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.

Welcome to Black Hills State University - Top

• Sheila Day, secretary, College of Business and Technology

• Stanley Stahlecker, purchasing assistant, University Support Service

Wermers selected to participate in cooperative research grant - Top

Joan Wermers, student support services disability services advisor, has been selected to participate in a four-year cooperative research grant through Colorado State University. 

The grant, "Exceeding Expectations," is a model demonstration grant sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of  Special Education and Rehabilitation Services, to increase access and retention of 

students with disabilities in post-secondary institutions. Wermers will join other selected facilitators from Colorado, South Dakota, Iowa, Wyoming, and Idaho in designing, testing, and evaluating training activities for educators, students with disabilities, and families.

Wermers joined the BHSU staff in the fall of 2001. She has a master’s degree in education from the University of Colorado as well as a transition specialist certificate from Colorado State University. 

Wolff to present lecture as part of Deadwood museum program - Top

Dr. David Wolff, assistant professor of history at Black Hills State University, will present a lecture Thursday, May 16 at 7 p.m. in Deadwood City Hall as a part of the Adams Museum and House program “The Future Comes to Deadwood.”

At the turn of the last century, Deadwood was considered ahead of its time by providing residences with amenities that other frontier communities could only hope to have. Wolff will present a lecture based on his extensive research discussing advances in Deadwood and comparing them to other places such as Leadville, Denver and Aspen, Colo. Going beyond technological advances, he will also discuss what made a “modern” or “progressive” city of the west.

Wolff joined the history and social science faculty in College of Arts and Sciences in 1998. He earned his Ph.D. in history from Arizona State University in 2000. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history as well as an undergraduate degree in pharmacy from the University of Wyoming. 

“The Future Comes to Deadwood” is a program held in conjunction with the upcoming traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution, “Yesterday’s Tomorrows: Past Visions of the American Future.” This exhibit will be displayed in the Adams Museum Sept. 2 through Oct. 4 and explores 19^th and 20^th century expectations of things to come, and helps us understand the values and hopes that propelled this nation forward. For more information about the program call 578-1928.

Watson completes grants certificate program - Top

Diane Watson, a senior accountant for grants in the BHSU business office, has completed the recipient track of the grants management certificate program offered by Management Concepts.

Watson completed four core courses and a minimum of six days of elective courses to earn the certificate.

“By successfully completing these courses, 

Ms. Watson has shown a thorough knowledge of the federal grants process and the laws and regulations which govern it,” according to Beth Blazek, executive director of the grants and assistance training division of Management Concepts.

BHSU commencement is tomorrow - Top

The 143rd Black Hills State University commencement is scheduled for Saturday, May 11 at 10 a.m. in the gymnasium of the Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center.

There are 304 candidates for graduation including 27 master's of science,  nine bachelor's of arts, 181 bachelor's of science, 77  bachelor's of science in education and 10 associate-degree candidates.

The commencement address will be given by Dr. James Hansen, South Dakota Board of Regents member. Kent Meyers, 2001 Distinguished Faculty member, will give the faculty charge to the graduates. Diplomas will be presented by Dr. Thomas Flickema, BHSU president, and April Meeker, BHSU records director.

Seven retiring faculty members will be formally recognized during the ceremony. The 2002 Distinguished Faculty Award will be presented to Dr. Patricia Fallbeck, College of Education professor.

Music will be provided by the BHSU Brass Ensemble under the direction of Christopher Hahn, and the Black Hills Singers under the direction of Stephen Parker.

BHSU President Thomas Flickema will host a reception for the graduates and their families and friends, and BHSU faculty and staff members immediately following the commencement ceremony. The reception will be held in the Young Center Field House.

An honors breakfast will be held prior to graduation at 7:45 a.m. in the Student Union Jacket Legacy room. The cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude graduates will be honored. Also, the highest-ranking female and male graduates will be recognized. Anne Baker, a Spanish major from Rapid City, will be honored at the highest-ranking female graduate and Lennard Hopper, a biology major from Pierre, will be recognized as the highest-ranking male graduate.

