Robert & Karen Hemre named 2024 parade marshals

September 4, 2024

Robert ('68) and Karen ('68) Hemre are the 2024 Trojan Days parade marshals.

"It was a big surprise and a huge honor for us to be selected as this year's parade marshals," the Hemres said.

The couple both had 39-year careers in education after earning their elementary education degrees from Dakota State. As Madison natives, DSU holds a special place in their hearts.

That start encouraged them to establish an endowment fund to provide scholarship support to DSU students. The fund will help support students with financial needs who are in their junior or senior year of college and are majoring in Elementary Education.

In a 2022 alumni magazine article, they shared, "We are indebted to Dakota State University for giving us our foundation in higher education and the opportunity that our Bachelor of Science degrees in Elementary Education gave us to start our careers as elementary school teachers."

Over the years, they've enjoyed keeping up with what is taking place at Dakota State in regard to its heritage teaching mission as well as the expanded mission that focuses on incorporating technology in education, arts & sciences, business & information systems, and computer & cyber sciences.

"It's been a few years since we have been on campus for homecoming, so we are looking forward to reuniting with classmates and colleagues, participating in homecoming activities, and of course, cheering on the Trojans from the new Brian Kern Family Stadium," the Hemres said.

Trojan Days parade begins at 10 a.m. on Egan Avenue, and will be followed by the football game against the University of Jamestown at 4 p.m.