Volume XXIX, No. 26 • July 8, 2005

• Pearce named dean of enrollment

• Wolff wins Clark Spence Award

• High school juniors attend math and science workshop

• BHSU students tour German-speaking countries

• Golf tournaments net record amount for BHSU athletic scholarships

Submit items to Campus Currents

Campus Currents is distributed every Friday. To submit an item send it to Campus Currents, Unit 9512 or e-mail it to Campus Currents. Deadline is Thursday at 8 a.m.

Pearce named dean of enrollment - top

Pearce

Dr. Kristi Pearce, a longtime education professor at Black Hills State University, was recently named dean of enrollment services.

Pearce, who recently completed a year of sabbatical leave that was dedicated to research and writing instructional materials, says she’s ready for a new challenge and thinks that her appointment as head of the enrollment services department will be a positive change for her and for the university.

“I know I have a lot to learn. I look forward to learning new things and this will give me the opportunity to do just that,” Pearce says. “I’m a good listener, a quick learner and a team player, and I have an incredible group of people working with me.”

Pearce is looking at creative ways to recruit students and says she will use a “general sense of imagination” to think outside of the box. In a time when the number of high school graduates in the region is declining, Pearce says she will look at several options including increasing the number of international students and increasing the number of non-traditional students, to bolster enrollment at BHSU.

Pearce thinks that her background as a faculty member will be beneficial and will help build a bridge between enrollment services activities and the academic departments at BHSU. She would also like to increase faculty members’ engagement in recruiting efforts.

“I’d like to see faculty be more involved and establish communication with potential students,” Pearce says. She noted that many faculty are already involved with pre-registration days and new student days; however, she thinks there are additional opportunities for faculty members to take an active role in recruiting new students.

Dr. Dean Myers, vice president of academic affairs, says that Pearce will bring enthusiasm and creativity to the department.

“I’m happy to have Kristi working as dean of enrollment services, which is a very important job at BHSU,” Myers says. “She is excited about the job and her background as a faculty member and a school counselor will create excellent opportunities for development.”

Myers praised Pearce’s organization and communication skills and noted that he’s happy to have someone in this position who has such a good understanding and appreciation of the university.

Pearce joined the BHSU faculty in 1992. She holds a master’s degree in counseling and a doctorate in educational psychology from the University of South Dakota. Pearce recently served as president of the faculty senate and is an active member of several other university committees and boards. She is also a member of many professional and academic associations. Pearce served as director of the Bush Grant for faculty development at BHSU from 1993-1997 and coordinated the teacher education accreditation renewal. She has also served as coordinator of the master’s degree in curriculum and instruction at BHSU.

Pearce replaces Steve Ochsner who recently resigned after heading the enrollment services office for eight years.

Wolff wins Clark Spence Award - top

Wolff

Dr. David Wolff, associate professor of history at Black Hills State University, recently received the Clark Spence Award for Excellence in Mining History at the 16th annual Mining History Conference held in Scranton, Pa.

Every other year the Spence Award is presented to the author of the best book published on a topic related to mining history,  including many topics such as corporate histories, technological studies, biographies, and labor surveys. Each year more than 100 books with topics related to mining history are published worldwide.

Wolff received the 2004-05 Spence Award for his book Industrializing the Rockies, an examination of the coal business in Colorado and Wyoming from 1868 to 1914 with an emphasis on labor relations. In honor of his award Wolff received a cash prize and a commemorative silver ingot.

The Spence Award was named in honor of Clark S. Spence, a nationally recognized historian who is known as one of the deans of mining history. Spence has published several books related to mining history and was one of the founding members of the Mining History Association.

Wolff received his master’s degree in history from the University of Wyoming and his doctorate in history from Arizona State University. He has been a member of the BHSU faculty since 1998.

High school juniors attend math and science workshop - top

A group of students in the “Rising Scholars in Math and Science” summer program at Black Hills State University discuss the differences between various polyhedra during a session with local artist Dick Termes. During the session, Termes talked about the connection between art and geometry.

Breaking the code of an ancient numeration system, exploring the geometry and art connection, experimenting in a DNA lab, solving puzzles, testing water quality, discussing game theories and using global positioning systems were among the activities that 16 high school juniors from across the state took part in during the “Rising Scholars in Math and Science” session at Black Hills State University this week.

The four-day summer enrichment session is designed for South Dakota high school juniors who are intellectually curious and have a strong interest in math and science according to Dr. Ben Sayler, director. Participants interact with faculty members, exceptional teachers and a select cohort of fellow participants.

“The goal is to enrich the academic preparation of the most promising high school mathematicians and scientists across the state,” said Sayler. “Students expand their minds and make new friends with peers who have similar motivation, talents, and interests.”

Coordinated by the Center for the Advancement of Mathematics and Science Education (CAMSE), the Rising Scholars program utilizes mathematicians, scientists, educators and local artists to create an enriching and educational five-day experience for the students. According to Julie Dahl, program coordinator, the students accepted every challenge and excelled beyond the organizers’ expectations.

Participants this year included: Nicole Orr, Vermillion; Lisa Vanderlei, Springfield; Amber Jerke, Madison; Jordan Black, Custer; Brian Coburn, Spearfish; Taylor Effling, Artesian; Jon Nickolas, Aberdeen; Amy Reick, Aberdeen; Robyn Krage, Aberdeen; Katie Clark, Rapid City; Margo Stanforth, Platte; Nicole Eggebratten, Arlington; Carrie Delvaux, Woonsocket; Maria Tracy, Pierre; Garet Fordyce, Faith; and Jake Davis, Camp Crook.

