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. at the David B. Miller Yellow Jacket Student Union Jacket Legacy room. A program will be held at 2:30 p.m.  

BHSU retirees being honored are Marvin Bunch, College of Business and Technology assistant professor; Moe Eisenbraun, building maintenance specialist; Larry Hines, College of Education instructor; Thomas Lefler, Ellsworth brach director; Pat Chastain, academic affairs administrative assistant; Eddie Harris, senior building maintenance worker; Judy Larson, career services director; and Ruth Ylitalo, 

A special committee award will be presented to Margaret Lewis, College of Arts and Sciences assistant professor.

Kent Meyers, College of Arts and Sciences assistant professor, will be recognized for being named Distinguished Faculty Member. 

The Outstanding University Service Awards will be presented to Cheryl Leahy, enrollment center senior secretary and the BHSU dining services. 

Student Service Awards will be presented to Jade Harney, director of the university apartments and Chris Schultes, Humbert Hall director.

The University Printing Center will receive the University Area Award. 

A number of faculty and staff will receive longevity recognition. Honored for 35 years of service is Max Durgin, College of Arts and Sciences professor. 

Thirty-year service awards will be presented to Deatta Chapel, student support services and student assistant center office supervisor; 

Recognized for 25 years of service will be Kay Kerney, College of Arts and Sciences senior secretary; Donna Kloppel, comptroller; and Jerry Miller, chair of the department of technology and College of Business and Technology associate professor.

Twenty-year awards will be presented to Chris Johnston, Upward Bound academic coordinator; Tim Johnston, food service director; Norma Wisdom, food service cook; and Vera Litschewski, enrollment center senior secretary.

Fifteen year awards will be given to Beverly Evenson, facilities services custodial worker; Susan Hemmingson, business office senior accountant; Doug Wessel, chair of the department of psychology and College of Arts and Sciences professor; and Audrey Gabel, College of Arts and Sciences professor; Peggy Madrid, College of Business and Technology senior secretary; and Marvin Bunch, College of Business and Technology assistant professor.

Ten- year awards will be presented to Sherry Albert, child-care center worker; Sandra Dickinson, food services cook; Randalei Ellis, College of Business and Technology associate professor; Dale Hanna, senior building maintenance worker; Shawn Haug, University Bookstore inventory clerk; James Hesson, College of Education professor; Sandra Nauman, child-care center worker; Robin Roberts, food service worker; Robert Schurrer, College of Education associate professor; Richard Walker, food service storekeeper; and Diane Watson, business office accountant.

Welcome to Black Hills State University - Top

• Kelly O’Connor-Salomon, library associate, library  

• Richard Kieffer, senior building maintenance worker, facilities services

• Richard Van Lingen, senior computer support specialist, computer center

Resignation - Top

• Peter Frederick, facilities services

Meyers named distinguished faculty award recipient  - Top

A recognized author and now a recognized teacher, Kent Meyers has been able to merge his talents into a successful discipline that has earned the respect of his colleagues by naming him distinguished faculty member at Black Hills State University.

Meyers, 45, who teaches writing and literature classes at BHSU, was recently cited by the New York Times for authorship in the notable book section (hardback and paperback) for his latest book Light in the Crossing. His 1999 book The River Warren was named a notable paperback of the year by the Times.

The distinguished faculty award ranks right up there with many of his other honors but represents a slightly different focus in that it reflects upon his abilities to share his knowledge and talents with his students in a meaningful way.

“I actually found it very surprising; I knew I was nominated but it was something I really didn’t expect to get,” Meyers said. “I think there are really a lot of awfully good teachers here … and when I send a story out and get an acceptance, that’s something that I set myself up to get. I don’t know that I set myself up to get this award, not even intellectually or mentally … so I was really surprised. It’s really an honor.”

His enthusiasm for teaching is based upon his experience as a writer and his desire to bring students into the subject they are studying. He has them do a lot of writing in his classes and then share and discuss that writing as a building block for more writing.

