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.

Wallerstein article published - Top

Dr. Nicholas Wallerstein, assistant professor of English, has just published an article titled "Feminist/Womanist Liberation Hermeneutics and the Kyriologic of Zora Neale Hurston."

Using the theories of major feminist theologians such as Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza, Katie G. Cannon, and Kwok Pui-Lan, the article argues that Hurston--as an African American woman writing in the 1930s--was forced, in her novel Moses, Man of the Mountain, to reinscribe patriarchy in order to reveal the oppressed

and marginalized social location of Black women in American history. The article further argues the "kyriologic" of the text is most dramatically disclosed by Miriam's full subordination to, and exploitation by, the central "master" figure of Moses.

The article is published in The Literary Griot: International Journal of Black Expressive Culture Studies Vol. 11, No. 2, (97-115).

Wallerstein joined the BH faculty in 1997. He holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Oregon and a master of theological studies degree from Harvard University.

Lamb assumes presidency of South Dakota Academy of Science - Top

Dr. Charles Lamb, associate professor of biology at Black Hills State University, assumed the office of president of the South Dakota Academy of Science at the academy’s annual spring meeting at the University of South Dakota.

Lamb will serve as the academy’s 86^th president for the upcoming academic year 2001-2002. He was nominated and elected academy vice president in 1998 and served as president elect this past year.

The science academy includes scientists from South Dakota’s universities, high schools, state and federal agencies, and science-related organizations. It is an interdisciplinary organization designed to promote scientific research and science understanding and competency in the state.

At the annual conference Lamb gave his presidential address titled “The Scientific Landscape of South Dakota in the 21^st Century.”

“Society and science are becoming increasingly intertwined as our lives

 become more technological,” said Lamb to the academy.  “For South Dakota to be successful in the future, it is imperative that the citizens of our state become scientifically literate and that they understand the science behind such issues as genetic cloning, viral diseases, biodiversity, environmental impacts and land use, space research, neutrinos, climatic changes, and the increasing value of basic and practical scientific research.”  

He believes the academy of science will play an important role in promoting the research that is important to South Dakota, and an important role in communicating the relevance of science to the citizens of the state.

The BH biology professor also participated in a session titled “Special Conference on Science, Math, and Engineering Education via Distance: Opportunities and Challenges.”  He participated with Dr. Richard Gayle, assistant professor of math at BHSU. Gayle presented “Potential Promise and Problems of Web-Distributed Statistics Courses.”

Lamb joined the BHSU science faculty in 1995. He earned a Ph.D. in physiology from Louisiana State University in 1991. 

Anderson presents at lunar and planetary science conference - Top

The formation of large lava flows was the topic of Dr. Steve Anderson’s presentation recently at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Anderson, associate professor of geology and chairman of the science department at Black Hills State University, coauthored a paper titled “Pressure distribution in inflated lava flows,” with Shawn McColley, a junior physical-science major from Custer; Ellen Stofan with Proxemy Research; and Suzanne Smrekar, with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Their research focuses on the formation of large lava-flow fields on the Earth, Mars, Venus, and Io (satellite of Jupiter). The four researchers traveled to Hawaii last October to measure the shapes and sizes of small, localized areas of uplifts called tumuli, which dot the surfaces of lava flows and thicken slowly over time.

“These measurements provide the constraints for a model that allows the estimation of pressure accumulation within an inflating lava flow,” said Anderson.  “Inflation has recently 

been suggested as a mechanism for producing large lava-flow fields on the Earth and other planetary bodies, but an uneven pressure distribution within an inflating lava flow suggests that these flows have highly developed internal pathways that are not able to transport lava great distances.  We therefore suggest that inflation is not a plausible mechanism for creating large planetary lava-flow fields.”

At the conference, Anderson was one of 10 judges for the Stephen Dwornik Best Student Paper Award. More than 40 student posters and oral presentations were made and awards were given to the top student in each category.

