Black
Hills State University receives accreditation approval notice - top
Black Hills State University
has received formal notification of continued accreditation through the
Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which is part of the North Central
Association (NCA) of Colleges and Schools.
BHSU,
the state’s third largest university, is looking forward to the future
after receiving the 10-year accreditation notice along with encouraging
observations from the accreditation review and subsequent team visit.
The comments from the accreditation visiting team reaffirmed the
university’s accomplishments over the past 10 years and project a
positive future for the university.
“The accreditation
team’s comments are a testament to the outstanding accomplishments of
the university over the past decade,” said Thomas Flickema, BHSU
president. “The university has made great strides and looks forward to
the future with much optimism. Originally chartered as a teacher
training school in 1883, BHSU is now recognized as the only multipurpose
public institution of higher learning in western South Dakota and the
largest university for miles in a multi-state region.”
The visiting accreditation
team’s report indicated that BHSU has made “substantial progress”
since the last visit (1992) as evidenced by “the improved faculty and
administrative relationships, the strong and enthusiastic support of
community leaders for the important role BHSU plays in the region, the
physical appearance of the buildings and the campus grounds, the
motivated and loyal student body, and the able and experienced
administrative leadership.”
The
report concludes, “In summary, the team finds BHSU to be a healthy
institution with good prospects for continuing success.”
Prior
to the accreditation team visit, the entire university conducted an
extensive two-year self-study process to examine five broad criteria
that focus on the effectiveness of academic programs and the operation
of the university.
The
results from the seven-person team showed that BHSU is poised for the
future. The accreditation team found that BHSU anticipated the needs of
the region, both current and future, and is ready to respond with
educational, cultural and economic programs to meet those needs.
The
accreditation team cited the university’s commitment to academic
excellence; the university’s immersion in the community with service
activities; the increase in external funding, which now includes two
Congressional earmarks for research centers; and evidence of successful
strategic planning. The team members also commented favorably on the
physical improvements on campus and the positive comments received from
community members concerning the university’s role in the community
and region. The team suggested that the university continue to improve
diversity in faculty, staff and students, seek ways to provide
additional support staff and improve retention.
BHSU was first granted
accreditation in 1928. The next comprehensive evaluation is scheduled in
2012-13. Higher educational institutions must have NCA accreditation to
receive federal funds.
The NCA was founded in 1895
as a membership organization for educational institutions. It is
committed to developing and maintaining high standards of excellence.
The NCA is one of six regional institutional accrediting associations in
the United States. Through its commissions it accredits, and thereby
grants membership, to educational institutions in the 19-state North
Central region which includes Arkansas,
Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota,
Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, New Mexico, South
Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
The Higher Learning
Commission is recognized by the Secretary of Education and the Committee
on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation (CORPA, now continued
under the Council on Higher Education Accreditation, or CHEA). Information
about the process can be obtained from the HLC
at 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, Ill., 60602-2504.
BHSU faculty member receives
Sasakawa Fellowship - top
 Dr. Roger
Miller, associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at Black
Hills State University, has been awarded a Sasakawa Fellowship from the
American Association of State Colleges and Universities.
The fellowship will support Miller’s participation in the
“National Faculty Development Institute on Incorporating Japanese
Studies into the Undergraduate Curriculum” in San Diego this summer.
The institute offers an interdisciplinary approach to Japanese culture,
history, and society, while preparing the fellows to develop stimulating
and engaging curricula through the introduction of approaches and
methodologies to the teaching of modern Japan and the identification of
as broad a range of Japan-related resources as possible.
Dr. Thomas Flickema, BHSU president, commended Miller for the
fellowship award. “The Sasakawa Fellowship is a distinct honor and
strong recognition for all that Roger has accomplished in the area of
globalization,” said Flickema.
Miller joined the BHSU faculty in 1991. That same year he earned a
doctorate in education from Brigham Young University in curriculum and
instruction. He lived in Australia for many years before moving to the
United States to complete his education.
Tracton elected South Dakota
director to the Midwest Sociological Society - top
 Beth
Tracton, assistant professor of sociology at Black Hills State
University, was recently elected to the Board of Directors for the
Midwest Sociological Society (MSS). Tracton will serve as South
Dakota’s director for the next two years.
The MSS is composed of sociologists from South Dakota, North Dakota,
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois and Kansas as
well as sociologists from around the country. Each of the nine regional
states is allowed one representative on the Board of Directors.
