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The Campus Currents is distributed every Friday. If you would like to include an item in the newsletter send it to Campus Currents, Unit 9512 or by e-mail to Campus Currents. Deadline is Thursday at 8 a.m.

$750,000 NSF grant supports electronics curriculum delivery to rural high schools from BHSU  - Top

What started as a pilot project in 1999 at Black Hills State University to bring electronics instruction to students in Spearfish High School via the Internet got a boost this spring with a $750,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). 

The original pilot project was designed to provide high schools in rural locations with an opportunity to have a basic electronics curriculum. BHSU and Western Dakota Technical Institute (WDTI) teamed up with seven corporations and five western South Dakota school districts to establish a Consortium for Advanced Technological Education (CATE). With the early online communications problems ironed out, the project is now ready to be implemented with the addition of NSF funding.

Starting this fall CATE will deliver courses in AC and DC circuits to six school districts including Spearfish, Sturgis, Lead/Deadwood, Belle Fourche, Douglas, and Cheyenne-Eagle Butte.

Dr. Jerry Miller, chairman of the technology department at BHSU and principal investigator for NSF, said, “It’s been 2 1/2 years in the planning stage and one of the first of its kind to deliver electronics to high schools via the Internet.”

According to Miller, early software and hardware problems were successfully solved when NIDA Corporation of Melbourne, Fla., donated more than $100,000 in equipment and curriculum software to the project.

 Faculty facilitators from participating school districts attended a three-week training session this summer taught by Tom Termes, technology instructor at BHSU and project coordinator. He will be available to assist the on-site facilitators with program implementation. Robert Olson from Western Dakota Tech will also serve as hub manager working with site facilitators and students.

 As project coordinator, Termes said, “I will be working full time with site facilitators enhancing instruction, promoting the project, answering questions, solving problems and identifying weaknesses.”

Termes says he will focus his efforts on overcoming glitches in the program as they arise and promote the program by helping to gain public awareness regarding distance education electronics courses.

The program is designed around two hub sites (BHSU and WDTI) and six remote high school sites. Instructional methods will involve a distance learning system in which Computer Aided Instruction  (CAI) will be used jointly with Computer Managed Instruction (CMI). CAI will be used to provide instruction and CMI will be used to monitor student progress. The NIDA Corporation developed a new software product known as DEPro that is essentially a CAI/CMI bundle that operates over the Internet.

What is unusual about this project, as compared to others projects NIDA has supported, is that the training is conducted over the Internet rather than training on a local area network (LAN) within a company or training unit. This concept greatly expands the reach of an educational training option.

Area teachers attended a three-week distance education electronics workshop for site facilitators at Black Hills State this summer. The program is being delivered to six western South Dakota school districts. Teachers receiving training as site facilitators are left, seated, Tom Termes, BHSU technology instructor, Kristi McCoy, Spearfish, Cathy Auriemma, Douglas, Steve Hewitt (standing), Lead/Deadwood. Back row left, Duane Cunningham, Sturgis, Don Ericson, Sturgis, Nick Heinen, Lead/Deadwood, and Dale McCrea, Eagle Butte.

The goal of the project is to enroll at least five students per school per semester for dual credit at BHSU or WDTI. This exposure is intended to stimulate student interest to pursue additional technical education or to research technical career opportunities.

The distance educational plan calls for two electronics workstations at each of six high schools. Each school district will be supplied with an electronic laboratory platform, an Internet connected computer with all associated instructional software installed, an oscilloscope, a function generator, and digital multimeter.

The student’s laboratory circuitry will be connected to the Internet. In this mode, the CIA software allows the student to be guided through theoretical instruction, led through laboratory exercises, and creates faults in the student’s circuitry for trouble shooting experiences. The NIDA software allows student work to be monitored and recorded at hub sites at BHSU and WDTI. On-site facilitators will be available to assist students individually. Students will also have contact with hub managers.

Industrial partners in the project will provide students with as many real life experiences as possible. Students will have opportunities through workshops on computer systems and architecture (Gateway Computers), programmable logic controllers (RAMVAC), technical support and workshops (OEM Worldwide), and an orientation to telecommunications and fiber optic technology (Black Hills Fibercom). Other companies such as Pope and Talbot and SCI Systems will offer summer internships.

Miller says the success of this kind of program delivery has implications for additional offerings to more schools in South Dakota. A NIDA spokesman told him that interested companies in Australia and the Dominican Republic were watching its development for the delivery of electronics courses to rural or remote areas in their respective areas.

At the conclusion of the three-year NSF grant, plans call for the consortium to be directed by the CATE office at BHSU. Costs will be billed to participating school districts.

