George S. Mickelson Service Award

South Dakota was just a century old when
a new leader emerged.
Eyes sparkling with vision, he embraced life.
His smile created instant friendships,
his devotion to family inspired.
With limitless energy and genuine compassion,
he challenged us to realize bigger dreams.

George Mickelson made a difference.
The George S. Mickelson Service Award is presented each year to an outstanding South Dakotan, regardless of political affiliation, who has made a tremendous and long-lasting contribution to our state. It is named after Governor George S. Mickelson, who dedicated his life to helping others.

Past Award Winners
2007 - T. Denny Sanford (significant contributions toward education, science, and healthcare)
2008 - Arlene Thoms (founder of Timothy House, a transitional home for recovering addicts)

About George S. Mickelson
George Speaker Mickelson was the 28th governor of South Dakota and was elected two terms. His administration established the goal of “Creating the Future for South Dakota”. Governor Mickelson established a one-cent sales tax increase for economic loans called the REDI Fund. This fund aided companies creating quality jobs. First Lady Linda and Governor Mickelson led a $3 million fund drive to fund the permanent exhibits in the state museum housed at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. Governor Mickelson set contemporary water development priorities; he worked on extending education to everyone resulting in the Rural Development Network. He was the driving force behind the South Dakota Community Foundation and he established “Tourism” as a cabinet position. He also separated “Charities” and “Corrections” into separate cabinet positions and he issued a moratorium on mining permit applications to allow the state to write new regulations.

On April 19, 1993, Governor Mickelson was traveling with seven other South Dakotans when their plane crashed near Dubuque, Iowa. They were meeting with the owners of the John Morrell Packing Plant. Their mission was to keep the plant open to save jobs in the Sioux Falls area. (bio from SD Hall of Fame website)