Campus Currents

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.

Ahmad teaches a junior statesmen course at Princeton - Top

Dr. Ahrar Ahmad, associate professor of political science, taught a course in the Junior Statesmen of America Program at Princeton University, N.J., this summer.

Ahmad joined 11 other scholars from different universities (Oklahoma State, New York, Ferris, George Mason, Purdue, Princeton, Avila College, etc.) to teach courses on government as well as speech and communication. About 200 high school students from across the nation, selected through a highly competitive process,

participated in this intense four-week program which ended on July 20. JSA summer programs have been held since 1938 and are currently organized at four additional campuses - Stanford, Yale, Georgetown and Northwestern.

Ahmad extended his stay at the university to use the resources of the Firestone Library at Princeton to work on his own research project.

Ahmad has been a member of the social science faculty at BHSU since 1992. He earned his Ph.D. in political science from Southern Illinois University in 1989.

Pearce presents at MERLOT conference - Top

Dr. Kristi L. Pearce, education associate professor and faculty development coordinator, will present "Creating E-Communities for Learning" at the International MERLOT Conference Aug. 12 -15 in Tampa, Fla.

Pearce was appointed to the Multimedia Educational Resources for Learning and Online Teaching (MERLOT) Teacher Education Discipline Team by the South Dakota Board of Regents and has served as a reviewer of learning objects submitted to MERLOT for the past

year. The MERLOT project hosts quality teaching and learning resources for biology, business, information technology, mathematics, music, physics, psychology, and teacher education.

Pearce encourages BHSU faculty to visit the site at www.merlot.org to find worthwhile learning objects to integrate technology into on-campus and off-campus courses.

Pearce joined the BHSU College of Education faculty in 1991. She has an Ed.D., from the University of South Dakota in educational psychology and counseling.

Center for Advancement of Math and Science Education receives $50,000 NSF grant to measure student learning - Top

The Center for the Advancement of Mathematics and Science Education (CAMSE) at Black Hills State University received a $50,110 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to assess the Black Hills Science Teaching Project’s (BLAHST) effect on student learning.

The BLAHST project, funded in 1999 by a NSF grant, involves eight school districts in western South Dakota and approximately 370 K-8 teachers. As a part of their involvement in the project, teachers participate in workshops throughout the academic year and summer. Workshops are offered in science content and pedagogy that are linked to South Dakota science standards and to inquiry-based modules used by teachers in their classrooms.

BLAHST intends to participate in the Horizon Student Outcomes study by administering the newly developed Horizon Student Assessment as a pre- and post-test to all 6^th graders within the eight districts over the next three years. The study will examine the relationship between teachers’ involvement, instructional materials, and growth in student achievement. Results from the Horizon tests will also be compared to standard-based, criterion-referenced tests administered by the state.

Dr. Ben Sayler, director of CAMSE, will administer the NSF grant. The study is expected to measure the impact of the BLAHST program on students and their needs as well as serving as a guide for program refinements.

Spirit of Excellence at Work Award - Top

The Spirit of Excellence at Work Award is presented to Nancy Lewis for professionalism in her work, willingness to serve others, and perseverance in life.

Students from Gifu College in Japan learn about Black Hills history - Top

Japanese students visiting BHSU this summer had a chance to learn the fine art of fly-fishing for rainbow trout from biology professor Charles Lamb. Much to one student’s surprise, the first thing she caught was a catfish or so it seemed until the prize catch turned out to be a small kitten. A field full of wiggly fly lines (without hooks) being cast about for practice was just too much temptation and soon the kitten found itself literally caught up in the excitement.

The Black Hills Gold Rush of 1876 came to life for 14 young Japanese women and two interpreters attending a class taught by Dr. David Wolff, associate professor of history at Black Hills State University. The women are from Gifu City Women’s College (GCWC) in Gifu, Japan. The Japanese students arrived Aug. 1 and for the next 23 days they will study English, local history, area geology and tour local sites. Their visit is part of an educational exchange agreement between GCWC and BHSU.


Gifu Women's College students listen attentively as Dr. Ron Theisz speaks about Native American cultures and issues.	In addition to classroom work, the Japanese students are taking part in a variety of recreational and cultural learning experiences. Dr. Charlie Lamb instructed the students on fly fishing for trout.

