Resignation -
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- Jennifer Butler, program assistant I, Residence Life
CSA position open -
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The following Career Service position is open:
- Senior secretary, Enrollment Services
For additional information, view the announcement on the Human
Resource web page or
contact the Human Resource Office.
Johnson returns to India to
teach physics to monks - top
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| Johnson |
Dr. Andy Johnson, associate director of the Center for
the Advancement of Math and Science Education at Black Hills State
University, recently returned from India where he taught physics to
Tibetan Buddhist monks.
This was second time Johnson spent his Christmas break
with the monks. He was accompanied by Dr. Dewey Dykstra of Boise State
University and Dr. Hunter Close of Seattle Pacific University. The three
collaborated on teaching inquiry-based lessons to the monks through the
Science For Monks program that was initiated by the Dalai Lama.
"The monks made this trip an intellectual adventure,"
Johnson said.
Johnson will make a presentation about his trip
Wednesday, Feb. 22 from 3-4 p.m. in Clare and Josef Meier Hall room 205.
The presentation is open to the public at no charge. Johnson will also
make a presentation about his trip to the Spearfish Rotary Club this
month.
This year Johnson led the monks in the study of color
addition and subtraction, which turned out to be a pivotal science topic
for the Buddhist monks according to Johnson.
"This was a big surprise. I have taught color addition
to elementary teachers, college students, and middle schoolers. They all
enjoy the activities, and they learn some basics of light and color. But
the monks took this to a higher level,” Johnson said. “They were
interested in how human perception relates to the world outside of each
person, and they had some very insightful questions about what we mean
by color."
Johnson noted that the Buddhist monks make careful
distinctions between the internal and external worlds, and because
vision is on the boundary between the internal and external, the monks
were very interested to get to the heart of a scientific understanding
of it. The Western view of color and light is very different from
traditional Buddhist teachings. Some of the monks now plan to teach
Johnson's color lessons in their own monasteries.
According to Johnson, the Science For Monks workshops
(www.scienceformonks.org)
were initiated by the Dalai Lama, who believes that Tibetan Buddhist
monks need to learn western science, and that Western scientists (and
all Westerners) can benefit immensely from dialogue with the monks. The
workshop is funded by the Sager Family Foundation (www.teamsager.org).
The monks who attended the workshop have already
achieved high ranking in their field. Their ages range from 25 to 40,
and some have earned the "geshe" degree in monastic studies, which is
roughly equivalent to a Western Ph.D.
Johnson was named associate director of CAMSE in the
fall of 1999. He earned a doctorate degree in science education from San
Diego State University in 1999. He has a bachelor’s degree and a
master’s degree in physics and has worked extensively in this field of
physics education.
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Tibetan Buddhist monks try out
“rainbow glasses” as part of the Science for Monks program presented by
BHSU professor Dr. Andy Johnson. This was the second consecutive year
that Johnson traveled to India during his Christmas break to teach
inquiry-based science through a program initiated by the Dalai Lama. |
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Carmichael named director
of Career Center - top
 Shawnda Carmichael, a Black Hills State University
graduate who has been working as a career counselor, has been named
director of the Career Center at BHSU.
Carmichael earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry
from BHSU in 2002 and at that time had plans for a career in
pharmaceutical sales. However, a workstudy job at the university’s
financial aid office as well as experience as a residence assistant led
to further employment at the university when Carmichael began working at
the enrollment center. For family reasons, Carmichael chose to stay in
the Spearfish area and later accepted a position as a career counselor
at the center. Since then, Carmichael discovered a passion for assisting
students as they move into their careers.
“I discovered that I loved working with students and
decided to make a career of it,” Carmichael said.
As director of the Career Center, Carmichael says one
of her goals is to get students into the Career Center early in their
academic career so they will have a complete portfolio when they are
ready to look for a job. She encourages freshmen and sophomore students
to stop by the center to begin their planning process, which will
eventually result in a complete job placement portfolio with documents
needed in a job search.
“The career planning portfolio should be a four-year
plan,” Carmichael explains. “My goal is to help students start planning
for their career and placement throughout their academic career.”
