Devin Lynn - Powell, WY

Devin is one of those students who is involved in nearly every activity on campus including editor-in-chief of the Jacket Journal, coordinator of civic engagement, tutor for Student Support Services, and Vice President of Phi Kappa Phi. He presented at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research. Devin was selected to attend the Clinton Global Initiative Conference in Washington, DC this past year. This is a highly competitive process which involves students submitting proposals that will make a difference. Devin’s project for the initiative is to develop a web based platform for entrepreneurs in Uganda. He was recently featured in BIZ Now for his work. However,     rather than focus on himself in the article, he recognized the number of students at BHSU who assisted him in the project. Read the latest on Devin and his entrepreneurial project in Uganda.

Markus Heinrich - Whitewood, and Kalani Corpuz - Rapid City

Anyone who has met Markus and Kalani will agree their enthusiasm for BHSU is unparalled. Markus and Kalini have developed several devices to encourage recycling including the Can2Can crusher for use during events. They are putting one in Sturgis High School and asked the University to be one of the sponsors for advertising. I was told that Markus will text or email his faculty in the middle of the night when he wakes up with another bright idea. Check out "Students Encouraging Recycling Through the Creation of the Cans 2 Cans Recycling LLC

Lauren Lund - Hot Springs

Lauren Lund along with 9 psychology students and their advisor, Dr. Boeschen, will conduct research at the Special Olympics World Games in South Korea. While in South Korea, they will attend the first Global Development Summit on Ending the Cycle of Poverty and Exclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities. Lauren stated, “I believe this research shows that great things can come out of small places and out of those small places are individuals who can be shaped into strong, confident men and women who will soon be put into the world and be able to apply their broadened perspectives to every aspect of their lives.” The University is providing limited funding for the students since it would take nearly our entire travel budget to send them to South Korea. The students have raised funds throughout the year to cover their costs. Check out these links: "BHSU Psychology Research Team Travels to South Korea" and their Special Olympics World Games Blog.

Daniel Fairchild - Armour

Anyone who has met Daniel will agree his enthusiasm for BHSU is unparalled. Daniel was determined that we would have a skydiver for homecoming. Undeterred by red tape and funding issues, he found the sponsors, cleared liability concerns, and made it happen. Watch the video from the skydiver delivering the game ball.

Mallory Ageton – Brandon

Mallory Ageton, biology major, is conducting research on rattlesnakes. She was one of a dozen undergraduate students who recently presented their research work to state lawmakers in Pierre. Mallory joined BHSU biology professor Dr. Brian Smith’s research team as a Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (BRIN) Fellow in the summer of 2011 and has been a fellow since. Her research involves studying variation in venom components associated with habitat, prey and geography among populations of prairie rattlesnakes in the Black Hills. Learn more about Mallory and her research.

Gina Jespersen – Hemmingford, Neb.

Gina Jespersen, an elementary education major, was crowned this year’s Miss Black Hills Stock Show (BHSS) Rodeo Queen. As the rodeo queen, Gina is an ambassador for the Stock Show, traveling around the country promoting the everlasting western legacy. Read more about Gina. 

Rianna Hotz – Hot Springs

Rianna Hotz, a photography and environmental science major, recently had her print “Domiciliary Stairwell,” exhibited at China’s Pingyao International Photography Festival. The juried exhibition held in the ancient city of Pingyao attracts 100,000 international visitors to view contributions from more than 2,000 photographs. Rianna’s print depicted a quite area in her hometown Veterans Affairs hospital which is threatened to be shut down. Read more about Rianna.

Amy Varland - Lead

Amy Varland, a mass communications major, has been interning as a reporter for South Dakota Public Broadcasting for nearly a year. Since beginning with SDPB last summer, Amy has reported on some of the region’s top news stories including a fire in Pringle, the drowning of a boy in Deerfield Lake, and several others. She has also conducted several interviews with BHSU faculty and staff. Amy will be on a SDPB panel of journalists this month. Read more about Amy. 

