Campus Currents

Black Hills State University faculty members, Dr. Ahrar Ahmad, professor of political science, and Dr. Vincent King, assistant professor of English, were recently awarded the 2003 Faculty Research Grants from the BHSU Chiesman Endowment for the Study and Promotion of Democracy.

Ahmad’s research topic is “Islam in South Asia: Intellectual and Historical Forces in the Construction of Democratic Alternatives.” King will research the topic “Integrating the Canon of Antebellum American Literature.”

The Chiesman Faculty Research Grants are funded through an endowment to BHSU by the late Ms. Allene Chiesman. The grants are designed to allow faculty members to pursue research that allows a greater understanding of democracy in America. Any BHSU faculty member may apply for the yearly grants.

Ahmad received his doctorate in political science from Southern Illinois University. He has been teaching at BHSU since 1992. King holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of South Carolina at Columbia and has been a member of the BHSU faculty since 1996.

Dave Little, former track and field coach, cross country coach and athletic director at Black Hills State University, was recognized recently when the winter invitational track meet was renamed the BHSU Dave Little Winter Indoor Invitational to permanently honor him for all he’s done for track and field and the university.

Little, whose name is nearly

synonymous with winning cross country and track titles, was one
of the state’s most successful collegiate track and cross-country coaches. During his coaching
tenure at BHSU, Little established

Scott Walkinshaw (left) looks on as BHSU president Thomas Flickema (center) presents Dave Little (right) with a plaque commemorating the renaming of the winter invitational track meet in Little's honor.

a dynasty in the SDIC by winning 17 cross-country titles and 30 track and field championships in men’s and women’s competition. Through the 70s and early 80s his men’s teams dominated the league by winning 12 consecutive titles in both cross country and track and field. His women’s track and field teams won eight consecutive SDIC titles from 1987 to 1994.

“We are honored to name this track meet after Dave Little. For more than 30 years, Dave has given his heart and soul to the BHSU track and field programs. It is only fitting that we honor him by naming our winter invitational the BHSU Dave Little Winter Indoor Invitational,” Bud Synhorst, BHSU athletic director, said.

Little began his collegiate coaching career at Black Hills State 30 years ago as head cross country coach. In 1970 he took over as track and field head coach from Bill Jordan. In 1987 he added to his coaching responsibilities the women’s cross country and track programs. For his coaching accomplishments, Little was named NAIA District 12 coach of the year 14 times, South Dakota Sports Writer’s coach of the year once (1978), women’s SDIC coach of the year (1998), and was recognized as an honorary referee at the 2001 Howard Wood Relays in Sioux Falls. He also served a two-year term (1984-86) as president of the NAIA executive committee on cross country.

The former coach once calculated that he had driven more than 600,000 miles recruiting and attending competitions as a BH coach and spent more than 2 ½ years attending track and cross-country competitions if all his coaching days were added together.

Scott Walkinshaw, current BHSU cross country and track and field coach, suggested honoring Little for his long-term dedication to the sport. Walkinshaw has continued the winning tradition in cross country and track and field at BHSU as he now leads a very successful program. Walkinshaw’s cross country teams won the NAIA Combined Team National Championships in 2000 and were NAIA Combined Team National Runner-Ups in 2001 and 2002. He was named coach of the year in 2000.

The first annual BHSU Imaginative Writers Group Short Story Contest will be Saturday, Feb. 8 at 1 p.m. in Jonas 101.

The contest is open to all BHSU students. First prize is $100 and the first and second place stories will be published in The New Green Bowl Review, a student published literary magazine.

Information and Instructional Services is offering faculty and staff two technology workshops next week.

“Excel Pivot Tables” is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 12 from 8-9 a.m. in Library Room 004. The instructor will be Arnie Hemmingson, chief information officer at BHSU. Participants should have a good working knowledge of Excel.

Two sessions of “Saving Data to a Read-Write CD Drive” are scheduled for Friday, Feb. 14. The first will be from 8-9 a.m. and the second will run from 2-3 p.m. Both sessions will be held in Library Room 004. Cal Crooks, director of Graphics and Media, will serve as instructor.

Registrations are now being taken via the website. Contact Arnie Hemmingson at arniehemmingson@bhsu.edu for more information.

The Black Hills State University Reading Council is sponsoring the Dragons Are Too Seldom Puppet Productions annual winter puppet show Thursday, Feb. 13 at 5:30 p.m. in the Student Union Market Place.

