Submit items to Campus Currents - Top

The Campus Currents is distributed every Friday. To submit an item send it to Campus Currents, Unit 9512 or by e-mail to Campus Currents. Deadline is Thursday at 8 a.m.

Norby will present monograph at conference - Top

Dr. Rena Faye Norby, assistant education professor, was accepted to present her monograph, "Socialization, Career Choices, and Women in Science" at the annual meeting of the International Society for the History and Philosophy of Science Education in Denver, Colo., Nov. 7.

The International HPST (IHPST.org) promotes the improvement of school and university science teaching by application and consideration of the history, philosophy, and sociology of science and of education.

As well as pedagogical matters, the group examines theoretical issues that surround the teaching of science -- for example, multiculturalism, religion, constructivism, feminism, modernism and its critics, and curriculum theory. It considers the role of these topics in teacher education programs.

Norby joined the education faculty at Black Hills State in the fall of 1987. She has a Ph.D. in science education as well as master’s degrees in physics and secondary education from Georgia State University. She earned her undergraduate degree in physics from Emory University, Ga.

Hesson attends memory improvement seminar - Top

Dr. James Hesson, professor of physical education at Black Hills State University, recently attended the seminar, “Memory: Improving Brain Fitness and Functions,” in Rapid City. The seminar provided information about the anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry of memory. 

Hesson notes, “The material presented in the seminar had implications and practical applications for education, and particularly for teachers as we aid students in learning the material we present.  After all, all learning is basically memorization as our primary focus for our students is retention and utilization of the material.” 

Hesson will use the material in classes that he teachers at BHSU including human anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, movement analysis, exercise leadership, and theory of strength training and conditioning classes.  Hesson also focused on the practical applications of the scientific findings to strengthen his own memory and to help his students enhance their learning and retention.

Spirit of Excellence at Work award - Top

This award recipient is chosen by a group which meets regularly to discuss ways to improve the campus working environment. This group feels that when they “catch” someone doing their job well, that performance should be recognized and encourages everyone to keep up the good work so they can “catch” you at it.

Reading Council’s annual book quilt activity incorporates diversity and tolerance - Top

Due to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, the Black Hills State University Reading Council’s annual book quilt project on Oct. 15 incorporated themes of diversity and tolerance.

The event normally focuses on promoting multicultural awareness on campus, but the main goal this year was unity. The Reading Council opened this year’s event to the College of Education and members of La Masa, a multicultural organization at BHSU.

Micheline Hickenbotham, Reading Council advisor, said, “The BHSU Reading Council sees literature as an open window to new cultures or ways of living. Promoting diversity on campus is a literate mission since only one percent of the college population is part of a minority group.” She added, “The College of Education at Black Hills State University believes in the value of reading and learning to strengthen and empower America’s children.”

By using this event to educate parents, teachers, and future teachers about diversity and tolerance, the Reading Council hopes to influence children’s understanding and ability to cope with hate and prejudice.

The Jankord family participated in the BHSU Reading Council’s annual book quilt project. Focusing on unity this year, parents and children read books together and the children drew pictures of their favorite part of the story. Garrett Jankord, center, finishes his drawing as parents Erin and Jaret review his work. They read the book “OOOPS!” by Suzy Kline.

The book quilt was displayed at the 28^th Plains Regional International Reading Association (IRA) conference in Sioux Falls. It was then given to the E.Y. Berry Library at BHSU. The list of titles selected for the book quilt will be posted on the BHSU Reading Council web page at www.bhsu.edu/education by the end of November.

Environmental authors will present slideshows - Top

Two nationally-known environmental speakers will make slide-show presentations at Black Hills State University Nov. 1 and 2.

Ann Vileisis will present “Discovering the Unknown Landscape,” Nov. 1. Tim Palmer will present “The Heart of America: our landscape, our future,” Nov. 2. Both presentations are at 7 p.m. at the Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center room 214.  The husband and wife team is being sponsored by the Center for the Advancement of Mathematics and Science Education (CAMSE) at Black Hills State University.  The sessions are open to the public at no charge.

Vileisis will present an informative slide show based on her award winning book, “Discovering the Unknown Landscape.” She uses beautiful and jarring images to bring the story of wetland history alive as she explains how Americans have used wetlands in the past and sought to conserve them in recent years. Her slide show reveals the history of America’s wetlands and reflects on some key lessons the past can teach us about protecting these important ecosystems today.

Palmer, author of 12 books and numerous magazine articles about the environment, will speak the following evening, Nov. 2. Palmer has been active in river conservation since 1971. He will show photos and talk about ecosystems in all regions of the country. While showing vivid photographs of the varied land of our nation, he will discuss the issues affecting each type of landscape and the activities of citizens who are engaged in working for better stewardship.

CAMSE administers a scholars program in mathematics and science education that is designed for exceptional students interested in mathematics and science who want to expand their intellectual horizons and be recognized for their abilities and efforts. The focus of this program is to promote excellence in math and science, and particularly in math and science education. Students selected as Center Scholars enter into contracts with faculty members to do additional learning activities such as working in a scientific laboratory, studying special topics, gaining field experience in a school classrooms, or studying special problems in teaching and learning math or science.

Students interested in the CAMSE scholars program should contact Dr. Andy Johnson, associate director of CAMSE and assistant professor, at 642-6873.

