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.

Employee reception planned - Top

Faculty and staff will be honored at a reception Thursday, May 3 from 2-4 p.m. A program will be held at 2:30 p.m.

Farrington called to United Kingdom to assist in control of foot-and-mouth disease - Top  

Dr. Dan Farrington, who currently serves as Black Hills State’s director of grants and special projects, returned to his former profession as a veterinary microbiologist this week and headed to the United Kingdom as a consultant in the campaign to eradicate foot-and-mouth disease.

Farrington, an emergency veterinary medical officer for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), was asked to assist the United Kingdom in their efforts to control and eradicate the current foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. He is one of a number of U.S. veterinarians who have been asked to provide assistance.

Should an outbreak occur in the United States, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) would have federal government responsibility for control and eradication.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a severe, highly communicable viral disease of cattle and swine. It also affects sheep, goats, deer, and other cloven-hooved ruminants. FMD is generally not recognized as transmissible to humans, but recent reports in medical journals document some cases. However, there are no reports of human deaths from the virus.

The U.S. has been free of FMD since 1929, when the last of nine U.S. out breaks was 

eradicated. The disease is characterized by fever and blister-like lesions followed by erosions on the tongue and lips, in the mouth, on the teats, and between the hooves. Many affected animals recover, but the disease leaves them debilitated.

FMD is one of the most difficult animal infections to control. The fact that the disease occurs in many parts of the world, there is always a chance of its accidental introduction into the United States. Because it spreads widely and rapidly and because it has grave economic as well as clinical consequences, FMD is one of the animal diseases that livestock owners dread most.

Farrington joined the BHSU administration after serving as senior director of animal science research with Merck Research Laboratories where he was responsible for animal science research manpower and facilities in North and South America.

Farrington earned his baccalaureate degree in zoology from the University of Nebraska in 1960, his doctorate of veterinary medicine from Colorado State

University in 1968 and his Ph.D. in veterinary microbiology and preventive medicine from Iowa State University in 1974.

In 1998 he was named the inaugural recipient of the William P. Switzer awarded at Iowa State University for his research resulting in patented vaccines to control both kennel cough in dogs and atrophic rhinitis in swine.

Teachers and school administrators gather at BHSU for a science curriculum seminar - Top

Administrators and teachers of school districts in Wyoming, South Dakota and North Dakota recently attended a two-day seminar hosted by the Center for the Advancement of Math and Science Education (CAMSE) at Black Hills State University.

The seminar, “Getting Started with Curriculum Implementation,” was jointly conducted with the Education Development Center (EDC) of Massachusetts to provide an opportunity for the teachers to learn more about issues of implementing modern, more effective science materials in grades K-12. Approximately 35 teachers and administrators from the following seven school districts attended: Crook County, Douglas, Harding County, Newell, Shannon County, Rapid City area schools, and the Spearfish school district. 

Dr. Andy Johnson, associate director CAMSE, said "School districts encounter significant challenges to putting research-based science materials into place in their classrooms. This seminar was designed to help school-district teams think carefully about dealing with issues of resources, planning, and teacher training.  We are optimistic that some of the districts that attended will be switching to state of the art science materials, and we will be working with them to help them make that transition."

This seminar was a follow-up to the seminar held on campus in October 2000, dealing with science curriculum implementation. Three staff members from EDC, in Newton, Mass., along with CAMSE staff members conducted the seminar. 

Children at BHSU child-care center learn Native American customs - Top

In recognition of Native American Week Black Hills State University students Ezra Black Bird and Tiffany Phelps donned traditional costumes and danced for the children at the university’s child care center.

Black Bird, a freshman from Eagle Butte, wore a complete traditional powwow costume, demonstrated dancing technique and shared information about the costume to the curious youngsters. The children were intrigued with the drum, that featured a Tweety bird cartoon figure, the feathers and the eagle claw staff. He also showed them how he got the bundle of eagle feathers on his back.

Phelps, a freshman from Kyle, demonstrated the fancy show dance. She explained that she is supposed to look like a butterfly while dong the fancy show dance.

Both students are members of the Lakota Omniciye club, a campus organization that seeks to bridge the cultural gaps between non-Indian and Indian students and provide educational assistance to its members. Organization members speak and present at various schools and community events throughout the year.

Native American Awareness Week concludes at BHSU this weekend with several events including the Lakota Omniciye Wacipi, Friday through Sunday, April 20-22, at the Young Center and the Kevin Whirlwind Horse Memorial Run, Saturday, April 21 beginning with registration at 10 a.m.