BHSU student newspaper among the top in the nation - Top

The scores are in and the results are excellent for Black Hills State University’s Today newspaper. In two competitions entered for the spring and fall semesters of 2001, the college paper placed among the top eight both nationally and in the Rocky Mountain region.

The American Scholastic Press Association and the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Media Association sponsor separate competitions in which the paper competes annually. Both contests judge design, layout, writing, photography, editing, and overall quality of the entries. Today, published 14 times a year, normally places among the top in both contests and continually increases its standing. The paper is judged according to entries made from 2001 publications.

The senior staff running the paper was different for the two semesters. For the spring, the staff was as follows: advisor, Steve Babbitt; editor-in-chief, Justin Varland, Gregory; assistant editor, Val Mundlein, Kennebec; photo editor, Antonia Kucera, Rapid City; assistant photo editor, Mark Norby, Sturgis; advertising salesman, Tim Toaves, Spearfish; advertising designer, Justin Varland; and production editor, Allan Carroll, Spearfish. The staff for the fall was as follows: advisor, Debbie Renner; editor-in-chief, Antonia Kucera; assistant editor, Heather Murschel, Spearfish; photo editor, Mark Norby; assistant photo editor, Cory Pethick, Lead; advertising sales, Tim Toaves; advertising designer, Charles Lehmann, Black Hawk; and production editor, Justin Varland.

Today was awarded first place with special merit in the ASPA’s Annual Review and Contest Awards 2,500-plus enrollment division. It scored 945 points on a 1,000-point system, with content coverage and creativity pulling in the highest scores. Special merit is given to a publication that, in the opinion of the judge, is an outstanding overall example of a scholastic publication in format, content, and presentation.

Senior Mark Norby, a veteran member of the paper, gained individual recognition in the category of “Outstanding News Photograph” with his picture of KBHU-TV’s news broadcasting set, published on the front page of the 2001 summer issue. The paper’s judge for the competition commented in his review letter to the staff that Norby’s photograph was “excellent.”

The judge also recommended that the staff offer workshops to share their expertise with the community’s schools. The judge further wrote, “I was extremely impressed with the high professional quality of the work displayed in your newspaper. The dedication and commitment of all those involved are evident.

A full list of schools that earned awards in the ASPA contest is posted at this website.

In the Rocky Mountain competition, Today usually places high in every category. That was not the case this year, but not due in any part to a decrease in the quality of the publication. The paper was placed in the wrong division of 8,000-plus enrollment to compete against schools twice its size. Even against these odds, Today still placed among the top eight in the region.

Ad designer Charles Lehmann, sophomore, pulled ahead of tough competition to win first place in two separate categories for his full-page bookstore ads. His ad “The Sweet Smell of Success” that ran in the December 6, 2001, issue won in the single-ad category. He also won in the ad-campaign category for the same ad along with the ads in the previous two issues, published November 1 and 22.

Employees attend SDSEO delegates meeting - Top

Four BHSU employees and one retiree, all South Dakota State Employee Organization (SDSEO) members, attended the House of Delegates meeting in Pierre recently.

Employees Margaret Kleinsasser, Fred Nelson, Gloria Spitler and Myron Sullivan and retiree Ellen Koan traveled to Pierre for the meeting. The employees listened to a 

forum on state employee issues featuring the gubernatorial candidates and took part in discussions on resolutions that will be presented to the Legislature.

For additional information on SDSEO contact any of these members. SDSEO meetings are held monthly in Spearfish.

BHSU College of Arts and Sciences awards scholarships - Top

The College of Arts and Sciences at Black Hills State University held a reception recently honoring scholarship winners for the 2002-2003 academic year.

