Meyers novel wins 2005
Mountains and Plains Booksellers Association Award -
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| Meyers |
The Work of Wolves, a novel by Black Hills State University
associate professor Kent Meyers, recently won the 2005 Mountains and
Plains Booksellers Association Award for adult fiction.
The award will be presented to Meyers at a banquet in Denver, Colo.,
in April. Previous winners of this award include such writers as Rick
Bass, Cormac McCarthy, Joy Harjo, Wallace Stegner, Barbara Kingsolver
and Kent Haruf.
The Mountains and Plains Booksellers Association is a regional
association of independent booksellers encompassing 11 states including
Colorado, South Dakota, Wyoming, New Mexico, Utah, Idaho, Texas,
Montana, Kansas, Arizona, and Nebraska.
The Work of Wolves was used throughout the fall 2004 semester
as a textbook in most English 101 and English 201 courses at BHSU. It
was listed on The Christian Science Monitor’s list of the best
novels of 2004 and was selected for the 2005 One Book South Dakota
program by the South Dakota Center for the Book.
Most recently, the novel was selected as a finalist in the novel
category for the Minnesota Book Awards, which are open to writers who
were born in or are current residents of Minnesota, or who have
published a book with a Minnesota press. Winners will be announced this
spring.
Meyers received a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of
Minnesota-Morris and a master’s degree in English from Washington State
University. He has been a member of the BHSU faculty since 1986.
BHSU makes plans for annual
Summer Jobs and Internships Fair - top
The Black Hills State University Career Center will hold its annual
Summer Jobs and Internships Fair Wednesday, Feb. 16 from 10 a.m. to 3
p.m. in the David B. Miller Yellow Jacket Student Union Jacket Legacy
Room.
Held annually each spring, the Summer Jobs and Internships Fair
offers students the chance to test out potential career areas and
develop important skills. Positions at camps, national parks, resorts
and similar organizations are available to help students develop their
supervisory, leadership, counseling and communication skills while still
allowing them to have fun on the job. Many jobs are available in
excellent summer locations.
This year, the Career Center is combining the Human
Services/Non-Profit Organizations Fair and the Summer Fun Job Fair to
offer participants a greater selection of employers. Currently, there
are over 30 employers registered for the fair. See
www.bhsu.edu/careers/careerfairs/SF.asp for a list of registered
employers.
Participants should come dressed for job interviews with copies of
their resumes. Members of the general public are welcome to attend. For
more information contact Eileen Thomas, senior secretary in the BHSU
Career Center, at 642-6277 or
EileenThomas@bhsu.edu.
Reading Council will host
puppet performance - top
The Black Hills State University Reading Council will
host a puppet performance entitled “A Dragon Mystery” Thursday, Feb. 17
from
5:30-6:30 p.m. in the David B. Miller Yellow Jacket Student Union Market
Place.
The performance, presented by Dragons Are Too Seldom
Puppet Productions, is a puppet show for the whole family. It takes
place in Dragonwood, the home of all dragons – a perfect place until
something goes horribly wrong. Zed the Dragon and his new best friend,
Estelle the Mouse, must find Zed’s parents and figure out what is
happening to the dragons while taking care of Zed’s brothers and
sisters.
Dragons Are Too Seldom Puppet Productions with master
puppeteer, Markie Scholz, who received her master’s in curriculum and
instruction from BHSU in 1993, has been touring the United States
performing for over 30 years. Scholz’s fast-paced shows are full of fun
and excitement. She and her puppets travel between 30,000 and 70,000
miles a year, performing for schools, libraries, festivals, and many
other special events.
For more information contact Dr. Joanna Jones,
assistant professor in the College of Education at BHSU, at 642-6405 or
JoannaJones@bhsu.edu.
Nationally recognized educator
and author will speak at BHSU - top
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| Mirel |
Jeffrey E. Mirel, a nationally recognized educator who
has written several books on the decline of the public education system,
will speak at Black Hills State University Thursday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m.
in the David B. Miller Yellow Jacket Student Union Jacket Legacy Room.