“I really want students involved and at the same time I just don’t give my class to the students. I see myself as an authority figure in that room who is bringing an important direction and knowledge. … I’m more interested in guiding them to information than just telling it to them,” he said.

To be a successful teacher, Meyers believes you have to have a passion for your subject matter. It is also important that the teacher have a genuine interest in the student and how he or she learns. He also says good assignments leading to productive work are significant to student learning. Getting them involved and not letting them fade into the background is important.

What does he do well as a teacher?

“I listen; I have to because of the way I teach. In a literature class I’ll depend upon student responses. … If I’m not listening real real hard to those student responses, I can’t put the class together … it becomes chaotic.”

He says it’s important to listen to student responses to develop a pattern and draw it to a productive end. Literature classes help students define who they are because it connects them to the human experience.

Listening to Meyers explain his love of writing and teaching it is apparent in that much of his success is due to perseverance and discipline. In fact, he says that he rises early nearly every day to write for a few hours. He is fortunate to be in a university environment that lets him use his time with limited restriction. He believes that is a resource that faculty should value.

“Creativity is linked to discipline in my mind,” said Meyers. “It allows me to discipline my time in very productive ways. And I really do discipline my time.”              

Apparently emeritus professor Stewart Bellman and former distinguished faculty  award winner 

agrees with Meyers as he wrote in a nomination letter; “I liken him to a good farmer—he gets up early each day, tends to his chores and doesn’t allow himself to be diverted from his mission of bringing forth a good crop. Kent is both a dedicated writer and teacher.”

Dr. Amy Fuqua, assistant professor of English, said of Meyers, he “is the perfect craftsman. His writing, teaching and service all bear evidence of careful thought and unshakable work ethic.”  

It is work ethic and experience that Meyers brings to his classes that makes it real to his students. No matter how difficult the assignment or how frustrating the writing can be, he’s been there and experienced the hindrances many times over. He can relate to their challenges and offer solutions.

For example, writer’s block; he doesn’t believe in it.

“In my own view it’s a product of work, not the mind; it’s a point where you can really become productive … it’s where everything is happening; you work to break through it.”

There is a pay back to listening to what students say; it feeds writing and gives the writer ideas. In fact, the novel he is currently working on germinated with a concept presented to him by a student. Now in its third draft “The Forty Horses” is a much different story from that conceptual idea as first expressed, but it was an idea born of listening that gave it literary life.  

Be it small town gossip, conversations with friends, a reflection on the past, or the university environment, they all provide a background upon which a story can be developed or enhanced.

“I don’t think life is left behind at the university door, it comes in to the university,” said Meyers, “So that notion we are living in an ivory tower totally separate from life as it’s lived, I think is a false notion. It can be a pretty rich place.”

  Meyers believes you don’t have to be a writer to teach, but it is important in his situation and does help him be a better teacher. Being a writer teaching writing or literature is a significant part of his teaching style.

“Being a writer, it’s a basic part of my identity,” he said.  “Students know I write. I teach literature from the inside out. I’m looking at it by asking, what is the writer shaping here?”

And so it is with Meyers, not only is he asking the students where the author is going; he is guiding them to find direction from within by studying the reflective word streams of others whose phrases cascade with meaning.

Meyers joined the university faculty in 1980 and teaches written communications, imaginative and advanced writing classes and several literature courses. He has also taught speech and basic English courses. Meyers has served as an artist in the schools, 1986-1996, and has received numerous writing awards including the Society of Midlands Author’s Literary Award (1999) and the South Dakota Writer of the Year award (1998). He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota, Morris, and a master’s degree from Washington State University in English and American Literature.

BHSU to host  forum discussing U.S.-China relations - Top  

A forum to discuss U.S. - China relations will be held Monday, April 30 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center on the Black Hills State University campus.

This forum, “China - U.S. Relations: What Direction Should We Pursue?” is an 

opportunity to discuss the future of U.S. foreign policy and other related issues.

This event is sponsored by South Dakota Issues Forum and the Chiesman Foundation. Forums are held to promote public deliberation on various topics.

