Toby Stroh has announced his retirement from Dickinson State University (DSU) after 34 years of dedicated service. In that time, Toby Stroh has shaped the DSU's Agriculture and Technical Studies Program in the classroom and the Dickinson community.
Toby Stroh’s tenure includes his role as an assistant professor of Agriculture for the DSU School of Applied Sciences, a member of the DSU Faculty Senate, the recipient of the Faculty/Student Collaborative Research Award in 2008, and the recipient of the Distinguished Educator of the Year award in 2021.
Toby Stroh’s career at DSU has led to numerous advancements, including the Agrosecurity Program with the Dickinson Research & Extension Center (REC). This federally funded program brought Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and biosecurity measures to Southwestern ND and expanded the education opportunities for DSU students. Toby Stroh was also involved in the vocational career training programs at DSU, which included meat processing and diesel tech.
"Toby Stroh has been a pillar of the Dickinson State University Agriculture Program for more than two decades, and his impact on our students and campus community is immeasurable," said Acting President Ty Orton. "Generations of DSU students have benefited from his knowledge, mentorship, and deep-rooted passion for agriculture. We are incredibly grateful for his years of dedicated service—his leadership and presence will be deeply missed."
As a DSU professor, Toby Stroh taught students a range of topics such as Range and Pasture Management and Livestock Production. Through the “Agriculture and Technical Studies Mobile Classroom,” Toby Stroh’s unconventional teaching set the agriculture program at DSU apart from others in the region by challenging students with hands-on opportunities to apply their education when they started the program with a visit to Malta, Montana, in 1995 with only two students.
Toby Stroh supported his student's projects, acting as the faculty advisor for 2006 DSU alumnus Kristi (Dukart) Laframboise’s inaugural Kids’ Day on the Farm. This DSU Ag Club program fosters DSU students' leadership skills and provides hands-on agriculture experiences for children. Toby Stroh also encouraged his students by collaborating on undergraduate research for the annual DSU Celebration of Scholars, Opportunities in Agriculture event.
Toby Stroh always believed in his students. “He told me that I could do anything I set my mind to,” 2006 DSU alumnus Nikki (Thompson) Darrington said about her time with Toby Stroh. Through Toby’s encouragement, Nikki became the North Dakota Post-Secondary Agricultural Student Organization (ND PAS) President and applied to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) internship.
Dr. Chip Poland, Director of Agriculture and Technical Studies and fellow professor of agriculture, notes that “Toby’s leadership has helped keep us grounded [by] developing an applied program that fits the needs of the northern Great Plains.”
In the Dickinson community, Toby Stroh is recognized as a model leader. Several times, Toby Stroh has brought the DSU Livestock Production students to the ranch of longtime friends Leona and James Odermann. The Odermanns have known Toby for over twenty years as a “quiet servant leader” with a deep sense of justice, dedication, empathy, and passion for seeing others thrive.
Toby Stroh said that “34 years have gone by really fast”, and that DSU was always a fun place to work and learn, complete with fantastic students, supportive administration, and a good cup of coffee. He thinks of himself as more of a facilitator than a teacher, but knows that whatever it is called, his work has served his personality well. When asked about his plans, Toby said he plans on traveling and “being a part of our grandchildren’s lives.”
The Dickinson community joins DSU faculty, staff, students, and alumni to thank Toby Stroh for his incredible work at DSU and wish him the best in his retirement.
A retirement party to honor Toby Stroh has been scheduled for May 15, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. MT in the DSU Student Center Ballroom. All are invited to attend and share in recognizing his contributions to the university community. Click here for more information.