As the South Dakota director Tracton attended the MSS’s annual
conference in Chicago, Ill. She served as co-organizer with Njeri Mbugua
of Illinois Wesleyan University for the session “Gender and Social
Change” during the conference entitled “Social and Cultural
Dynamics: From Social Relationship through the World System.” In
addition she was a member of a panel regarding term appointments where
she spoke about her experiences at the Ellsworth Branch Campus.
Tracton holds a Ph.D. in sociology from South Dakota State
University. She began teaching BHSU classes at the Ellsworth Air Force
Base branch campus in 1999. She now teaches on the main campus.
Black
Hills State will recognize faculty and staff for service - top
Black Hills State University employees
will be recognized for state, university, and community service at a
reception Thursday, May 1 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the David B. Miller Yellow
Jacket Student Union Jacket Legacy Room. The program will begin at 2:30
p.m.
Honored at the reception will be this
year’s retirees: Darleen Baird, Facilities Services worker; Don
Chastain, assistant professor of technology; Mark Gabel, professor of
science; Fred Heidrich, associate professor of business; Dick Hicks,
professor of art; Tom Hills, professor of political science; Vera
Litschewski, senior secretary in the Enrollment Center; and Rosemary
Robertson, custodial worker. Hills will also be honored as this year’s
distinguished faculty member.
Jace DeCory, instructor of American
Indian studies, was chosen to
receive a special committee award recognizing her exemplary work
advising students. Cheryl Leahy, senior secretary in the
Enrollment Center, and David Wolff, assistant professor of history, will
be honored for their community service. Kim Kerwin, cook in the Student
Union Market Place, and Mike Jastorff, director of the University
Bookstore, will be awarded outstanding university service awards. The
student service award will be given to Joan Wermers, disability services
advisor. The University Communications office will receive the
university area award.
University employees who have served
the state for 10, 15, 20, 25, and 35 years will receive pins to
acknowledge their dedication.
Ten-year employees include Cheryl
Anagnopoulos, associate professor of psychology; Sam Berney, assistant
professor of mathematics; Becky Cooper, librarian; Dan Durben, associate
professor of science; Ron Ehly, storekeeper; Carol Hess, associate
professor of education; Kathy Johnson, vice president for Finance and
Administration; Roger Ochse, associate professor of English; and Kim
Schmitz, program assistant I in the Enrollment Center.
Employees receiving 15-year pins are
Curtis Card, associate professor of mathematics; Tom Cox, professor of
psychology; Jastorff; Leahy; Nancy Lewis, secretary for Graphics and
Media; David Maki, food service worker; April Meeker, director of
Records; Monty Robinson, assistant professor of business; and LeAnn
Vandine, secretary for Facilities Services.
Twenty-year pins will be awarded to
Patty Clarkson, senior secretary for the College of Education; Jim Hess,
professor of psychology; and Kent Meyers, assistant professor of
English.
Recognized for 25 years of service will
be Jr. Bettelyoun, assistant professor of education; Gary Hunt, building
maintenance specialist; Janeen Larsen, professor of music and chair of
the Fine and Applied Arts Department; Lil Odell, reproduction services
supervisor; and Ardean Wessel, assistant to the president.
Cal Crooks, Graphics and Media
coordinator; Anita Haeder, human resource officer; and Valerie Hawkins,
librarian and assistant professor of education, will be honored for 35
years of state service.
BHSU
gallery will display Tysdal photographs - top
The
Photographers Gallery on the Black Hills State University campus will be
exhibiting photographs by Ray Tysdal now through May 30. The
Photographers Gallery, located on the lower level of Jonas Hall, is open
Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The
show includes a series of Tysdal’s high-contrast wildlife prints as
well as several sepia-toned prints. For more information contact Steve
Babbitt at 642-6769.
Romantic masterpieces will
be performed at BHSU - top
Black Hills State University will host a concert of “Romantic
Masterpieces” Tuesday, April 29 from 7 to 8 p.m. in the David B.
Miller Yellow Jacket Student Union Jacket Legacy Room.
Advanced music students will perform a variety of classical and
romantic works, featuring several piano solos by Beethoven and Debussy.
Refreshments will be available in a relaxed atmosphere.
The concert is sponsored by the BHSU University Programming Team and
the BHSU Music Department. There is no charge for admission. Contact Dr.
Janeen Larsen, BHSU professor of music, at 642-6241 for more
information.
BHSU theatre presents The
Misanthrope May 1-3 - top
The Black Hills State University theatre will present The
Misanthrope May 1-3 at
8 p.m. in Woodburn Auditorium.
This French neoclassic drama is a masterpiece by Moliere depicting
Alceste, a man who believes in honesty in all things, but finds himself
in legal trouble with a nobleman and gains the misfortune of falling in
love with a Parisian socialite who doesn’t know truth.
