Black Hills State University honored students and organizations at the annual Student Volunteer Awards Ceremony (SVAC) in the Jacket Legacy Room on April 20. This event, organized by the BHSU Student Engagement and Leadership Center, recognizes and expresses gratitude toward student leaders and organization volunteers for their dedication and commitment on campus and in the community.
“I want to say one more big congratulations to all of you student leaders,” said Jessie Gramm, assistant director of the Student Union. “Without you, our campus and my job would be a lot less fun. You all have done a fantastic job this year and I am so proud of each of you.”
The awards and recipients include:
Outstanding New Student: Quinn Kiefer
Outstanding Involvement in Residence Life: Liz Parsons
Outstanding Leadership in Residence Life: Ragan Rae, Tam Smith
Outstanding Program Award: WiSTEM and Psi Chi - Slime Making; Three Peaks Review - Found Poetry
Outstanding Volunteer: Bailey Smith
Outstanding Community Service Project: Campus Actives Board - Rake-A-Thon
Dean of Students Rising Star Award: Jocelyn Corrales
Leadership Certificate Recognition: Alyssa Diaz, Ashlee Hanson, Cassidy Van Zee, Chance Robinson, Jalen Hohm, Kaitlyn
Thompson, Karanda Kay Davis, Kaylee Jackson, Kendra Palmlund, Liza Stahl, Muira Cronin,
Oliva Schaefers, Ryken Falkenburg Brown, Teddi Dwyer
Most Improved Student Organization: Campus Activities Board
Spirit of BH Award: Leyton Schnell
Outstanding Student Leader: Bailey Froelich, Cassidy Van Zee
Excellence in Leadership: Liddy Day, Alyssa Diaz, Teddi Dwyer, Connor Hutcheson, Douglas Leffers, Katelyn Lueth,
Anna Mueller, Chance Robison, Olivia Schaefers, Leyton Schnell, Liza Stahl, Gaige
Tarver, Noah Westergaard
Outstanding Student Organization: Women in STEM (WiSTEM)
Additionally, Nicole Keller, the operations manager and executive chef, was acknowledged for her 17 years of dedication to Yellow Jacket Dining and BHSU community.
Several BHSU Student Organizations also recognized their own “Outstanding Organization Members.”
Dr. Rich Loose, associate provost and associate vice president for academic affairs, announced three student organizations that will be recognized this fall by the South Dakota Board of Regents for their contributions during the 2025-26 academic year. The Board of Regents Award for Academic Excellence was awarded to Buzz Marketing for their contributions toward various enrollment management initiatives at BHSU. Buzz Marketing has completed a variety of applied marketing and market research projects that support university initiatives and drive enrollment growth. The Board of Regents Community Service Award was given to the Residence Hall Association for their efforts in the RA Auction. Their 12th annual auction broke past fundraising records by over $100, and the money was donated to the Spearfish Volunteer Fire Department. The Board of Regents Organizational Leadership Award recognized the members of Psychology Club for their contributions to fostering awareness, advocacy, and connection among the BHSU community with one of their most impactful contributions being “Take Back the Night.”
Dr. Jane Klug, dean of students, announced the nominees for the Jane Klug Student Leadership Scholarship. Students must be an award nominee and have at least a 2.5 GPA to qualify. Sage Wilson was announced as the recipient.