Scholarships were awarded by department, scholarship amount, scholarship name and the recipients are as follows:

Department of Fine and Applied Arts
 Annette Christensen Memorial Scholarship, $250 to Adam Lawson, Rapid City; Art Department Scholarships, $250 to Emily Osborne, Rapid City, and $250 to Jessie Palczewski, Spearfish; Arts and Humanities Alumni Scholarship, $170 to Adam Lawson; Communications Scholarships, $200 to Ashley Cordell, Spearfish, $200 to Mark Muniz, Spearfish, $200 to Leah Thomas, Spearfish, and $200 to Jessie Young, Spearfish; Dorothy Liebe Branch Scholarship, $350 to Erin Talsma, Spearfish; Grace K. Warring Scholarship, $500 to June Engler, St. Cloud, Minn.; Kimberly Clark Memorial Scholarship, $150 to Emily Osborne, and $150 to Jessie Palczewski; Marion Hicks Memorial Scholarship, $200 to Tara Conlan, Spearfish, $200 to Lynnette Daum, Newcastle, Wyo., and $300 to Jody Dirks, Spearfish; Music Performance Scholarship, $200 to Lynette Daum, $400 to Mathew Dewey, Rapid City, $300 to LaNaya Durland, Spearfish, $300 to Gregory Glodt, Powell, Wyo., $400 to Benjamin Herman, Black Hawk, and $200 to Adam Lawson; Northern Hills Community Band Scholarship, $300 to Ginger Irwin, Green River, Wyo.; Ron O. Phillips Scholarship, $300 to Amber Heying, Spearfish, $500 to Amanda Mutchler, Sturgis, and $300 to William Kern, Green River, Wyo.; Bill and Stirling Sage Scholarship, $250 to Lori Jones, Spearfish; Williams and Ree Scholarship, $1,000 to Andrea Farr, Spearfish; Seaton Publishing/Black Hills Pioneer Scholarship, $490 to Antonia Kucera, Rapid City; Sunnyside Scholarship, $250 to Cody Odell, Camp Crook; and the Thomas F. Wheaton Memorial Scholarship, $250 to Sara Goeden, Pierre.

History and Social Science Department Scholarships-Case Freshman Scholarship, $500 to Nicholas Carda, Pierre, and $500 to Rachel Nelson, Burbank; Donald E. Young Scholarship, $500 to Michael Hobert, Harrold; E. Keith Jewitt Scholarship, $500 to Kristin Bradford, Gillette, Wyo.; Fayette and Wenona Cook scholarships, $500 to Sara Fitzgerald, Spearfish, $500 to Jason Eggerman, Casper, Wyo.; Harold McCleave Memorial Scholarship, $500 to Michael Houdyshell, Rapid City; History and Social Science Department Faculty Awards, $500 to Leah Jester, Rapid City, $500 to Isaac Olson, Brookings, and $500 to Jennifer Thurm, Rapid City; Lura Camery Memorial Scholarship, $500 to Jennifer Barnhardt, Rapid City; Paul Haivala Memorial Scholarship, $500 to Destinee Swanson, Winner; Sever Eubank Scholarship, $500 to Amy Boke, Spearfish; and the Stephen Gazi Memorial Scholarship, $500 to Jody Dirks, Spearfish; David B. Miller Scholarship, $500 to Therese Hodorff, Hot Springs.

Humanities Department Scholarships-Arts and Humanities Alumni Scholarship, $170 to Samuel Bobby, Bowdle; Bryce and Clara Christensen Scholarship, $250 to Danielle Ligtenberg, Spearfish; Charlotte Forsberg Scholarship, $500 to Samuel Bobby, $500 to Julie Higbee, Spearfish, $500 to Angeline Moraites, Sheridan, Wyo., and $500 to Sarah Turner, Spearfish; Communications Scholarships, $400 to Vailferree Brechtel, Hot Springs, $300 to Ashley Marske, Rapid City, and $300 to Jackie Koch, Spearfish; Esther Kruse Scholarship, $600 to Karl Lehman, Lead; Freeda Summers Schroeder Scholarship, $100 to Julie Higbee; Kenneth L. Jay Memorial Award, $400 to Danielle Ligtenberg; Nikki Bogard Memorial Scholarship, $150 to Vailferree Brechtel; Sunnyside Scholarship, $240 to Julie Higbee; Vincent Lombardi Scholarship, $600 to Edward Bischoff, Belle Fourche; and Douglas Bell Memorial Scholarship, $400 to Jessi Linn, Lead.