Alceste considers that truth should be spoken invariably and without
regard to common courtesies. He
denounces the insincerity of contemporary society whenever possible.
When a loyal friend, Philinte, attempts to make Alceste realize that
honesty doesn’t oblige him to go out of his way to offend and hurt
people, he discovers his efforts are in vain.
His legal troubles begin when a young nobleman, Oronte, requests
Alceste’s opinion on his writing; Alceste’s offensive criticism
brings the threat of a lawsuit. Despite
Alceste’s commitment to honesty in all things, he falls in love with
Celimene, a popular young Parisian woman with little regard for the
truth in anything. When a
cousin tries to expose Celimene’s deceit, it only makes Alceste love
her even more and want to marry her.
The Misanthrope will be performed by the following cast: Jared
McDaris, a sophomore psychology major from Rutledge, Ga., as Alceste;
Mike Waring, a freshman from Spearfish, as Philinte; Kurtis (Rex)
Maxwell, a junior mass communications major from Whitewood, as Oronte;
Vanessa Foxworthy, a senior speech communications major from Belle
Fourche, as Celimene; Rachel Eggebo, a senior business administration
major from Spearfish, as Elainte; Sarah Cozort, a freshman from
Murfeesboro, Tenn., as Arsinoe; Jonas Lynch, a junior drafting major
from Lily, as Acaste; Jared Hall, a freshman physical education major
from Spearfish, as Clitandre; Emily Varland, a freshman mass
communications major from Gregory, as Basque; and Jake Bobby, a
sophomore speech communications major from Spearfish, as DuBois.
The director will be Teresa Addington, a senior speech communications
major from Lead. Assistant director is Tom Kobes, a freshman from Rapid
City. Costume designer is Dr. Pam Wegner, associate professor of
theatre. Stage manager will be Kristine Schaffer, a senior vocal music
major from Belle Fourche. Accompanied by harpsichordist, Lori
Miller, a former BHSU graduate who currently teaches piano in Spearfish.
Jacob (Mosas) Feeley, a senior art major from Spearfish; Lynch;
Maxwell; Elizabeth Verhey, a sophomore English major from Rapid City;
Sara Duex, a junior elementary education major from Spearfish; Kobes;
Teri Nelson, a junior mass communications and political science major
from Sturgis; Jessica Ginter, a freshman from Lead; and Vanessa Kitzler,
a freshman mass communications major from Eureka, are responsible for
scenery design.
The lighting crew consists of Nic Hansen, a junior speech
communications major from Spearfish and McDaris. The sound crew includes
Tim Bessette, a senior speech communications major from Spearfish, and
Hall. Dr. Wegner and Foxworthy will provide costumes while Jared Gaskill,
a freshman technology major from Belle Fourche, and Varland will be in
charge of props. Eggebo and Cozort will coordinate tickets and public
relations for this theatre performance.
Contact Al Sandau for more information at 642-6268. Tickets may be
reserved by contacting the BHSU theatre box office at 642-6171 the week
of the play or emailing theatre@bhsu.edu.
BHSU
will host eleventh annual Island in the Plains - top
Black Hills State University will host the
11th annual Island in the Plains Archaeological and Historical
Conference Saturday, May 3 beginning at 9 a.m. in the David B. Miller
Yellow Jacket Student Union Jacket Legacy Room.
The conference will feature archaeologists,
historians and enthusiasts who will present brief papers and slide
presentations on a wide variety of Black Hills topics. Last year 18
papers were presented covering such issues as petroglyphs, rockshelter
habitations, CCC sites, Chinese artifacts in Deadwood and mammoth
locations.
A buffet-style banquet will be served at 6
p.m. at the High Plains Heritage Center Museum. Dr. George Frison,
professor emeritus at the University of Wyoming, will speak after the
banquet. Frison’s program, entitled “Prehistoric Hunters: Fallacies,
Possibilities, and the Archaeological Record,” is sponsored by the
South Dakota Humanities Council and is open to the public at no charge.
Researchers, interested persons, teachers and
students are encouraged to attend. Conference pre-registration is $20
until April 30; registration at the door or after April 30 will be $25.
Students 18 and under will be admitted free. Registration forms and
payments can be sent to Dave McKee, Attn: Island in the Plains, Black
Hills National Forest, 25041 N. Hwy 16, Custer, SD 57730.
The conference is sponsored by the South
Dakota Humanities Council, Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota
State Archaeological Research Center, Black Hills State University,
Pochteca Archaeology, Bureau of Land Management in Newcastle, Wyo.,
Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists, High Plains Heritage
Center Museum, and the South Dakota Archaeological Society.