BHSU to host conference on Early British Literature - Top

The Ninth Annual Northern Plains Conference on Early British Literature will be held at Black Hills State University April 27 and 28 at the Young Center.

Professors of English from colleges and universities from east river South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Colorado will be delivering papers on various topics in the field of early British Literature. The keynote speaker is R.L. Widmann, professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder, Colo.

Her address “Calculating and Computing Shakespeare: From Virtú to Virtual,” will be presented Friday, April 27 at noon in the Hall of Fame room of the Young Center.

Co-chairs of the conference are Dr. Roger Ochse, associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Dr. Nicholas Wallerstein, assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences.  Details of the conference are available at on this web page.

Traditional Lakota arts displayed at Student Union - Top

Students of Black Hills State University’s traditional Lakota arts course will be displaying their art projects in the lobby of the Student Union May 2-3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

According to Jace DeCory, instructor for the class, the projects range from dream catchers to horse dance sticks.

The instructor said, “The class is only offered every other spring. The works are displayed each time the class is offered, so this is about the fifth [display].”

For further information regarding the Lakota arts display, contact DeCory at 642-6295.       

Students have access to 30 library laptop computers - Top

Not so long ago, college students entered the library with a supply of pencils, pens and notebook paper, to copy information from card catalogs, source books, and magazines. Now they just check out a laptop computer, find a comfortable location and do all their research on-line.

This week the E. Y. Berry Library Learning Center at Black Hills State University made available 30 wireless laptop computers for student, faculty and staff use within the library. The laptop computers can be checked out at the main desk provided the student or faculty member has an All Card Exchange (ACE) card for identification.

Arnie Hemmingson, computer center director, said, “These computers will have the same software and ability to connect to the Internet as the existing 32 wired desktop computers, but will allow the students to take the computer throughout the main floor of the library.”

Wireless technology has been used for the past two years at BHSU for fee payment and registration. This latest technology provides for more connections to the  

Internet than may have been physically possible using traditional methods of connecting to a desktop computer. Connection ports, cable, and electrical outlets are no longer needed.

Mike Morrell, Rachel Eggebo, and Toby Tooke work together on a laptop computer using the wireless technology now available at E. Y. Berry Library Learning Center. Thirty laptops are now available for student, faculty and staff use in the library.

A laptop battery lasts approximately three hours, so students and faculty have the freedom to move about with the computer in hand to reference sites, study tables, lounge chairs or to specific locations for collaborative study with others.

With the continual updating of the library web page and the availability of laptop computers, the library is successfully bridging the traditional library resources with the new technology and Internet access.

Erica Littlewolf is recipient of the Whirlwind Scholarship - Top

Erica Littlewolf, a Black Hills State sophomore psychology major from Busby, Mont., is this year’s recipient of the $500 Kevin Whirlwind Horse Memorial Scholarship.

Littlewolf received the scholarship award at the 17^th annual Kevin Whirlwind Horse Memorial Run on the Black Hills State University campus. Each year proceeds from the run support the scholarship. Kevin, who was a BHSU student, was killed in an automobile accident in 1984.

Presenting the award to Littlewolf were Mae Whirlwind Horse, Kevin’s mother,  and Kevin Whirlwind Horse Jr., Kevin’s son.

Spirit of Work Award for Excellence - Top

The Spirit of Work Award is given to Evan Peterson, instructional technology support specialist, for his persistence in providing quality instructional technology support across campus.

Technology showcase held at Black Hills State - Top

The Partners in Action Learning (PAL) and Learning Organizations for Technology Instruction (LOFTI) Showcase for 2001 hosted a technology showcase recently.

The showcase included 27 public schools, the PAL grant liaisons, the College of Education, the BHSU LOFTI, and Spearfish LOFTI groups together to share technology activities that they have developed through the year.

These groups have worked diligently throughout the year to integrate technology  into the education of their pupils and students and will come together to demonstrate some of the exciting projects that illustrate that integration.