Golf classic and sports auction raises $16,700 in scholarship dollars  - Top

The Yellow Jacket Foundation at Black Hills State will have an additional $16,700 in its scholarship coffers thanks to the eleventh annual Gold Dust Yellow Jacket Golf Classic and Sports and Leisure Auction.

The annual fundraiser, which is open to the public, featured an 18-hole Texas best-shot golf tournament and a sports and leisure auction. Both events are designed to raise money to support Yellow Jacket athletics.

Steve Meeker, institutional advancement director at BHSU and coordinator of the fundraiser, said, "Overall this year’s event was a big success compared to previous years. We had 35 more golfers in the tournament and were able to raise $2,500 more for the foundation. We also owe a big thanks to the Gold Dust; without them it would be difficult to raise the kind of money we do. ”

The winning men’s foursome in this year’s Gold Dust Yellow Jacket Golf Classic with a score of 62 were, left, Neil Grandbouche, Tim Penton, Floyd Rummel, and Dick Fisher.

Members of the tournament's winning foursome with a score of 62 in the men's division were Neil Grandbouche, Tim Penton, Floyd Rummel, and Dick Fisher. Each received $50 in auction money, a BHSU t-shirt and a $25 gift certificate at the Spearfish Canyon Pro Shop. Financial Benefits/Harvey Krautschun, the Yellow Jacket Foundation and the BH Alumni Association donated prizes.

The team of Dave Schempf, Scott Graslie, Mary Cooper and Ken Engelhardt shot an identical 62 to match the men’s team winners.

The mixed gender team of Dave Schempf, Mary Cooper, Scott Graslie and Ken Engelhardt also shot a 62 but were not in a competition category for prize selection. Also, there were no teams entered in the women’s team competition this year.  

The first-place couple’s team consisted of members Bill and Connie Jones and Randy and Judy Shaw. Each received $50 in auction money, a BHSU t-shirt and a $25 gift certificate at the Spearfish Canyon Pro Shop. Gift sponsors were Wolff's Plumbing and Heating in Spearfish, the Yellow Jacket Foundation and the BH Alumni Association.  

There was a tie for the winning seniors' team. The foursome of Gene Diedtrich, Gene Egge, Jack Stephenson and Terry Egge shot a 66 to match the foursome of Ernie Davis, Walt Saubers, Robert Singer and Clifton Feist. Each team member received $50 in auction money, BHSU t-shirt and a $25 gift certificate at the Spearfish Canyon Pro Shop. Gift sponsors were Holiday Inn and Convention Center, the Yellow Jacket Foundation and the BH Alumni Association.

Last but not least were the golfers at the other end of the winner's column. This year’s tournament ended in a tie for team members Kurt Yeaman, Tom Tolo, Bill Schuttler and Stewart Huntington, with the foursome of Roger Bell, Keith Campbell, Doug Erickson, and Bob Kemp. One team received caps from Wrangler and Mercedes Championship golf towels, the other team received Championship Mercedes caps andgolf towels. The prizes were given by Wrangler and Vern Eide Mercedes.

Women’s putting champion was Connie Zempel. She received $50 in auction money and a putter. The runner-up was Lisa Berry. She received $25 in auction money and an Oral B electric toothbrush. Dr. Scott Graslie, Wells Fargo Bank and the Yellow Jacket Foundation donated the prizes.

Men’s putting champion was David Jerde. He received $50 in auction money and a putter. The runner-up was Gene Diedtrich. He received $25 in auction money and an Oral B electric toothbrush. Dr. Scott Graslie, Wells Fargo Bank, and the Yellow Jacket Foundation donated the prizes.

The prize for the longest distance traveled to attend the golf tournament and auction was given to Tim Penton who lives in Venezuela. He received a BHSU jacket from Perkin’s Family Restaurant in Spearfish.

BHSU grad creates a better way of life for Indian people - Top

Gregg Bourland, a successful entrepreneur, who also happens to be tribal chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux, has set his sights on improving the quality of life for his people.

“Anyone can create a business, but it’s creating a better way of life that is most important,” said Bourland, a 1979 BHSU graduate with a two-year degree.

Concerned with alcoholism on the reservation and rampant unemployment, he set out to do something to improve the situation by running for political office as tribal chairman. Believing he had little chance of success in the 1990 election he was surprised to find himself the winner. Now 11 years later and in his third four-year term, his vision for his people has made a dramatic impact on their lives.

Relying on his ability to make his own life successful by working his way through college, working in a group home, serving as a BIA accountant, and as the owner of a video store, he applied that work ethic and vision for a better life by making the tribal government serve the people.

Under his direction, reservation unemployment dropped from about 78 percent to 32 percent resulting in lower welfare roles. He has worked to provide free phone service for the elders, phones for the poor and needy, and a stipend for the elders to improve their quality of life. He also encourages programs for the youth.

