PIERRE — The South Dakota Board of Regents recently announced the retirement of South Dakota Mines President Jim Rankin, effective June 21. After six years of dedicated leadership, Rankin leaves a legacy of achievement and impact on the institution, solidifying its position as a premier engineering institution nationwide.

Originally from South Dakota, Rankin attended and graduated from SDM with an electrical engineering degree. He later went on to earn a master’s and a doctoral degree from Iowa State University. Before joining the SDM team, he was the vice provost for research and economic development at the University of Arkansas. Rankin also previously served in leadership roles at Ohio University, as a professor at St. Cloud State University, and as an engineer at Rockwell-Collins.

Lance Roberts, the current provost and vice president of academic affairs, will serve as interim president. A search for the next president will commence late this summer.