For more information contact: Pat Fallbeck at 642-6329 or Kathy Hood at 642-1201.

BHSU students present at undergraduate research conference - Top

Five students from Black Hills State University presented papers at an undergraduate research conference “Celebrating Excellence Across Campus,” held recently at Northern State University in Aberdeen.

The conference, which included approximately 60 presenters from seven area universities, highlighted research being conducted in undergraduate courses.

Black Hills State University students who presented included:

• Robyn Finnicum, a sophomore English major from Colstrip, Mont., "Hypertext in Education: Is It Worth the Trouble?"

• Francisca Michels, a senior English major from Billings, Mont., "E-Democracy: The Revival and Reform of the Political Process"

• Nathan Milos, a senior English major from Lead, "Ammon and Dickey: The Snake Oil Dealers of Southern American Poetry"

• Jessie Polenz, a junior art major from Hill City, "The Ethics of Communication on the Internet"

• Destinee Swanson, a sophomore history major from Clearfield, "Exercises in Style: An Experiment in the Philosophy of Language."

Milos' paper was originally written for Dr. Vincent King's 20th Century American Poetry seminar; the other papers were written for Dr. David A. Salomon's Hamlet in Hyperspace seminar. Salomon, College of Arts and Sciences assistant professor, accompanied the students to the conference.

Five Black Hills State University students presented at an undergraduate research conference recently. Students making the trip to Aberdeen for the conference were seated (l-r): Robyn Finnicum, Destinee Swanson, Francie Michels. Standing (l-r): Nathan Milos, Jessie Polenz .

‘Ace’ card expands to local businesses as Ace Buck$ - Top  

Black Hills State University’s All-Card Exchange (ACE) system just expanded as several local businesses signed on to accept the card for payment at their establishments.

 ACE Buck$, as the new program is called, allows BHSU students, faculty and staff to use the plastic debit-type card to purchase items from downtown Spearfish merchants. Previously, student ACE cards were used only on campus. It’s the only college-based program of its kind in the west river area.

The first four merchants to sign on to accept the ACE Buck$ card system are Perkins, Taco Johns, Stadium Grill and Pizza Ranch. Several other merchants are in the process of making the service available to their customers.

Jerry Swarts, university support service director, says the university system has the capacity to handle about 20 downtown merchants. He is currently negotiating with several additional merchants regarding the service and expects more to be on-line soon.

“The addition of off-campus merchants adds convenience and value to the holders of the ACE card allowing them to participate in a cashless environment without cost to the user,” said Swarts.

The new card can be used on campus at food service outlets, copy machines, pop and candy machines, concessions at sporting events, washers and dryers, transcript fees, printing of resumes, purchasing parking permits, faxing, books and supplies, copy machines, and pay for tuition for extension classes. By using the ACE card, a student or faculty member can pay for just about any university charge.

Jerry Swarts, university support service director at BHSU, explains the functionality of the ACE Buck$ card reader to, left, Stacie Roddis, support service administrative assistant, and businessmen Pat Doyle, Perkins manager, and Gary Andersen, Taco Johns owner. The new card system allows university students, faculty and staff to purchase items both on the campus and downtown using the new debit-type card.

The card is also used for admission to the Young Center, athletic events, student voting, electronic door access, attendance verification in the classroom, library card, registration check-in, etc.

Swarts said, “By early fall 2001 users will have the ability to deposit funds by electronic payment, credit card or electronic check via the internet and to check balances, view transactions, and check meal and board plans. 

Any business frequented by university students, faculty or staff can contact Swarts or Stacie Roddis at 642-6513 for additional information about the ACE Buck$ program.

BHSU senior wins entrepreneur award - Top  

Perry Titze, a senior at Black Hills State University, was recently selected the winner of the 2001 Northern Plains Collegiate Entrepreneur Award.

The award, a check for $2,000 for the winner and $500 for the nominator, is intended to recognize business owners for their exceptional entrepreneurial skill and creativity among undergraduate students enrolled in colleges and universities or technical schools.