Dakota Chamber Orchestra to perform at BHSU - Top

The Dakota Chamber Orchestra, in residence at Black Hills State University, will present a concert in the Student Union Jacket Legacy room Tuesday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m.

The concert will be conducted by Dr. Randall Royer, music professor at Black Hills State University. The orchestra, which is a university/community string ensemble with string players from the northern Black Hills, will play works by Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi and other composers.  

Admission to the concert is free.

Members include Renee Carrier of Crook County, Wyo.; Eric Davies, Michael Fellner, Nathan Roth, and Diana Roth of Sturgis: Anna 

Blunk, Mike Hermanson and Sara Lukkason of Lead; Joseph Hallenbeck, Kim Hepper, Mike Hermanson, Kelsey Higbee,  Karena Huckins, Janeen Larsen, Jessica Pascarelli, Mary Pochop, Lin Scheetz, Sheryl Simpson, Deb Ventrella, and Melody Waring of Spearfish; Sonny Isaak of Whitewood; Katie Sowers, Abby Trimble, and Daryl Umenthum of Belle Fourche; and Megan Christopher of Rapid City.  

The BHSU Spring Concert will be held Sunday, April 29, 2:30 p.m. in the Student Union Jacket Legacy room. The concert band, directed by Chris Hahn, and the concert choir, directed by Ron Wiley, will perform.

BHSU senior presents paper on mushroom research - Top

Pursuing an avocation in botany, that brought her back to school after many years in the working world, Elaine Ebbert, 50, presented research results of a three-year study of mushrooms at the annual meeting of the South Dakota Academy of Science this spring.

Ebbert, who will graduate this May with a major in biology and a minor in earth science, worked under the supervision of Dr. Audrey Gabel, professor of biology at Black Hills State University, surveying mushrooms and other fleshy fungi of the Black Hills.

Before following her dream of becoming a botanist, Ebbert earned a degree as a medical assistant and worked in the cancer field for the research department data management cancer registry at Rapid City Regional Hospital for 15 years. She also served as a consultant for the Commission on Cancer out of Chicago.

Leaving the world of work and returning to college, Ebbert found herself not only in the classroom lab but out in the field collecting mushroom specimens at five permanent sites in the Black Hills, each representing a different vegetation community.

A total of 1,170 specimens representing 244 different species were collected. The majority of fungi collected were mushrooms (Order: Agaricales). Less commonly collected were bracket fungi (Aphyllophorales), gastromycetes, and cup fungi (Ascomycetes).

Mushrooms collected included several mycorrhizal species, which have mutualistic relationships with conifers. Collections also included saprophytic mushrooms that utilize organic debris in the forest, and plant parasites that obtain nutrients from living plants.

The most common mushroom collected was the oak collybia (Gymnopus dryophilus) which in this study appeared most frequently under conifers. Other interesting species included Amanita ocreata, an elegant, but poisonous mushroom: Rhodotus palmatus, a pink mushroom with reticulate cap and is considered uncommon in the west, and species Lactarius (milk mushrooms) collected from a Sphagnum bog and reported form bogs in the northeastern part of the United States. 

Elaine Ebbert spends much of her time in the science lab at Black Hills State analyzing and studying mushroom specimens. The fun part of her work is being out in the Black Hills collecting mushrooms and other fleshy fungi. The senior biology major has spent the past three years working with Dr. Audrey Gabel on a five-year study surveying and identifying the mushroom population of the Black Hills. Their research was funded by the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks non-game grant program and by BHSU.

For Ebbert finding unusual and or infrequent mushrooms was a particularly exciting aspect of her research work. Another aspect she enjoyed was having the opportunity to work outdoors.

Studying the permanent sites for three summers showed that only 4 to 9 percent of the species collected from each site occurred all three years of the study. Sites with the greatest diversity of species were Botany Bay off Spearfish Canyon were 88 different species were collected and Eleventh Hour Spring, west of Spearfish, from which 84 different species were collected.

With the specimens dried, photographed and included in the BHSU fungal collection, the results will be sent to the South Dakota Natural Heritage Program. She and Dr. Gabel will use the information they have gathered to write a field guide to common mushrooms of the Black Hills.

Ebbert plans to work with the Gabel one day a week this summer collecting and analyzing mushroom specimens. She will also be working for the Nature Conservancy doing botanical and ecological assessments.

What started as a hobby for Ebbert will now become part of a job she thoroughly enjoys.

