1997

Spirit of BH award winner Michael Ryan, a senior wellness management major from Ethete, Wyo., was recognized during the annual Student Volunteer Awards banquet for his contributions to BHSU and the community. Ryan has been on the BHSU dean's list every semester and carries a 3.71 GPA. He has also been an outstanding distance and middle distance runner for Yellow Jacket coach Dave Little. He qualified for the NAIA national championship on four different occasions.

The talented senior also serves as president of the BH chapter of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society. As president he has been involved in recruiting trips, speaking to Upward bound students, visiting with students on the reservation about college, and raising funds for books and study supplies for a study center.

In presenting the award, BHSU Alumni Board President Ron Schuttler said, "Mike Ryan sets standards of excellence and works hard to maintain them, be it in the classroom, athletics or with his student organizations. He has sacrificed much of his time in order to promote Black Hills State University, and more importantly, be a role model for high school students."

1998

Volunteerism, commitment, and hard work are keys to success for Tiffany Meidinger, the coveted Spirit of BH Award winner for 1998.

The Spirit of BH Award is presented to a Black Hills State University student who has made significant contributions that reflect favorably on the university and larger community.

Voted as last year's Outstanding Student Leader, Meidinger was a logical choice for this year's award. She has been active as a student ambassador and served as that organization's vice president. She has been a member of the Student Activities Committee and served as president. She has served as Swarm Day coordinator, New Student Days group leader, and as a volunteer in the university's institutional advancement office. While holding these positions she was a college work-study student in several different offices.

Near the time she received the Spirit of BH Award, she received notification that she had been selected as Student Employee of the Year for both the university and the State of South Dakota, presented by the Midwest Association of Student Employment Administrators.

Meidinger, a senior sociology major with a minor in computer applications, is originally from Miles City, Mont. She recently accepted a management information trainee position with an excellent compensation package from the Ralston Purina Corp. in the Quad City area of Iowa.

1999

Tanya Tolman, a senior wellness management major from Newcastle, Wyo., was named the recipient of the coveted Spirit of BH award at the annual Student Volunteer Awards banquet.

Tolman received her award from BHSU President Thomas Flickema. The talented senior was nominated by a professor, a student, and an administrative staff person. It is unusual to receive nominations from more than one source.

Described as an enthusiastic student and BHSU advocate Tolman served as president of the student ambassadors, served on the swarm day committee, was special-events chairperson for the student activities committee, a member of the wellness club, coordinator of Christmas on campus, Big 100 Week coordinator, coordinated the Clint Lewis benefit dance and raffle and served as a volunteer student athletic trainer.

2000

Students and alumni were honored recently at the 8th annual Student Volunteer Awards Banquet at Black Hills State University. The coveted Spirit of BH Award was presented to Lisa Bomengen, a senior business-education major from Sundance, Wyo., who in addition to being an honor student is also a gifted athlete. While maintaining a 3.59 grade point average, she excelled in track and cross country earning academic All-American honors and twice earned All-American honors for her running skills in cross country. In SDIC competition she won the 1999 cross-country title. In track she was named 1999 SDIC female outdoor track athlete of the year, winning the 1500- and 3000-meter championships, a feat she duplicated in 2000. She also won the same two races in an outdoor competition in 1999. The South Dakota Sports Writers Association named her 1999 female collegiate athlete of the year.

In the community, Bomengen worked with grade-school and middle-school children presenting environmental and tobacco awareness lessons. She participated twice in the Relay for Life event, helped facilitate Jump Rope for Heart and helped supervise the Fall Fitness Festival, and worked with clients from the Northern Hills Training Center. The versatile BH senior is a member of the Physical Education and Recreation Leadership (PEARL) club and Kappa Delta Phi, an international honor society.

2001

Spirit of BH award winner Ryan Remington was selected for his contributions to the university and the community. He is an enthusiastic student and advocate of Black Hills State. He is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, four-year letterman on the football team, and a volunteer at local elementary schools, nursing homes, and crisis pregnancy centers. He was vice president of the student senate, homecoming king, excellence in leadership award winner, a two-time All-American Scholar Athlete, and winner of the Burger King College Scholar Athlete Award. Remington is a senior education major from Groton and a two-time recipient of the College of Education alumni scholarship.

2002

Perhaps the most prestigious recognition at Black Hills State University's Annual Student Volunteer Awards Banquet is the Spirit of BH Award. In the event's tenth year, the honor went to Rachel Travis, Platte, a senior majoring in human resources management.