Conference information and registration forms
can be found at www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills
by clicking on recreational activities then heritage.
For more information contact Michael Fosha at 605-394-1903, Alice
Tratebas at 307-746-6621, Dave McKee at 605-673-9265, or David Wolff at
605-642-6221.
BHSU siblings win honors at
state business contest - top
 Marc
Summers and Renae Summers, siblings who attend Black Hills State
University, received top honors at the state business leadership
conference sponsored by Phi Beta Lambda recently in Pierre.
Marc won first place in three separate competitions: business
finance, business law and accounting for professionals. A junior
majoring in professional accounting at BHSU, Marc thought he did fairly
well after taking the hour-long exams that each consisted of
100 questions but didn’t expect to win all three competitions.
“I usually test well,” Marc said, “but I was surprised to learn
I scored highest in these three contests.”
Meanwhile his sister Renae placed third in the accounting principles
exam. Renae is a junior who recently decided to change her major to
accounting as well. This was the first Phi Beta Lambda competition for
both students.
Verona Beguin, Phi Beta Lambda advisor at BHSU, congratulates the
brother and sister duo for their participation and awards in the
competition.
Three other BHSU students: April Knight, a senior accounting major
from Phillip; Brook Paulson, a junior accounting major from Belle
Fourche; and Cindy Reller, a junior business administration major from
Sturgis; also attended and competed at the statewide conference.
Students from 11 higher educational institutions participated in the
business competitions that cover a broad spectrum of business topics
including marketing, desktop publishing, job interviews and management.
The students also attended workshops by Erich Heneke, Jamie Griffin,
and Deb Tech Coffey. The mission of Phi Beta Lambda is to bring business
and education together in a positive working relationship through
innovative leadership and career development programs.
BHSU student makes a run
for television career - top
By Antonia Kucera, University Communications intern
| Black Hills State University senior
Nikki Underwood is well known in Spearfish. She is the petite
blonde often seen running circles on the track field or easily
traipsing cross country; she is Candy Dandy on the radio station
KBHU the Buzz in the morning and the driving force behind KBHU
TV’s Sports Talk show; she is the one smiling with enthusiasm
while cruising up the ladder of success. Underwood is once again
in the spotlight, especially upon recent acceptance for a high
profile internship with a show on NBC’s sports channel, the
“George Michael Sports Machine.”
From June 1 through the end of August, Underwood will be one of
14 interns who move to Washington D.C. to participate in producing
a professional weekly television |
 |
| show. Besides acceptance
based on her excellent record of achievement and performance
during her collegiate career, Underwood heads for the internship
on a recommendation from Dave Diamond, BHSU assistant professor of
broadcasting, who just happens to know George Michael. |
Black Hills State
University senior
Nikki Underwood’s successful running career has taught her
important values that helped her earn a high profile internship
for NBC. |
| “Nikki Underwood is a
winner,” said Diamond. “She works hard at every task she
undertakes until she masters it. She has a great personality, and
everyone I know respects and loves her.”
Underwood is no stranger to success. While going to high school
in Brookings, she attended some running camps at BHSU with Coach
Scott Walkinshaw and made the decision to pursue her college
education in Spearfish. She walked on to the BHSU cross country
and track and field teams her freshman year, and has since become
a scholarship athlete and has earned the honor of All-American
nine times. She was also recently ranked first in the qualifying
rounds for a 26.2-mile marathon sponsored by the National
Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Underwood is pursuing a major in mass communications with an
emphasis in broadcasting and a double minor in business and speech
communication. She is active in nearly all of the mass
communications student organizations. In many ways, running has
opened up countless opportunities for Underwood.
“What I’ve learned through running – discipline,
determination, hard work, confidence, time management – will all
help me in my career,” she said. “You can do anything you put
your mind to is what I’ve learned. It’s amazing what you can
do with some hard work.”
Most of these values are already deeply ingrained in
Underwood’s personality from good upbringing. Her main influence
is her mother. According to Underwood, her mother has a very
positive outlook on life and is very active, especially in her
work as a Mary Kay salesperson who is ranked as the number six
director in the nation.
“I admire [my mother] a lot – her work ethic, determination
and positive attitude,” Underwood said. Her mother has taught
her to take pride in being a strong, successful woman. Underwood
is now living up to those ideals with the internship for NBC.
She also has a reputation to live up to; last summer, BHSU
senior Nate Brown was accepted for the same job and left a very
good impression. Although Brown is more knowledgeable about the
world of sports, Underwood is confident in her ability to excel as
an intern.