Mirel will present “Civic Education and National
Crises: A History of the Ongoing Debate About What Young People Should
Know” suggesting specific answers to what ails America's public schools
and how public education can be improved. Mirel is a professor of
education and history at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.
Mirel’s first book, The Rise and Fall of an Urban
School System: Detroit, 1907-81, won outstanding book awards from
the American Educational Research Association and from the History of
Education Society. He also coauthored, with David Angus, The Failed
Promise of the American High School, 1890-1995. His current research
focuses on educating for democratic citizenship.
Other publications by Mirel include Politics, Money
and the Decline of Urban Public Schools, 1925-1975; “Don’t Know
Much About History, Don’t Know Much about Biology…”: How High Schools
Became Warehouses for American Teenagers; and Negotiating a New
Nation: How Immigrants Responded to Americanization and Changed America
in the Process.
Mirel’s presentation is sponsored by the Black Hills
State University Chiesman Foundation. The presentation is open to the
public at no charge. For more information contact George Earley at
642-6270.
Theatre Department presents
annual musical - top
The Black Hills State University Theatre Department
will stage “Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?,” Thursday,
Feb. 24; Friday Feb. 25; and Saturday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. as well as a
special matinee performance Sunday, Feb. 27 at 2:30 p.m. in the Woodburn
Hall Auditorium.
“Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?,” by
John Powers, James Quinn, and Alaric Jans, focuses on the lives of eight
children during their Catholic elementary and high school education in
the 1950s. It captures the funniest aspects of youthful growing pains
and trying moments of adolescence. The play has been described as “very
funny” and “crisp and snappy.”
For tickets call the BHSU box office at 641-6171.
Cast members include Kimm Lischefska, a BHSU graduate
student from Sturgis who is majoring in business services management, as
the secretary; Dennis Kennedy, a freshman from Lander, Wyo., majoring in
music, as Felix; Katie Severns, a sophomore from Rapid City majoring in
music, as Nancy; Melita Roberts, a senior from Spearfish majoring in
theatre, as Mary; Jessica Juhrend, a Spearfish community member, as
Virginia; Erin Hirning, a sophomore from Eureka majoring in music, as
Becky; Jared McDaris, a senior from Spearfish majoring in theatre, as
Father O’Reilly; Amanda Kampman, a sophomore from Spearfish majoring in
pre-nursing, as Sister Helen; Tammie Foley, a sophomore from Rapid City
majoring in English, as Sister Lee; Josh Stanton, a senior from Miles
City, Mont., majoring in music, as Eddie; Nic Hanson, a graduate from
Blythe, Calif., with a major in theatre, as Mike; Jon Harms, a junior
from Aberdeen majoring in biology, as Louie; and Maria Jeron Bartlett, a
freshman from Fruitdale, as Sister Monica Marie.
Tim Bishop wins 13th
annual Alumni Mile - top
 Tim
Bishop won the 13th annual Black Hills State University Alumni Mile,
which was held during the recent Dave Little Invitational at the Donald
E. Young Sports and Fitness Center. Bishop, a 2003 graduate who
currently serves as an assistant coach for the BHSU cross country and
track and field teams, finished the race with an impressive time of
4:28.51.
Approximately 30 runners from across the United States
participated in the race. After the meet, participants received brats,
chips and beverages from the Stadium Sports Grill. Prizes were raffled
off and a small auction was held to raise dollars for the Alumni Mile
Endowment.
Zachary Kintzley, a junior biology major from LaPorte,
Colo., and Cassie Knutson, a senior art major from Ft. Collins, Colo.,
were awarded the annual Alumni Mile scholarships.
The Alumni Mile scholarship endowment was started in
1998 in support of both men’s and women’s track and cross country teams.
Each year participants of the Alumni Mile race and reunion contribute to
the fund. It is designed to bring former BHSU athletes and present BHSU
athletes together.
Kennedy honored as Booster of
the Year at Black Hills State University -
top
 Myles
and Jeanette Kennedy (center) were honored as Green and Gold Club
Boosters of the Year for their generous and ongoing support of Black
Hills State University. The award was presented by Steve Meeker (left),
athletic director and vice president for institutional advancement, and
Dr. Thomas Flickema (right), president of BHSU, during a basketball game
recently. The couple was recognized for their ongoing financial support
and volunteerism for Yellow Jacket athletics. Myles currently serves as
president of the Yellow Jacket Foundation and the couple is active in
many fundraising activities at the university.