NASA and the faculty research committee at BHSU funded Anderson’s research. The Nelson Scholarship Endowment at BHSU provided student research funds for McColley.

Anderson has been a member of the science faculty at BHSU since 1991. He completed a one-year teaching sabbatical at the University of Arizona during the 1998-99 academic year and is currently teaching and serving as chairman of the BHSU science department.

Sarver receives grant to study endangered fish - Top

Dr. Shane Sarver, associate professor of biology at Black Hills State University, recently received an $18,500 grant from the South Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks to develop DNA fingerprinting markers for the endangered fish known as the Topeka shiner.

Listed as an endangered species in 1999 by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Topeka shiners are found in several river systems in eastern South Dakota as well as several other mid-western states. The current distribution of the small fish is considerably reduced from its historical numbers.

Sarver has been working with the South Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks to genetically characterize the South Dakota populations of the Topeka shiner, in order to develop effective management plans.

“These DNA fingerprinting markers will be used to determine the levels of genetic variation in the existing populations and to compare populations for genetic differences,” said Sarver. “DNA fingerprinting markers can be used to determine kinship, which can be especially useful if Topeka shiner are propagated in a hatchery and stocked into natural populations.”

This project is one of several collaborations between BHSU and the South Dakota Department of Game Fish and Parks. Sarver is also doing research for the Department of GF & P related to a genetic study of walleye fish in Park’s Pond in eastern South Dakota.

Sarver joined the BHSU science faculty in 1996. He earned a Ph.D. in zoology from the Louisiana State University in 1993 and a master’s degree in fisheries from Humboldt State University in 1989.

Johnson will lead summer electricity workshop for elementary teachers - Top  

Dr. Andy Johnson, associate director of Center for the Advancement of Math and Science Education (CAMSE) at Black Hills State University will lead a summer workshop on electricity in June. The workshop is the result of an Eisenhower Professional Development grant.

The workshop, Electricity for Elementary Teachers, will feature interactive, inquiry activities to expand elementary teachers' understandings of physical science in the context of electricity. Johnson plans to have two high school teachers help with the teaching. The high school teachers will learn modern guided-inquiry methods of teaching through being helpers and seeing it happen. This workshop will help teachers develop interesting, useful, and lasting ideas about electricity. Participants will also work with the FOSS electricity and magnetism classroom kit.

The federal Eisenhower Professional Development Program, Title II, Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994, provides resources to improve teaching and learning. The purpose of the Eisenhower Professional Development Program is to improve the teaching and learning of all students by providing teachers, administrators, and other staff with high quality, sustained and intensive professional development opportunities. Grants are awarded to eligible South Dakota colleges, universities, and non-profit organizations for projects to improve the knowledge and skills of teachers, students in teacher-education programs, and administrators. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis.

Employees honored at the annual CSA luncheon were, front to left, Fred Nelson, Bev Evenson, Vera Litchewski, Susan Hemmingson, Pam Thomas, Shawn Haug, back row, Sandra Dickinson, Richard Walker, Sandra Nauman, Robin Roberts, Corinne Hansen, Christy Couch, and Sherry Albert. 

CSA employees honored for years of service - Top  

Career Service employees were honored at a luncheon this week in recognition of their years of service to Black Hills State University.

Vera Litchewski, senior secretary in the enrollment center, was presented a watch in commemoration of her 20 years of service to the university. 

Two employees, Beverly Evenson, custodial worker in facilities services and Susan Hemmingson, senior accountant in the business office, were presented BHSU jackets to commemorate their 15 years of employment.

Employees recognized for ten years of service were presented with a pin. Those honored were: Sherry Albert, child-care worker; Sandra Nauman, child-care worker; Christina Couch, senior secretary, institutional advancement; Sandra Dickinson, cook, dining service; Robin Roberts, food service worker, dining service; Dale Hanna, senior building maintenance worker-electrician, facilities services; Corinne Hansen, information specialist, media relations ; Shawn Haug, inventory clerk, university bookstore; Kim Kerwin, cook, Market Place and Richard Walker, storekeeper, dining service.

