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. 

There will be no Campus Currents next week due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Pearce will present for online conference - Top

Dr. Kristi L. Pearce, associate professor of education and faculty development coordinator for BHSU, will present a concurrent session "Using Classroom Assessment Techniques to Improve Online Teaching and Learning" at the  Collaboration Conference for the Advancement of College Teaching and Learning, Nov. 16 - 17.  The theme of this fall's conference is "Making Assessment Meaningful:  Practical Approaches to Documenting and Using Evidence for Student Learning." 

Nicholas to present at educator’s national meeting - Top

Jason Nicholas, associate director of math education at the BHSU Center for the Advancement for Mathematics and Science Education (CAMSE), will present his research at a teacher educators national meeting this winter.

Nicholas, who joined the CAMSE staff this fall will present, ”Preparing Future Teachers for Accountability Through Realistic Professional Situations Utilizing Authentic Standards-Based Assessment Data” at the Association of Teacher Educators 82nd national annual meeting in Denver, Colo., next February.

His presentation deals with his work with pre-service teachers (education majors) and the use of data. The current movement in education is extremely focused on achievement data and standardized test results.

“What makes my work unique is that I provide the students with real assessment information from real students and schools,” said Nichols. “I work with the school districts who provide me with data and then I have my students analyze, interpret and present their findings.”

As a result of his work, Nicholas has found pre-service teachers have a better assessment knowledge base in comparison to teachers in the field.

This past summer, he presented his research at the American Association of Higher Education 2001 National Assessment Conference in Denver, Colo. The title of that presentation was “Students as Researchers: Creating Realistic Professional Situations in Collaboration with School Districts and Enhancing Assessment of Quantitative Reasoning for Undergraduate Education Majors by Using State Standardized Test Data.”

Hesson publishes testing book - Top

Dr. James Hesson, professor of physical education, recently published the first edition of the Winning Edge Series, Test Bank to Accompany Walking for Fitness, fourth edition. 

Published earlier this year by McGraw-Hill, Walking for Fitness focuses on cardiovascular fitness and body composition.  It was designed to educate and motivate its readers to adopt fitness walking and other positive behaviors as part of an active, healthy lifestyle. 

The Test Bank was designed and written to provide an excellent assessment tool to evaluate learners’ acquisition of the knowledge and skills taught in the textbook.  It was originally designed for ease of use

by fitness instructors to provide tests for their students directly from the Test Bank.   The writers devoted considerable time and effort to developing and writing questions to elicit a true and honest evaluation of the learners’ progress in acquiring the skills taught in the textbook.

Hesson earned his doctor of education degree at Brigham Young University in 1980.  He has been a professor of biokinetics in the Division of Physical Education and Health at Black Hills State University since 1990.  Since 1993 he has worked each summer at the U.S. Olympic Training Center with U.S. Olympic athletes and coaches.  He frequently serves as an author and textbook reviewer for McGraw-Hill and other educational publishers.

Royer to serve as guest conductor - Top

Dr. Randall Royer, assistant professor of music at Black Hills State University, will be a guest conductor and clinician for the International Music Camp at the Peace Gardens on the border between North Dakota and Manitoba next summer. 

Joeseph T. Alme, camp director for the International Music Camp, recently announced the appointment to the staff of the camp. Royer’s appointment will be for the third week of the camp, June 23-29, 2002.  The BHSU music professor will direct two junior high school bands during that week and he will also teach conducting workshops for area middle school and high school band directors.  Royer joins a staff of 150 artist-teachers, conductors, and clinicians from the United States, Canada, and Europe. This is the 46^th 

season for the music camp and features six different concert band sessions and a total of 31 other programs.

Royer has been on the faculty of Black Hills State University since 1997 and presently directs the BHSU Jazz Ensemble and the Dakota Chamber Orchestra.  He is also active as a band clinician and adjudicator throughout the west and northern plains. The BHSU music professor has judged music contests and/or guest conducted music clinics in Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Royer is an alumnus of the International Music Camp and has degrees from South Dakota State University, the University of Wyoming and the University of Utah.

CAMSE provides consultant support to Fremont County school district - Top

Black Hills State University entered into an agreement recently with Wyoming’s Fremont County School District to support K-12 mathematics, science and technology education.

Dr. Ben Sayler, director of the Center for the Advancement of Math and Science Education (CAMSE) and Larry Hines, education instructor at BHSU, were hired as consultants by the Fremont County School District in support of a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant in the areas of science, mathematics and technology education. The Wyoming school district received the NSF grant known as the Fort Washakie School Rural Systemic Initiative that funds the initiatives and provides for consulting support.

Hines will be providing math workshops and support for K-12 teachers implementing Connected Math programs and Everyday Math programs. He will also assist in the development of assessment tools to document student achievement.

Sayler	Hines

Sayler will provide consultation and access to CAMSE resources including materials,  telecommunications and technology support as well as the university’s credit and curricula support. He will also help formulate assessment plans, attend committee meetings and assist with training.

Black Hills State through CAMSE has assisted several school districts in South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming with rural systemic initiatives that provide teachers and students with new approaches to teaching and learning.

BHSU alum publishes book - Top

Aaron Buche, a South Dakota native and a graduate of Black Hills State University, has published his first book.  The book, titled “73 Things That Make Me Say Bad Words,” is a comical look at life’s little quirks. Subjects include a pointed look at reality television, escalator dismounts and loch ness monster theories.

“The idea for this book comes from a couple of sources, but primarily from a book I saw at my work.  This book was titled “14,001 Things To Be Happy About.”  I liked the book, but it wasn’t something that I could really laugh about and get attached to.  I figured there needs to be a funnier, more realistic book that tells the truth about the everyday realities that kind of leave you mumbling under your breath or even out-right cursing. I wanted to laugh about those things.  That’s when the ideas started flying,” said Buche.

