District Governor Nominee

Roger Kozak was born in Lake Andes, South Dakota. After graduation from high school, he started work on a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration until college was interrupted by a call to serve in the United States Army. Roger spent the majority of his two years of service stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, serving as a non-commissioned officer in Battalion Headquarters for the 2nd Engineering Battalion. After discharge from the US Army, he returned to the classroom and earned a Bachelors Degree from Southern State College and a Masters and Doctorate Degree from the University of South Dakota.

Roger's career has been focused on public higher education. After earning the advanced degrees, he began teaching in the classroom and after five years moved into higher education administration and began his administrative career in Pierre, South Dakota. In Pierre, he served four years as the Director of Research for the South Dakota Board of Regents. In 1979, Roger relocated for the last time and moved to Vermillion, South Dakota, where he began a twenty two-year employment engagement with the University of South Dakota. For the first five years he served as Special Assistant to the President, moved into the position of Associate Vice President for eleven years, and completed his employment with the University of South Dakota by serving as Vice President for six years. Roger retired from the University in 2002 and was named Professor and Vice President Emeritus.

During his tenure at the University of South Dakota, Roger was actively involved in the community. He served on the Vermillion City Council for seven years, served as Mayor of the city for three years and served on numerous boards and commissions such as the Chamber of Commerce, Development Corporation, Junior Achievement, Community Foundation, Dakota Hospital Foundation and others. Roger remains active in University activities by serving on several University committees and by serving on the University of South Dakota Foundation Board of Trustees.

Roger and his wife, Patricia, continue to reside in Vermillion, South Dakota. When not involved in community volunteer activities, they both enjoy golf, traveling, sailing, hiking, and biking.

928 Ridgecrest Drive
Vermillion, SD 57069

(605) 624-3540 Home
(605) 677-9030 Cell

roger.kozak@usd.edu