Honored for five years of service were Fred Nelson, computer center; and Pam Thomas, accountant, business office. They were presented with a coffee mug.

Excellence in Writing winners announced - Top

Six Black Hills State University students were recently recognized in the second annual Excellence in Undergraduate Writing competition at the northern hills campus.

Students were judged in two categories: essays written in English composition courses, and essays written in non-composition humanities courses.

Winners in English composition courses are Paige Miller, a sophomore sociology major from Sioux Falls,  “Transcending into the Imagination,” first place; Prairey Walkling, a sophomore English major from Crookston, Neb., “The Aftershock of Cinderella;” first runner-up; and Dana Studt, a sophomore art major from Spearfish, “The Power of Nature,” second runner-up.

Winning students in the non-composition humanities category are Nathan Steinle, a senior biology major from Sturgis, “Aristotle and Warfare:  Achieving the Golden Mean in Perilous Times,” first place; Mary Kron, a senior English major from Rapid City, “Of Guts and Glory:  The Dueling Pens of Poe and 

Emerson,” first runner-up; and Heather Hansen, a senior English major from Rapid City, “The New Republic:  Franklin, the Puritans, and the Progression of Capitalistic Values in Early America,” second runner-up.

Students will be recognized and awards presented at a ceremony Monday, April 23 at 7 p.m. in the BHSU Student Union Jacket Legacy room.

Keynote speaker for the awards ceremony is Tim Sandlin, a Jackson, Wyo., author of six novels including Skipped Parts for which he has also written a screenplay. The film starring Jennifer Jason Leigh and directed by Tamra Davis, is opening in the near future. A reception will follow the ceremony and Sandlin will be available to sign his work.

Funding for this year’s awards was made available by emeritus professors Stewart and Wanda Bellman, and First Gold Hotel and Casino.

Information regarding the awards and the ceremony is available by contacting professor David Salomon at (605) 642-6241 or email <davidsalomon@bhsu.edu>.

CAMSE provides consultant support to Dull Knife Memorial College - Top

Black Hills State University entered into an agreement recently with Dull Knife Memorial College (DKMC), Lame Deer, Mont., 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 DKMC in support of the National Science Foundation (NSF) grant in the areas of science, mathematics and technology education. The Montana college received the NSF grant known as the Dull Knife-Northern Cheyenne Rural Systemic Initiative that funds the initiatives and provides for consulting support.

Hines will be providing math workshops and support for K-12 teachers 

Hines	Sayler

implementing Connected Math programs and Everyday Math programs. He will also assist in the development of assessment tools to document student achievement.

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

Spirit of Work Award for Excellence - Top

Dr. Larry Landis was chosen to receive the Spirit of Work Award for Excellence for his work with the sociology/human services club on the very successful homeless awareness work project.

Mott recognized as student employee of the year - Top  

Mott was recognized for her dedication and awarded a plaque during a surprise party when she arrived at work last week. For her superb attention to detail, office personnel, in fun, recognized her as “Rally Queen” for her work with the Rally database that includes more than 750 guests who stay on campus during the Sturgis Rally each summer.

She was cited for her attention to detail, reliability, professional demeanor and her willingness to volunteer for extra projects. She has a great sense of humor and is fun to work with according to office associates.

Recognizing Mott and presenting her plaque and checks totaling $275 were, left, Jennifer Butler, residence life secretary; Dr Judith Haislett, vice president for student life, and Cody McMichael, assistant director of financial aid.

High School Jazz Festival hosted by music department - Top

Regional high school swing choirs and jazz bands spent a day on the campus of Black Hills State University displaying their musical talents and learning from music clinicians as part of the 20^th annual High School Jazz Festival hosted by the BHSU music department.