Carmichael is also examining placement data and
considering ways to improve the return and application of a job
follow-up survey that is distributed to recent graduates. She works
closely with each of the three colleges at BHSU to advise students and
graduates.
Born in Westminster, Colo., Carmichael lived primarily
in South Dakota as she was growing up. She is involved with both
community volunteerism and campus activities. She is currently pursuing
her master’s degree in counseling and human resource management.
Improv group to perform
Tuesday, Feb. 7 in the Student Union - top
Mission IMPROVable, a fast-paced and exciting improvisational group
from Chicago, Ill., will perform at Black Hills State University
Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. in the David B. Miller Yellow Jacket Student
Union.
Based on the popular Mission Impossible, the five-member troupe will
play secret agents whose mission is to perform and spread improv comedy
to the entire world. Audience suggestions and participation control the
action.
The troupe has performed at over 200 colleges a year for the past
three years and was recently nominated Best Comedy Act by Campus
Activities Magazine. They have also performed at numerous improv
festivals, including the Los Angeles Improv Comedy Festival with
performers from Saturday Night Live and Mad TV, among others. The group
recently completed the first episode of their own television series,
Mission IMPROVable Live,” which was filmed at various schools around the
nation.
The performance, which is sponsored by the University Programming
(UP) Team Kaleidoscope Committee, is open to community members as well
as BHSU students, faculty, and staff. There is no charge for admission.
For more information or to request accommodations for persons with
disabilities, contact Crystal at 642-6418 at least 48 hours prior to the
start of the event.
BHSU will host presentation by
South Dakota author and buffalo rancher Dan O'Brien -
top
Local author and buffalo rancher Dan O’Brien will speak at Black
Hills State University Friday, Feb. 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. in Jonas Hall
room 305.
O’Brien, formerly of the Whitewood-Sturgis area who now lives near
Hermosa, has written numerous books, ranging from short story
collections to non-fiction to novels. Most of his writing is set
primarily or entirely in South Dakota. His two most recent books are
Buffalo for the Broken Heart and The Indian Agent. Copies of both these
books will be available for purchase at the presentation, courtesy of
the BHSU Bookstore. O’Brien will sign copies of his work after the
presentation.
While on campus, O’Brien will also speak to several BHSU classes and
conduct a writing workshop in the BHSU Writing Center, located on the
main floor of the library.
O’Brien’s presentation is a part of the “Writing the West” series at
BHSU. It is co-sponsored by the Bush Grant and the University English
Club. For more information, contact David Cremean, assistant professor
of humanities and director of the Bush Grant at BHSU, at 642-6713 or
DavidCremean@bhsu.edu.
Career Center to host Spring
Career Festival - top
The Black Hills State University Career Center will
host a Spring Career Festival Wednesday, Feb. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
in the Jacket Legacy Room of the David B. Miller Yellow Jacket Student
Union.
Local and regional employers with full-time and
part-time positions will be available to meet with recent and future
graduates as well as current students looking for internships or summer
employment. Students are encouraged to bring their resume and be ready
for an on-the-spot interview.
More than 30 businesses and organizations from the
surrounding region have registered to attend the event. For a complete
list of employers attending visit
www.bhsu.edu/careers/.
Potential employers can still register for the event
by contacting the Career Center at 642-6277. Representatives for
organizations and businesses can also register online at
www.bhsu.edu/careers/.
Black Hills State
University releases dean's list -
top
The academic affairs office at Black Hills State
University has released the dean’s list for the fall 2005 semester. A
total of 443 students were named to the dean’s list. Students must
maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or above while taking at least 12
credit hours to be named to the dean’s list. Students are listed by
hometown or current place of residence.
See list.
Alberts pledge $140,000 for
athletic scholarships - top
Bob and Linda Albert, (center) present
a $28,000 check to Yellow Jacket Foundation president Myles Kennedy
(left) and Steve Meeker (right), vice president of institutional
advancement. The couple recently pledged $140,000 for athletic
scholarships at Black Hills State University.