University Assessment
Committee minutes - top
The University Assessment Committee met Monday, Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. in
the Meier Hall Conference Room.
Present were S. Hupp, Sarkar, D. Wessel, Siewert, Ellis, Alsup,
Strand, and Earley. Myers and Hagerty were absent.
The committee discussed what data it wanted to review and decided to
ask the Office of Information for the number of students for each major
and minor. Chair said he would forward the request to that office and
get it back as soon as possible.
The committee considered the following annual assessment reports:
- Mass communications/communication arts - The committee
approved the report but requested that for next year the data
include specifics on how the portfolios were rated and a breakdown
on those ratings. The committee said that report should focus on
assessment of student learning, not program review.
- Music - The report was approved.
- American Indian studies - The report was approved. The
committee was concerned about the low number of majors, but also
recognized the ongoing dialogue with USD about offerings and
students.
- Political science - The report was approved. The
committee felt the statement at the end about No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
and outside requirements was unnecessary.
- Human services - The committee approved the report, but
would like an explanation of the chart on test results over time.
Has the test remained the same and the instructors changed or is
there some reason for the drop in mean scores?
- History - The committee approved the report and commended
the department for scores on mfat that are above the national means
and are indicative of student learning.
The next meeting will be Monday, Feb. 28 at 1 p.m.
Faculty Senate minutes
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The Faculty Senate met Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 3:15 p.m.
Members present were Kristi Pearce, Randall Royer,
Barbara Chrisman, Steve Andersen, Curtis Card, Jim Hesson, Micheline
Hickenbotham, Roger Miller, Christine Shearer-Cremean, Tom Termes, and
Ian Laber (Student Senate representative).
Pearce called the meeting to order. A motion to
approve the agenda was made by Hesson and seconded by Card. A motion to
approve the minutes was made by Hickenbotham and seconded by Termes.
Old Issues:
- Discussion was held related to the
Faculty/Student Forum that was scheduled for Jan. 26. After the discussion it was decided
that the preference would be to hold the forum after Dr. Flickema
has visited the Senate. This should take place at one of the
February meetings. The forum will now be held Wednesday, Feb. 23. The
topic of the forum will remain how to improve campus communication.
It is proposed that a panel be seated to discuss the issues.
Administration, faculty, staff and students will all be asked to
participate in the panel discussion. Issues of concern include:
reorganization or realignment of offices upon recommendation of
outside consultants (current structure of who reports to whom);
missed communication of timelines relative to curriculum matters;
place of Faculty Senate and Student Senate in the organizational
structure, plus others.
- Shearer-Cremean will report back about the issue of
evaluation of administrators. Earl Chrysler has forwarded one
possible evaluation example for this purpose.
- The Faculty Handbook was completed by Dr. David Wolff last summer as
was approved by the 2003-2004 Faculty Senate. The handbook was
distributed to new faculty during orientation week as was expected.
Dr. George Earley was to gather comments from the new faculty regarding the
content. The Senate approved the work of Wolff.
- Shearer-Cremean, as chair of the Curriculum Committee, attended the Council of
Deans meeting for guidance related to curriculum changes. Pearce
reported that a Bridge Program to help students prepare for entering
college was under consideration to include using the time to offer
remediation courses for mathematics and English.
- Art Jones has asked if the Senate is involved in
the issue related to
the placement of bulletin boards in Jonas. No one on the Senate had
knowledge of this.
- Campus web pages are being updated. They will be separated into
an intranet and an internet to provide a more user-friendly operation.
Reports:
- Pearce discussed her meeting with the Faculty Senate presidents from
other South Dakota campuses. She reported that other Faculty Senates were not
facing similar challenges regarding the Board of Regents (BOR) mandated general
education requirements and institutional curriculum changes. She
learned of the SDSU Standards for Excellence document related to
Appendix G. Specific evaluation criteria for faculty must be in
place by May. A committee will be appointed by Dr. Dean Myers, vice
president for Academic Affairs, to consider
the issue.
