DESY SCHOENEWIES NAMED DISTINGUISHED FACULTY AWARD RECIPIENT

Black Hills State University recognized Desy Schoenewies, professor of art, as the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Faculty Award. 

Schoenewies was honored for her excellence in teaching, service to the University, and active contributions to research, scholarship, and creative endeavors. BHSU President Steve Elliott and Interim Provost Pam Carriveau presented the award to Schoenewies on Monday, April 28. 

Candidates for the Distinguished Faculty Award are nominated by BHSU faculty members and reviewed by the Distinguished Faculty Committee. The committee makes a recommendation to the Faculty Senate, which then recommends a final candidate to the Provost. 

“Professor Schoenewies' commitment to service extends beyond the classroom, enriching the university and the Black Hills community,” said a BHSU faculty member in their nomination letter. “Moreover, by actively participating in committees and engaging in collaborative initiatives, she enhances the overall student experience.” 

Schoenewies moved to Spearfish in 2012 after earning her Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art from Fontbonne University in St. Louis, Missouri. 

At BHSU, Schoenewies has been instrumental in shaping the visual arts program, serving as the primary writer for the Bachelor of Fine Arts curriculum adopted in 2016. She developed several new courses and actively mentors students through teaching, advising, and leading the BHSU Art Club. Her service to the university includes serving on the BHSU Research Symposium Committee, the University Research Council, and numerous other academic committees. 

Her leadership extends far beyond the classroom. Schoenewies has directed multiple large-scale public art projects, including a downtown Spearfish mural and the Lookout Mountain Art Tunnel Project, which connect campus and the community through collaborative creative efforts. She is also currently working with a class on a mural for a pet food pantry in St. Louis. 

Schoenewies’ artistic and academic work has earned her significant recognition. She is a signature member of Artists of the Black Hills and has served on the boards of the Matthews Opera House and the Rapid City Arts Council at the Dahl Arts Center. Her work has been exhibited regionally and nationally and is included in permanent collections at the South Dakota State Capitol, the Dahl Arts Center, and the University of South Dakota. Her work as a painter is deeply rooted in disciplined oil techniques and the use of strategic symbolism to explore human stories and their relationship with places. 

A recipient of numerous grants, including funds from the South Dakota Arts Council, Bush Foundation, and BHSU Seed Grant Program, Desy continues to foster community through art, research, and education.