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Theater department experiencing long-standing gender role disparities
Two-thirds of USD’s theater department has found that it can be hard to catch a break. For years, college theater departments across the nation, including USD’s, have all been facing the same problem – a lack of female roles in productions. Right now, USD’s theater department is made up of 66 percent women and 34 […]
Governor Daugaard declares April 21 USD Day
On April 21, 1862, Dakota Territory Governor William Jayne signed legislation declaring the founding of a university in the town of Vermillion. One hundred fifty five years later, South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard proclaimed April 21, 2017 “USD Day.” During USD’s birthday party held in the Muenster University Center pit lounge, USD President James Abbott, […]
Photo Gallery: Theater presents “Green Violin,” celebrates Yiddish culture
“Green Violin” is a USD theater department production that took place from April 19-23 in the Wayne N. Knutson Theatre. Director of the “Green Violin” Chaya Gordon-Bland said the production reflects Yiddish culture. “It’s a play about a theater company and it is about Jewish artists and Jewish art. We have the artwork of Marc Chagall (for […]
Marijuana policy advocates gather signatures for 2018 ballot initiatives
Legal marijuana use may be a possibility for South Dakotans in the near future if two ballot initiatives aiming at both recreational and medical access are passed. Melissa Mentele, vice chair of the Hansen County Democrats and a leader for New Approach South Dakota, is working towards compassionate cannabis education, she said. “We focus on compassionate ballot initiatives and […]
Family of USD alumnus gives millions to medical biology
USD’s medical biology program is about to be the beneficiary of a huge cash infusion, courtesy of the family of an alumnus. Keith Nolop, a former Volante editor, graduated from USD in 1975 and spent decades working in pharmaceutical development. According to his obituary in the New York Times, he worked on drugs to treat […]
Dakotathon raises more than $145,000
April 8, 9 a.m. Students lined up in the Muenster University Center to check in for Dakotathon, a 24-hour long event celebrating the money raised for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The money raised by USD students will go directly to Sanford Children’s Hospital. Students who sign up to participate in Dakotathon are asked to raise […]
TKE fight night cancelled for first time in 10 years
This year, Tau Kappa Epsilon had to cancel its famous TKE Fight Night, an annual fundraising event the fraternity has held every year for a decade. Nick Hoflock, TKE’s president, said the event was canceled as a result of scheduling conflicts. “Every year we go through a guy in town, and I don’t want to put […]
VIDEO: African Student Night showcases solidarity, uniqueness
Singing, dancing and dining took place in the Muenster University Center Ballroom Sunday night at the African Student Association’s (ASA) African Night. African Night is an annual event held by ASA and was split into three parts — performances, dinner and more performances. Former ASA President Prosper Zongo said solidarity was an important part of the event. […]
Updated: Board of Regents approve tuition and fees for 2017-18
USD students will see a tuition and fee increase of $315 next year. There will be a 0.5 percent increase in tuition costs and a 21.4 percent increase in fees, according to an email from Tena Haraldson, USD’s director of communications. The 0.5 percent increase in tuition is to cover inflation. On average, an in-state […]
Sustainability to become its own department, consolidate with earth sciences
A big change is coming to USD’s sustainability program and earth sciences department. In the fall of 2018, faculty from the two disciplines will be united under one designation – the department of “sustainability and environment.” This is a boost for sustainability, which isn’t an official department at USD. Meghann Jarchow, coordinator of the sustainability program, said it hasn’t […]