- Pearce and Royer will attend a roundtable
discussion in Pierre on Jan. 24. Faculty Senate representatives will meet with BOR
staff, university presidents and members of the BOR. Laber reported that four Student Senate representatives will attend
a similar meeting that same day.
- The Student Senate will meet at 7 p.m. Monday during this
semester since this is the only time all members are available.
Students will attend Students for Higher Education Days (SHED) Feb. 6-8.
The Student Senate has rewritten
their constitution.
- Hesson reported that the Strategic Planning Committee will have
budget hearings for the rest of the semester.
- Chrisman reported that the Library Committee is in the process
of setting up a meeting with Myers.
- It was reported that the most recent CAAP scores are at or above
average. Discussion is currently in process related to how to keep
them that way.
The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Barbara Chrisman, secretary.
Grant opportunities announced
- top
Below are the program materials received in the Grants
Office, Woodburn 309, through Feb. 10. For copies of the information,
contact the office at 642-6204 or e-mail requests to
grants@bhsu.edu. Fellowship
information will also be posted on the Student Union bulletin board near
the information desk.
Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program
(ED)
The U.S. Department of Education’s Minority Science
and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP) is designed to effect
long-range improvement in science and engineering education and to
increase the flow of underrepresented ethnic minorities, particularly
minority women, into scientific and technological careers. The program
funds are generally used to implement design projects, institutional
projects, and cooperative projects. The program also supports special
projects designed to provide or improve support to accredited nonprofit
colleges, universities, and professional scientific organizations for a
broad range of activities that address specific barriers that eliminate
or reduce the entry of minorities into science and technology fields.
Deadline: March 21. See
http://fedgrants.gov/Applicants/ED/HRO/DCMGC/ED-GRANTS-020305-002/Grant.html
for the full announcement.
Prevent High-Risk Drinking or Violent Behavior Among
College Students (ED)
The U.S. Department of Education’s Safe and Drug-Free
Schools and Communities - National Programs announces a grant
competition to prevent high-risk drinking or violent behavior among
college students. The program provides awards to develop or enhance,
implement, and evaluate campus and/or community-based strategies to
prevent high-risk drinking or violent behavior among college students.
Deadline: March 25. A link to the full
announcement is available at
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/E5-513.pdf.
Early Childhood Educator Professional Development
Program (ED)
The purpose of the Early Childhood Educator
Professional Development (ECEPD) program is to enhance the school
readiness of young children, particularly disadvantaged young children,
and to prevent them from encountering difficulties once they enter
school, by improving the knowledge and skills of early childhood
educators who work in communities that have high concentrations of
children living in poverty. A partnership consisting of at least one
entity from each of the following categories, as indicated below:
- One or more institutions of higher education, or
other public or private entities (including faith-based
organizations), that provide professional development for early
childhood educators who work with children from low-income families
in high-need communities.
- One or more public agencies (including local
educational agencies, State educational agencies, State human
services agencies, and State and local agencies administering
programs under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of
1990), Head Start agencies, or private organizations (including
faith-based organizations).
- If feasible, an entity with demonstrated
experience in providing training to educators in early childhood
education programs concerning identifying and preventing behavior
problems or working with children identified as or suspected to be
victims of abuse. A partnership may apply for these funds only if
one of the partners currently provides professional development for
early childhood educators working in programs located in high-need
communities with children from low-income families.
Deadline: April 22. More information is
available at
http://fedgrants.gov/Applicants/ED/HRO/DCMGC/ED-GRANTS-020705-001/Grant.html.
Research Experience for Teachers (NSF)
This National Science Foundation announcement is to
call your attention to an activity that will enable K-12 science
educators to participate in projects funded by the Directorate for
Biological Sciences (BIO) at the National Science Foundation (NSF). The
goal of the Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) activity is to
enhance the professional development of K-12 science educators through
research experience at the emerging frontiers of science in order to
bring new knowledge into the classroom. BIO strongly encourages all its
grantees to make special efforts to identify talented teachers who can
participate in this RET supplement activity to integrate research and
education. NSF believes that encouraging active participation of
teachers in on-going NSF projects is an excellent way to strengthen the
science expertise of our nation’s teachers. Another goal of the RET
supplement activity is to build collaborative relationships between K-12
science educators and the NSF research community. BIO is particularly
interested in encouraging its researchers to build mutually rewarding
partnerships with teachers at urban or rural schools and those at less
well-endowed school districts. A RET can be requested as a supplement to
an existing NSF award or as part of a new or renewal NSF proposal.
