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

• Kanda Guthmiller, secretary, business office

• Patrice Maki, food service worker, dining services

• Janice Huffman, secretary, Upward Bound

Royer selected as Young Center building director - Top

Teri Royer, assistant director of the Young Center, will take over as director of the Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center July 1, 2002, university officials recently announced.

Royer has served as the Young Center’s assistant director for the past two years. She reports to the athletic director and is responsible for membership processing, staffing, special-use contracts, budget recommendations, equipment orders, and scheduling.

“Working under the direction of Dave Little as assistant director during the past two years will assist me immensely as I move into the Young Center’s director position,” said Royer. “The timeliness of his retirement (Little retires as athletic and building director June 28, 2002) will afford me the opportunity to continue to garner from his experience and expertise. I look forward to the challenge.”

The new building director brings a wealth of experience to the Young Center position. She served as administrative office manager for the Evanston, Wyo., Parks and Recreation District from 1981 to 1997. Overseeing a million dollar budget, she handled accounting and office procedures, prepared board of directors meetings, prepared annual reports,

hired, supervised and evaluated personnel, and administered policies and procedures.  

Moving with her family to Spearfish in 1997, where her husband, Randy, was hired at BHSU as director of instrumental music, she accepted a position at the university as assistant director of institutional advancement. Royer assisted with planning, implementation and management of the university’s development and alumni programs.

In 1998 she was offered the executive director’s position at the Belle Fourche Area Community Center. There she served as chief administrator and operational manager of the multi-purpose facility. Working under the direction of a board of directors and in cooperation with the city council and mayor, Royer implemented policies and procedures, directed building maintenance as well as maintenance at 11 other city facilities. She handled the center’s budget, schedules, payroll, purchases, and coordinated design plans.

Spirit of Excellence at Work Award - Top

The Spirit of Excellence at Work Award is awarded to Christine Shearer-Cremean, College of Arts and Sciences assistant professor, for maintaining a standard of excellent for teaching, encouraging the development of critical thinking in her students, and for designing assignments that treat difficult real world issues.

This award 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.

Dave Little honored - Top

BHSU theatre to present ‘Camelot’ - Top

 “Camelot,” presented by the Black Hills last night. The show will also be presented March 1 and 2 at 8 p.m. and March 3 at 2:30 p.m. in Woodburn Hall Auditorium by the Black Hills State University theatre department.

“Camelot,” by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, is the musical adaptation of the story of King Arthur and the round table.  After his marriage to Guinevere, King Arthur is left on his own by his tutor and mentor, Merlin.  Arthur tries to follow the course of wisdom set out for him by Merlin, and thus creates the Round Table, encouraging the notion that the strong have the responsibility to defend the weak.

Hearing word of King Arthur’s Round Table, Lancelot journeys to Camelot, where he falls in love with the queen.  Guinevere is arrested and sentenced to burn at the stake for her love of Lancelot, but she escapes with Lancelot to France.  Arthur ultimately forgives them both, but his dreams of love and the new principles of the round table have been shattered, and he is left sad and disillusioned.

Among the memorable musical numbers in this classic are “The Simple Joys of Maidenhood,” “C’est moi,” “If Ever I Should Leave You,” “How to Handle a Woman,” and “I Wonder What the King is Doing Tonight.”

Reservations are available by calling 642-6171.

BHSU bookstore contributes to Red Cross   - Top

Michael Jastorff, (right) Black Hills State University bookstore director, presents a check to Red Cross volunteer Shirley Povandra today. The $372 donation is a contribution to the Red Cross Sept. 11 fund. Money was raised by selling patriotic BHSU sweatshirts through the bookstore.

Vietnam veteran to speak at BHSU - Top

James P. Hurley, a Vietnam war veteran, will be speaking about his first hand experience of war and the impact Vietnam has on today’s modern warfare on March 5, 2002 at 2 p.m. in the David B. Miller Student Union Yellow Jacket Legacy room on the BHSU campus.