Mathematic Department Scholarships-E.C. Mikkelsen Scholarship, $200 to Lynn Haga, Rapid City; Mark G. Richmond Memorial Scholarship, $400 to Casey Cheesbrough, Laramie, Wyo.; Math Scholarships, $230 to Alison Gamber, Huron, $230 to Joy Ho, Baker, Mont., $335 to Katrina Jensen, Whitewood, $180 to Theresa Nequette, Sturgis, and $180 to Lea Willard, Belle Fourche; and the Science and Math Scholarship, $175 to Katrina Jensen 

Science Department Scholarships-Biology Scholarships, $650 to Monique Dana, Spearfish, and $650 to Elke Kuegle, Lead; Carlson-Jolley Funeral Home Science and Health Scholarship, $300 to Jeremy Smith, Ellsworth Air Force Base; Chemistry Scholarships, $500 to Sarah Mangelson, Rapid City, and $200 to Christin Sjomeling, Deadwood; CRC Press Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award, textbook presented to Robert Wright, Rapid City; Clarence and Myrtle Kravig Memorial Scholarship, $250 to Monique Dana; Marion Hilpert Memorial Scholarship, $550 to Elke Kuegle; Mark G. Richmond Memorial Scholarship, $375 to Elke Kuegle; Physical Science Scholarship, $500 to Rachel Jordan, Spearfish, and $500 to Judith Novak, Spearfish; and the Science and Math Scholarship, $170 to Christin Sjomeling.

Psychology Department Scholarship-Lois Watts Psychology Scholarship, $195 to Erica Littlewolf, Spearfish.

BHSU student breaks state record for powerlifting - Top

BHSU student Angie Engel broke her own year-old state-best record in the 123-pound weight class when she bench pressed 176 pounds during the South Dakota State Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships on April 27 in Sioux Falls.  

Engel, a wellness management and psychology double major originally from Beresford, lifted a total of 687-1/2 pounds in the squat, bench, and deadlift combined.  By cracking the 650-pound barrier, she qualified for the USAPL Women’s National Powerlifting Championships in Killeen, Texas, in late January, 2003.  These championships are sponsored by USA Powerlifting, a drug-free powerlifting organization.

Engel improved her bench press record over her own record in last year’s state championships by six pounds and her combined total by more than 33 pounds.  This is even more remarkable considering that she has been active in the sport for only two years. She was introduced to barbells by Taylor Carlson, who later became her fiancée and coach.  It was Carlson who 

encouraged her to compete, and she can only get better as she just started using the high-tech garb more seasoned lifters wear when training in the squat and deadlift.

Petite, blonde, and pigtailed, she still more closely resembles the cheerleader supervisor who was instrumental in forming the BHSU dance team (a role she has filled for the past two years) than the champion weightlifter that she is, her state bests notwithstanding.  She has also competed in pole vaulting for the BHSU track and field team and has served as the cheerleader supervisor for the INFL Red Dogs in Rapid City in the past.

Engel is currently seeking sponsorship and assistance to attend the women’s national powerlifting championships. She is very proud of setting state records and personal bests with her qualifying scores and she is even more proud of representing BHSU in a drug-free national powerlifting organization. Anyone willing to provide assistance and funding in Engel’s quest to compete in the national championships can contact her at 722-5154.

Minutes of the Faculty Senate meeting - Top

Minutes of the Faculty Senate meeting Wednesday, April 17^th.

