Feature
Newman Center sees boost in Bible study interest
On a Tuesday night in the St. Thomas More Newman Center, three students sit in a circle made of couches with Bibles on their laps, reading from the light of a standing lamp. That night, sophomore John Fanta, first-year Brennan Vote and junior Jonah Beacom read from the second and third chapters of John, including […]
Married faculty members ‘completely integrated’ in each other’s lives
Growing up, Kelly McKay-Semmler’s parents owned a small business in western South Dakota and were able to pull off working with each other all the time. Although it’s something she has always wanted for her own life, she never thought she’d be able to replicate it. But McKay-Semmler has done just that with her husband, Shane […]
Ph.D. student selected to participate in child maltreatment prevention workshop
In October, Eliann Carr will leave her family behind for three days to travel to Jerusalem for a cause she finds herself passionate about — preventing and treating child maltreatment. A Ph.D. student in Counseling and Psychology in Education at the University of South Dakota, Carr will represent the university, the state and the United States at […]
Pageant titleholders balance spotlight and school responsibilities
From the flashing lights of pageant stages to studying in the I.D. Weeks Library, former Miss South Dakota Tessa Dee has undergone the transition of beauty queen to study queen for the second time. After a year of traveling around the state promoting her title as Miss South Dakota, Dee has returned to the University of […]
Acapella group experiences first year as student organization
Instead of a piece of playground equipment, Swing Set at the University of South Dakota means the collection of 10 students majoring in everything from music to medical biology coming together to form the university’s student-run acapella group. Hannah Lambertz, a junior vocal performance major and co-director of the group, said this was Swing Set’s first year […]
Pageant contestants prepare for Miss South Dakota
Some University of South Dakota students are tackling homework, preparing for finals and juggling the responsibilities of a beauty pageant crown. As the current Miss Siouxland, part of the Miss America program, junior Autumn Simunek has dedicated herself to training for Miss South Dakota and promoting her platform, Five Stars for Serving Those Who Served, […]
Wonnenberg Princeton bound
It not only takes the academic merits, but the characteristics of someone who has the ambition to succeed to get into an Ivy League school. Isaiah Wonnenberg, a junior from Gregory has displayed both these qualities in his three years at the University of South Dakota, so it was no surprise to his family, friends […]
Mock trial team sees success, law student awarded
Prior to law school, third-year law student Swapna Kilani was shy and reserved. Now that she is involved in the graduate student mock trial team, she has finally found her confidence. “I felt like my voice didn’t matter that much,” Kilani said. “My persona is more confident now, because you have to take control of […]
Musicians struggle with performance injuries
Partway through playing a three-hour piano accompaniment for the University of South Dakota’s production of “Les Miserables”, graduate student Chris Larson knew something was wrong. “It was a stabbing pain,” Larson said. Last semester, Larson had an MRI on his arm which revealed a genetic and benign tumor. Now the tumor is large enough for […]
Students see practicality, danger in social apps
Students are using apps not only to chart their schedules and play games, but meet new people as well. Social apps such as Tinder are rising in popularity, and students are taking advantage. Tinder uses Facebook information to match individuals, and users are able to chat with each other after expressing mutual interest in one another. […]