He is the owner of Quality Shuttle & Tours in Spearfish.

In order to compete for the award, the student must be nominated and must also fill out an application including two letters of recommendation. Verona Beguin, assistant professor of business, and Priscilla Romkema, assistant professor and director of the Center for Business and Entrepreneurial Studies, nominated Titze for the regional competition.

The awards were begun in 1988 by Saint Louis University’s Entrepreneurship Center. 

When Titze received notice of the award, he said, “I initially thought it was going to be an ‘I’m sorry, you lost’ letter.” But he read on to find he won the contest. “I feel ecstatic; I didn’t even fathom that I could win,” said the winning businessman.

The states included in the competition are Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. Even though the five state area is a big area, the race isn’t over yet.  The senior will now go on to the North American Collegiate Entrepreneur Awards where the prize is much larger. This competition includes applicants from all over the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The first-place award for this contest is $10,000 and a $1,000 award to the nominator.

Titze, as the winner of the regional competition, is required to be present at the North American Collegiate Entrepreneur Awards conference, which will  be held the first week in November at Chicago. All of his expenses for the trip will be paid for him.

The BH student said, “I’m pleased that they [Beguin and Romkema] chose me to represent BHSU.” He continued, “A win for me is also a win for the area; I think it’s great.”

Titze will be graduating in May with a bachelor’s degree in business. He said, “I started out wanting an education degree, but as I was nearing student teaching I had an opportunity to start a transportation business to and from Rapid City. I couldn’t do student teaching and run a business…now I’m getting a business degree.”

The businessman is originally from Mt. Vernon, attending elementary and high school at Stickney near Mitchell.

Volunteers honored an annual banquet - Top    

Students and campus organizations were recognized recently at the 9^th annual Student Volunteer Awards Banquet at Black Hills State University.

The theme for the banquet was “Going the Distance.” The annual awards ceremony recognizes volunteerism and leadership among individuals and student organizations at BHSU. Students were nominated by fellow students, faculty, staff members, and organization advisors who identified the nominees’ contributions to the university and community.

Students and guests were welcomed by Jane Klug, student services director. Mike Friedel, a 1992 BHSU alumnus and head basketball coach of the Sturgis girls basketball team, gave the keynote address.

Friedel was honored as the recipient of the university’s young alumni achievement award. His Scooper basketball teams have often battled for the top spot in state rankings. He has taken his teams to the past four consecutive state tournaments finishing in the runners-up spot twice and finishing third and fourth. In 1998 he was named Greater Dakota Conference coach of the year. He has taught and coached in the Meade County School District since 1992.

The awards were as follows:

Outstanding Community Service Project:  Residence Hall Association

Outstanding Program/Activity:  American Association for Mental Retardation/Student Organization for Disability Awareness (AAMR/SODA), Association of Business Clubs (ABC) and Sigma Tau Gamma

Outstanding New Student Organization:  Community Relations Club

Outstanding Student Organization:  Sigma Tau Gamma

Board of Regents Awards:  Reading Council—Academic Excellence Award and Student Senate—Leadership Award

Outstanding Members of Student Organizations:  Today Newspaper, Mark Norby, Sturgis; Sigma Tau Gamma, Todd Nelson, Newcastle, Wyo.; Math Club, Vincent Schmaltz, Custer; ITRN (Computer Club), Nicole Smith, Ekalaka, Mont.; Sociology and Human Services Club, Natasha Chapman, Box Elder; Student Organization for Disability Awareness (SODA), Cyndi Tschetter, Spearfish; Residence Hall Advisory (RHA), Amanda Caster, Custer; Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Alexia Steffes, Bristol; Student Senate, Alan Godsell, Vale; International Student Organization, Maria King, Belle Fourche; Black Hills Association for the Education of the Young Child (BHAEYC), Amber Volner, Lead; American Association for Mental Retardation/Student Council for Exceptional Children, (AAMR/SCEC), Missy Urbaniak, Sturgis; Reading Council, Leslie Schweitzer, Glencross; English Club, Carol Armbrust, Spearfish; Pangburn Hall Government, Sarah Whaley, Boulder, Mont.; Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) Mike Gavle, Belle Fourche; Latter-Day Saints Student Organization (LDSSO), Rebecca Pemble, Colstrip, Mont.; La Masa, Brent Dill, Estes Park, Colo.; Heidepriem Hall, Andre Wald, Rapid City; Kolakiciyapi, Cassandra Mecca, Dubois, Wyo.; Health Sciences Student 

