Kaiser named commencement student speaker; Helgeson to be commissioned into U.S. Air Force

May 1, 2026

The Class of 2026 will be recognized during commencement on May 9 at Dakota State University. The ceremony will feature student speaker Austin Kaiser and include recognition of graduate Emily Helgeson, who will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.

Kaiser was selected to represent the graduating class as this year's commencement speaker. He is earning a Bachelor of Science in Cyber Operations with a minor in Digital Forensics. From Faulkton, South Dakota, Kaiser has distinguished himself through academic achievement and active involvement on campus.

During his time at DSU, Kaiser participated in competitive hackathons, earning top honors at the most recent DSU Wildfire Labs Hackathon. He also founded Key Stack Development; a software company focused on developing technology solutions that improve efficiency and everyday life. His experience extends beyond the classroom, including releasing a music album, completing an internship with Black Hills Information Security, and serving as an adjunct faculty member teaching creative coding and computer science.

Reflecting on his experience at DSU, Kaiser credits much of his growth to the people who supported him along the way.

"There's a long list of people, but at the end of the day, the biggest impact on my growth has come from the faculty. I don't believe I would be as interested in or invested in the cyber sciences if it weren't for them," Kaiser said. "They genuinely care about helping us become the best versions of ourselves."

His selection as commencement speaker reflects both his accomplishments and his perspective as a student who has actively sought out opportunities for growth and impact. As he prepares to address his fellow graduates, his message centers on making the most of the college experience and embracing new opportunities.

"The biggest thing I want to get across is don't limit yourself. Put yourself out there, try new things, and meet new people-you never know what you'll discover," Kaiser said. "The best part of college is the experiences that you get that are provided to you."

Following graduation, Kaiser plans to continue growing his company while joining the IT team at DemKota. His long-term goals include continued leadership, professional development, and eventually building a family.

Also recognized during the ceremony is Emily Helgeson, who will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force through Dakota State University's crosstown Air & Space Force ROTC partnership with South Dakota State University. Helgeson is earning a Bachelor of Science in Cyber Leadership & Intelligence with a specialization in world affairs and human behavior. She will be officially commissioned on May 8 in Brookings. Her achievement marks a significant milestone in her commitment to service and leadership and will be formally acknowledged during DSU's May 9 ceremony.

DSU's commencement ceremony will bring together graduates, faculty, families, and community members to celebrate the Class of 2026 and recognize their readiness to contribute to their professions and communities. Master's and doctoral graduates will take part in an 8:30 a.m. hooding ceremony Saturday, followed by the commencement ceremony at 10:30 a.m.

Tags: Student Life College of Arts & Sciences College of Business & Information Systems All News College of Education & Human Performance The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences Academics DSU Online