MITCHELL, S.D. – Dakota Wesleyan University announces the appointment of three members to its Board of Trustees.
Diane DesLauriers is a longtime member of the Mitchell community. She is a past owner of Nordby Realty and Horizontal Machining and Manufacturing (HMMI) in Huron.
DesLauriers brings a history of business acumen to the board. Her areas of interest are the student experience and strategic growth. She has been involved with the Safe Place of Eastern South Dakota and is enjoying travel, music, gardening and family time in her retirement.
DesLauriers and her husband, Dan, have two adult children: Linda Cimpl and Martin DesLauriers.
Deborah Kuhler, Canistota, is a 1974 graduate of DWU. She earned a Master’s degree in counseling from the University of North Dakota in 1977 and is retired from a more than 40 year career as a mental health counselor. She served in the South Dakota State Legislature from 1987 through 1990, representing District 23 (Beadle County).
She has a lengthy resume serving on boards including the South Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners; Voices for Children; Dakotas United Methodist Foundation; Huron Regional Medical Center; and Huron Area Chamber of Commerce among others. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church–Huron for 40 years, served an adjunct professor at Huron University for more than 20 years and was as an appointed member of several statewide and regional boards overseeing mental health initiatives.
Kuhler and her husband, George, were owners of Kuhler Funeral Home in Huron until their retirement in 2018.
After retiring, the Kuhlers moved to Canistota where they attend United Church in Canistota. In her free time, Kuhler plays piano, and enjoys breadmaking, reading, sewing/quilting/embroidery, traveling, and spending time with family.
The couple has two adult daughters, Karen Hutchinson and Ellen Kappmeyer.
Bradley (Brad) Pratt, Mankato, Minn., returns to the DWU board where he served three terms through 2020, including eight years as board chairperson from 2012-2020. A DeSmet native, Pratt graduated from DWU in 1979. In 1981 he founded Pratt Wealth Management LLC, where he continues to work as an adviser and consultant
Pratt has been a member of several boards throughout his career and the advisory council at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato.
Pratt’s wife, Teresa (Mach) Pratt ‘78, attended DWU, along with several family members. The couple has two adult children, Bryan Pratt and Darci Pratt.
The three members will join the board for their fall meeting in October.
