Monday Message, Feb. 2
SDSU Community,
As we begin the month of February, I hope we can experience some warmer temperatures this week compared to what we have experienced recently in Brookings. Even small reminders that spring is coming can lift our excitement for warmer months during winter and serve as a timely reminder that spring and summer will be here soon.
Every other year, South Dakota State University participates in a national survey designed to assess the overall campus climate at postsecondary institutions. This survey is an important tool that helps us better understand campus culture and how well we are living out our core values of being people-centered, fostering creativity, acting with integrity, pursuing excellence and ensuring opportunity for all. The survey is designed for all SDSU employees and students, regardless of role or location.
Beginning today, SDSU employees will receive an email invitation to participate in the Campus Climate, Safety and Sexual Assault Assessment Survey. The message will include a unique survey link, and I encourage you to watch both your inbox and junk folder for that email. This survey provides an opportunity for employees and students to share their experiences and perceptions of the university environment. The feedback we receive helps inform policies, programs and practices that enhance the campus experience for everyone who interacts with SDSU, including students, alumni, visitors, faculty, staff and other stakeholders. Your voice matters, and I hope you will consider participating in this important effort.
This week, Wednesday will be an important day for South Dakota State University as we take part in our annual presentation before the Joint Committee on Appropriations at the Capitol in Pierre. This provides an opportunity to discuss our priorities for the coming year alongside our fellow regental institutions and the South Dakota Board of Regents office. We value the opportunity to share how SDSU is serving the state and advancing higher education through teaching, research and outreach. Many of us have been preparing for some time and continue to report any news that comes from our work in Pierre this year.
I also want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to another successful Junior Day this past Saturday. We welcomed many high school juniors and their families to campus as they begin considering SDSU as their university of choice. Events like this showcase not only our academic programs and facilities, but also the welcoming spirit and commitment to student success that define our university. Thank you to the faculty, staff and students who shared their time and enthusiasm to make this day a positive and memorable experience.
This week will continue to be very busy across campus, with Jackrabbits competing in wrestling, men's basketball and equestrian on campus, and track & field, women's basketball and softball representing SDSU away. There are also multiple faculty and student recitals at our School of Performing Arts and a reception for the fourth annual Jackrabbit Gallery Art Show at Briggs Library. I hope you will continue to engage with as many activities as you can.
Thank you for everything you do to support our students, our mission and one another. I wish you a productive and meaningful week ahead.
Go Jacks!
Sincerely,
Barry H. Dunn
President
South Dakota State University
Above and Beyond recognizes individuals and groups of South Dakota State University employees, faculty and students for individual and team efforts that go Above and Beyond to make the campus community a better place.
Last week, you may remember that I called out the faculty and staff who helped with our Distinguished Scholars Weekend. This week, we’re giving them a proper thank you and spreading awareness about this time-honored tradition.
The Distinguished Scholars Weekend, formerly the Briggs Scholarship Weekend, dates back multiple decades and generations of students.
This year, the program was Jan. 23-24 in Woster Celebration Hall and the University Student Union.
The Distinguished Scholars program invites the best and brightest of our prospective students to campus to interview for the university’s most prestigious academic scholarship awards. Around 700 students meet the high academic standards, and from there, just over 50 prospective students were selected as finalists and invited to the weekend.
These students have plenty of choices of where to pursue higher education, so the Distinguished Scholars Weekend was also about giving them a solid connection to South Dakota State University. There’s so much we can offer high achievers, from competitive scholarships to hands-on research opportunities to an academic experience that empowers them to serve their home state.
Many people helped these students connect with campus and experience the best of South Dakota State.
They include:
The Enrollment Management team and the Undergraduate Admissions office:
- Shawn Helmbolt
- Ellen Sandager
- Ryan Vande Kieft
- Lexi Holen
- Kelly Wendell
- Lisa Schramm
- Seth Conley
- Valeska Momotic
- Logan Hoffman
- Wakinya Bose
- Jess Sturtz
- Jake Pingalore
- Olivia Davis
- Amanda Gehm
- Rylin Yerdon
- Molly Buum
- Stephanie Sampson
Interview committee members:
- Dan Hansen
- Greg Heiberger
- Toby Uecker
- Sen Subramanian
- Dennis Hedge
- Mary Anne Krogh
- Michaela Willis
- Jim Connors
- Evan Ortlieb
- David Earnest
- Suzette Burckhard
- Kyungnan Min
- Bob Miller
- Bob Fourney
- Matt Biesecker
- Mike Twedt
- Kwanghee Won
- Matt Buenger
- Ryan Lefers
Additional support from campus partners like:
- Kayla Schinkel and Marianna Pavlis, SDSU Alumni & Foundation
- Lindsay Borer, University Student Union
- Noah Roerig, Fishback Honors College
- Emily O’Connor and catering staff, Sodexo
Fifty-two prospective students were interviewed during Distinguished Scholars Weekend, which is 52 potential Jackrabbits who got to experience the best of South Dakota State University.
