NORTHERN TODAY 16 SPRING 2022 Lester Clarke Former Dean of the NSU School of Education, Vice President of Academics and interim president Charles (Chuck) Welke Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and Master of Science in Secondary Education HE NORTHERN STATE University Foundation will honor six alumni and friends of Northern at the 2022 NSU Hall of Fame and Distinguished Alumni Banquet. The event will take place at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, in the Kessler’s Champions Club Room in the Barnett Center. Lifetime Achievement Award: Lester Clarke Kretchman Coaching Award: Charles (Chuck) B. Welke Distinguished Alumnus: Roger Youngman Hall of Fame inductees: Doyle Everson, Adam Kampsen and Rachel (Krogman) Rieger Lester Clarke is receiving the NSU Lifetime Achievement Award. Clarke was born in 1921 and grew up in Wessington Springs, S.D. He received his B.S. in Teacher Education and Animal Husbandry from SDSU in 1943. Clarke was called to active duty in the U.S. Navy in 1943 and spent two years in the South Pacific and Pearl Harbor. Upon his return to the United States, he married his wife, the late Charlotte (Wilson) Clarke, in 1945. Clarke left active duty in 1946, but spent nine years in the Reserves. He worked at Sisseton High School from 1946 to 1957, including eight years as teacher and four years as principal. In 1959, Clarke received his doctorate from the University of Wyoming. His career with Northern began in 1959. Clarke was the face of the NSU School of Education for over 30 years, serving as professor, department chair and Dean of the School of Education. Clarke also served as NSU Vice President of Academics, and interim NSU President twice. Clarke retired in 1984 but continued as a teacher and member of the graduate faculty until 1992. Clarke was also International Liaison, part of the first U.S. group allowed into China, an Educational Trip to FUDAN University, in 1979. The Clarkes housed international students, including Liane Dzau Shishnia, the first Chinese student at NSU. He also served as Superintendent of the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Longtime friends and supporters of Northern, the Clarkes have generously given many gifts to support the NSU Foundation. They were original President Club members and also created numerous endowments. Lifetime Achievement Award Kretchman Coaching Award Charles (Chuck) Welke is the Kretchman Coaching Award recipient. The late Welke earned a B.S. in Secondary Education in 1975 and M.S. in Secondary Education in 1999, both from Northern. Welke worked at Harrold High School (19751977) and Warner High School (1977-2010), teaching social science, health and physical education. He served as Warner’s athletic director for 15 years, and was middle and high school principal for five years. In his 29 years as a head boys’ basketball coach, Welke’s record was 439 wins and 185 losses. This included numerous Conference, District and Region titles and nine appearances at the State B Basketball tournament. He also coached the Warner girls’ basketball team for four years, with a record of 48 wins and 31 losses. Welke’s awards and honors include: 1993 S.D. High School Basketball Coach of the Year; 2008 S.D. Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame; 2009 Region 2 Athletic Director of the Year; 2010 S.D. High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame; and 2014 S.D. High School Activities Association Distinguished Service Award. Welke and his wife, Ellen, have three children, Chuck, Joel and Amber, all of whom played basketball for the Warner Monarchs with Welke as coach. They also have eight grandchildren: Jada, Jasmine, William, Jackson, Preston, Jamison, Brielle and Evan. Welke retired in 2010, and served as a South Dakota Senator from 2013 to 2014. In 2021, he passed away unexpectedly of cardiac arrest. Welke was passionate about his family, students and community. He strongly believed in serving others. His final act of service was to donate his corneas to Dakota Lions Sight and Health, resulting in two people regaining their sight. T NSU Hall of Fame and Distinguished Alumni Banquet set for Oct. 7
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