Senator Gary Dahms to Receive SMSU Alumni Recognition
Published Saturday, October 05, 2024
Each year the SMSU Alumni Association seeks to recognize alumni and friends who have made significant contributions of time, talent or financial resources to help advance and bring positive recognition to Southwest Minnesota State University. The Honorary Lifetime Membership is given to someone who supports SMSU with the heart of a Mustang even though they did not attend SMSU. This year's honor is being presented to State Senator Gary Dahms of Redwood Falls, Minn.
– –
Gary Dahms grew up on a farm near Clements, a small community south of Redwood Falls, Minnesota. He was involved in 4H and FFA. Instead of an allowance, Dahms’s parents offered him and his siblings the opportunity to raise pigs, sheep, and cattle.
“That meant we had the opportunity to earn money by raising our own livestock, figuring things out, and selling them. For example, we learned quickly that the price of corn changes. You learn things like that and learn marketing strategy,” Dahms recalled. “It was a great experience.”
His wife, Barb, grew up in Minneapolis, and her exposure to the farm was with cousins in the summertime. These days, the couple lives in the country just outside of Redwood Falls. They have two grown children: a son, Michael and a daughter, Michelle, and her husband, Byron, and two granddaughters.
Dahms attended the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, graduating in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural business and economics. His rigorous curriculum also included an emphasis in accounting.
Dahms’ first job was with an auditing firm, but in the early 1970s he launched his own auditing firm in St. Louis Park. The firm was successful, and he sold it around the same time as an auto dealership was for sale in Redwood Falls. Dahms and his uncle bought the dealership, and Gary and Barb moved back to Redwood County. In 1987, he started an American Family insurance agency in Redwood Falls and had another branch in Fairfax, Minnesota. Gary and Barb retired from the agencies in 2012, and Gary stayed busy in politics.
“I got into politics in the first place because I happened to overhear a conversation that got me thinking it was time for a leadership change. So, I ran for county commissioner and defeated the incumbent,” said Dahms. “I learned a lot as county commissioner. I saw that (State Senator) Denny (Frederickson) had also started out as a commissioner and thought the Minnesota Senate might be a good fit for me. I ran for the Senate seat and won. Mostly it’s just circumstances that got me into politics.”
When Dahms entered the Senate in 2010 his district had three counties: Brown, Redwood, and Lyon. Dahms retired from the insurance business in early February 2012, and at the end of February, the Senate district was redrawn through the redistricting process. The new district included Brown, Lac qui Parle, and Yellow Medicine Counties, and parts of Lyon, Redwood, and Renville Counties which were shared with two other Senate Districts.
“Right now, my district starts at North Mankato and goes all the way south of Ortonville to the South Dakota border. It’s roughly 200 miles from corner to corner of my district. It's only one county wide along the Minnesota River. It’s a unique district to represent,” Dahms explained. “This district has strong educational systems, various facets of manufacturing, and a vibrant agricultural community that includes several co-ops and an array of agricultural businesses along with two ethanol plants. The district is also home to the Upper Sioux and Lower Sioux communities each having their own casinos. This creates a very diverse economy that I appreciate the opportunity to represent.
“I am glad that Southwest Minnesota State University is in my district. In my opinion, the best and the biggest equalizer we have is education. Working with Southwest over the years, I’ve always said to the presidents, ‘I can't promise you I can get you a bunch of money, but I'll do whatever I can to support education,’” said Dahms. “I started when Ron Wood was the interim president. And when Connie Gores was hired, the chancellor asked me my opinion. I said, ‘if she can bring people together, and she can relate with agriculture, she's going to do fine.’ And she did.”
Dahms worked with Southwest on several important efforts. He was a very strong supporter of starting the Ag Education program. He could see it was needed because the state was critically short on ag teachers and only had the U of M offering the program. He was a champion for bringing funding and support for the program to SMSU. He could see the value in having young people learn about agriculture in ag country. It just made sense.
“When it was time to hire a new president, I thought the college needed a strong hand, and someone who could bring people together. Upon meeting Dr. Kumara Jayasuriya, I said ‘he's just the personality we need to really put the icing on the cake at Southwest,’” Dahms recalled. “He can get into a conversation with just about anybody, and if you want to talk numbers, he will have them right on the tip of his tongue. And they'll be right.
“I can see Dr. Jayasuriya is a good team builder and from an outside perspective, I can see the community is a strong supporter and is excited about the future of Southwest Minnesota State,” Dahms continued. “They're proud to say that this is in their community. They're proud to say that we've helped to get it where it is today. The people you have supporting Southwest, they're not talkers, they're doers. They are willing to invest in the university, grow programs, and help students.”
When he was notified that he was being presented with the honorary lifetime membership this year, he thought it was a mistake. Once it sunk in, he is honored and proud to be joining the Mustang Family on an official basis.
“People say I do a lot for the university. I am privileged to advocate for Southwest Minnesota State University at the State Capitol. As a senator, I feel my job is to fight for what’s best for the district.”
“Everything I do is part of the job the people of this district elected me to do. It’s an honor. I am also very fortunate to have this university in my district. And talk about fun! Especially right now, SMSU is aggressive, in a good way! Making bold moves and if there’s something new to consider at Southwest, they’re looking at it. And that’s what is making a big difference.
“I see day in and day out, success takes the right combination of people, facilities, and programs to make all this come together. And this campus has done that,” said Dahms. “The least I can do is support the campus where I can. Sometimes it's financially. Other times, it's being a voice in the state legislature. It’s a job I’m grateful to do.”
“I know Southwest has many stellar programs and very strong faculty, so the enrollment is great, and the attitude of the students is positive. I can see Southwest as a real leader among the state universities. SMSU has solidified its position as a real gem in the state. I don't take credit for any of that because it was the administration, the presidents I’ve worked with, and all the support people, professors, and staff that made this campus what it is today,” Dahms continued. “I just finished my 14th year in the Senate, and when I look back at where this campus was in 2010 and where this campus is today, it has changed drastically. But it has changed for the better, and the people at SMSU were strong drivers in that change.”
_ _
Celebrate with Gary Dahms and all of this year's Alumni Award Recipients at The Southwest Celebration on Friday, October 11, 2024 starting at 5:30pm in the SMSU Conference Center Upper Level.
The evening begins with a social hour with free drinks. The SMSU faculty and students will be on hand from several academic and support programs to showcase the special projects in their areas. At 6:30pm guests will be invited to be seated for a plated, formal dinner follwed by a short program recognizing this year’s award recipients. The evening will close with a Homecoming mixer that will offer a cash bar. The event will have valet parking outside the Conference Center. Tickets are $50 per person and available online at www.SMSUAlumni.com/celebration.
The 2024 Alumni Award recipients include: Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award presented to Doria Drost ’19/MBA ’21 of Sioux Falls, SD; Alumni Achievement Awards going to Stephen Klein ’75 of Marshall and Deb (Geiver) Norlin ’84 of Brainerd; and Honorary Lifetime Membership in the SMSU Alumni Association being given to Senator Gary Dahms of Redwood Falls.
Articles on each award recipient are posted in related articles below.
Related Articles
