Resignations - Top
- Terri Ward, senior secretary, Field Experience
- Vera Litschewski, senior secretary, Enrollment Service
Lisa Bryan named director of Indian Studies at
BHSU - Top
 Lisa
Bryan, Class of 1993, who is also a published author, returned to her
alma mater, Black Hills State University, as a faculty member last year.
This year she assumes the responsibilities of director of the Indian
Studies Center and will publish her second book soon.
While an
undergraduate at BH, her major was human services with a minor in Indian
studies. Bryan went on to earn an MBA with an emphasis in community
economic development from the University of New Hampshire, Manchester,
in 1998 and is currently preparing to defend her doctoral dissertation
in December. Bryan’s Ph. D. is in business with an emphasis in
entrepreneurship from the Union Institute and University of Cincinnati,
Ohio.
For six
years Bryan taught business at Sinte Gleska University on the Rosebud
Reservation. “The university is named in honor of Chief Spotted Tail
who believed strongly in the importance of education,” said Bryan.
Bryan’s
area of study involves a blending of her native heritage and business.
The form her master’s thesis, American Indian Entrepreneurs,
took was unusual. Rather than writing a paper to submit for approval,
she published a book about successful Lakota entrepreneurs on the Pine
Ridge and Rosebud reservations in South Dakota.
Her
doctoral thesis is also taking the form of a book, but rather than
discussing case histories of entrepreneurs, she relates the importance
of the traditions of the Lakota to today’s businessperson. Bryan
expects to publish The Lakota Path Toward Entrepreneurship in
May. This book is based on four traditional values of the Lakota:
generosity, fortitude, humility and wisdom. In the book Bryan
cross-references these values to entrepreneurial traits. According to
Bryan a lack of traditional values is one of the reasons for the
scandals in the business world today. In her book Bryan also debunks the
myth that Native Americans are not good business people and are new to
the arena of business. “I have documented cases of the Lakota people
owning businesses back to the 1620’s,” said Bryan.
Last year,
Bryan taught two classes, new venture creation, a statewide
Dakota-Digital Network course, and managerial communication. This year
in addition to teaching three classes in the business department, she
assumes the duties of director of the Indian Studies Center.
“I see
my job as director for the next year as having three main components,”
said Bryan. “The first is preparing for Indian awareness week and all
that it entails, the second will be writing grants in an effort to bring
more money into the department for community outreach programs and the
third will be working on increasing recruitment of Native Americans.”
According
to Bryan the project she expects to take most of her time as director
will be the annual Indian awareness week program, the highlight of which
is the Wacipi (pow wow). Bryan is the advisor to BH’s Lakota Omniciye
club (a gathering of people) whose main project each year is the pow
wow. The annual event at BHSU has grown into one of the larger pow wows
in the state. This year will be the 19th annual pow wow held
at BH and for the first time the event will include a Native American
and Western art show along with a style show.
An
important aspect of Bryan’s job as director will be an attempt to
increase the enrollment numbers of Native Americans at BH. To aid in
recruitment Bryan will be sending graduate student, Leona White Hat to
schools in South Dakota and eastern Montana as a representative from
BHSU to encourage Native American students to attend BH.
Bryan
emphasizes that her style of leadership is an open-door policy and that
anyone with ideas to improve the Indian studies program is welcome to
stop by her office for a visit and a cup of coffee.
Bryan
doesn’t just study and teach the relationship between Native Americans
and business, she practices what she preaches.
In 1999
she was interviewed by Entrepreneur magazine about a business
that she and her family started on their ranch near White River. The
business, Lisa Little Chief Specialty Foods, produces Sioux Fry Bread
Mix. According to Bryan the author of the article had a hard time
accepting that she did not want to talk about the amount of money the
company generates, but Bryan points out that one of the traditions of
the Lakota is humility about successes.
With one
son playing football for the University of South Dakota and another
finishing high school as a senior at Belle Fourche High School, a
working ranch near White River and a home and full-time position in
Spearfish a lot of time is spent on the road, but according to Bryan
it’s worth it. “ I’ve wanted to come back here to live ever since
I first went to school here. I love Spearfish and I feel right at home
on (BH’s) campus.”
Three BHSU students to present at history
conference - Top
A history professor and three students from Black
Hills State will present at the
10th Annual West River History Conference to be held Sept. 27
and 28 in Keystone.
Jesus Garcia, Rapid City, will present a paper on
the meaning of the west. Phoebe Hearst will be the topic of the paper
presented by Terri Brown, Lead. Max Masters, Parker, will discuss the
Black Hills and the Fort Pierre railroad town of Carwye. All three
students are history majors at BH. Seniors Brown and Garcia started
forming their ideas for the conference in a South Dakota history class.