Winners were named in four music classifications. The top Class A jazz bands are Torrington, Wyo., High School first place; Sidney, Mont., freshman band second and Worland, Wyo., High School third. Class AA jazz band winners are Sioux City, Iowa, West High School (No. 1 band) first place; Sioux City, Iowa, West High School (No. II band) second and Sturgis High School third place. Class B jazz band winners are Miller jazz band (No. I) first place; Sundance, Wyo., jazz combo second and Sundance, Wyo., jazz band third place. The junior high/middle school class winners are, Sheridan, Wyo., Junior High first place and Miller Junior High second.

In the swing choir competition first- and second-place winners in each class are: Class A, Worland, Wyo., High School first place and Hot Springs second; Class AA, first-place winner Spearfish High School (no second place); Class B, Sundance, Wyo., High School first place and Bayard, Neb., High School second; junior high/middle school class, Sundance, Wyo., Junior High first place and Twin Spruce Junior High, Gillette, Wyo., second.

Vocal Jazz winners were Class B, Miller High School first place and Sundance Wyo. High School second place.

The list of outstanding instrumental soloists include: Class A/AA—Eliza Barnet, flute, Sioux City, Iowa; Jesse Nesper, trombone, Sidney, Mont., and Eric Davies, trumpet, Sturgis; Class B, Robby Fullum, trombone, Sundance, Wyo., Adrienne Gill, flute, Sundance, Wyo., Matt Warnake, drum set, Miller; junior high/middle school class, Zach Soukup, Sheridan, Wyo.

Outstanding vocal soloists are: Class B, Adrienne Gill, Sundance, Wyo.; Stephanie Fauth, Miller, and Summer Audenberg, Miller; junior high/middle school class, Tyrell Gill and Jess Moeller, both of Sundance, Wyo.

There were many talented music clinicians assisting the various groups attending the festival. Dr. Randall Royer, BHSU’s own, joined the university’s faculty in 1997. His major instruments are oboe and English horn, but he also performs frequently on guitar, bass, sax and flute. Royer is also active as a band clinician and adjudicator throughout the west and northern plains.

Bruce Bishop, University of Wyoming, is the director of Centennial Singers. Under his direction, Centennial Singers has become one of the top five collegiate show groups in America. Bishop’s job includes show design, arrangements, orchestration, production, stage direction, booking, layout, graphics, as well as vocal/dramatic coaching, and staging.

Frederick Ellwein, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, has performed with, and arranged for, such artists as: Connie Haynes, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra vocalist; Steve Wiest; Denis DeBlasio; Tom Garling; and Willie Thomas. Ellwein is a regular, low brass soloist and jazz/marching clinician in the region and regularly runs clinics for Willie Thomas, author of the “Jazz Anyone?” text published by CPP Belwin. He also teaches at Rapid City South Middle School, Robbinsdale Elementary and Grandview Elementary Schools.

The fourth, and final, clinician participating in this years’ festival is Terrance Rathbun, who started playing the drums and cymbals at 10 years of age. He studied with Bill Ireland for six years and acquired his first set of Gretsch drums and Zildjian cymbals in 1964. Terry is self-taught from the experience accumulated through continuous, countless ‘gigs’ and an appetite for the study of the masters of jazz drumming.

BHSU alumna finds success in photographing NFL games - Top

Dee (Denise) Welsch, 1982 communications-journalism graduate of Black Hills State University, has found her niche photographing National Football League (NFL) games.

Welsch was recently selected by nfl.com, the official web site for the NFL, to be included in an article about female photographers who photograph NFL games.

Apparently, the players aren’t the only ones who have to be in good physical condition and know the rules of the game.

In an article by Lisa Zimmerman in NFL

Interactive, the female photographer was quoted as saying, “You need to be agile, have the strength to get up and move very quickly, and understand what’s going on in the game.”

She recently joined the team at Pentax Corporation in Englewood, Colo., in the marketing communications department. She coordinates all photo shoots, literature creation, and equipment loans to magazines and professional photographers who promote and use Pentax’s photographic and Sport Optic products.

Welsch, a lifelong football fan, started shooting games more than ten years ago.