BHSU students tour German-speaking countries - top

A group of BHSU students enjoy a southern German specialty called dampfnudeln at the century-old café Dampfnudel Uli, located in the university city of Regensburg, Germany, in which Connie Hubbard, German instructor at BHSU, attended university for one year. Hubbard accompanied eight BHSU students on a recent tour of Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic.

Eight Black Hills State University students, along with German instructor Connie Hubbard, recently toured Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic.

According to Hubbard, the students traveled by train from Berlin to Prague, Regensburg, Munich, Salzburg and Fuessen. They took extensive organized bicycle tours of Berlin and Munich, a walking tour of Prague, and a boat tour of the Danube River in Regensburg. Other sites visited include the Dachau concentration camp near Munich and Neuschwanstein and Hohensalzburg castles.

Students who took part in the trip were: Debbie Edinger, a sophomore elementary education major from Rapid City; Ashley Hoffman, a sophomore communication arts major from Rapid City; Nathan Lunde, a sophomore political science major from Hartford; Angela Mees, a former BHSU student from Forsyth, Mont.; Raeann Mettler, a sophomore biology major from Rapid City; Jen Moeller, a sophomore from Rapid City; Mike Rothleutner, a freshman Spanish major from Sykesville, Md.; and Heather Smith, a freshman pre-law major from DeSmet. The students were accompanied by Hubbard and her husband, Todd.

Golf tournaments net record amount for BHSU athletic scholarships - top

Two recent golf tournaments have added nearly $32,000 to the Yellow Jacket Foundation scholarship fund.

The annual Old Baldy Golf tournament in Saratoga, Wyo., coordinated by the institutional advancement office at BHSU, raised more than $16,000 that will be designated for Yellow Jacket athletic scholarships. A record number of golfers, 80, participated in the tournament which raised more funds than any of the previous tournaments. The Old Baldy Golf champions were Chris Telkamp, Roger Tellinghuisen, Ken Shultz, and Floyd Rummel, Jr.

The 15th annual Gold Dust Yellow Jacket Golf Classic and Sports and Leisure Auction contributed nearly $16,000 for scholarships. This tournament also had a record number of participants with 144 people golfing.

“These two golf tournaments are great events. I was extremely pleased to have so many golfers. I’d like to thank all of those who participated in these important fundraising events,” Steve Meeker, vice president for institutional advancement, said.

The annual Gold Dust Yellow Jacket Golf Classic fundraiser, which is open to the public, featured an 18-hole golf tournament, $250,000 shoot-out and a sports and leisure auction. Both events were designed to raise money to support Yellow Jacket athletics.

“We also sincerely appreciate the ongoing support of the Gold Dust which sponsors the tournament as well as the many local businesses who contribute items for the auction. Their support has made this the great event it is,” Meeker said.

Results for the Gold Dust Yellow Jacket Golf Classic area as follows:

In the men’s division for first place, the foursome of Dave Rogers, Greg Hartman, T.J. Gusso, and Doug Hughes, at 11 under par 60, each received $50 in auction money, a BHSU t-shirt and a $25 gift certificate to the Spearfish Canyon Pro Shop. These prizes were sponsored by Financial Benefits/Harvey Krautschun, the BHSU Alumni Association and the Yellow Jacket Foundation.

The couples team consisting of Hollie Stalder, Terry Hupp, Natalie Doering, and Rollie Rosedahl won the mixed division with a one under par 70.

Team members each received $50 in auction money, a BHSU t-shirt and a $25 gift certificate to the Spearfish Canyon Pro Shop. Gift sponsors were Carlsen-Aldinger Funeral Home, the Yellow Jacket Foundation and the BHSU Alumni Association.

The winning women’s team included Mary Cooper, JoAnn Claggett, Barb Welch, and Mickee Rarick, with a five over par 76. Team members received $50 in auction money, a BHSU t-shirt and a $25 gift certificate to the Spearfish Canyon Pro Shop sponsored by Queen City Motors, the BHSU Alumni Association and the Yellow Jacket Foundation.

In the senior division, the team of Bill Hughes, Bill Jordan, Bill Jones and Douglas Stanford, took first place with a five under par 65, for the second year in a row. They each received $50 in auction money, a BHSU t-shirt and a $25 gift certificate to the Spearfish Canyon Pro Shop. Gift sponsors were the Yellow Jacket Foundation and the BHSU Alumni Association.

The prize for last place team was awarded to the men’s foursome of Art Hill, Morris Zempel, Jim Donohue, and John Trohkimoinen, with a score of 6 over par 77. Each member received a BHSU cap sponsored by the BHSU Bookstore.

The prize for the longest distance traveled to attend this event went to Tim Penton who traveled all the way from Venezuela to participate in the tournament. He received a BHSU jacket sponsored by Perkin’s Family Restaurant in Spearfish.

The men’s and women’s putting contest winners were Charlie Loos and Connie Zempel. Both received putters sponsored by Dr. Scott Graslie. The second place winners were Craig Cooper and Mickee Rarick, who each received $50 in auction credit from Wells Fargo Bank.

Individual hole prizes were awarded in 18 categories. Hole, contest event, winner, prize and sponsors were:

See team winners.