Copies of the book will also be available at “A Celebration of Southwest Stories” event scheduled for 5 p.m. April 23 in the conference center ballroom. SMSU communications and marketing director Jim Tate said the dinner will feature five speakers, all of which were contributors to the book. They include: head men’s basketball coach Brad Bigler, Class of 2002; Doreen Kronke-McCourt, Class of 1973, who served as Foundation Board president from 2013-15; Dave Simpson, math professor from 1969-2002; Kelly (Fitzgerald) Andrews, Class of 2012, a school counselor at Harrisburg (SD) High School; and David Danahar, eighth president of SMSU and the longest-serving president, 2001-2011. President Connie J. Gores will give the closing remarks.

“The dinner is an opportunity for friends and benefactors of the university to celebrate our 50th year,” Tate said. “Copies of the book will be available at the dinner.”