Travis has been active in multiple organizations and extra-curricular activities at BH. She is a dominating track and field athlete, was named NAIA All-American in 2001, and holds multiple school records. She has excelled academically as one of the Academic Seven in 2001 and has repeatedly made the dean's list. Travis has also gained the respect of her peers as a residence advisor (RA) and was honored as the 2000 Swarm Days Homecoming Queen. On top of all this, Travis is also a community service volunteer.

April Meeker, director of records at BH, stated in her nomination letter, "I have known Rachel for the past three years and have found her to be a remarkable person. Students like her bring our campus to life through their involvement and positive actions."

2003

Erica Littlewolf, a senior from Busby, Mont., was honored with the Black Hills State University Alumni Association Spirit of BH award at the annual student volunteer awards banquet.

Littlewolf was chosen to receive the esteemed Spirit of BH award for her activities both on and off-campus. Littlewolf, who was chosen by her peers as homecoming queen this fall, was cited for her ability to successfully manage academics, volunteerism, extra-curricular activities, and work. The BHSU senior with a double major in psychology and American Indian Studies maintains a 3.1 grade point average.

Littlewolf is involved in several campus organizations, serves as a member of the retention task force, serves as a university peer educator, and has volunteered through Habitat for Humanity for the last two years to help rebuild houses during spring break. Her community involvements include volunteering with the Artemis House, the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life, and as a vacation Bible school teacher.

I have developed a deep sense of respect and admiration for her achievements, her campus involvement, and above all, her leadership. I cannot think of another student who represents the spirit of Black Hills State University better than Erica Littlewolf, said one of the nominators for the award.

2004

Andrea Farr, a senior music major from Colstrip, Mont., received the 2004 Spirit of BH award from the Black Hills State University Alumni Association.

Farr, who also received recognition from her peers when she was selected as homecoming queen in the fall of 2003, was cited for her ongoing participation in a variety of campus and community organizations. Farr is an active member of Lakota Omniciye, co-president of the campus Habitat for Humanity Club, and a regular volunteer for the Artemis House and Humane Society. She has also been active in choir, band, and theatre performances on campus throughout her years as a student. Farr, who graduated in the spring of 2004, served as a New Student Days leader for three years and was a member of Campus Ventures, the UP team, and Bacchus Peer Educators.

According to one nominator, Farr is an ideal recipient for the Spirit of BH award because, even with all of her activities and volunteer work, she has been able to maintain a 3.55 grade point average which shows her true dedication and her commitment to making the most of her college career at BHSU.

2005

Dr. Thomas Flickema, president of Black Hills State University, presents Megan Wyett with the Spirit of BH award to honor her leadership in a number of student organizations and her participation in volunteer activities throughout the community.

Megan Wyett, a senior education student from Casper, Wyo., was recently presented with the prestigious Spirit of BH award for her volunteerism and leadership at Black Hills State University. She has been described as a student who is creative, motivated, networks well with faculty, staff and students, and has the tenacity to see things through completion. Wyett also successfully manages academics, volunteerism, and extra-curricular activities.

Wyett has been actively involved in a variety of student organizations since she first came to campus as a freshman in the fall of 2001. She is currently president of the Student Senate, a past president and member of the BHSU Student Ambassadors, and vice-president of the University Programming Team. Last fall, Wyett organized a campus and community Make a Difference Day with the assistance of the AmeriCorps* VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) office. More than 100 students volunteered for a variety of different projects in the community of Spearfish in conjunction with the national Make a Difference Day observation.

She has co-chaired and chaired the annual Swarm Days Homecoming Week committee, was elected vice president of awards for the BHSU Reading Council, is currently serving as the president of Chi Theta Xi Sorority, and is a member of the search and screen committee for retention. She has also volunteered as a New Student Days group leader and as a student athletic trainer.

2006

2006

The Spirit of BH Award was presented to Theresa Mutter at the fourteenth annual Student Volunteer Awards celebration at Black Hills State University.

The Black Hills State University Alumni Association honored Theresa Mutter, a senior political science and mass communications major from Oehningen, Germany, with the Spirit of BH Award at the 14th annual Student Volunteer Awards celebration.

The Spirit of BH Award recognizes a student who has made significant contributions that reflect favorably on the university and the local community.

While completing all of her coursework in three years, Mutter maintained a grade point average of 3.9. In addition to being an excellent student, she has been involved in numerous campus organizations and has served as a resident assistant for the past two years.

