Black Hills State University President Steve Elliott presented the annual State of the University address to faculty and staff Wednesday in the newly renovated Woodburn Theatre. The address highlighted the university’s momentum, evolving strategic priorities, and commitment to preparing students to meet the workforce needs of South Dakota and the region.
The event began with the recognition of 23 BHSU staff and faculty members for their longevity, with service ranging from 10 to 35 years. Collectively, the honorees represented more than 400 years of service to BHSU and the South Dakota Board of Regents.
Vice President for University Advancement Steve Meeker announced this year’s recipients of the annual employee awards:
- Presidential Outstanding Employee: Gus Karinen, buzz card specialist
- Presidential Rising Star (Staff): Alyssa Blake, lead financial aid advisor
- Presidential Rising Star (Faculty): Katelynn Kelly, assistant professor of political science
- Presidential Outstanding Student Employee: Anthony Corbine
- Presidential Team Excellence Award: Administrative Information Management Services, including Anthony Conklin, Haden Goodwin, David Pruitt, Anne Stevens, and Ven Thompson.
President Elliott’s address provided a comprehensive campus update highlighting positive trends in student enrollment, efforts to align academic programs with workforce needs, and initiatives designed to support student success and strengthen BHSU’s position in an evolving higher education landscape.
“This really has been a year of momentum,” Elliott said. “We have an opportunity as a university to build on this progress, to lead through the change that we’re experiencing, and to strengthen the university that we’re going to hand to the next generation of Yellow Jackets.”
Within Academic Affairs, Elliott highlighted several recently approved programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, associate degrees in Education and Early Childhood Education, a Master of Science in STEM Education, a Business Analytics specialization, and a certificate in American Indian Studies.
He also discussed the role of BHSU in a proposal with South Dakota Mines and Dakota State University to establish a Center for National Defense Studies that would support South Dakota’s expanding national defense workforce needs. If approved, BHSU would lead work in areas including national defense policy, public administration, federal systems, defense acquisition, contracting, and program management.
Beyond academics, Elliott shared updates on strategic initiatives across the university, including enrollment and marketing efforts and the continued expansion of opportunities for adult, place-bound, and military-connected learners through BHSU-Rapid City.
Campus improvement projects were another focus of the address, including the recently completed renovation of Woodburn Theatre, which will officially reopen to the public with a production of “Fiddler on the Roof” in October and additional grand opening activities scheduled for September 8.
Elliott also highlighted ongoing campus infrastructure improvements, the implementation of a comprehensive campus wayfinding project, and a new partnership with the Spearfish Police Department that will provide a full-time police officer on campus.
Elliott closed his address by announcing that BHSU will begin developing its next strategic plan this fall through a series of listening sessions with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners.
“I do believe deeply in the future of Black Hills State, and together we're really doing more than just educating students,” President Elliott said. “We are preparing the people who will shape the future of South Dakota.”
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Katelynn Kelly, assistant professor of political science, receives the Presidential
Rising Star Faculty Award. Gus Karinen, buzz card specialist, receives the Presidential
Outstanding Employee Award. Alyssa Blake, lead financial aid advisor, receives the
Presidential Rising Star Staff Award. All awardees are pictured above recieving their
award from BHSU Presdient Steve Elliott during the annual State of the University
address.
From left, David Pruitt, Haden Goodwin, and Ven Thompson accept the Presidential Team
Excellence Award on behalf of Administrative Information Management Services (AIMS)
from BHSU President Steve Elliott during the annual State of the University address.