Sinte Gleska University Celebrates Largest Graduating Class in University History

By: Teddie Rae Herman, SGU Media

MISSION - Sinte Gleska University held its 53rd Annual Wounspe Wowapi Yusutapi and 42nd Annual GED Wounspe Wowapi Yusutapi - 2026 Graduation Ceremony - on Friday, August 28, 2026.

The graduating class was the largest in the university’s history, with 129 university graduates and nine GED recipients.

The day began at 8 a.m. with the Sunrise Ceremony, which included a prayer by Richard Moves Camp, SGU Lakota Studies instructor.

At 9 a.m., the Feather Tying Ceremony was held on the lawn in front of the Wakinyan Wanbli Multipurpose Building. During the ceremony, graduates received an eagle feather, which was tied to their hair by a “sponsor” - someone they chose as a role model during their time as a student. Moves Camp conducted the ceremony and offered the prayer.

Following the Feather Tying Ceremony, families and guests gathered with the graduates inside the multipurpose building for Hospitality Hour, where refreshments and a continental breakfast were served.

The morning continued as graduates lined up at 10:30 a.m. according to their fields of study. The Grand

Entry and Graduation Ceremony began at 11 a.m. and ended at 1 p.m. with Delmer Forgets Nothing serving as E'yapaha in the place of Everett "Butch" Felix who suddenly passed recently. The event honored Felix, along with sisters Evelyn White Hawk and Ione V. Quigley, all of whom provided distinguished service to Sinte Gleska University.

The motto of SGU’s annual Graduation Ceremony is: “Oyate Eyo He La Tohanl Woospe Ehuni Keya Pi Ca Oyate Ki Wacag Ka Pi Kte,” -

“For Every Person Graduating, Our Nation Becomes Stronger.”

Sinte Gleska University congratulates all of the 2026 graduates and GED recipients on their accomplishments and wishes them continued success as they move forward in their educational, professional, and personal journeys.

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