Spirit of BH award winner Ryan Remington was selected for his contributions to the university and the community. He is an enthusiastic student and advocate of Black Hills State. He is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, four-year letterman on the football team, volunteer at local elementary schools, nursing homes and crisis pregnancy center. He was vice president of the student senate, homecoming king, excellence in leadership award winner, a two-time All-American Scholar Athlete, and winner of the Burger King College Scholar Athlete Award. Remington is a senior education major from Groton and a two-time recipient of the College of Education alumni scholarship.

Organization (HSSO), Kelly Stock, Piedmont; University Program (UP) Team, Allen Godsell, Vale; Community Relations, Megan Christopher, Rapid City; Campus Ventures, Lacy Woodle, Deadwood; College Republicans, Paul Gourley, Sioux Falls; Wenona Cook Hall, Ryan Remington, Groton; Students for Popular Democracy (SPD), Angelia Johnston, Spearfish; KBHU TV, Trevor Bryan, Rapid City; Theatre Society, Nicholas Hansen, Spearfish; Props and Liners, Leann Olsen, Spearfish; Humbert Hall Government, Meredith Huber, Lead; Student for Free Enterprise (SIFE), Amber Aker, Deadwood; Travel and Tourism, Stacy Huber, Herreid; Student Ambassadors, Kylie Thomas, Kimball; Psychology Club, Patricia Dillard, Belle Fourche; Alpha Epsilon Xi, Morgan Miles, Rapid City; Thomas Hall, Carrie Albright, Rapid City; and Association of Business Clubs (ABC), Stacy Huber, Herreid.

Outstanding Residence Life Award:  Lindsay Whitley, University Place, Wash.

Outstanding Freshman Award:  Shawn Travis, Platte

Outstanding Advisor:  Micheline Hickenbotham, education instructor, advisor to BHSU Reading Council

Outstanding Volunteer Award:  Mandi Jo Duthie, Pavillion, Wyo.

Student Life Rising Star Award:  Morgan Miles, Rapid City

Outstanding Student Leader:  Justin Varland, Gregory, and Allen Godsell, Sturgis, special award

Spirit of BH Award:  Ryan Remington, Groton

Special Recognition:  Legia Spicer, campus minister for United Ministries

Excellence in Leadership:  Tokina Rossow, Wahpeton, N.D.; Nathan Steinle, Sturgis; Jill Sutter, Wall; and Andre Wald, Rapid City

Alumni office seeks nominations for awards - Top  

The alumni office at Black Hills State University is seeking nominations for alumni awards. Outstanding alumni are honored each year during Swarm Week which is scheduled for Sept. 17-22, 2001.

 Nominations for alumni awards for the fall of 2001 will be accepted through June 1, 2001.

Award categories include Distinguished Alumni Award, Special Achievement Award, Special Service Award, and Excellence in Education Award.  To nominate someone for one of these awards, please contact the BHSU Alumni Association, 1200 University, Unit 9506, Spearfish, SD 57799-9506, phone 642-6446. More information and nomination forms are available at their web page.

The Distinguished Alumni Award is based on outstanding professional achievements and service or contributions to the university. The nominee does not need to be a graduate of Black Hills State University, but must have attended for at least one year. Nominees must have graduated or be out of school for at least 10 years.

The Special Achievement Award is given to recognize achievements or contributions to 

society or the community. Nominees do not need to be a graduate of Black Hills State University, but must have attended for at least one year. There are no particular time restrictions for this award. 