Deadline: Ongoing. Details are available at
http://fedgrants.gov/Applicants/NSF/OIRM/HQ/05-524/Modification1.html.
Research Opportunity Award (NSF)
Research Opportunity Award (ROA) activity is part of
the National Science Foundation Research at Undergraduate Institutions (RUI)
program. ROAs enable faculty at predominantly undergraduate
institutions, including community colleges, to pursue research as
visiting scientists with NSF-supported investigators at other
institutions. The goal of this activity is to enhance the research
productivity and professional development of science faculty at
undergraduate institutions through research activities that enable them
to explore the emerging frontiers of science. Such research not only
contributes to basic knowledge in science but also provides an
opportunity to integrate research and undergraduate education. The
Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) strongly encourages all of its
awardees to make special efforts to invite community college faculty, as
well as faculty at predominantly undergraduate institutions, to
participate in research through ROAs and thus broaden the national
research base. Participation of members of underrepresented groups
(underrepresented minorities and persons with disabilities) is
particularly encouraged. An ROA supplement can be requested on a current
award or when submitting a new or renewal proposal. Most frequently, ROA
activities are summer experiences, but partial support of sabbaticals
may also be provided.
Deadline: Ongoing. A link to the complete
announcement is available at
www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf05548.
Improvements in Facilities, Communications, and
Equipment at Biological Field Stations and Marine Laboratories (NSF)
Biological Field Stations and Marine Laboratories (FSMLs)
are off-campus facilities for research and education conducted in the
natural habitats of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems.
FSMLs support biological research and education by preserving access to
study areas and organisms, by providing facilities and equipment in
close proximity to those study areas, and by fostering an atmosphere of
mutual scientific interest and collaboration in research and education.
To fulfill these roles, FSMLs must offer modern laboratories and
educational spaces, up-to-date equipment, appropriate personal
accommodations for visiting scientists and students, and modern
communications and data management systems for a broad array of users.
In recognition of the importance of FSMLs in modern biology, NSF invites
proposals that address these general goals of FSML improvement.
Deadline: April 26. See
http://fedgrants.gov/Applicants/NSF/OIRM/HQ/05-550/Grant.html for
more information.
Applications sought for
trainer-of-trainers conference fellowships - top
Fellowships are available to support the attendance of individuals at
the 11th Annual Conference on Teaching Survival Skills and Ethics to be
held June 12-17 in Snowmass, Colo. This five-day trainer-of-trainers
conference, which is funded by the National Institutes of Health, is
designed to prepare faculty and administrators to establish or improve
instruction in the responsible conduct of research and in professional
development (e.g., writing research articles and grant applications;
making oral presentations and teaching; funding employment; hiring,
supervising, and mentoring).
Members of the conference faculty include Gary Comstock (professor
and director of the Research Ethics Program at North Carolina State
University), Debra Parrish (partner at Parrish Law Offices, specializing
in research integrity and intellectual property law), David Jensen
(professional career counselor and contributor to Science Next Wave),
Jeffrey Kahn (professor and director at the University of Minnesota
Center for Bioethics), Julio Ramirez (professor at Davidson College),
and Craig Wilcox (professor of chemistry at the University of
Pittsburgh).
Individuals attending the conference will receive an extensive set of
lecture outlines, ethics cases, student handouts, readings, slides, and
a comprehensive bibliography. Attendance is limited to 50 persons and
applications are considered on a rolling basis. More information on the
conference, including the application form, is available at
www.survival.pitt.edu/events/trainer.asp.
Conference fellowships cover travel, lodging, food, and all but $325
of the registration fee. Moreover, participants from U.S. institutions
will have the opportunity to apply for start-up grants of up to $2,000
toward their efforts to implement instruction in professional
development and ethics.
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