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Scholar-athletes at Black Hills State University will
benefit from a recent pledge of more than $100,000 by alumni Bob and
Linda Albert.
The Albert couple, strong BHSU supporters, recently
presented a $28,000 donation, the first installment of their $140,000
pledge for football scholarships.
The Alberts have been consistent and generous
supporters of Yellow Jacket athletics. Prior to this gift, the Alberts
have contributed more than $25,000 for athletic scholarships at BHSU
since 1999. The Alberts were awarded the 2005 Green and Gold Club
Booster of the Year Award. The couple was also inducted into the Yellow
Jacket Hall of Fame during Swarm Week last fall.
Bob and Linda both attended BHSU in the late 60s and
early 70s. Bob earned an education degree in 1976, and Linda returned to
BHSU to earn her degree in 1982. After teaching and coaching for several
years, Bob and Linda relocated to the Denver, Colo., area where they now
own and operate Greenleaf Construction and Timberco Manufacturing.
In an article for the BHSU Alumni Magazine, the couple
expressed their strong belief in the importance of a college education
and noted that they feel their college education at BHSU was vital to
their success.
“Earning a degree teaches you the discipline to stay
with something,” Bob said. “Employers want to know that you had the
discipline to go to school and that you took the time to learn.”
Linda concurs with the importance of an education and
notes that "the skills you learn in college are transferable no matter
what you decide to do."
The Alberts are involved in many community and
charitable activities including participating in Habitat for Humanity,
the Children’s Hospital, the BHSU Foundation, Volunteers of America,
Boys and Girls Clubs of America and other groups.
Wheaton to visit area schools
- top
Tom Wheaton, assistant director of admissions at Black
Hills State University, will discuss college plans with students at two
area high schools next week.
Wheaton will visit the following schools Tuesday, Feb.
7: Sturgis High School from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Belle Fourche
High School from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
High school students needing information about college
costs, financial aid, housing, and academic information should plan to
visit with Wheaton. For more information contact the BHSU Admissions
Office at 1-800-ALL-BHSU or view the BHSU website at
www.bhsu.edu.
University Assessment Committee
minutes - top
The University Assessment Committee met Monday, Jan.
30 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. in the Meier Hall Conference Room.
Present were: Earley, Alsup, D. Wessel, Siewert, S.
Hupp, Sarkar, and C. Cremean. Romkema, Hagerty, and Sickler were absent.
National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) and
Faculty Survey of Student Engagement (FSSE):
Chair handed out reports of the NSSE surveys done for
BHSU in 2002 and 2004. He then reported that starting this week BHSU is
conducting NSSE 2006 and FSSE 2006 surveys. He encouraged faculty to
participate and tell their students to respond to the e-mail survey. A
request was made for an item analysis of the survey for the previous
surveys and the chair agreed to see if it could be done.
Plans considered:
- Business - Since Romkema was not present, the
committee agreed to postpone consideration until the next meeting.
- Art - The committee voted to ask for a rewrite of
the undergraduate research/creative activity and intensive writing
requirements.
- Biology - The committee accepted the writing
intensive plan and agreed that the peer review process was
exemplary. The undergraduate research plan was returned for rewrite.
- Chemistry - The undergraduate research/creative
activity and intensive writing plans were returned for rewrite and
resubmission.
- Social science and composite social science - The
undergraduate research/creative activity and intensive writing plans
were returned for rewrite and resubmission.
The committee agreed that the BHSU goals for these two
areas should be required in all plans of assessment as stated in the
catalog.
The next meeting of the University Assessment
Committee will be Monday, Feb. 6 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. in the Meier
Hall Conference Room.
Grant opportunities announced
- top
Below are program materials received in the Grants Office, Woodburn
212, through Thursday, Feb. 2. 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.
Transition to Teaching Program (ED)
The United States Department of Education announces its Transition to
Teaching Program to encourage (1) the development and expansion of
alternative routes to full State teacher certification, as well as (2)
the recruitment and retention of highly qualified mid-career
professionals, recent college graduates who have not majored in
education, and highly qualified paraprofessionals as teachers in
high-need schools operated by high-need LEAs, including charter schools
that operate as high-need LEAs. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)
Number: 84.350A, 84.350B, and 84.350C. Applications for grants under the
Transition to Teaching Competition-CFDA Number 84.350A, 84.350B, and
84.350C must be submitted electronically using the
Grants.gov apply site.