Mutter’s leadership roles on campus have included serving as the public relations officer and president of the University Programming (UP) Team; entertainment chair and co-chair of the Swarm Days Committee; president of the Honors Program; president and hall representative for the Residence Hall Association; vice president for the Honors Advisory Committee for Academic Affairs; vice president of the Student Ambassadors; and assistant editor and staff writer for the Today Newspaper.

In addition to her leadership responsibilities, Mutter has also been a member of the Chi Theta Xi sorority, KBHU-FM staff, Emerging Leaders Program, Student Senate, and BHSU Theatre. She has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, the OXFAM Hunger Banquet, Make a Difference Day, Relay for Life Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child, Make a Wish, and the Salvation Army.

Mutter was the first student to win the prestigious Chiesman Foundation Award for her research on American foreign policy. She was also honored as the BHSU Outstanding Freshman two years ago, received the Outstanding Residence Life Involvement Award last year, and was named the Honors Program Outstanding Member last year.

2007

Tom Wheaton (left), director of Alumni Relations; Dr. Kay Schallenkamp, BHSU president; and Hugh Palmer, president of the BHSU Alumni Association; present the Spirit of BH Award to Lillian Bruckner at the 15th annual Student Volunteer Awards Celebration at Black Hills State University.

The Black Hills State University Alumni Association presented the Spirit of BH Award to Lillian Bruckner, a senior elementary education major from Rapid City, at the 15th annual Student Volunteer Awards Celebration.

Each year, the Alumni Association presents the Spirit of BH Award to a BHSU student who has made significant contributions that reflect favorably on the university and the local community.

This year's recipient successfully manages academics, volunteerism, and extracurricular activities, Tom Wheaton, director of Alumni Relations, said.

While maintaining a grade point average of 3.38, Bruckner was involved in various campus activities and student organizations. She founded the Fantastic Phalanges, a campus sign language club designed to help people better understand the deaf culture and language, and served as president of the club for three years. She joined the Student Senate in 2005 and was voted president in 2006. She has also been a PREP Days group leader, New Student Days orientation leader, Student Ambassador, Heide Hall Government vice president, and Swarm Day Committee publicity chair.

In the fall of 2005, Bruckner was appointed by the dean of the College of Education to serve on the College of Education Curriculum Committee and was appointed to the Education Advisory Council in the spring of 2006. She also served on the University Strategic Planning Committee this past year and has served on the Reading Council, the Tobacco Awareness Committee, and the PREP Days Committee.

"She not only represents BHSU but is an ambassador wherever she is," said Micheline Hickenbotham, an assistant education professor at BHSU, in her nomination form. "She strongly believes in what we stand for and promotes the university through her behavior, participation, commitment, and involvement at the local, regional, and state level. I will remember her for her effective and genuine leadership."

2008

Black Hills State University President Kay Schallenkamp (left), Alumni Association President Hugh Palmer (second from right), and Alumni Relations Director Tom Wheaton present the Spirit of BH Award to Kelly Kirk, a senior history major from Beulah, N.D., at the recent Student Volunteer Awards celebration.

The Black Hills State University Alumni Association presented the Spirit of BH Award to Kelly Kirk, a senior history major from Beulah, N.D., at the 16th annual Student Volunteer Award celebration.

Each year, the Alumni Association presents a BHSU student with the Spirit of BH Award. The award is given to a student who has made significant contributions that reflect positively on the University, as well as the community as a whole.

Kirk maintains a 4.0 GPA while remaining involved with various campus activities and organizations. She became a member of the Student Senate in 2004 and was elected vice president of the Student Senate in 2006. In 2007, Kirk was elected Student Senate president. Her senate responsibilities included serving on the Activity Allocation Committee, the Presidential Search Committee, and the Student Union Expansion Building Committee, as well as numerous other committees as a student representative. She also carries this responsibility to the state level as an active member of the South Dakota Student Federation, where she meets with other student leaders and Board of Regents members to help better higher education for all South Dakota residents.

In addition to Student Senate, Kirk has been involved with the Honors Program, Swarm Days Homecoming Committee, and Pangburn Hall government, and she served as a resident assistant for two years. She has also presented at many events, including the National Collegiate Honors Convention and National Constitution Day. Kirk volunteers her time to the community, helping with blood drives, highway clean-up, the American Legion Auxiliary, and the Lutheran Church.

“I can’t say enough about her drive and need to make a difference. She spends countless hours volunteering to make our campus and community a better place to learn, live, and work,” Jane Klug, director of Student Services at BHSU, said in her nomination form. “Through her insightful leadership and volunteerism, I have seen a number of changes on campus.”