The Special Service Award is given to honor those alumni or other persons who have contributed long-term service or volunteerism to Black Hills State University. Nominees do not need to be a graduate of BHSU, but must have attended for at least one year. Employees or former employees of BHSU are also eligible.

The Excellence in Education Award honors alumni who have made outstanding contributions in the field of education. Nominees must have received a teaching certificate or degree from Spearfish Normal School, Black Hills Teachers College, Black Hills State College or Black Hills State University. There are no particular time restrictions surrounding nominees in order to be considered.

Anyone running for a public office is not eligible for these awards. 

Green and Gold Club athletic fund drive is off to a good start - Top  

Steve Meeker, BHSU institutional advancement director, left, and Myles Kennedy, Green and Gold Club president, call out names of businesses and individuals as they were being drafted by fund-raising team captains for their pool of contacts. More than 50 team captains attended the draft session earlier this week. Volunteer members will be making contacts through May 10 to support the Green and Gold Club athletic scholarship fund-raising effort.

The university athletic program depends upon annual contributions to fund its athletic scholarship program. NAIA rules permit BHSU to offer a maximum of 78 grants-in-aid scholarships for men's and women's sports. Based on current fund-raising efforts, BHSU will provide nearly 34 full scholarships. These scholarship dollars are distributed among all varsity sports at the university.

Businesses interested in game or corporate sponsorships should contact Meeker for information.

"The sponsorship program is not only an opportunity for businesses or corporations to support the university's athletic program, but it offers them something in return in the form of advertising."

Minutes of BHSU NCA Self-Study Committee meeting - Top  

The BHSU NCA Self-Study Committee met Tuesday, April 24 at 3:30 p.m. in Woodburn Conference Room one.

Present: Earley, Card, D. Wessel, Downing, Haislett, Lin, Cook, A. Hemmingson, K. Johnson, J. Johnson. Absent:  Keller, B. Silva, F. Heidrich, Schamber, Lefler, Godsell.

This was the last meeting of this committee for this semester.

Haislett presented the findings for Criterion 5 - the report was discussed. After reviewing it, any committee members are to send their comments to Haislett or Earley.

Chair hopes to work on the overall document this summer. Heidrich, Earley, Flickema, and K. Johnson will work on Criterion 4 during the summer.

Chair thanked the committee and taskforce members for their work during the academic year.

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.

Minutes of the University Assessment Committee meeting - Top  

Minutes of the University Assessment Committee Meeting Wednesday, April 25 at 3 p.m. in Woodburn Conference Room 1.

Present were Earley, Schamber, Calhoon, Haislett, S. Hemmingson.

Absent were  Termes, Myers, J. Miller, Altmyer, Buchholz.

Chair reported on the results of the rising junior exam- 258 students took the test this  spring for the first time - all but 31 passed  -  of  the 31 -  

14 failed the writing, 9 the math, 14 the reading, and one the science reasoning.

Haislett reported on the overall academic environment. Every year BH has surveyed students, faculty, and staff about the institution.  She shared the results with the committee and indicated that anyone can come to her office and review the findings.  There was some discussion about advising, academics, and recruitment and retention.

This is the last meeting for this academic year.

Grants opportunities announced - Top  

Below are the program materials received April 12-25 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.

• U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Inviting pre-applications for Rural Cooperative Development Grants to improve the economic condition of rural areas through cooperative development.  Deadline May 24, 2001.
• Pew Charitable Trusts.  Support for projects on culture, education, environment, health & human services, public policy, and religion.  Applicants should submit a letter of inquiry.  Complete guidelines available at http://www.pewtrusts.com/
• Canadian Embassy.  Canadian Studies Grant Program to increase knowledge and appreciation of Canada and the United States through the support of teaching, research, and the program activities in a wide range of disciplines.  Priority topics include bilateral trade & economics, Canada-U.S. border issues, cultural policy and values, environmental, natural resources, and energy issues, and security cooperation.  Deadlines vary.