Local artist Markie Scholz will present her new play “Alpha Saves the Beticals” at BHSU. In the play, Planet X is in trouble. Queen ICU and ICU2, commonly known as Queen 2-Face, and King Fish, king of the H20's and C’s are at war. Each thinks he or she should rule the whole planet and each wants to destroy the Beticals, a peaceful race. Confusion abounds as Alpha and Zed work to bring peace to Planet X and save the Beticals in the bargain.

The one hour program includes Scholz and her cast of puppets who began productions in 1971. Since that time, she and her puppets have performed in 39 states and six countries. Scholz travels 30,000 to 70,000 miles a year in her pursuit to bring puppets to the masses.

“Puppetry is a wonderful profession,” says Scholz. “It allows you to share a magical time with wonderful people. I hope I will still be a puppeteer when I am 95.”

Admission is free and the public is welcome to attend. For more information about the performance visit www.dragonsaretooseldom.com or call the BHSU Reading Council at 642-6405.

The Black Hills State University Theatre will present Two by Two Feb. 20-22 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 23 at 2:30 p.m. in Woodburn Auditorium.

A musical by Richard Rodgers, Two by Two, based on the play The Flowering Peach by Clifford Odets and the book by Peter Stone, is a refreshing retelling of the biblical story of Noah. Rodgers entered his seventh decade of writing for the theatre while collaborating with Martin Charnin to write this portrayal.

The play depicts Noah facing many challenges as he fulfills a command from God. It seems that the building of the ark was only the first of Noah’s many daunting challenges in a journey that wasn’t always smooth sailing. By turns inspirational and hilarious, we discover that being chosen by God for great things does not necessarily simplify the daily demands made of a father and husband. It’s good fun from The Good Book and when the land has dried, man and beast alike are invited to go forth and prosper in a bright new world.

Two by Two will be performed by a cast of eight including Isaac Waring, a freshman music major from Spearfish, as Noah; Kristine Anne Schaffer, a junior vocal music major from Custer, as Esther; Nic Hansen, a junior speech communications major from Spearfish, as Japheth; Mike Waring, a freshman from Spearfish, as Shem; Jonas Lynch, a sophomore drafting major from Lily, as Ham; Teresa Addington, a senior speech communications major from Lead, as Leah; Andrea Farr, a senior instrumental music major from Colstrip, Mont., as Rachel; and Sara Goeden, a freshman mass communications major from Pierre, as Goldie.

Scenery crew chief Addington; John Fitzgerald, a freshman political science major from Belle Fourche; Melita Roberts, a sophomore mass communications major from Spearfish; Elizabeth Verhey, a freshman English major from Rapid City; Kimm Lischefska, a graduate student from Sturgis; Amanda Olson, a sophomore elementary education major from Hettinger, N.D.; Kristi Parquet, a freshman from Midland; and Schaffer are responsible for scenery design.

Lighting crew chief Martie Combs, a senior speech communications major from Deadwood; Tom Kobes, a freshman from Rapid City; Hansen; and Mike Waring will handle the lighting.

Sound crew chief Jared Gaskill, a freshman technology major from Colstrip, Mont.; Lynch; and Isaac Waring will provide the sound.

Costumes crew chief Jessica Hinker, a sophomore mass communications major from Forestburg; Goeden; and Farr will provide the costumes.

Jacob (Mosas) Feeley, a junior art major from Diamondville, Wyo., created the programs and posters for this theatre production.

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.

Rob Welo, Aurora, Colo., won the 11^th annual Black Hills State University Alumni Mile, with a time of 5:02. This was Welo’s sixth win for the event. Twenty-two runners competed in the mile run which was held during the BHSU Winter Invitational at the Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center. Alumni Mile competitors included, front row, left to right, Dan Crain, Class of ’89; Rob Welo, Class of ’92; Aaron Nida, Class of ‘93; Jim Glazer, Class of ’96; John Humke, Class of ’88; Al Finch, Class of ’79; Brian Harms; and Dave Little, former coach. Back row, left to right, Travis Shoults; Keith Moon, Class of ’85; Dan Sorensen, Class of ’94; Marcia Moon, Steve Hayes, Class of ’02; Claude McBroom, Class of ’94; Mary Kate Guilfoyle; Travis Thorn, Jack Kirtley, Class of ’93; Gerald Collogan, Class of ’74; Fred Romkema; Priscilla Romkema, Class of ’79; Scott Kieper, Class of ’95; and Randy Mink, Class of ‘70. Not pictured is Scott Underwood.

The Spearfish Center for the Arts and Humanities (SCA&H) has added an event to the annual Spearfish Winter Arts. In addition to the Hot Chocolate Days Art Walk and the Winter Art Show, the SCA&H will conduct the First Annual Winter Art Auction this year.

