News Release
Contacts: Jack R. Warner, Executive Director and CEO
jack.warner@sdbor.edu
Janelle Toman, Director of Information & Institutional Research
janellet@sdbor.edu
T: 605.773.3455
F: 605.773.5320
www.sdbor.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, October 15, 2009
Regents Honor Student Organizations
RAPID CITY, S.D. – Student organizations from Black Hills State University and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology were recognized for their outstanding academic, community, and organizational work by the South Dakota Board of Regents this week.
Student organizations honored at BHSU were:
• Award for Academic Excellence – The Jacket Investment Club enhances student learning and engagement in the stock market and personal finance management. The group sponsors guest speakers and field trips to increase students’ professionalism and knowledge in the investment field. It is a legal partnership entity giving students a vehicle to invest their own money and learn how to analyze securities. The club divides its organization into small groups to focus and work on specific stocks. In addition to the club’s bi-weekly meetings, the smaller groups meet regularly to review their stocks.
• Community Service Award – The Theatre Society encourages participation in the theatrical activities on campus and provides for the social and educational benefits of the members. All students are welcome. In conjunction with the BHSU theatre department, the group has assisted with 19 theatre productions. Additionally, the Theatre Society encourages members to be active in community service projects. This past year they sponsored the Paws & Claws Dance Concert, a benefit for the Western Hills Humane Society. They also put on the Woodburn House of Horrors, a two-day haunted house that benefitted the local food pantry.
• Award for Organizational Leadership – Lakota Omniciye is one of the oldest student organizations on the Black Hills State campus. The group’s name means “a gathering of allies.” It was founded to assist American Indian students in making the adjustment from home life to college life. In recent years, the organization has grown to include any person who wants to bring cultural awareness to the area. Serving as an extended family to students, it helps them make adjustments and to share their Lakota heritage with classmates, instructors, and the community. Activities are open to all and respectful participation is encouraged.
Student organization award winners from SDSMT were:
• Award for Academic Excellence – The American Institute of Chemical Engineers has a mission to promote excellence in chemical engineering education and global practice. The group works to stimulate collaborative efforts among industry, universities, government, and professional societies. Members advocate public policy embracing sound technical and economic information that represents the interest of chemical engineers. They also facilitate public understanding of technical issues.
• Community Service Award – The American Indian Science and Engineering Society works to increase the representation of American Indian and Alaskan Natives in engineering, science, and other related technology disciplines. To be a member of the national AISES, students must be in good academic standing and also be a member of a federally recognized tribe. Campus membership is open to all individuals willing to explore Native American traditions. Significant events include high school outreach, a feathering ceremony for SDSMT graduates, and attendance at the national AISES conference.
• Award for Organizational Leadership – The Aero Design Team/Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Production was established at SDSMT in 2001 and just four years later came in first at the international Aero Design event. The team also placed first the following year and since has placed first in many events. Aero follows SDSMT’s mission of “providing a well-rounded education that prepares students for leadership roles in engineering and science.” The Aero Design teams are involved in many campus and community events that include an elementary school science fair, the Festival of Lights parade, and giving tours of the campus to students and business leaders.
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