SIFE team earns honors at regional exposition - Top

Members of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) at Black Hills State University returned from the Regional SIFE Exposition in Denver recently where they earned honors as "Rookie of the Year" and second-runner up in its league.

Four leagues were formed out of the 24 teams from colleges and universities in Kansas, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Utah, Nebraska, Arizona, South Dakota, and New Mexico.  Each team delivered a presentation using technology in which the accomplishments and activities of the respective chapter were highlighted before a panel of judges. SIFE addresses issues of free enterprise in the school system, community outreach, and leadership.

Amber Aker, president of SIFE at BHSU, said, traveling to the exposition was a great experience and indicates that the group has plans to return to the contest in future years.

“We had a chance to do a lot of networking. We were really proud of the awards. The group plans to make this a yearly event,” Aker said.  

Dr. Priscilla Romkema, business professor and director of the Center for Business and Entrepreneurship at BHSU, is advisor for this 

student organization. Members of the university SIFE chapter are Amber Aker, a junior entrepreneurial studies major from Lead; Merti Whirlwind Horse, a senior business administration major from Interior; Beau Peterson, a junior business administration major from Spearfish; Dale Coonrod, a senior entrepreneurial studies major from Pierre; Jeff Christenson, a sophomore accounting major from Watertown; Penny Assman, a senior business administration major from Pierre; and Janet Smith, a senior communication art major from Rapid City.

SIFE contest winners were, from left to right, Courtney Klein, Jeff Christenson, Penny Assman, Amber Aker, Merti Whirlwind Horse, Beau Peterson, Dale Coonrod, and Janet Smith. 

As federation director, Godsell does what he is asked - Top

by Antonia Kucera, media relations student intern

One of Black Hills State University's most ambitious students has taken a new step in his career. Senior Allen Godsell has been elected South Dakota's next Federation Executive Director and will take on the responsibility of leading thousands of students from several schools.

As a non-traditional student, Godsell took the long road to reach his current success. A native of Sturgis, he served in the military for four years before partnering in an upholstery business in his hometown. As times change, however, so did his interests, and he turned his attention toward getting an education.

"I felt the responsibility to go to college," Godsell said. "I had the opportunity, so it would have been wrong not to go. BH was the logical choice because it was a liberal arts school and that was what I wanted."

Godsell decided to major in social sciences because the degree offered a broad scope. "I didn't want a technical degree; I wanted a learning degree,” Godsell said. “I just wanted to learn."

His interest in the political aspect of his degree came from influence by BH student senate members who urged him to sit in on the senate and eventually run for president.

“If you have the ability and time to do [something] and someone asks you to do it, then you should do it,” Godsell explains, which is a philosophy he applies to life in general.

Godsell was not just fulfilling his duty; he also enjoyed his work.

“I really enjoy working with the senate. It’s the highest of highs and the lowest of lows,” he said. “[Senate] is a raging machine with a life of its own. It’s one issue after another. People keep changing. It builds on itself and creates its own energy.”

The positive experience Godsell had with the student senate combined with encouragement from his peers led him to run for federation director. He won the vote cast in executive session by the presidents and vice presidents of Northern State University, South Dakota State University, University of South Dakota, Dakota State University, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and BHSU.

“It felt good that I won, then I wanted to get to work immediately,” he said.

Godsell’s duties as the federation director are sure to keep him busy. Some of his general activities will involve planning SHED Days, setting the agenda for federation meetings, relaying information from the meetings to the South Dakota Board of Regents, and setting the legislative agenda for student’s lobbying efforts during the state legislative session.

Godsell also plans to take action for “organizing the public universities students’ support for the proposed regent scholarship through the state legislative session in a fully funded form without private institutions.”

Godsell also supports the child of alumni scholarship program and the idea that out-of-state students who join the guard should gain reciprocity and become citizens of the state.

“If they’re going to serve the state, they should be treated as citizens of the state,” he said.

Among these duties, Godsell also plans to “voice the ever-present concerns about the rising junior and exit exams…[and] keep the students better informed about what the board of regents is doing for all the campuses.”

So does Godsell plan to continue his climb to the top of his career path?

 “If asked,” he replied, holding firm to his outlook on life: “If you have the ability to do something to make things better and you don’t, then you’ve failed society.”

Spirit of Work Award for Excellence - Top

The Spirit of Work Award for Excellence is given to Dr. Dean Myers for his perseverance toward excellence in leadership in education.

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. Next week is also the week for Governor Janklow's state wide Diabetes Screening Project. If an employee goes through the screening we offer, their blood sugar information can also be recorded as a part of the governor's project. They will not have to attend an additional screening.