To those whose hard work helped give the students that experience, please accept this sincere thank you from the rest of the yellow and blue community.
The Monday Message appears weekly during the academic year and less frequently during the summer months and holiday breaks.
Information for the Monday Message, including nominations for Above and Beyond, can be submitted online.
Judges need for the Eastern South Dakota Science and Engineering Fair
Volunteer judges are needed for the Eastern South Dakota Science and Engineering Fair — an annual event on the SDSU campus that brings more than 500 middle and high school students from the region to showcase their research and creativity in STEM. It is an opportunity to encourage the next generation of scientists and engineers while spending a rewarding day on campus.
- Tuesday, March 31
- Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium – Club 71
- Main judging: 9-11:30 a.m. (orientation at 8:15 a.m.)
- Grand awards: about 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
- Undergrad volunteers: all day
Opportunities:
- to share personal expertise and inspire students.
- — Advisers of student groups and invite them to volunteer.
- Sponsor an award — Email fair director Brad Blaha.
Judging is flexible, meaningful and a great way to give back to STEM education.
CommUNITY Meeting – Power of Peaks: Adventure as a Path to Healing
Veterans Services and Engagement, the Armed Forces Association and Student Engagement with host the next CommUNITY Meeting – Power of Peaks: Adventure as a Path to Healing, Feb. 19 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Pheasant and Crest rooms at the University Student Union.
Brookings native Stacy Bare, a combat veteran, Bronze Star recipient and outdoor adventurer, will be the speaker. Through climbing, skiing and exploration, Bare discovered the healing power of nature and built a life beyond trauma.
Celebration of Faculty Excellence
The annual Celebration of Faculty Excellence will be held Feb. 17. The event provides an opportunity to recognize the outstanding teaching, research, creative activity and service demonstrated by our faculty.
The celebration is central to our land-grant mission and plays a vital role in student success, scholarly achievement and community impact across South Dakota and beyond.
Additional information about the event is available on sdstate.edu.
Tackling Burnout: Tips and Tricks from Experts
The Wellness Advisory Committee will host a panel discussion focused on workplace well-being and burnout Thursday, Feb. 5, from 2-3 p.m. The panel will bring together campus professionals to explore how burnout differs from everyday stress, its common causes and its impact on individuals, teams and organizations.
Moderated by Mary Anne Krogh, the panel will feature Andrea Bjornstad, Becky Jensen, Whitney Keller-Reetz and Stephanie Johnson-Kayne, who will share practical, research-informed strategies for both prevention and recovery. Topics will include organizational interventions, personal coping tools and the role leadership and policy play in supporting sustainable and healthy work environments. Wiyaka His Horse Is Thunder will assist as chat and Q&A monitor, ensuring time for audience questions and discussion.
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Digital Accessibility Training
The April compliance deadline for universitywide digital accessibility is approaching quickly, and the efforts to ensure digital content is accessible continues to be shared responsibility.
Several training opportunities are available throughout the semester to support this effort.
Information about training sessions, resources and expectations can be found online.
Undergraduate Research Funding Application
Applications are now open for select summer undergraduate research programs at SDSU. Students can submit one application for research support from a variety of different funding sources, including the Joseph F. Nelson Mentorship and the Honors College Undergraduate Research Fund.
Faculty and staff should encourage students from all disciplines to submit their research interests for possible funding. Awards will be competitive and based on the design of the proposed studies, quality of the application and potential for project success.
Completed applications, including a mentor assessment of the applicant, must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Feb. 22.
Schultz-Werth Award Competition Application
The application portal for the Schultz-Werth Award Competition is open. Faculty and staff should encourage senior undergraduate students from all disciplines to submit their scholarly or creative projects for consideration. Awards up to $2,500 per winning student will be awarded at the end of the academic year. The deadline to submit a paper for the Schultz-Werth award is March 1.
Interdisciplinary Research Clusters
SDSU’s Multidisciplinary Research Initiative Task Force invites applications for the establishment of interdisciplinary research clusters to develop and submit major federal center grant proposals that focus on one of SDSU’s priority research areas:
- Bioproducts innovation
- Rural health and well-being
- Agricultural technology innovation
Associate or full professors may submit a one-year proposal for up to $30,000 to support center planning and pilot activities. Each proposed center must include key personnel from at least two different SDSU departments.
Timeline and information on how to submit a proposal can be found on sdstate.edu.
Updated Policies
New and updated university policies continue to be adopted and published. For the most recent updates, visit the New and Recently Revised Policies page on sdstate.edu.