Masters, a sophomore, became interested in Carwye while working for the
Forest Service.
 Dr. David Wolff, a history assistant professor at
BHSU, will also present at the conference. Wolff received his masters
from the University of Wyoming in 1991 and his doctorate from Arizona
State University in 2000. He has been teaching at BHSU since 1998.
The public is welcome to attend the conference all
day Friday, Sept. 27, and Saturday morning, Sept. 28, in the Keystone
Community Center. A banquet at the Rushmore Supper Club is scheduled for
Friday night. Registration for students is only $2. The public may
attend for $20. For more information, contact conference co-director
David Wolff at 642-6221.
CAMSE project makes science books available to
elementary teachers - Top
 Sandy Nichols’ third
grade class at East Elementary School in Spearfish is the first to
use books purchased by the Center for the Advancement of Mathematics and
Science Education (CAMSE) with a $1,000 grant from Wal Mart Inc. of
Spearfish. Pictured with Nichols are, left to right, Warren Vandine,
Jake Wendt and Brandon Visto.
CAMSE was formed in the late
1990s at Black Hills State University by the South Dakota Board of
Regents as one of the South Dakota Centers of Excellence. Its mission is
to promote the teaching and learning of mathematics and science at all
levels.
The textbooks were purchased
as part of the Black Hills Science Teaching (BLAHST) Project, a major
endeavor of CAMSE. The project is designed to promote science to
students in grades K- 8.
Thirty books where purchased
for use by third and fourth grade classes and 15 books were purchased
for use by first and second grade classes. All of the books have a
science theme.
The books, along with other
teaching resources, are kept at the CAMSE office located in the former Central Elementary School in Spearfish and are available for use by
elementary teachers from the 10 districts participating in the program.
For more information about CAMSE visit www.bhsu.edu/camse
on the Web or call 605-642-6873.
McGovern will speak at BHSU - Top
Former
senator and presidential candidate George McGovern will speak about
world hunger Thursday, Oct. 3 at 11 a.m. in the Jacket Legacy room of
the Student Union.
McGovern
will use material from his
latest book “The Third
Freedom: Ending World Hunger in Our Time” which will be published by
Rowman and Littlefield this year. McGovern has had an interest in issues
of hunger for a long time, first as the director of Food for Peace
program under the Kennedy administration later in his role
as an ambassador to the Food and Agriculture Organization, a U.N.
agency in Rome.
This
presentation is sponsored by the BHSU Chiesman Foundation for Democracy
and the BHSU Global Awareness Committee. For more information contact
Dr. George Earley at 642-6270 or Dr. Ahrar Ahmad at 642-6000.
Swarm Day royalty crowned in Monday night
coronation - Top
 Joey Lore and Erica Littlewolf were crowned
Swarm Day king and queen in a ceremony held Sept. 23 in the
Student Union Jacket Legacy Room.
Lore is a senior English major from Rapid City.
Littlewolf is a senior psychology and American Indian studies major from
Busby, Mont.
Other nominees for king were Cory Kochiyama, a
senior physical education major from Honolulu, Hawaii; Matt Mueller, a
graduate business services management major from Sioux Falls; Todd
Nelson, a senior business administration major from Newcastle, Wyo.; and
Mike Odle, a hospitality and marketing major from Edmonds, Wash. Queen
candidates included Angie Case, a senior mathematics and web
administration major from Rapid City; Mandi Jo Duthie, a senior
elementary education major from Pavillion, Wyo.; Morgan Miles, a senior
travel and tourism major from Rapid City, and Sommerlyn Mortensen, a
senior accounting major from Wall.
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| Klug |
Meyers |
Also recognized during Monday night's ceremony were
Jane Klug, director of Student Services, and Kent Meyers, assistant
professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, receiving the honor of
Swarm Day mom and dad. The BHSU students chose Klug and Meyers from a
nominated group of faculty and staff.
Swarm Day events continue throughout the week
culminating with the parade and football game Saturday, Sept. 28. The
BHSU homecoming theme is “Rock Around the Clock.”
Amans will be honored as BHSU Swarm Day
parade marshals - Top
 Merlyn
and Shirley Aman, who will be honored as parade marshals at the 2002
Swarm Day parade Sept. 28, have connections at BHSU. They have
connections as former employees, as past and current volunteers, as
parents of alumni, and as spectators and avid supporters of all types of
university events. The real connection for this couple, however, is
their ongoing interaction with students and their heartfelt belief in
the university’s ability to successfully educate students.