During Hot Chocolate Days, Feb. 10-17, the public is invited to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and view art at participating businesses around town. Last year over 70 businesses and artists participated in the Hot Chocolate Days Art Walk.

The Winter Art Show provides an opportunity for Spearfish area and regional artists to display their art. Exhibits may be viewed at the Matthews Opera House Monday, Feb. 10 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, Feb. 11 through Friday, Feb. 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 16 from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m.

Gary Steinley will be instructing adult art education classes the week of the Art Walk. The 16 artists involved in the classes will donate one piece of original art work for the Winter Art Auction. The auction will begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20 at the Matthews Opera House. The Blue Ribbon Art Show Opening, including the blue ribbon winners from the Winter Art Show, will precede the auction Feb. 20 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Artists in Residence will be set up in the Central Education Building on Jackson Boulevard to demonstrate their talent and interact with all art lovers. The artists will be available Monday, Feb. 10 through Friday, Feb. 14 to visit with the public.

BHSU student chosen to portray the Yellow Doll in Chinese New Year celebration - top

During Deadwood’s Chinese New Year celebration Feb. 15 Mary Ochse, a student a Black Hills State University, will represent the Yellow Doll, a legendary young Chinese lady who lived in secluded luxury before meeting a rather grim end.

The Grand Entry for the Year of the Ram celebration will start at 1 p.m. in front of the Wild West Casino and proceed to Miss Kitty’s Gaming Hall. The grand entry will be led by Karen Kitzan, who will be wearing an authentic Chinese costume and leading a ram from her family farm. It will also feature Vince and Joanne Coyle, serving as the Emperor and Empress; Ochse as the Yellow Doll, riding in an authentic rickshaw; other rams and sheep dogs and their trainer, Tracy Miller; lion dancers and martial arts performers from San Francisco and Oakland; local martial arts performers; as well as a representative from Reptile Gardens in Rapid City.

People attending the celebration can view the display of Chinese literature, books, periodicals, pamphlets and calendars sent to Deadwood each year directly from the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Chinese New Year has been celebrated at Miss Kitty’s Chinatown Café each year since 1990. This year’s celebration, marking the arrival of the year 4640, will conclude when the lion dancers, martial arts performers, and the Yellow Doll, accompanied by drums, cymbals and fireworks parade through the Wild West Winners Casino.

Black Hills State University is now using a redesigned Yellow Jacket mascot to represent its athletic department.

The new look for the Yellow Jacket graphic was designed by Brian Busch, a 1984 BHSU alumnus, now president/CEO of So Square Advertising in Rapid City. BHSU changed the mascot after notification by Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) in Atlanta, Ga., that the Yellow Jacket graphic formerly used by BHSU too closely resembled the copyrighted mascot used at Georgia Tech.

The use of a Yellow Jacket as a mascot has a long tradition at Black Hills State, dating back to the late 1920s. Over the years, the school has used a variety of graphic representations of the Yellow Jacket. The Yellow Jacket bee most recently used should be replaced with the new graphic.

The new Yellow Jacket mascot is available for on-line use here. For a print quality mascot contact University Communications or Sheryl Styles in University Printing.
The University Bookstore has apparel with the new mascot.

The University Assessment Committee met Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 3:30 p.m. in Jonas 103.

Present were Earley, DeJong, Siewert, Pearce, Calhoon, H. Johnson (Haislett), and Norby.

The committee agreed to ask the deans and VPAA Cook to meet with them April 1 and April 8 to discuss next year's plans.

The committee also agreed that Haislett should present an overall review of the campus April 15.

The next meeting will be Feb. 11 at 3:30 p.m. in Jonas 103. The committee will discuss the College of Business, MSBSM, outdoor education, physical education, and wellness management reports.

The University Curriculum Committee was brought to order Jan. 17 at 3:10 p.m. by Susie Dana.

Members present were Dana, Christine Cremean, Dick Hicks, Charles Follette, Tom Termes, Carol Hess and Joanna Jones. Members absent were Penny DeJong and David Calhoon.

Minutes for the Dec. 13 meeting were approved as corrected. The statement “Minutes for the Dec. 15 meeting were APPROVED” should read, “Minutes for the Nov. 15 meeting were APPROVED.”

Proposals from the College of Arts and Sciences were addressed first. Class II proposals that request new courses were submitted.

Old business issues had been resolved by the committee’s actions today on the proposals of PSYC 405, 405L, 415, and 415L.

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. The next application deadline is Friday, Feb. 21 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.