Deadlines: The deadline for the Notice of Intent to Apply is
Tuesday, Feb. 21. The deadline for the Transmittal of Applications is
Monday, March 20. A link to the full announcement can be found at
www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=7829.
Community-Based Abstinence Education Program (HHS)
The Family and Youth Services Bureau of the Department of Health and
Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, is accepting
applications to provide support to public and private entities for the
development and implementation of the Community-Based Abstinence
Education Program. The purpose of these programs is to educate young
people and create an environment within communities that supports teen
decisions to postpone sexual activity until marriage. Acceptable
applications will be designed to provide abstinence-until-marriage
education as defined by Section 510(b)(2) of the Title V Social Security
Act, for adolescents aged 12 through 18. The anticipated number of
awards is 45 to 55, with funding ranges between $250,000 and $600,000
depending upon the availability of funds and enactment of the Fiscal
Year (FY) 2006 program appropriation.
Deadline: The deadline for applications is Monday, March 27.
See
www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/HHS-2006-ACF-ACYF-AE-0099.html for more
information.
Instructional improvement grants
available - top
The Instructional Improvement Committee (IIC) encourages, through
monetary grants, the application of existing knowledge to specific
teaching situations to improve the quality of instruction at BHSU.
Any full-time faculty member, full-time adjunct faculty, or other
full-time staff member engaged in student instruction may apply for
grant funds administered by the committee. Grant funding will normally
be available up to a maximum of $1,000 per project. Priority will be
given to projects that will have a broad-based, visible, continuing
impact of instruction across faculty members and/or disciplines. Funds
are available for development of materials and methods to improve
teaching and learning, equipment to enhance teaching and learning,
travel to conferences or workshops which enhance teaching and learning,
and bringing consulting lecturers and teaching specialists to campus to
offer presentations to and/or with faculty and teaching-support staff at
BHSU. Faculty members who apply for grants to support travel to a
conference or workshop are limited to receiving no more than one grant
every three years. In the other categories, priority will be given to
those who have not received an IIC grant in the last academic year.
Proposals for grant funding will be reviewed by the IIC on a monthly
basis. Proposals are being accepted through Friday, Feb. 24 for
consideration at the March meeting. The deadline for proposals to be
considered at the April meeting is Friday, March 31.
Proposals are now being accepted electronically. To submit a proposal
electronically, attach it to an email and send it to
PeggyGubbrud@bhsu.edu. A
signed original must also be submitted to the Grants Office, Unit 9504,
or delivered to Woodburn Hall 212. Proposals must consist of the
proposal and budget outlines following the specified format available on
the Grants and Special Projects
web page.
Faculty research funds available
- top
The Faculty Research Committee has funds available for the current
fiscal year. Proposal forms are available on the Grants Office
website.
It is anticipated that successful applicants will request support for
research equipment, travel to research sites, support for the production
of creative work, or release time for research or creative work.
Preference is given to new applicants, particularly in the areas of
education, business, social sciences and humanities.
The committee reviews proposals on an ongoing basis. Applicants are
encouraged to review submission requirements, and to contact the
committee members for advice prior to completing their proposals.
Committee members are Steve Andersen, Dan Bergey, Dorothy Fuller,
Vincent King, Tim Molseed, Rob Schurrer, David Siemens, Sheng Yang, and
Kathleen Parrow, chair.
Applications to be considered at the next meeting need to be
submitted to the Grants Office by Wednesday, Feb. 22. Proposals will be
accepted on an ongoing basis with an additional deadline of Wednesday,
March 29.
Proposals are now being accepted electronically. To submit a proposal
electronically, attach it to an email and send it to
PeggyGubbrud@bhsu.edu;
however, a signed original must also be submitted to the Grants Office,
Unit 9504, or delivered to Woodburn Hall 212.
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