Merlyn and Shirley
are both former BHSU employees who retired after a combined 50 years of
service at the university. Merlyn taught music courses for many years
and was director of the music department. Shirley started working at BH
as a volunteer in the printing office, later worked in the bookstore,
and eventually retired as supervisor of the university printing center.
Today the Amans
continue to make an effort to stay involved in the Spearfish community
and especially with the university. At nearly any university event,
whether it’s a theatrical performance, a musical concert, a United
Ministries activity or an athletic competition, the Amans are likely to
be there. The couple also volunteers at the university during
registration and for other special projects. They see the importance in
making students aware of community events and encourage students to be
involved in the community.
“These kids are
involved with the world, and we do what we can to encourage that,”
said Merlyn.
“We take students
to community events and also attend university events with other
community members,” Shirley said. It makes us all one community and
keeps the university connected to Spearfish. There is a good interaction
with businesses, the community and the university.”
Nearly every year
the couple has “adopted” one or two BH students and spent time
getting to know them better and encouraging them to make the most of
their college experience. As the Amans began to list some of these
students, it was apparent that the connections are appreciated by the
students as well.
“We’ve been a
mom and dad to many of these kids and don’t mind it a bit. We enjoy
it. It’s always about the students,” said Shirley. “Many of the
former students stop to see us when they are back and Merlyn can
remember them all.
We look forward to
seeing the students and finding out about their lives after
graduation.”
“It’s a
beautiful thing to get to know these students and meet their parents,”
Merlyn said. “We often become lifelong friends and enjoy the
connection and interaction with students and parents at events.”
The Amans look back
fondly at the changes at Black Hills State since they first became
associated with the university in 1959. Though the university has
changed in many ways – a name change from a college to a university, a
series of seven presidents, and several major campus building additions
and facility improvements – the Amans maintain that the most important
aspects of BHSU have persisted. While they recognize and appreciate the
changes at BH, the couple cites the dedication of the faculty, the
determination of the students and the success of alumni as the ongoing
fundamental aspects that have remained constant through the years.
“The sky is the
limit at Black Hills State. Students here get as good of an education as
they can anywhere else,” Shirley said. “The school is small enough
that students are known and cared about and large enough to provide an
excellent educational experience. Students go from here to medicine,
into their own businesses, into teaching leadership positions. The
students can go anywhere from here.”
“Whenever I can,
I counsel students to attend BH, “ Merlyn said. “What I have
witnessed here on this campus is a very comprehensive experience for
students, especially music students. They have the opportunity to be in
band, jazz band or choir and learn from excellent professors who are
also outstanding performers.”
He also praises the
coaches for their positive influence on students.
“These coaches
are excellent. They are the quality people that you want your students
to become,” Merlyn said. “They are definitely interested in more
than just the sport.”
The couple’s
confidence in the value and importance of a BHSU educational experience
is evidenced by the music scholarship established in their name at BHSU.
The couple continues to contribute both time and money to the arts and
the athletic programs at the university.
The Amans both
agree that students need to realize that, “what you put in determines
what you get out.” That is a philosophy that they have applied to
their lives as well. The couple’s way of living was changed abruptly
and dramatically in 1978 when Merlyn was afflicted with Guillain-Barre
syndrome, a rare disease that left him confined to a wheelchair. After
many years of determination, he has since regained limited use of his
legs and now walks with forearm crutches and leg braces.
This experience,
which could have left him bitter, motivated Merlyn to help others come
to a greater understanding and acceptance of disabilities. He now drives
a specially equipped car, sings and composes music, and has been called
on as a national inspirational and motivational speaker, especially for
developmental disability conferences.
Merlyn was honored
with the Distinguished Alumnus Award at Northern State University last
year for his passion for music and his lifelong commitment to ensuring
opportunities for all people. He has served on the Board of Directors
for the Northern Hills Training Center, served as a consultant to the
State Department of Education and was appointed to serve on the Council
for Developmental Disabilities.
BHSU has been an
integral part of this couple’s life for many years. Two of the
couple’s three children graduated from BH and were both active in
music and theatre activities during their college years. Their son,
Russell, is now a senior photographer in Texas and their daughter, Lorri,
works in the Spearfish school district. Their daughter, Janet, is the
international director of the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago.
The couple has
supported the university in a host of ways including baking cookies for
basketball road trips, listening to and critiquing student music
classes, timing events at track meets, sewing costumes for theatre
productions, and helping out at university activities. Now the Amans can
add another item to their list of connections to BHSU – that of being
honored as parade marshals for the annual Swarm Day parade.