Present: Dan Durben (president), Steve Babbitt (vice president), Monty Robinson (secretary), Fred Heidrich, Tim Hightower, Vincent King, Barb Chrisman for Colleen Kirby, David Wolff, and Betsy Merganthal student representative.

Dan Durben called the meeting to order.

The proposed agenda was reviewed and approved.

An approval of the minutes was entertained and passed with changes.

Old issues:

Printed schedules - Printed schedules have been distributed campus wide.

Dean’s Council Report - Steve Babbitt reported on the topics that were covered at the Dean’s Council. Items of interest were, summer school, promotions and tenure, work loads, WebCT and intellectual property developed through state grants.

New issues:

North Central – Dr. George Earley addressed the senate concerning the upcoming North Central visit next fall. Earley shared with the group several items from the previous NC visit and talked briefly on Faculty Senate issues from ten years as compared to today.

He also answered several questions regarding the promotion and tenure committee.

Officers - senate members nominated candidates for next years officers, they included Steve Babbitt as president, Tim Hightower as vice president and Monty Robinson as secretary.

Whereas there were no other items on the agenda, a motion to adjourn was made and passed. 

Recorded by Faculty Senate Secretary Monty Robinson.

Minutes of the CSA Council - Top

The CSA Council met at Pangburn small dinning room April 11, 2002. President Nancy Shuck called the meeting to order. Members present were Sherri Adams, Linda Allbee, Lynn Fox, Colleen Gustafson, Cheri Leahy, Lynette Long, Krista Schroeder, Nancy Shuck, Carolyn Skallerud and Jeanne Hanson.

Cheri Leahy read the minutes from the March 15, 2002 committee meeting.  Lynette Long moved to accept as read and Colleen Gustafson seconded, motion carried.

Lynette Long gave the treasurer’s report:

Cheri Leahy informed the council that the $400 scholarship awarded to Adam Lawson was coming up $48.84 short with the 5 percent spending rule. It was decided to make up the difference and continue the award at $400.  Linda Allbee moved to accept the treasurer’s report as read and Krista Schroeder seconded, motion carried.

Committee Reports:

Linda Allbee gave an abbreviated report on the strategic planning meetings (hard copies available).

Safety and Facilities: Cheri Leahy reported no meetings.

Welcome Bags: Krista Schroeder is delivering as needed.

Old Business:

Cheri Leahy reported the council raised $834 for the American Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days. This is up from the approximate $500 raised for 2001.

A balloon fund-raiser that had been discussed previously has not gone any further. The last discussion was about holding it for Secretary’s Day. It was tabled again.

New Business:

The CSA luncheon is on track. RSVP’s should be to Nancy Shuck by May 1.  We will use mirrors and oil lamps for centerpieces. Krista will make May baskets for the table settings. Scott Simpson will not be able to provide entertainment so Carolyn will check with Janeen Larson and Susan Hovey-Pabst to see if they would be available. It was also decided rather than the supervisor speak about the honorees work history at BHSU to have the supervisor complete a form and have the emcee read the information with the supervisor presenting the honoree with the gift.

Work on the CSA handbook update was tabled until a later date.

Jeanne Hanson was present to report on the Regents Career Service Advisory Council meeting she attended. (hard copy available)

Adam Lawson is the 2002 recipient of the CSA scholarship.     

Carolyn Skallerud made a motion to adjourn and Colleen seconded, motion carried  .

Our next meeting will be held at Pangburn Hall, small dining room, May 9 at 9:30 am.

Grant opportunity announced - Top

Below are the program materials received April 25-May 8 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.

• International Reading Association.  The International Reading Association’s Elva Knight Research Grant program was established to provide small grants, up to a maximum of $10,000, for promising research that addresses significant questions for the discipline of reading/literacy research and practice.  It is the intent that such grants will provide researchers with the opportunity to develop important perspectives on the reading/literacy field.  Deadline Jan. 15, 2003.

This week at Black Hills State University - Top

Campus Calendar

This calendar is also available on the BHSU homepage quick links.