Through the tribal government he has helped create a grocery -marketing corporation, a Super 8 franchise, a buffalo ranch, a college, a hospital and a computer and a telecommunications business. He himself owns a ranch and a computer consulting business.

One of the biggest accomplishments for Bourland was seeking compensation for tribal land that was taken with the creation of Lake Oahe in 1954. He took on the task of seeking compensation from the federal government for lost land. It was shortly after starting his first term as tribal chairman that a Joint Tribal

Advisory Commission (JTAC) was created to pursue reimbursement. Perseverance paid off in 1998 when Sen. Tom Daschle introduced a bill that ultimately passed and was signed by President Clinton establishing a $290 million perpetual trust for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.

“The $291 million perpetual trust fund gives us a lot of opportunities to plan and make preparations for the future,” said Bourland.

The tribal chairman would like to establish an elderly village, a nursing facility, an acute-care facility, a house-manufacturing facility and expand the tribe’s bison processing business to include a meat-production facility.

Many of his visions for the future may come to pass given his record of perseverance and hard work. Passage by Congress of the Mitigation bill that returns land to the tribe and establishes a $43 million perpetual trust would also go a long way toward fulfilling his dream for improved quality of life for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.

If success breeds success, then Bourland need only persevere. He once said the following in reference to the JTAC, but it is applicable to most of his goals:

“It is just the beginning of the dream,” he said. “Just as in the days of old when a warrior went on a buffalo hunt and was successful, he brought the meat home and the people would decide how it was to be distributed.”

A born-again Christian, Bourland gives credit to God for his successes, but takes responsibility for his own failures. He also found his experience at BHSU instrumental in preparing him to succeed. He hasn’t given up on completing a four-year degree and has pursued course work toward that goal, too. As much in life for Bourland has been successful, he will undoubtedly earn a baccalaureate degree in the near future to add to his list of accomplishments, similar to a warrior counting coup.

High school juniors get a preview of programs - Top

Black Hills State University will host a “sneak preview day” for area high school juniors and their parents, Thursday, Aug. 2 beginning at 10 a.m. in multipurpose room of the Student Union.

The preview day is designed as a general introduction to BHSU and the programs available. The program will help students make a smooth transition to college life. The sneak preview includes information about course requirements, understanding the catalog, visiting with faculty, financial aid information, learning  

about campus resources, and a campus tour. Lunch will be provided.

Families visiting the Black Hills on vacation or local residents are invited to take this opportunity to visit Black Hills State University.

To reserve a spot for the sneak preview day or for general information call 1-800-ALL-BHSU or check out the university web site at www.bhsu.edu.

Distance running camp will be held at BH - Top

Black Hills State University will be the site of a distance running camp directed by Coach Scott Walkinshaw July 22-26.

The running camp is open to high school boys and girls, of all abilities, from beginning eighth graders to those entering their senior year in high school. The camp offers runners the opportunity to get a fast start on the upcoming cross-country season with training at altitude. The camp features technical analysis of running form, strength training, proper nutrition, goal setting, review of current training theories, fitness assessment, practice and training guidelines and hydro training.

Camp staff members include current and former members of the BHSU cross-country teams as well as coaches and guest speakers from the university and Black Hills area.

 Camp costs are $185 for day campers, $245 for full-time campers, and $160 for coaches. There is a discount of $25 per camper for five

or more athletes from the same school. Meals will be provided at the university dining hall. A nonrefundable deposit of $50 must accompany the registration form. Full payment is due Monday, July 16. Check-in is Sunday, July 22 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the university residence halls. Checkout is Thursday, July 26.

In his three years at BHSU, Coach Walkinshaw has earned recognition as 2000 NAIA Men’s National coach of the year and South Dakota Cross Country Track Coaches Association Cross Country Coach of the Year for 1999 and 2000.  He has also been named SDIC Women’s Cross Country and DAC-10 Men’s Cross Country Coach of the year.

Distance running camp information is available by contacting Coach Scott Walkinshaw at (605) 642-6486 or by visiting the university website at http://www.bhsu.edu/athletics/ccountry/.

Grant opportunities announced - Top

Below are the program materials received June 28-July 11 in the grants office, Woodburn  218. For copies of the information, contact our office at 642-6627 or e-mail requests to us at grants@bhsu.edu.  Fellowship information will also be posted on the Student Union bulletin board near the information desk.

• The Camille & Henry Dreyfus Foundation.  Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards Program for full-time tenure-track faculty focused on chemical sciences.  Deadline Nov. 15, 2001.

• The American Scandinavian Foundation.  Inviting U.S. colleges and universities to apply for funding to host a visiting lecturer from Norway or Sweden.  The awards are for appointments of one semester within the 2002-2003 academic year.  Preproposals due Oct. 15, 2001; proposals due Jan. 25, 2002.