Gov Daugaard declares May 17 as Al Neuharth Day in South Dakota
Neuharth, 89, a native of Eureka and University of South Dakota graduate who rose to prominence as the founder of USA Today, died at his Florida home April 19.
“From Eureka to USD to USA Today, Al Neuharth was a great South Dakotan who revolutionized the media industry,” Gov. Daugaard said. “Even as he became one of the nation’s top media figures, he never forgot his roots, and was a generous supporter and frequent visitor to Eureka and to the university.”
The University of South Dakota will host a public tribute to Neuharth on May 17 at the USD campus in Vermillion. The memorial celebration will begin at 10 a.m. CDT in Slagle Hall’s Aalfs Auditorium, 414 E. Clark Street. The doors will open at 9 a.m., and a lunch reception will follow at the Al Neuharth Media Center, 555 Dakota Street. The tribute and reception are open to the public.
Flags will fly at half-staff at the South Dakota State Capitol and on the campus of the University of South Dakota on Saturday in remembrance of Neuharth.