Elise Foltz – Spearfish

Elise Foltz recently received a $6,800 scholarship from the South Dakota Certified Public Accountant Society (SD CPA). The Accounting Program Completion Scholarship paid for all of Foltz’s fall semester and half of the spring semester. The scholarship is targeted for students who are nearing completion of the 150 hours required to be a qualified CPA exam candidate and pursing a major in accountancy. Read more about Elise.

Tayler Ripley and Jake Alsdurf

Tayler Ripley, biology major from Pierre, and Jake Alsdurf, a graduate student, presented their research at the 10th annual Ecological Genomics symposium in Kansas City, Mo. The students presented two studies. The first study, a collaboration between Jake and Tayler, showed that plants whose parents experienced drought were more drought tolerant but produced lower levels of defensive compounds. The second study, presented by Jake, showed that transgenerational effects of drought probably involved differential methylation of DNA. Read more about Tayler & Jake.

Sarah Zimmerman- Spearfish

Sarah Zimmerman, biology major, conducted salmon research at a remote Alaskan fish hatchery last summer. Sarah researched sockeye salmon at the Main Bay Hatcher near Cordova, Alaska, as part of the Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation (PWSAC), a private nonprofit aquaculture association. PWSAC produces hatchery-born, ocean-raised wild salmon for the commercial, sport, personal use and subsistence fisheries in the Prince William Sound and Copper River Regions. During her free time, Zimmerman had the opportunity for recreational activities including hiking, fishing, and playing cards and other games with other summer workers. Read more about Sarah.

Becca Gage- Sisseton, and Daniel Merchen- Spearfish

Becca Gage, mass communication major, and Daniel Merchen, corporate communication major, who both work in the marketing office at BHSU, took photographs that are featured on billboards and displays promoting the University. Becca, will graduate this spring, had a photography show in downtown Spearfish last year and is currently working on another exhibit for her Contemporary Photography class. She has been selected for a highly competitive internship position with Dave Stoecklein, one of the accomplished master photographers in Canon’s “Explorers of Light, which she will begin as soon as she graduates. Daniel will graduate this spring as well. Last summer, he completed an internship for Countryside Church in which he was responsible for setting up their HD video system and overseeing their web presence. He says the internship and his time as a student worker have given him experience that provides direction for his career goals. Read more about Becca & Daniel.

Jessica Juhrend - Spearfish

Jess is in her second year at one of the most prestigious theatre programs in the nation, Adelphi. Jess won awards while a student at BHSU for playwriting with one of her plays produced in Los Angeles casting professional actors. Since enrolling in her graduate program, Jess continues to succeed receiving the Dramatic Writing Award during her first year of graduate school. Jessica is making her mark in New York City. Read more about Jessica accomplishments. 

Ben Reiter - Riverton, WY

Ben completed his degree in Political Science, went to the University of Chicago to complete his masters in humanities and is now pursuing his law degree at UCLA. Read more about Ben..

Jennifer Johnson - Hettinger, ND

The math faculty often noted that Jennifer was one of their top students ever. She is enrolled in the MA/PHD program at Kansas State. This fall, BHSU was notified that Jennifer is considered the top student in their program. Read more about Jennifer..

Jake Miller - Pierre

Jake is a 2009 alum who was admitted to the first class of the MD/PHD program at USD. Jake is considered among the top students in the program. Jake’s research focus on identifying treatment for a rare, fatal pediatric neurodegenerative disease was highlighted in an article in the Pioneer last month. Jake was quoted in the article saying, “My research as an undergraduate as well as with the Honors Program at BHSU gave me an edge in my medical school classes and PhD research. I was extremely well prepared with my ability as far as doing things in the lab, as well as writing and reading papers”. Check out this article: "BHSU graduate researching treatment options for fatal pediatric neurodegenerative disease."

Mary Jo May - Kyle

Mary Jo was a Gates Scholar and a social science education major. Mary Jo took an internship at the Department of Veteran Affairs in Washington during her senior year. As part of her research, she developed an exhibit featuring the contributions of Native Americans in the military. She was the only student intern to have her exhibit chosen to be on display at the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of the American Indian. Read more about this Gates Millennium scholar..

