Volume XXIV No. 35 • Sept. 1, 2000

Submit items to Campus Currents - Top

The Campus Currents is distributed every Friday. If you would like to include an item in the newsletter 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
  • Gene Robertson, custodial worker, facilities services
  • Sandra Tarrant, child-care worker, child-care center
  • Elva Newman, mail processor, university mail service

Resignation - Top
  • Deborah Turner, secretary, career services

New faculty join Black Hills State University - Top

New faculty members at Black Hills State University this fall are, left to right, Dr. Daluss Siewert, mathematics; Chantana Taweesup, technology; Dr. Christopher Hahn, music; Dr. Christine Shearer-Cremean, English; Dr. Timothy Hightower, chemistry; Audrey Wiley, adjunct music. Not pictured are Sworn Chae, visiting professorship – hospitality tourism management; and Dr. Siriporn Sujithamrak, tourism.

Hesson returns from eighth summer working at the Olympic Training Center - Top
Dr. James Hesson, College of Education professor, has recently returned from his eighth consecutive summer working at the United States Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Hesson works for the sport science and technology division (SST) to provide applied sport science and technology to Olympic caliber athletes and coaches for the purpose of achieving sustained competitive excellence. This is accomplished through the following:

  • consultation with coaches and National Governing Body (NGB) leadership in each sport to build programmatic success
  • delivery of services specifically targeting determinants of performance
  • dissemination of the latest science and technology information to coaches and athletes
  • development of new technologies
  • leadership of applied resources across the country
In most sports in the Olympic Games medals are won or lost by a margin of about 1/10th of one percent. The challenge, especially in an Olympic year, is to improve the performance of athletes who have been training hard for their entire life, without allowing them to go into a physiological overtraining state.

"There is a very, very thin line between peak condition and overtraining, with peak condition resulting in peak performance and overtraining resulting in poor performance," Hesson said. "It is very challenging to take the best of the best and make them better."

 

Strand reviews advanced placement exams - Top
Sharon Strand, College of Arts and Sciences assistant professor, was selected to participate this June in the annual reading and scoring of the College Board’s Advanced Placement Examinations in English Literature.

Each year the AP program, sponsored by the College Board, gives hundreds of thousands of capable high-school students an opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses and examinations and based on their exam performance, to receive credit and/or advanced placement when they enter college.

More than 1.1 million examinations in 18 disciplines were evaluated by over 4,800 faculty consultants from high schools and universities across North America. Drawn from various ethnic groups and from every state, these men 

and women are some of the best high school and college educators in the United States and Canada. They represent some of the finest academic institutions in North America. In addition, we have faculty consultants from Argentina, Belgium, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Micronesia, South Korea, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

"The reading draws upon the talents of some of the finest teachers and professors that America has to offer," said Dr. Lee Jones, AP executive director at the College Board. "It fosters professionalism, allows for the exchange of ideas and strengthens the commitment to students and to teaching. We are very grateful for the contributions of talented educators like Sharon Strand."

 

Regents recognize BHSU student groups - Top

The South Dakota Board of Regents recently presented awards to two student organizations at Black Hills State University. Board President Harvey C. Jewett IV, presented the awards during their meeting on the Spearfish campus.

"These organizations provide valued services to the campus and community. Participation in these organizations not only gives students experience, it shows the importance of serving your community," said Jewett.

The award for academic excellence was presented to KBHU-FM. KBHU, BHSU's radio station, operates like a commercial station. Staffed by students, the organization of the radio station includes a general manager, station manager, and a full staff of trained students. David Diamond serves as the faculty advisor for the station. The purpose of KBHU is learning. KBHU welcomes all BHSU students to join and offers a mentorship program for high school students who want to learn about the station.

The award for organizational leadership was presented to the United Ministries at BHSU for 

its leadership and participation in service and fellowship projects on campus and in the community throughout the year. The organization emphasizes the development of both Christian leadership and an interior spiritual life. United Ministries' activities include an annual New Student Day Ice Cream Social, assistance with Relay for Life, collection of donations for senior citizens who are residents of Belle Fourche Long-Term Care Center, assistance during the annual Thanksgiving dinner at the Senior Citizen Center, and providing mentorship under a Global Awareness Grant from the United Methodist Church. They also have organized and maintained a food and clothing pantry on campus to assist students/staff members and their families in times of need. Members of the United Ministries include BHSU students, staff, and faculty and director Legia Spicer.

Accepting the award on behalf of KBHU-FM was Dr. Holly Downing, Dean of Arts and Sciences at Black Hills State University. Beata Ferris accepted the award for the United Ministries.

BHSU community band rehearsals begin - Top
All interested musicians are invited to join the Black Hills State University community band.

 There is no audition or age limit and the group is open to anyone who plays a wind or percussion instrument. Rehearsals will be Monday evenings from 7-9 p.m. in the BHSU band room (Cook 204) beginning Sept. 11.

There will be two concerts in the fall, including the BHSU Christmas concert. 

Be prepared to play at the first rehearsal. For further information contact Christopher Hahn, BHSU band director at 642-6888 (days) or 642-0327 (evenings).

Green and Gold Booster Club announces schedule - Top

In anticipation of the 2000-2001 season the Green and Gold Booster Club at Black Hills State University has announced their luncheon schedule.

The first luncheon is Aug. 31 at the Pizza Ranch. Luncheons are held Thursdays at noon. University coaches will be available to discuss the upcoming season. The BHSU football team kicks off its season Sept. 2 at Dakota Wesleyan in 

Mitchell. The volleyball team opened Aug. 29 at National American University. The cross-country season begins Sept. 9 at the South Dakota Tech Invitational.

The public is welcome to attend the luncheons. For more information call 642-6385. Schedule  of Green and Gold luncheons for the year.

Grants opportunities announced - Top
Below are the program materials received Aug. 24-30 in the grants office, Woodburn 220. For copies of the information, contact our office at 642-6627 or e-mail requests to us at grants@mystic.bhsu.edu. Fellowship information will also be posted on the Student Union bulletin board near the information desk.
  • MCI WorldCom Foundation. The University Education Grants Program provides one-time grants ranging from $10,000 to $15,000 to U.S. colleges and departments of education to promote the professional development of pre-service and in-service K-12 teachers in the use of Internet Content for the Classroom based on materials developed by the MarcoPolo partnership. The deadline for this request for proposals is open. Through this grant program, colleges and departments of education are encouraged to submit original proposals to the MCI WorldCom Foundation to receive funding for accredited courses and programs dedicated to providing teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively integrate the Internet into classroom learning. http://www.wcom.com/
  • Conservation Project Support (IMLS). The Institute of Museum and Library Services is inviting applications for matching grants to help museums identify critical conservation needs and priorities and perform activities to safeguard collections, including non-living collections, natural history, and living plants and animals. Deadline: Oct. 15. http://www.imls.gov/grants/museum/mus_cps.asp
  • Leadership Grants. The National Foundation for the Improvement of Education (NFIE). NFIE awards grants of $1,000 for individuals to engage in professional development activities that address the needs of the students they serve. Applicants who submit proposals postmarked by Oct. 15 will be notified by Feb. 28, 2001. NFIE urges applicants who wish to use a leadership grant to participate in a summer professional development activity to submit an application by the October deadline.
  • Japan Foundation. Various programs in the U.S. to promote international cultural exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and other countries.
  • Stanford University. Stanford Humanities Center.  External faculty fellowships. Due Nov. 15.
  • Robert Bosch Foundation. Fellowship Program in Germany for outstanding young American professionals to acquire a high-level, in-depth understanding of the political, economic, and cultural environment of Germany and the European Union. Due Oct. 15.