“His presentation should be significant in light of how our nation experienced war, then and now,” said Joe Valades, co-chairman of the Global Awareness committee.  Hurley’s presentation is part of a five-week program titled “Rights and Riots,” sponsored by BHSU. The program began Feb. 5 and will run until March 7.

Hurley was an infantry captain with the Army and after finishing his tour of duty, attended the University of South Dakota School of Law.  He received his degree in 1974.  Hurley has held many prestigious positions in the legal field,  including president of the Pennington County Bar Association.  Hurley currently practices law in 

Rapid City and is regularly listed in the “Best Lawyers in America” publication.

“Hurley is a prominent lawyer in our area and has had first hand experience as a commander in Vietnam,” said Dr. Abdollah Farrokhi, a member of GAC.  “He is very knowledgeable and an entertaining speaker as well.”

“I believe Mr. Hurley’s presentation will be a nice addition to the series of presentations and exhibits that are taking place on campus,” said Dr. Priscilla Romkema, co-chairman of GAC.  “We encourage students, faculty, staff and community residents to attend.”

Refreshments will be served starting at 1:30 p.m., and following the presentation will be a question and answer session. The presentation is sponsored by the GAC, in conjunction with the International Students Organization and the Community Realtions Club.  For more information, contact Priscilla Romkema at 642-6091.

BHSU to host winter concert - Top  

The Black Hills State University Community Band and Chamber Winds will present a winter concert Monday, March 4. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. and will be held in the David B. Miller Yellow Jacket Student Union Jacket Legacy room.

The concert will feature music from Nigeria, 

Belgium, China, Brazil, France, Israel, Germany, Russia, and the U.S.  

The event is open to the public and there is no admission charge. For more information contact Christopher Hahn at 624-6888.

Entrepreneurship conference to be held at BHSU - Top

The “Entrepreneurship in the 21^st Century Conference” and the “Economic Education Workshop for High School Teachers” will be held at Black Hills State University on Wednesday, March 6 in the David B. Miller Yellow Jacket Student Union Jacket Legacy room.

The conference will begin at 8:15 a.m. with registration and refreshments, and will last throughout the day showcasing various speakers.  The speakers include Malcom Chapman, of the Chapman group; Verona Beguin, BHSU assistant professor; Dr. Ron DeBeaumont, co-director of the Center for Economic Education; Alan Finkle, entrepreneur/businessman; Tom Wheaton, BHSU 

enrollment center; Stewart Sarkozy-Banoczy, executive director of Four Bands Community Fund, Inc.; and Lisa Bryan, BHSU instructor.

The conference is open to the public and free of charge. The event is sponsored by the University’s Center for Business and Entrepreneurship, the Center for Economic Education, and students in free enterprise.  The BHSU Instructional Improvement Committee is funding the event.

Persons with disabilities requesting accommodations for this event should call 624-6091 at least 48 hours prior to the start of the event.

TRIO students and BHSU staff visit state Capital - Top

Forty-three students and staff members from twelve TRIO programs at eight institutions in South Dakota met at the state capital Feb. 20^th in celebration of National TRIO Day.  TRIO Day recognizes the success of educational opportunity programs such as Student Support Services, Upward Bound, Talent Search, Educational Opportunity Centers, and McNair in increasing postsecondary access and achievement for students from groups which are underrepresented in higher education.

Carol Gritts, Sharon Hemmingson, Joan Wermers, John Mills, Juli Larson, Morgan Morrow, Brenda Crandall, and Maria Barrera from Black Hills State University’s Student Support Services and Upward Bound programs joined TRIO staff from Si Tanka, University of South Dakota, Dakota Wesleyan University, Sisseton-Wahpeton Community College, South Dakota State University, and Sinte Gleska University for a luncheon featuring guest speaker Mike Rounds, a long-time senator who is

presently running for governor.  Rounds explained how policy decisions are made in South Dakota, and invited discussion surrounding current issues in education.

The group then toured the Capitol building and observed the house and senate proceedings.  State representative Paul Valandra recognized BHSU student Maria Barrera as a member of his district, and invited her onto the house floor during the proceedings.  Mark Proctor, a BHSU and TRIO alumnus who currently works in the House minority office, spoke to the group about the importance of becoming involved in the political process, emphasizing how easy it is to access state government in this age of internet and email technologies. 