2009

Casey Hibbert (second from left), Black Hills State University senior speech and communications major from Spearfish, receives the Spirit of BH Award from Tom Wheaton (left to right), director of Alumni Relations; Sandy Mattern, BHSU Alumni Association President; and BHSU President Kay Schallenkamp, during the 2009 Student Volunteer Awards Celebration. Each year the Alumni Association presents a BHSU student, who has made significant contributions that reflect positively on the University, as well as the community as a whole, with the Spirit of BH Award.

The Black Hills State University Alumni Association presented the Spirit of BH Award to Casey Hibbert, a senior speech and communications major from Spearfish, at the 2009 Student Volunteer Awards Celebration.

Each year, the Alumni Association presents a BHSU student with the Spirit of BH Award. The award is given to a student who has made significant contributions that reflect positively on the University, as well as the community as a whole. Hibbert participates in various campus activities and organizations. He has performed in over 25 university or community shows, including the role of “Scrooge” in A Christmas Carol, “Wild Bill” in Deadwood Dick, and “John the Beloved” in the Black Hills Passion Play. Hibbert is a nominee for the Irene Ryan Acting Competition for his performance in “Much Ado About Nothing” and competed for a national acting scholarship award in January at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Last summer he participated in the BHSU Summer Theater Program and also found time to help orient new students during registration by serving as a student leader.

In addition to Hibbert’s acting, he has provided technical support for the BHSU theatre and the Matthews Opera House from 2004 to the present. In 2006, he was voted secretary for Props and Liners and Theatre Society, and in 2007 was voted president for Props and Liners and Theatre Society. Hibbert serves as a Student Technology Fellow and has been on the Dean’s List. He was one of two students on an eight-person panel discussion titled “Why Volunteer?” during Volunteer Week this past fall. For the past five years, he has volunteered at the Spirit of the Hills Animal Sanctuary and in 2007 was the organizer for “Paws and Claws.”

2010

Joey Painter accepts the 2010 Spirit of BH award from President Kay Schallenkamp on behalf of her brother P.J. Painter.

2010 Spirit of BH Recipient P.J. Painter

Black Hills State University presented the 2010 Spirit of BH Award to PJ Painter, senior professional accountancy and business administration major from Buffalo, during the annual Student Volunteer Awards Ceremony. The Spirit of BH Award is presented annually to a BHSU student who has made significant contributions that reflect favorably on the University, as well as the community as a whole.

The Spirit of BH Award is presented annually to a BHSU student who has made significant contributions that reflect favorably on the University, as well as the community as a whole.

Painter successfully balances academics, volunteerism, and extra-curricular activities while maintaining a 3.8 grade point average (GPA). His involvement on campus is varied and includes several organizations. He spearheaded the return of the rodeo program to BHSU and has volunteered countless hours promoting the program through fundraising and meeting with BHSU administration and faculty.

Painter was recognized nationally in 2009 for having the third-highest GPA at the College Nationals Finals Rodeo (CNFR). This accomplishment led to a scholarship from the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Foundation. He won the reserve all-around title for the Great Plains Region and went on to compete at the CNFR where he won the first go-around competition in the tie-down roping event and was a part of the six-member men’s team, which earned fifth place that year.

Painter served as president of the BHSU Rodeo Team from 2006-2009. As president, he took the lead in many community and campus events. He assisted in organizing fundraisers such as golf tournaments, roping events, the Will Lantis Yellow Jacket Stampede, and the Cowboys and Candlelight Dinner and Auction. He also helped secure sponsorships and prize donations from community members and businesses.

In addition to his involvement in rodeo, Painter has also contributed many hours to the Volunteer Income Tax Association (VITA), Parade of Lights, the Humane Society, and is a member of the BHSU Student Ambassadors. He currently serves as president of the BHSU Pre-Law Association and has been accepted into the University of South Dakota Law School. While serving in the numerous roles mentioned, Painter has also managed to make the BHSU Dean’s List eight times.

“He is a leader and role model for underclassmen and is a positive spokesperson for the rodeo program. When looking for ways to improve or change the program, he is always looking at the big picture and how changes will impact every member, not just himself. In addition, he has researched many ways for the program to give back to the community and actively participates in those projects,” stated Glen Lammers, BHSU rodeo coach. Lammers and Dr. Ken Schallenkamp, associate professor of business at BHSU, nominated Painter for the Spirit of BH Award. Painter was the only recipient to receive two nominations.