Career center to host career day - Top

It is becoming increasingly difficult for individuals to find jobs due to the recent tragic events in our country, and their effect on our economy. The staff at the career center at Black Hills State University is encouraging students to get a head start on their job search by attending a career education day workshop Saturday, Nov. 3 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the BHSU Career Center on the lower level of the Student Union.

 This workshop, which is also open to the general public, will address job search strategies, resume-writing techniques, and internet sites and library resources that will aid in the job search.  The workshop will conclude with a choice of a panel discussion on life after graduation or internship experiences. 

BHSU career counselors advise that new hiring by employers may be cut even more drastically here than in other regions of the country.  Companies that typically hire up to 20 new graduates each year stated they will likely be hiring only two to five this year. This situation will have a strong negative effect on all BHSU students.  All positions, whether they be full-time, part-time, or internships, will become fewer.  The remaining positions will go to those who start early and get 

to the employers first.  Now is the ideal time for students to begin the job search and to start networking with employers.       

 For further information on the workshop, contact the career center at 642-6277 or stop by on the lower level of the Student Union.  They will also find workshop information on the internet at www.bhsu.edu/careers.

Career Education Day Workshop Schedule

9-9:30 a.m. - Understanding the Total Job Search Process

9:45-10:30 a.m. - Writing Your Winning Resume

10:45-11:15 a.m.  -  Using the Internet and Resource Library in Your Job Search

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. -  Your choice of two panel discussions: “Life After Graduation:  What I Wish I Would Have Known Before Entering The Working World” or  “The Value and Joy of Summer Internship Experiences.” These are panel discussions with current BHSU students or recent graduates.

Alumni basketball game is Saturday - Top

This year’s edition of Yellow Jacket basketball will be featured in the annual men’s alumni basketball game Saturday, Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Young Center gymnasium.

Ten former Yellow Jacket players have indicated they will be back to show the BHSU men’s varsity team how the game is played. Jacket veterans returning to the BHSU hard court are Matt Burgess, Mark 

Gould, Aaron Manning, Eldon Marshall, Brant Miller, Travis Traphagen, Trent Traphagen, Brian Sudrala, Eric Thomson, and Barry Van Dyke.

The alumni basketball game is open to the public at no charge.

“The Last Night at Ballyhoo” opens this theatre season - Top

The Black Hills State University theater department opened their season last night with “The Last Night of Ballyhoo.”  The play will be presented at Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. in Woodburn Hall Auditorium. Tickets are available by calling the box office at 642-6171.

“The Last Night of Ballyhoo,” by Alfred Uhry, takes place in Atlanta, Ga., in December of 1939.  Gone with the Wind is having its world premiere and Hitler is invading Poland, but Atlanta’s elitist German Jews are much more concerned with who is going to Ballyhoo, the social event of the season.  Especially concerned is the Freitag family: bachelor Adolph, his widowed sister, Beulah (Boo) Levy, and their also widowed sister-in-law, Reba.  Boo is determined to have her dreamy, unpopular daughter, Lala, attend Ballyhoo believing it will be Lala’s last chance to find a socially acceptable husband. 

Adolph brings his new assistant, Joe Farkas, home for dinner.  Joe is Brooklyn born and bred, and furthermore is of Eastern European heritage—several social rungs below the Freitags, in Beulah’s opinion.  Lala, however, is charmed by Joe and she hints broadly about being taken to Ballyhoo, but he turns her down.  This enrages Boo, and matters get worse when Joe falls for Lala’s cousin, Reba’s daughter, Sunny, home from Wellesley for Christmas vacation. Will Boo succeed in snaring Peachy Weil, a member of one of the finest Jewish families in the South?  Will Sunny and Joe avoid the land mines of prejudice that stand in her way? Will Lala ever get to Ballyhoo?

Instructional improvement grants available - Top

The Instructional Improvement Committee (IIC) encourages, through monetary grants, the application of existing knowledge to specific teaching situations to improve the quality of instruction at BHSU.

Any full- time faculty member, full- time adjunct faculty, or other full- time staff member engaged in student instruction may apply for grant funds administered by the committee.  Grant funding will normally be available up to a maximum of $1,000 per project. Priority will be given to projects that will have a broad-based, visible, continuing impact of instruction across faculty members and/or disciplines. Funds are available for development of materials and methods to improve teaching and learning, equipment to enhance teaching and learning, travel to conferences or workshops which enhance teaching and learning, and bringing consulting lecturers and teaching specialists to campus to offer presentations to and/or with faculty and teaching-support staff at BHSU. 

Faculty members who apply for grants to support travel to a conference or workshop are limited to receiving no more than one grant every three years.  In the other categories, priority will be given to those who have not received an IIC grant in the last academic year.  

Faculty research funds available - Top  

It is anticipated that successful applicants will request support for faculty release time, research equipment, travel to research sites or research support for the production of creative work. Preference is given to new applicants, particularly in the areas of education, business, social 

The applicants are encouraged to contact the committee members for advice prior to completing their proposals. The members are John Alsup, Steve Anderson, Lyle Cook, Tom Cox, Abdollah Farrokhi, chair; Jim Hess, Kathleen Parrow, Shane Sarver, and Rob Schurrer.