Thank you to all BHSU
participants in the Relay for Life - Top
|
| The fifth annual Relay For Life,
the American Cancer Society's signature fundraising event, held
Sept. 20-21, was once again a resounding success. A sincere
thank you goes to the Black Hills State University family
for helping make such a huge event happen. We are
grateful for your continual participation in the relay.
There are so many to thank, I’m concerned that someone
will be overlooked. Hopefully each of you who participated will
know that you |
 |
|
made a difference in an important cause.
First, thanks to President Flickema for
allowing the use of Black Hills State University facilities which
included many attendant operational staff. Relay For Life
could not occur without our strong committee structure, and many of those committee
members
|
Helene
Duhamel, local television personality, listens as Cody McMichael,
assistant director of financial aid at BHSU, tells of his
experience as a cancer survivor at the annual Relay for Life.
McMichael was one of many BH faculty, staff and students who
participated or volunteered at the annual fundraising event held
on the campus of BHSU. This year’s event, under the direction
of Relay for Life chair LaVerne Cook, was once again a great
success raising more than $93,500 for the American Cancer
Society. |
|
are BHSU employees. Cheri Leahy, chair of team
recruitment, probably spent the most hours in amassing 35 relay teams
(this is almost a year-long job). Judy Neighbours, an adjunct faculty,
has chaired the Survivors' Activities the entire five-year span, and she
always surprises us with a moving ceremony. Betsy Silva, fun and fitness
activities chair, coordinates with many of her students the games and
activities that keep the younger children entertained. Carolyn Skallerud,
chair of the silent auction, and Anita Haeder, accountant, were new to
Relay For Life Committee this year; but they soon proved to be experts.
Carolyn spent much of her time getting beautiful items donated and Anita
was efficient in counting all those dollars raised by teams. Kristi
Pearce once again scheduled dozens and dozens of volunteers who helped
in all areas to make the relay run smoothly. Kristi had to attend a
conference in Washington, D.C. during part of relay, but she sought
out her cohort, Sharon Strand, to step in to help with volunteers. To
make sure we were well fed, Tim Johnston, of Food Service single
handedly obtained donations of food and beverage so all team
participants could enjoy a free spaghetti dinner and free breakfast
the next morning. Of course, volunteers helped serve these meals.
The biggest committee job may have been that of
Logistics Chairperson, and that duty was capably handled by Teri Royer,
director of the Young Center. As one can imagine, logistics involves
every phase of the event; thus, Teri was constantly called upon to make
viable decisions. Teri was a true pleasure to work with--she is
professional, competent and flexible. BHSU is fortunate to
have dedicated employees like Teri and the aforementioned Relay chairpersons.
So far I have only mentioned those that have served
on relay committees. In addition, there are more who put in many volunteer
hours. Al Sandau is a true wonder. For the past several years, he
magically appears and builds the stage backdrop and then just as
magically appears when Relay is over to dismantle the setting, all with
the help of his students. It is magic to me because I never have to be
concerned how or when this will occur.
Don Altmyer has again generously donated the
proceeds of disc golf tournaments to Relay For Life. He also arranged to
have the Optimist Club match his donation with a $500 check to Relay.
Facilities Services erected the stage, supplied a
small truck/cart, golf cart, etc., etc., and Randy Culver and Jeanne
Hanson oversaw all the details. All this with positive attitudes!
It was such a pleasure to work with everyone.
Black Hills Gold, directed by Steve Parker, sang
the Star Spangled Banner with a rendition that brought tears. Steve says
that was only after two practices; can't wait to hear them later in the
year! Other entertainers from BHSU were Paul Kopco performing rhythm and
blues; and Paul Young of Lyle, Doug & Paul.
BHSU artists who donated their work to the
silent auction were Richard Dubois, Jim Knutson, Becky Bruce, Anita
Haeder, Steve Babbitt and Carolyn Skallerud.
I would also like to thank some who captained
the teams Ramona Collins, Cody McMichael, and Nancy Shuck. There
were many, many more of you who participated as team members and/or
volunteered. To all of you, I say thank you so much.
It is a privilege to work with such a caring
family. "It's about being a community that takes up the fight. .
."
Sincerely,
LaVerne Cook, Chair, Relay For Life
|
Encore screening of film series play Oct. 3 - Top
An encore screening of "Train of Life," a
comedy about the Holocaust (with a disturbing conclusion), will be held Oct. 3 at
3:30 p.m. in Jonas 305. A panel discussion on the Holocaust will follow.
Since people were unable to attend the first on-campus showing of
"Train of Life," two VHS copies of the film have been placed
on reserve with the PHIL 100 materials in the library. There is a
three-day borrowing period for the film. Everyone is welcome to attend
the showing or borrow it from the library.