“My personality will definitely help in [the broadcasting]
field,” she said. “You can’t be shy. You have to be
confident in your abilities. You can’t be scared to try new
things.”
Several changes are sure to surface in D.C., such as the
difference in technology between BHSU’s basement studio and
NBC’s professional studio. Underwood is eager to work with the
cameras and editing equipment and hopefully earn the privilege of
doing her own interview with an athlete, an honor Brown was
awarded at the end of his internship.
Underwood is, of course, excited at the opportunity she has
with this internship to discover first-hand if sports broadcasting
is what she wants to do for a career. Her history as a child
gymnast and adult runner makes those her favorite sports, but she
is interested in all sports. Surprisingly, if she could interview
anybody in the world, her first pick would not be an athlete but a
television personality.
Leeza Gibbons is someone Underwood has always admired – she
has her own television and radio show, plus she interviews a wide
variety of people. If Gibbons is not available, she would like to
interview Oprah. Underwood is interested in how these ladies got
started on their career paths and how they climbed so far up the
ladder.
“I like to see successful women who are awesome at what they
do,” she said. “My mom taught me that.” Underwood is well
along the path of becoming just that type of woman.
|
Minutes of the
Chiesman Committee - top
The BHSU Chiesman Committee met April 17 at 3:30 p.m. in
the Woodburn Hall first floor conference room. Voting members present
were: Tim Molseed, George Earley, Ahrar Ahmad, Micheline Hickenbotham,
Carol Hess, Lennis Larson, and Riley Chrisman. The non-voting members,
Dan Farrington and John Usera, were absent.
The chair noted that there were three awards that were
not completed and were past the date assigned for completion. The
committee decided to give the three persons until Sept. 1 to complete
the projects. If not completed by that date, the funding will be ended.
The committee approved a motion to establish a new
policy effective with the fall 2003 awards. Projects will have one year
allowed for completion with a possible six-month extension (if requested
and approved by the committee). If not completed by the end of the
requested extension, the funding will cease.
The chair noted that the ABC-CLIO account had $911.50
remaining in it. The committee approved a motion to use these funds to
purchase ten copies each of the research projects completed by Black
Hills State University faculty and published by the state Chiesman
Foundation office. These copies will be distributed to the Black Hills
State University library, the Spearfish public library, the Spearfish
High School library, the Deadwood public library, the Lead High School
library, and the Whitewood public library.
The chair reported that the Speakers Bureau account had
$2,491 remaining in it. Of
this up to $2,000 was committed to the UP Team for the James Loewen
presentation April 22.
Hickenbotham reported that she was negotiating with
Stanley Katz of Princeton University as a possible speaker for April
2004. The committee instructed her to continue her contacts with Katz.
If he comes to campus, he will speak on the
U.S. Constitution and human rights.
The meeting adjourned at 4 p.m.
Minutes submitted by James R. Chrisman, secretary of the BHSU
Chiesman
Committee.
University
Assessment Committee minutes - top
The
University Assessment Committee met Tuesday, April 22 at 3:30 p.m.
in
Jonas 103.
Present
were Earley, Haislett, Siewert, DeJong, Pearce, Calhoon, and Schamber.
Cook, Norby, Lembcke, Gallagher, J. Miller, D. Myers, and H. Johnson
were absent.
Haislett
reported on her five-year study of student Noel-Levitz Surveys.
She reported that this report is available to anyone who is
interested. The report discusses
the strengths and concerns of the students over a five-year period.
Strengths include my advisor is approachable, the campus is safe and
secure, the instruction in my major field is excellent, and faculty are
usually available. A weakness is
that students feel they get the run around when they seek information on
this campus.
Education:
Master
of Science in Curriculum and Instruction (MSCI):
Physical
Education:
Chair
pointed out that this past year BHSU has been renewed for accreditation
by the Higher Learning Commission, NCATE, the South Dakota Department of
Education, and the Wyoming Department of Public Instruction.
All of these looked at our assessment procedures and reports and
found them to be satisfactory.
In
the fall the committee wants to do a session during orientation.
When the faculty in-service is set, the chair will contact
committee members and plan for that session.
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 in the Grants and
Special Projects Office, Woodburn 309, or can be printed from the 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. Applications are now being accepted for faculty release time
for spring 2004. Release time is awarded to full-time faculty who teach
on the BHSU campus. The next application deadline is Friday,
April 25 at
12 p.m.
The applicants are encouraged to
contact the committee members for advice prior to completing their
proposals. The members are John Alsup, Earl Chrysler, Tom Cox, Abdollah
Farrokhi (chair), Jim Hess, Kathleen Parrow, Shane Sarver, and Rob
Schurrer.
|
