p.m. in Slagle Hall Auditorium on Tuesday, Oct. 2; the Dakota Days Alumni Dinner at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 5 at the Muenster University Center; and the USD football game vs. Western Illinois at 2 p.m. at the DakotaDome.

For a complete list of Dakota Days events, including event and activity sponsors, please visit www.usd.edu/dakotadays or contact the committee directly at dakotadays@usd.edu.

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