Submit items to Campus Currents

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

Broome wins student support staff scholarship - Top

John Broome, a BHSU composite social science major with a 4.0 grade point average, was selected as this year's Student Support Services scholarship recipient. The selection was announced during the National TRIO Day open house Friday, which drew approximately 150 faculty, staff, and students.

National TRIO Day was established in 1990 to recognize the work of TRIO educational opportunity programs, including Student Support Services and Upward Bound, at campuses across the nation.

A letter from Senator Tom Daschle to the BHSU community said, in part, "I am proud of the TRIO staff and TRIO students at Black Hills State University—and your counterparts across our state and our country. This program is an absolutely essential part of a nationwide strategy to ensure equal education opportunities across racial, ethnic, cultural, and economic divides. You and the two million TRIO students across the country who have attended and graduated from college against all odds celebrate not only the success of TRIO, but the strength of the human spirit."

BHSU student is Miss Teenage South Dakota - Top

Pageant contest winners this year are becoming common at Black Hills State University with Tommi Jo Casteel, winning the 1999 Miss Rodeo South Dakota pageant, Sheila Seger, named Miss Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo, Lisa Albers, crowned Miss Rapid City, and Demetria Raad, carrying the title of Miss Teen South Dakota.

Casteel and Albers are recent BHSU graduates. Seger, a junior, and Raad, a freshman, are still pursuing their studies of communications and biology, respectively.

Raad, a 1998 graduate of Sioux Falls Roosevelt High School, is the youngest of the BH pageant winners. She is pursuing a science degree with the ultimate goal of entering the medical profession. She is also serving as a work-study assistant to Dr. Derrick Lavoie, assistant professor of education at BHSU.

Raad says, “Black Hills State provides a great opportunity for students wanting to stay in South Dakota to complete their university studies. They have a really good science program. I would encourage others to come here.”

As winner of the Miss South Dakota National Teenage Scholarship Program, Raad competed in the national competition in Nashville, Tenn., where she finished in the top ten. She said the contestants were rated on grades, evening gown, and interview. Her role as the state's Miss Teen requires her to do community service events, promotions and public appearances.

She recently played the role of Cinderella at the Cinderella Ball sponsored by the LHS Home and Community Care Hospice to raise money to help families in the Black Hills area. The hospice helps terminally-ill patients who choose to spend their final days in the comfort of their homes, surrounded by family and friends.

When she is not helping local causes, Raad says she enjoys the outdoor opportunities available in the Black Hills such as hiking and back packing. On the other hand with the weather sometimes putting a damper on those activities she can always continue her piano lessons or hit the books in pursuit of a medical degree.

Booster of the Year award presented - Top

First Western Bank of Spearfish is this year's recipient of Black Hills State's Green and Gold Club booster of the year award.

The award was presented recently to Bruce Byrum, bank president, and the employees of First Western Bank at the Young Center during half time of the men's final playoff game against Huron University.

The plaque is given to an individual or business that actively donates time and/or financial support to BHSU athletics. BHSU President Thomas Flickema presented the award to Byrum.

Yellow Jackets compete in national tourney - Top

Black Hills State men's basketball team is competing in the national NAIA division II tournament this week. The Yellow Jackets will take on Holy Family, Penn., Thursday, March 11 at approximately 4:30 p.m. in Nampa, Idaho. For more information on the tournament see http://www.naia.org/champ-results/mdiibkt.htm.

Timesheet reminder - Top

All time sheets for overtime eligible and CSA staff are due in the personnel office by the first day of the month.

Obtain approval before beginning research projects with humans or animals - Top

Any faculty member or student utilizing human subjects in research projects or animals in research or teaching activities must obtain approval from the animal care and human subjects committee before beginning the project or activity.

For information and application forms, contact the committee chair, Doug Wessel, at USB 9032, phone 6514, or in SW210.

Faculty-research committee has funds available - Top

The faculty-research committee has funds available for the current fiscal year. Write a short (about three-page) proposal. Proposal forms are available at the academic affairs office. The faculty research committee will review applications March 25.

Proposals are due March 19. It is anticipated that successful applicants will request support for faculty release time, research equipment, travel to research sites, research support for the production of creative work. Education, social science and humanities proposals are encouraged. Funds for two three-hour release times are available for the spring and fall 1999 semesters. You can apply now. The research committee will not provide salary. The committee may approve payment to student or non-student research assistants. Mail ten copies of your proposal to USB 9550.

Grants opportunities announced - Top

Below are the program materials received March 1-5 in the grants office, Woodburn 220. For copies of the information, contact our office at 642-6627 or e-mail requests to us. Fellowship information will also be posted on the Student Union bulletin board near the information desk.

• NSF. SBIR/STTR Phase I Program Solicitation and Phase II instructions. Due June 9.
• NSF. Star Schools Program. The Star Schools program provides the opportunity for a host of entities to form a telecommunications partnership, which may be eligible to apply for funding. However, at least one local educational agency must participate in the proposed project, and eligible telecommunications partnerships must be organized on a statewide or multi-state basis. See guidelines for eligible entities. Due March 26.
• Rotary Foundation. Rotary International. Ambassadorial scholarships and Rotary grants for university teachers.
• ISA Research Trust. Deadline April 1, 1999. The International Society of Arboricultural (ISA) Research Trust has awarded small grants to aid, stimulate and encourage scientific studies of trees. This year the granting programs have been expanded to include a larger funding vehicle. The Hyland R. Johns Grant Program. This program provides funds in excess of $5,000 to qualified researchers for projects of interest and benefit to the arboricultural industry.

This week at Black Hills State - Top

Saturday, March 6

• Odessey of the Mind competition

March 8-12

• Spring break week