News from President Tom Jackson, Jr.
Dec. 16, 2014
BHSU Celebrates 168th Commencement Ceremony
More than 200 students were awarded degrees on
Saturday, Dec. 13 during Black Hills State University’s
168th commencement ceremony.
President Jackson welcomed the graduates, Student
Senate President Chase Vogel delivered the charge,
and Executive Director of the South Dakota Board of
Regents, Jack Warner, provided a greeting.
President Meets with
South Dakota Legislators
Earlier this month I attended the
Complete College America - Alliance
of States Annual Convening
along with Board of Regents
representatives. The conference
focused on significantly increasing
the number of students successfully
completing college.
During the South Dakota Board of Regents meeting this month in Rapid City, President Jackson had
the opportunity to meet with area legislators, brief them on BHSU successes, and discuss the upcoming
Legislative session.
That’s important to us at BHSU and
throughout the state. As a university,
we significantly contribute to the
state’s vitality and workforce. We
will continue our focus on helping
students graduate. Completing a
degree is good for the student, the
community and the state.
As we reflect on 2014 and move into
the new year, we are updating our
campus plan and thinking forward to
ensure the best future for BHSU.
Thank you for a wonderful fall
semester. I wish you, your family
and your friends a wonderful holiday
season.
A Joyful Welcome: Alumni Center Hosts Grand Opening
A packed room of BHSU alumni, supporters,
students, faculty, staff, and community
members gathered on Dec. 5 for the grand
opening of the Joy (Proctor) Krautschun
Alumni/Foundation Welcome Center (Joy
Center) on the BHSU campus.
Steve Meeker, Vice President for University
Advancement, noted that the name of the Joy
Center couldn’t be more fitting in honor of
Joy (Proctor) Krautschun, a beloved BHSU
alumna.
“Joy was a top-notch volunteer. Her
Mayor of Spearfish Dana Boke, alumnus and donor Harvey
involvement with Black Hills State developed
Krautschun, President Jackson, Jim Benning of Ainsworth
into a lifetime love and passion for students,
Benning Construction, Inc., and Steve Williams of Williams &
faculty, Swarm Days and other University
Associates Architecture, cut the ribbon to formally open the Joy
events,” said Meeker.
Center to the community.
The Joy Center is a 6,500 square-foot building that houses the University Advancement offices and offers
a gathering space before BHSU athletic events, concerts, welcoming new students and other activities. The
Joy Center can also be rented for business meetings and receptions for the community.
News from President Tom Jackson, Jr.
Dec. 16, 2014
Christmas Reception Benefits Spearfish Food Pantry
Presidential Student Ambassadors (from left) Kaitlin Spargur and
Brittany Thompson accept food donations from Parthasarathi Nag,
professor of mathematics and faculty senate president, and Leone
Geppert, budget manager, as they arrive at the annual Christmas
Reception.
President Jackson and the Administrative Team which includes
University vice presidents and directors encouraged faculty and staff
to bring canned and boxed food to the holiday reception to benefit
the Spearfish Food Pantry. More than 50 bags and boxes of food
were collected.
The BHSU Administrative Team approached their holiday giving with a commitment to their
charities including supporting clean water efforts in a village in Africa, medical and expense assistance
to a co-worker’s son who has cancer, Pilots and Paws flights, Angel Tree donations, funds for local
single parent families, addiction recovery programs and others.
President Visits
Embassy of Botswana
During Trip to
Washington, D.C.
Alumni Gather In Rapid City
BHSU alumni and friends gathered
in Rapid City last month to support the
women’s basketball team in their season
opener.
The group mingled at Murphy’s Bar and
Grill and then cheered on the Yellow Jackets
against the Hardrockers.
BHSU and Mines will meet again Jan. 6 in
Spearfish.
President Jackson visits with Mr.
Barongwa Master Baipidi, Diplomatic
Officer of the Embassy of the Republic
of Botswana, during a trip to D.C.
earlier this month. They discussed
collaboration, partnership, and
project opportunities for BHSU and
Botswana.
President, Faculty Visit EROS Data Center
with
Special Delivery
President Jackson gives Dr. Frank Kelly, Director, U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS) Earth Resources Observation and Science Center (EROS) a photo of
BHSU faculty and student hikers taken at the moment the Landsat 8 satellite
passed over Spearfish.
Dr. Robert Campbell, associate professor of history at BHSU, hiked with the
students in May 2014 to take the panorama photo.
BHSU Stories
of
Success
Dr. Patricia Simpson,
dean of the College
of Education and
Behavioral Sciences,
was elected to the
Board of Governors
of The Renaissance
Group, a national
consortium to prepare
American education professionals.
Simpson says faculty at BHSU consider
themselves absolute partners in
preparing teachers, a philosophy shared
by The Renaissance Group.
Michaela Stroup, political science
major from Pierre, will attend
George Washington University’s
Semester in Washington Politics
as a participant in the Native
American Political Leadership
Program (NAPLP) for the
spring semester. The NAPLP
is a full scholarship program
for Native American, Alaskan Native and Native
Hawaiian students to take part in the Washington
Politics program for a semester. Stroup, a member
of the Lower Brule Sioux tribe, was chosen for her
academic abilities, leadership potential and passion
for politics.
Up & Coming
Make space on your 2015 calendar
for the 32nd Annual Lakota Omniciye
Wacipi to be held April 17-19 during
American Indian Awareness Week.
The Wacipi is dedicated to
educating the community about
Indian culture, featuring daily
speakers and a variety of events at
BHSU. All events are open to the
public.