The TRIO group also visited the World War II Memorial and the Cultural Heritage Center while in Pierre.

Men's and women's basketball teams going to national tournaments - Top

There will be a gathering Saturday, March 2 at the Stadium Sports Grill in Spearfish from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. to send off the men’s and women’s basketball teams to the national tournaments.  Meet the teams and coaches and wish them luck at nationals.  

There will be a 50/50 drawing and door prizes will be auctioned.  All money raised will be given to the teams to help with expenses at nationals.

Congratulations to the men’s and women’s

basketball team on their success and good luck at the tournament.

The Yellow Jacket men play 16th ranked Brevard, N.C., Thursday morning at 10:45 a.m. See the men's tournament bracket. 

The Lady Yellow Jacket women will take on Ozarks, Mo., who is ranked sixth going into the tournament, Wednesday at 9:45 p.m.  For details see the tournament bracket. 

BHSU to host information night - Top  

Black Hills State University will host an information session Sunday, March 3 from 2-4 p.m. at the Rapid City Civic Center room 102.

High students and their parents as well as workers seeking additional training or desiring a career change are encouraged to meet with representatives from the enrollment center, extended services and the Ellsworth base campus. Information about admissions procedures, financial aid, academic programs and distance learning will be available.

Black Hills State University, the third largest state university, offers several new courses of study with a total of more than 90 majors and minors. 

Classes are offered at the main campus in Spearfish and at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City. Select classes are also available over the Internet or by correspondence which allows students an opportunity to continue working while earning a degree. The education master’s degree in curriculum and instruction is now available entirely online. Many graduate and undergraduate business classes are also offered online.

United Ministries selects new officers - Top  

United Ministries is an ecumenical organization devoted to Christian service, fellowship and study. The UM board is the policy-making body for the organization and is responsible for defining the mission and goals of the campus ministry program. It also oversees the continuing development of programs of study, service and fellowship on campus and within the community.

“Board members report to the sponsoring churches,” said Jean Helmer, United Ministries director. “They are responsible for the procurement and administration of leadership and of funds for the campus ministry.”

The Christian organization has been involved in several community projects including a Valentine project, a fellowship project, and a lecture presentation titled “Traditions and Rituals of Judaism: Explaining the Truth and Dispelling the Myths,” by Dr. David Salomon, assistant professor of English at BHSU.

Newly commissioned officers are as follows: co-chairmen—Angelia Johnston, a senior sociology and international relations major from Jacksonville, Fla., and Michael Brand, a freshman political-science major from Fullerton, Calif.; secretary—Heather Lien, a senior art education major from Belle Fourche; co-treasurers—Deb Henriksen, financial aid director at BHSU, and Barb Chrisman, librarian and associate professor of education at BHSU; student organizations representative—Morgan Miles, a junior tourism major from Rapid City;  representative-at-large

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, 

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. 

Grant opportunities announced - Top  

Below are the program materials received Feb 21-27 in the grants office, Woodburn 218. For copies of the information, contact our office at 642-6627 or e-mail requests to grants@bhsu.edu.  Fellowship information will also be posted on the Student Union bulletin board near the information desk.

• National Science Foundation.  Math and Physical Science Internships in Public Science Education.  The National Science Foundation is inviting applications for projects that permit undergraduate and graduate students and K-12 teachers to work in conjunction with mathematics and physical science (MPS) researchers and professionals at science centers and museums on public education programs.  Deadlines: May 7 and the second Monday in February in 2003 and thereafter.

• Department of Commerce.  Technology Opportunities Program 2002 (TOP).  National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).  Through TOP, NTIA provides underserved communities with opportunities to explore the possibilities that emerging digital network technologies offer to solve critical challenges in such areas as lifelong learning, community and economic development, government and public services, safety, health, culture, and the arts.  Deadline March 21, 2002.

This week at Black Hills State University - Top

Campus Calendar

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