Katrina Salitros - Vermillion

Katrina interned at the Home Shopping Network while a student at BHSU. She loved her experience and has returned to HSN in St. Petersburg, FL following her graduation. Read more about Katrina..

Theresa Mutter - Germany

Theresa completed her degree in Communications and is the Fundraising Executive for Europe at Hilton in the Community Foundation in London. Read more about Theresa..

Travis Langer - Spearfish

Travis is an intern with the Minnesota Vikings as part of his graduate program at the University of Minnesota Mankato.  Travis credits BHSU in preparing him and setting him up for success in graduate school and in his opportunity with the Vikings. He encourages BHSU to enhance their sports information program and he loves BHSU and sees the advantage of a strong Sports Information position.

David Henry

David Henry recently completed his degree in finance and economics and currently works as a utilities analyst at South Dakota Public Utilities Commission in Pierre. While at BHSU, David published several articles on the national business blog the Motley Fool, a site that offers news and analysis and commentary for investors of all kinds. David was also part of a research team studying the benefits of integrating social media into classroom instruction to enhance learning. Read more about David..

Michael Shann

Michael Shann, a 1970 graduate, recently made his way back to BHSU as a guest director for the University’s first production of the season. Michael spent time in New York City as a stage manager and theatre director. For more than 20 years, he worked with the Walt Disney Company, managing Disney projects throughout the United States and Japan. He also worked as the executive producer of events for the Young Presidents’ Organization. He directed the University’s production of “Swimming in the Shallows.” Read more about Michael..

Katie Anderson

Katie Anderson, a 2010 graduate with a master’s in curriculum and instruction, was selected as South Dakota Teacher of the Year. Anderson will now represent South Dakota as a candidate for the National Teacher of the Year award which will be announced in April in Washington, D.C. Katie is a middle school science teacher at Rapid City’s East Middle School. Read more about Katie..

Chase Adams

Chase Adams, a 2005 graduate in political science, is serving as the director of communication for the National Cattlemen’s Association where he advocates for the agriculture industry on a national level. Chase spent several years working at KBHB radio in Sturgis where he reported on the state’s agriculture industry. Read more about Chase.. 

David Velte

David Velte worked behind the scenes as a sound engineer during the most recent Academy Awards. Velte has been providing sound for the Oscars and other large special events for the past decade. He has also worked on a variety of television shows, talk shows and documentaries. Read more about David..

Mike Bean

Mike Bean has been helping to keep the Fighting Irish healthy for more than 20 years. While at BHSU he worked with the football, wrestling and basketball teams as an athletic trainer. When he got an internship in Notre Dame’s sports medicine department, he was fulfilling a dream. That was in 1990. Today, Mike is still at Notre Dame and is now an assistant athletic trainer for the Fighting Irish football team which just finished one of its most successful seasons in decades with a 12-0 record. Aside from being an assistant athletic trainer for Notre Dame Football, Mike also supervises the student-athletic trainer program and serves on the Big East Conference Sports Medicine Committee. Read more about Mike..

John Johnson

John Johnson, a 1970 graduate, was recently honored by the Starkey Hearing Foundation, an organization whose mission is to bring understanding among people through hearing care. John joins a long list of celebrity honorees that include President Bill Clinton, Muhammad Ali, Sir Elton John, Willie Mays and Billie Jean King. John recently retired as president and chief executive officer of CHS Inc., one of the nation’s leading energy, grains and foods companies. The Starkey foundation fits and gives more than 100,000 hearing aids annually to underprivileged people throughout the world. John has been retired from Minnesota-based CHS for two years now; however, he left the Fortune 100 Company and the countries in which it does business with the infrastructure in place to better distribute food around the globe. John was honored at the “So the World May Hear” awards gala last year. Read more about John..