Buche says there are more to follow, “It’s more of an overall concept than merely a book, kind of like the ‘Chicken Soup’ books that are out there.  I’ve set up a website at www.73things.com so that everyone can participate 

and ‘sound off’ with what makes them say bad  words.  If you go to the website you can see what makes other people ‘ say bad words.’ Then join in yourself.  So far there have been some hilarious things that people from all over the country have submitted.  With the submissions I get at the website, I have plans for writing more.  Right now I definitely want to get, ‘73 More Things That Make Me Say Bad Words,’ and, ‘73 Things About Showing Up For Work That Makes Me Say Bad Words,’ published.  I think it could go anywhere from there.”

His book can be purchased at www.73things.com  and www.amazon.com.  Buche will be in the Black Hills area for book signings over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Buche graduated BHSU in ’94 with a degree in sociology.   He and his wife, Leslie, currently live in Colorado Springs, Colo. Where he works for a software firm and continues his writing.

Chemistry quiz bowl held at BHSU - Top

Teams from four area schools competed in a chemistry quiz bowl at Black Hills State University as a part of National Chemistry Week.  Belle Fourche, St. Thomas More, Custer and Newcastle, Wyo., schools participated in the event. Each school had two teams competing.  This was the first year for the event. The winning team at the quiz bowl competition was St. Thomas More from Rapid City.  They were presented with a plaque, BHSU t-shirts and key chains.  Members of the team include: front row (kneeling left to right), Lindsey Roskos, senior; Christopher Baker, junior; Monique Vidal, senior; back row (standing left to right), G.B. Fischback, junior; Dr. Timothy Hightower, BHSU mediator of the event; Stephanie Braun, quiz bowl coach; Bill Young, quiz bowl coach; and Michael O’Meara, senior.

Anderson competes in ironman competition - Top

Steve Anderson, professor of geology, recently competed in the Janus Florida Ironman triathlon and finished in the top 20-25 percent. 

The triathlon consists of a 2.4-mile ocean swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run. The Janus Florida Ironman Triathlon was held in Panama City Beach, Fla., with roughly 2,000 entrants.  All participants must finish within 17 hours. This was Anderson’s second triathlon, and his first at the Ironman distance. The event is scheduled to air on ESPN in April of 2002.

Anderson finished the swim in 1 hour and 15 minutes, which he describes as very average for most swimmers, but a great result for him since it's his weakest event.

“I did manage to get a bit motion sick on some of the ocean swells during the swim, which didn't affect my cycling but did catch up with me during the run.,” Anderson said.

The bike leg went extremely well for Anderson as he finished 10-15 minutes faster than he thought he would. The biking portion of the race took 5 hours 19 minutes which is an average of 21 mph.  Anderson said the marathon was brutal. 

“I ran under eight minutes a mile for the first five miles, which is my goal pace, but the nausea I experienced on the swim never improved during the bike leg, and got much worse after 5 miles of the run.  I wasn't able to drink enough, and eventually my pace slowed and cramps started to take their toll.  I ran the entire marathon (26.2 miles), but very slowly for me (averaged over 9 minutes per mile, a little over 4 hours for the marathon),” Anderson said.

Allowing five minutes of transition between each event and his final time for the entire race was 10 hours 55 minutes 54 seconds which was a little over 4 minutes faster than he was hoping for and placed him in the top 20-25 percent of all competitors. 

Anderson has plans to compete in the Boston Marathon in April 2002, but is not sure about future ironman competitions.

“I told my wife when I crossed the finish line at Ironman Florida that I would never do another Ironman, but now I'm thinking that I'll probably do another in 2003,” Anderson said.

Customer service workshop held at BHSU - Top

Malcom Chapman, founder of The Chapman Group, uses the book Sneetches by Dr. Seuss to assist in his presentation, “Off the Hook Customer Service,” at Black Hills State University. Chapman used the book’s story to emphasize that leaders should value all workers as part of a team. The seminar was sponsored by BHSU’s Center for Business and Entrepreneurship and the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE).

Minutes of the CSA council meeting - Top

The CSA Council met at Pangburn Hall little dining room, Oct. 9, 2001. Vice Pres. Carolyn Skallerud called the meeting to order.  Those present were Deatta Chapel, Krista L. Schroeder, Linda Allbee, Carolyn Skallerud, Cheryl Leahy,  Nancy Shuck and Becky Haak.

There being no September meeting, Becky Haak read the minutes from the August   meeting.  Krista Schroeder moved to accept and Deatta Chapel seconded, motion carried.

A treasurer’s report was not available

Committee Reports:

Welcome Bags:  no report

Strategic Planning and Safety & Facilities: no report

Old Business:

Cheryl Leahy reported that our Relay for Life Team raised $1,200 for Cancer Research.

CSA picnic for 2002 was discussed. Carolyn Skallerud suggested that we 1) prepare for at least 100 guests up by 20,  2)

clarify that the reserved parking space is not a free space, and 3) have set times for specific drawings so guests can come and go to the meeting.

A thank-you note from Lisa Glover was read.

No report was available from the Board of Regents CSA meeting in Pierre.

No report was available regarding the CSA representative from Wenona Cook Hall.

New Business:

Deatta Chapel has the CSA election ballots and preliminary paper work under way.    Carolyn Skallerud and Becky Haak will help count the votes.

Becky Haak made a motion to adjourn and Cheryl Leahy seconded, motion carried.

The next meeting will be held at Pangburn Hall, Little dining room, Nov. 13, at 9 a.m.

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.