Minutes of the April 17 Graduate Council meeting - Top

Minutes of Graduate Council Meeting Tuesday, April 17 at 3:30 p.m. in Jonas 309.  Present:  Earley, Austin, Alsup, Molseed, Steckline. Absent:  Cook, B. Silva, Thares, Sujithamrack, R. Chrisman.

Molseed reported on changes which are underway with the MSCI. The degree is being reorganized with a culminating event and four options 1) portfolio using NPBTS standards, 2) thesis, 3) collaborative research project, 4) presentation option. When the College of Education has finalized them he will bring them to the council.

The admission to candidacy had also been changed. One committee now considered the student's reflective writing sample and the students other data and made a

 recommendation as to admit to candidacy or to not admit.  This change also appeared to be working well. He also reported that the five cohorts (Spearfish, Spearfish teachers, Rapid City, Hot Springs, and online) were doing well.  He hopes that there will be enough enrollment to justify a new cohort in the fall.

Chair reported that Dr. Cook wants the council to consider new rules for graduate faculty next year.  The council agreed that in the fall Cook should come visit with the council and present his vision of how faculty should be admitted into the graduate faculty.

This is the last meeting for this academic year.

Minutes of the April CSA Council meeting - Top

The CSA Council met at Pangburn Hall, April 10, 2001. Jeanne Hanson, president, called the meeting to order.  Those present were Deatta Chapel, Krista L. Schroeder, Sherry Albert, Linda Allbee, Cheri Leahy, Nancy J. Shuck, Jeanne Hansen, Ginny Sunding and Becky Haak.

The minutes from the March meeting were read by Becky Haak.  Nancy Shuck moved to accept and Cheri Leahy seconded.

Lynette Long gave the treasurer’s report. Cheri Leahy moved to accept and Deatta Chapel seconded.

Committee Reports:

Ginny Sunding gave an abbreviated report on two strategic planning meetings (hard copies are available).

Ginny Sunding reported she had one welcome bag to deliver and she needed more supplies.

Cheri Leahy had no report for the Safety & Facilities Committee.

Old Business

Our $400 scholarship has been awarded to Ellen Lefler. Congratulations Ellen! We have a wonderful thank-you card on file.

Jeanne Hanson showed the council a rough draft of the CSA logo created by Lisa Glover.  

The CSA luncheon is April 11, 2001. The CSA Council is going to set up at 11 a.m. We are expecting 45 guests. Brock Finn will provide the entertainment.  Jeanne Hanson will be the emcee.

Jeanne Hanson gave an abbreviated report on the Regents Career Service Advisory Council

RCSAC meeting in Pierre.  Discussion was held on the following topics: 

1. This summer there will be a study of the state payroll system.

2. Why BHSU salaries across the board are not in-line with the salaries at the other five state universities.

3. E-learning is being taught to all secondary teachers at NSU.

4. Our CSA logo was presented as a statewide CSA logo (with each school having the option of using their own colors)

5.  Evaluation of supervisors

6. Board of regents goal to be paperless

7. RCSAC did submit a resolution for a salary increase for pay grade N6, which will be presented to the BOR by Dave Hanson.

(hard copies of these minutes are available)

Jeanne Hanson reminded us that in January her two-year term with RCSAC is up and we will need to elect a new representative.

Jeanne Hanson will be responsible for web-site updates.

New Business:

Jeanne Hanson reminded us to attend the enrollment benefit meetings.  There are some major changes.

Minutes of University Assessment Committee meeting - Top

Minutes of University Assessment Committee meeting Wednesday, April 18 at 3 p.m. in Woodburn Conference Room one.

Present:  Earley, Schamber, Calhoon, and Termes. Absent:  Myers, K. Meyers, Altmyer, Cook, Haislett, and Sharon Hemmingson. Visitors: Dar and Fuller.

Dar presented information on assessment of Information Technology Literacy.  He reported the he had visited with SDSU and they were giving a test at the same time as the rising junior exam and using the former as the basis for assessment of Information Technology Literacy.  He also discussed meeting with the general committee to receive faculty input.

Chair presented the Wellness Management 

Report.  Report was discussed and approved.

Chair presented the statement on how to assess values in writing the annual report.  Calhoon agreed to do a rewrite and send it around.

Chair presented a proposal for changing the membership of the committee.  Committee agreed it should be discussed in the fall- committee liked the idea of Bush grants coordinator being on the committee but pointed out that faculty senate, not deans, had picked the faculty in the past.

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.