Employee health check scheduled - Top

A state employee health  check is scheduled at Black Hills State University April 24 at the Young Center Hall of Fame room from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Screening will include:

• cholesterol check

• blood sugar level (3-hour fast recommended)

• blood pressure

• body mass index ( bmi )

• carbon monoxide

The health screening is available at no charge to benefited state employees and their spouses who are on the state’s health plan.

Easter visit - Top

Jacob Piper with his mother, Cassie, checks out the Easter bunny at the BHSU Child Care Center.  The Easter bunny (aka Sandra Nauman, child care center worker) visited at a carnival hosted by the center as part of the Week of the Young Child festivities on campus.  Watching in the background is Tailor Gavle being held by Amber Sheperd.  Phi Beta Omega also sponsored an Easter egg hunt for the children.

Minutes of BHSU NCA Self-study Committee - Top

The BHSU NCA Selft-study Committee met Tuesday, April10 at 3:30 p.m. in Woodburn Conference Room 1.

Present:  Earley, Cook, Kloppel, A. Hemmingson, Keller, Schamber, J. Johnson, K. Johnson, Heidrich, Haislett, Downing, D. Wessel, Card, Lin

Absent: Lefler, Silva, Godsell

Update on taskforces-

• Criterion 3 - Cook reported that he had received several sets of comments and was working on the revision of that chapter.  It should be ready soon.

• Criterion 4 - Heidrich reported that he, Earley and K. Johnson were in the process of writing this report but it would not be ready until fall.

• Criterion 5 - Haislett reported that her taskforce would be ready to report to the group on April 24

Changes and Accomplishments since 1994

Committee discussed adding another chapter or insertion highlighting the changes since 1994.  All agreed that it should be done.  Committee then discussed changes - chair agreed to put them down for further discussion.

Changes since 1994

• creation of enrollment management

• remodeling of labs

• CAMSE

• campus beautification

• remodeling of student union

• reorganization of the colleges from four into three

• technology- backbone, ace card, wireless

• number and amount of external grants - research dollars

• governor's grants

• Bush grant

• Institutional research

• online courses

• revision of general education

• number and qualifications of faculty

• assessment program

• renovation and refurbishing of residence halls

• The apartments

• recruitment of students with a higher ACT

• summer festival of the arts

• foreign languages

• foreign exchanges in Japan and Spain

• remodeling of TV station

• instructional technology

• animal-care facilities

• human subjects and animal-research committee and guidelines

• writing prizes

• new majors and programs

• growth in master's program

• orientation program

• revised career center

• TTL

• new online financial system- fis

Chair said he would group these- revise and the committee could send more if necessary.

Instructional Improvement Committee will meet for the last time this academic year - Top

The Instructional Improvement will meet for the last time this school year in late April.  The deadline for submission is April 19.  Ten copies of the proposals should be submitted to the grants and special projects office or to the chair of the committee, Sharon Strand. Proposals will consist of the proposal and budget outlines following the specified format available at the grants and special projects web page.

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

Faculty research 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 grants office or can be printed out from their webpage.

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 sciences and humanities. A three-hour release time is available for spring of 2002. Apply now. The next deadline for proposals is April 30 at 3 p.m.

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.

Grants opportunities announced - Top  

Below are the program materials received April 5-11 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.

• Department of Education.  Indian Education Discretionary Grant Programs - Professional Development.  Grants for training educational personnel may be for preservice or inservice training.  For individuals who are being trained to enter any field other than education, the training received must be in a program resulting in a graduate degree.  Deadline June 1, 2001.

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration.  Undergraduate Student Research Program (USRP).  Soliciting proposals from organizations for assistance and expertise in the development of a NASA-wide Undergraduate Student Research Program (USRP).  The primary purpose of this program is to provide additional stimulus and support to undergraduate students in their pursuit of careers in engineering, computer science, mathematics and life/physical sciences.  Deadline is May 9, 2001.