BROOKINGS (11-13-26) — South Dakota State University has named John Blanton Jr. its next vice president for research and economic development, following a national search. Blanton currently serves as associate dean for research in SDSU’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and director of the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station.
Blanton will assume his new responsibilities Dec. 22, succeeding Daniel Scholl, who is retiring in December after more than 15 years of service to the university.
“John has demonstrated exceptional leadership in the College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences in strengthening our research enterprise and building meaningful partnerships that advance our land-grant mission,” SDSU President Barry H. Dunn said. “His experience in higher education and the private sector, combined with his understanding of SDSU, makes him exceptionally well suited for this role. I am confident John will build on our research momentum, create new opportunities for our faculty and students, and further strengthen SDSU’s contributions to the economic vitality and quality of life of South Dakota as we continue our path toward a Carnegie Research 1 classification.”
Since joining SDSU in 2023, Blanton has provided leadership for a statewide agricultural research enterprise with approximately $61 million in annual research expenditures and a sponsored research portfolio averaging $27 million annually. His responsibilities include oversight of eight experiment stations, 19 research farms and more than 15,000 acres of research property.
Under his leadership, the college has experienced significant growth in research productivity and competitiveness. Peer-reviewed publications increased 29%, research proposal dollars increased 76%, grant funding increased approximately 31%, and the number of doctoral candidates grew from 69 to 91.
Blanton has also expanded grant development and faculty support, established internal seed funding opportunities and strengthened research infrastructure to support the college’s strategic priorities.
As vice president, Blanton will lead SDSU’s universitywide research enterprise, including efforts to expand sponsored research, strengthen graduate research opportunities, advance innovation and commercialization, and build partnerships with industry, government and other research institutions.
His appointment comes as SDSU continues to advance R1 Our Way, a strategic initiative focused on strengthening the university’s research impact through three priority areas: bioproducts innovation, rural health and well-being, and agricultural technology innovation.
“I am excited about this opportunity because I believe in SDSU’s mission and the talented faculty, staff and students who make this university special. I look forward to building on their success and working with partners across the state to turn innovative ideas into meaningful solutions that benefit South Dakota and beyond,” Blanton said.
Blanton brings more than 15 years of administrative leadership experience spanning higher education, agricultural research, contract research and pharmaceutical development.
Before joining SDSU, he served as professor and head of the Department of Animal Sciences at Purdue University from 2021 to 2023. Previously, he held several leadership positions at Mississippi State University, including professor and head of the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences and interim associate director of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.
His professional experience also includes research leadership positions with the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation and private-sector organizations involved in contract research and pharmaceutical development.
An accomplished researcher, Blanton has participated in 63 externally funded grants and contracts totaling nearly $27 million. His research spans animal health, food safety, meat science, livestock production, bioenergy and natural resource management. He is also a co-inventor on two patents.
Blanton earned his doctorate in muscle biology from Purdue University and his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from New Mexico State University.
As South Dakota’s land-grant university, SDSU conducts research addressing challenges in agriculture, health, engineering, technology and other fields while supporting innovation, workforce development and economic opportunity throughout the state.
About South Dakota State University
Founded in 1881, South Dakota State University is the state’s Morrill Act land-grant institution as well as its largest, most comprehensive school of higher education. SDSU confers degrees from seven different colleges representing more than 230 majors, minors and specializations. The institution also offers 41 master’s degree programs, 19 Ph.D. and two professional programs.
The work of the university is carried out on a residential campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre and Rapid City, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across the state. SDSU’s research expenditures for the 2026 fiscal year were more than $86 million. SDSU has a Doctoral University: High Research Activity designation on The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
For more information:SDSU News • www.sdstate.edu
— From SDSU University Marketing and Communications