Minutes of the CSA meeting - Top

CSA Council met at Pangburn Hall, July 10, 2001. Jeanne Hanson called the meeting to order. Those present were Deatta Chapel, Krista L. Schroeder, Linda Allbee, Cheri Leahy, Jeanne Hanson, Ginny Sunding, Myron Sullivan, Lynette Long, Carolyn Skallerud and Becky Haak.

Becky Haak read the minutes from the June meeting. Ginny Sunding moved to accept and Deatta Chapel seconded, motion carried.

Lynette Long gave the treasurer’s report:

Cheri Leahy moved to accept and Carolyn Skallerud seconded, motion carried.

Committee Reports:

Ginny Sunding reported all Welcome Bags had been delivered and she had several ready to go out.

Strategic Planning and Safety and Facilities groups are not meeting during the summer months.

Old Business:

Jeanne Hanson presented the CSA logo designed by Lisa Glover. It can be added to our publications but stationary is not required. If you need “a copy” contact Jeanne Hanson or Sheryl Styles in the printing center. Lisa Glover will attend Black Hills State University this fall.

Cheri Leahy is searching for a name for the CSA Council Relay for Life team. Relay for Life to be held Sept. 14 and 15, 2001. Possible fundraisers were discussed.

The CSA picnic committee met and Carolyn reported the picnic will be held in front of the library, Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2001, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. We have decided to invite all faculty and staff. Dr. Flickema will supply barbecued beef sandwiches and the CSA members are urged to bring a dish to pass. We will have an auction of “handmade” items as well as “white elephant” items. Myron Sullivan reported that Facilities Services will donate two parking permits for door prizes. We will have a donation basket for a free-will offering. We will also have a raffle for a semester “reserved parking space “ (there will be two winners-one for the fall semester 2001 and another for the spring semester 2002). Tickets will be available from CSA council members, three for a $1 or an arm length for $5. The drawing will be at noon and you must be present to win.

Facilities services will donate iced tea and lemon aide. Student support will furnish the awnings and facilities services will set them up. Carolyn Skallerud will be checking with Mike Jastorff, Steve Meeker and David Little for door prizes. Cheri Leahy will ask enrollment service center for t-shirts. Becky Haak will ask Jerry Swarts about “mugs” for door prizes. Paper invitations will be sent to the president, vice-president, deans and to faculty/staff without email. Most faculty and staff will be notified by email and posters. CSA council will have to report to set up at 11 a.m. All proceeds will go to the CSA Scholarship Fund.

Ginny Sunding made a motion to adjourn and Lynnette Long seconded. Motion carried. The next meeting will be held Aug. 7, 2001, at 9 a.m. at the Market Place.

Grant opportunities announced - Top

Below are the program materials received Aug. 2-8 in the Grants Office, 218 Woodburn. 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 State. Open grants competition to develop projects that link international exchange interests with counterpart institutions/groups in ways supportive of the aims of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Deadline Oct. 5, 2001.

National Science Foundation. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics teacher preparation. Letters of intent due Aug. 31; applications due Oct. 25.

National Endowment for the Humanities. National Education Projects, often of multiyear duration, enable educators to engage in more extensive consideration of humanities subjects and their teaching. It funds the development of humanities materials, and ways to disseminate humanities scholarship and teaching practices. Deadline Oct. 15, 2001.

American Association of University Women Educational Foundation. Various fellowships, grants, and awards advancing educational and career opportunities for all women. Deadlines vary.

National Science Foundation. FY 2002/2003 Combined Research-Curriculum Development. Optional letters of intent due Aug. 31; applications due Oct. 31, 2001.

National Science Foundation. Gender Equity in Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology. The National Science Foundation is inviting proposals designed to broaden the participation of girls and young women in all fields of science, mathematics, engineering and technology education through research, demonstration and dissemination projects that will lead to change in education and practice. Deadline: Dec. 19 for optional letters of intent and Jan. 29 for full proposals for elementary and middle school, K-12 informal education projects; and Feb. 19 for optional letters of intent and March 29 for full proposals for high school, undergraduate, teacher/faculty development and education technology projects.