South
Dakota amateur disc golf tournament results announced - Top
Twenty-seven disc golfers braved chilly and windy
conditions to compete in the South Dakota Amateur Disc Golf Championship
held at the BHSU disc golf course Saturday, Sept. 21.
In the advanced division, Don Altmyer, Spearfish,
defended his championship title for the fifth straight year, defeating
runner-up Scott Ceasar, Rapid City. Altmyer and Ceasar finished the two
rounds of disc golf tied at seven under par, forcing the competition
into sudden death. Altmyer won the sudden death playoff with a birdie on
the first hole.
Chris Swendin, a BHSU student, won the amateur
novice division with an impressive score of six under par. Todd Rigio,
Rapid City, finished runner-up and Andy Altmyer, Spearfish, came in
third.
Par for the two-round tournament was a combined
score of 108. See the disc golf tournament
scores for a list of the top players in each division.
The tournament was sponsored by the Spearfish
Optimist Club, and $1,000 was donated to the Spearfish Relay for Life.
The last campus disc golf tournament of the year
will be held during BHSU’s Swarm Days celebration Friday, Sept. 27.
The Fifth Annual Swarm Days Disc Golf Tournament will begin at 3:30 p.m.
for BHSU students and 5:30 p.m. for community members. Walk up
registration for this one-round tournament begins 30 minutes before the
competition.
Minutes of University Assessment Committee
meeting - Top
The University Assessment Committee met Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 3:30 p.m. in Jonas 103.
Present were Earley, Calhoon, Siewert, Altmyer, Pearce, Schamber.
Absent included Cook, Haislett, Myers, J Miller, Valades, Olson.
The chair of the committee handed out copies of the BHSU HLC Self-study and reported that the
visiting team would be on campus Oct. 21-23. The visiting team has
tentatively scheduled a meeting Tuesday Oct. 22 at
3:30 p.m. in Jonas 103 to meet with the assessment committee. Committee
members should read the section of the report on assessment prior to
that meeting.
Operational guidelines:
The composition of the committee was discussed. The committee is waiting for the
Student Senate to send a representative. A replacement for Ms. Turner is
also needed. Pearce is the current representative for the Faculty
Senate. The chair will ask
A. Hemmingson about adding a representative from the Academic Advisory
Committee. The composition was changed. Ex officio members are vice presidents for
Academic Affairs and Student Life and the director of assessment. The director will
only vote in case
of tie. Numbers necessary for quorum will also change.
A motion was made and passed to accept the changes.
The recorder for the next meeting will be Pearce, and Calhoon will
record the minutes of the third meeting and distribute them.
Budget Committee:
The committee agreed that all its members should serve as a Budget
Committee, and any expenditures or plans should wait until after the HLC
review to see what the visiting team recommends in terms of assessment
Annual assessment reports:
Annual assessment reports will be written in the same framework and similar time frame as
in previous years. The schedule is outlined below:
- College of Arts and Sciences - Oct. 15, Nov. 15
- College of Business and Technology - Dec. 15
- College of Education - Jan. 15
The next meeting of the University Assessment Committee will be Oct.
15 at 3:30 p.m. in Jonas 103.
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, Woodburn 218, or can be
printed from their website.
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.
The next application deadline is Oct. 11 at 12:00 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, Tom Cox, Abdollah
Farrokhi (chair), Jim Hess, Kathleen Parrow, Shane Sarver, and Rob
Schurrer.
Grant opportunities announced - Top
The following grant opportunities were received
Sept. 12-25 in the Grants Office, Woodburn 218. For copies of the
information, contact the office at 642-6627 or e-mail requests to grants@bhsu.edu.
Fellowship information will also be posted on the Student Union
bulletin board near the information desk.
- U.S.
Department of Education. Upward
Bound Math/Science (ED). The
Education Department is inviting applications under the Upward Bound
program to prepare high school students for postsecondary education
that leads to careers in math and science. Deadline Nov. 22, 2002.
- National
Endowment for the Humanities. NEH
encourages scholars, teachers, filmmakers, curators and librarians
to submit grant applications that explore significant historical and
cultural events and themes. Proposals may take the form of:
- New
scholarship;
- Projects
to preserve and provide access to documents and artifacts;
- Education
projects for grades K-16; and
- Public
programs in libraries, museums and historical societies, such as
exhibits, film, radio and Internet-based activities.
Selected program deadlines
are:
Library/Museum Projects – Feb. 3, 2003
Summer Institutes – March 1, 2003
Humanities Focus Grants – April 15, 2003
Preservation
Assistance – May 15, 2003
Visit the NEH Web site at http://www.neh.gov/
for more information.
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