Bryan Brewer and Dave Archambault

Bryan Brewer and Dave Archambault, both teachers and coaches, started the Lakota National Invitational, first named the All Indian Tournament, in 1977 as a way to provide play time for their basketball players. Today, the LNI annually attracts several thousand visitors and is much more than a basketball tournament. It is an event celebrating the Lakota culture through art, athletics, sportsmanship, history and education. The 36th annual LNI tournament took place last December. Check out their story..

Steve Babbitt

Steve Babbitt, professor of photography, had several of his photographs selected for regional and international exhibits. His photo “Re-bar” was one of top 200 photographs in the eighth annual Art of Photography Show at the San Diego Art Institute. The same photo was selected for the 2012 Center Forward international show in Fort Collins. Steve’s photo “Out House” was selected for the first juried exhibition at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls; and his photo “Children” where he captured a group of Chicago kids cooling off from the summer was exhibited at the South Dakota Governor’s Fifth Biennial Art Exhibition.

Steve also received this year’s Distinguished Faculty Award – an honor bestowed upon him by his colleagues. Read more about his recent award..

Kent Meyers

Kent Meyers, associate professor of humanities, will spend five weeks as a writer-in-residence in two French cities. He will spend the time working on his fourth novel as well as meeting with French school, civic and community groups to discuss his work as well as American Literature in general. Kent’s most recent novel “Twisted Tree” was translated into French. He is currently on sabbatical from BHSU to work on his novel. Read more about Kent's honors and accomplishments.

Dr. Ben VanEe and Dr. Dan Asunskis

Dr. Ben VanEe, assistant professor of biology, and Dr. Dan Asunskis, assistant professor of chemistry, have spent considerable time developing a native plant ethnobotanical garden on campus. The native plant garden is part of the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) for the BHSU Life Sciences Laboratory. Their hope is to have 100 species of native plants that have past and present uses such as medicinal, ceremonial or for consumption. Read more about their upcoming plans.

Sandy Klarenbeek

Sandy Klarenbeek, assistant health professor, was named the 2012 South Dakota Association Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (SDAHPERD) College Teacher of the Year. Sandy is a nationally certified health education specialist and was selected as a fellow of the American School Health Association. Read more about Sandy..

Dr. Mary Caton-Rosser, Dr. Barbara Looney and Gina Gibson

Dr. Mary Caton-Rosser, assistant professor of mass communications, Gina Gibson, assistant professor of digital media, and Barbara Looney, assistant professor of management, presented their research on the benefits of integrating social media into classroom instruction to enhance learning at the fifth annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation. The conference is an international forum to present and share experiences in the field of education, research and innovation. Their virtual paper was available online for all attendees. Read more about their research.

Dr. Katrina Jensen

Dr. Katrina Jensen, assistant professor of chemistry, and two undergraduate chemistry students Samantha Petit, chemistry and environmental physical science major from Belle Fourche, and Dylan Dobbs, chemistry major from Hot Springs, are working on a research project that looking at options on the molecular level that might increase efficiency of solar cells. Katrina has also been selected to represent South Dakota as a Young Investigator for the 2013 Coalition of Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR)/Institutional Development Award (IDeA) States Annual meeting held in Washington, D.C. Read more about her work. 

Dr. Lee Pearce, Dr. Kristi Pearce, Dr. Curtis Card, Dr. Daluss Siewert

Dr. Lee Pearce, associate professor, Dr. Kristi Pearce, professor emeritus, Dr. Curtis Card, associate professor of mathematics and associate vice president of Academic Affairs, and Dr. Daluss Siewert, professor of mathematics and chair of the School of Mathematics and Social Sciences, have developed a new multi-tiered model for math instruction that identifies struggling students earlier with an ultimate coal of getting them a college diploma. Lee and Kristi recently presented the research team’s year one results in San Diego at the annual joint Mathematical Association of America/American Mathematical Society conference. Read more about their research.

Erica Merchant

Art instructor Erica Merchant was one of 15 artists statewide chosen to display their artwork during the South Dakota Governor’s Awards in the Arts event held in February. This is the second time Merchant has had her artwork on exhibit during the biennial art gala. Read more about Erica's accomplishments.