Board of Regents announces intentions for “normal” fall semester

College life at USD saw many changes during the 2020-21 school year after a surge in the pandemic. Life on campus was full of mask-wearing students who were told to stay six feet apart at all times. For many of the students, a schedule full of Zoom classes became a new normal, but that is soon […]

3 mins read

New Freedom Scholarship is state’s first need-based scholarship

During South Dakota’s 2021 legislative session, the South Dakota legislature passed and Gov. Noem signed Senate Bill 171, which appropriated $50 million to contribute to the Freedom Scholarship fund. With the state’s funds in addition to other donors, the Freedom Scholarship endowment currently has $175 million of its $200 million goal. The Freedom Scholarship is […]

3 mins read

Charlie’s Cupboard founders honored in a farewell ceremony

Charlie’s Cupboard hosted an event honoring departing founders Hannah Booth and Carson Zubke’s contributions to the community food pantry Thursday. The food pantry has served over 1,200 students since opening in September. Speakers included Vice President of Student Services Kimberly Grieve and former Student Government Association President Abuk Jiel. USD President Sheila Gestring was unable […]

3 mins read

Brief: U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson to deliver USD commencement address

South Dakota Rep. Dusty Johnson will deliver the commencement address at USD’s 134th Commencement Ceremony in May at the DakotaDome. Johnson, a USD alumnus who graduated in 1999 with a B.A. in political science and minors in business administration and history, was re-elected in November to represent South Dakota’s at-large congressional district in the U.S. […]

1 min read

USD sets record retention rate, sees slight decline in new enrollment

USD saw growth in new graduate student enrollment and a record number of returning students, in addition to a small decline in total new student enrollment this semester. Total enrollment declined by 4.6%. Part-time students declined by 9.2% while full-time students declined by 1.9%. This means that USD’s core student population was largely unchanged. This […]

1 min read

USD President discusses five-year plan at university address

At the State of the University Address on Sept. 24, USD President Sheila Gestring outlined the university’s strategic plan to improve USD over the next five years. She also brought up the state of enrollment at USD and announced new plans for Julian Hall. During the 2019-2020 academic year, a committee of 42 faculty and […]

2 mins read

SGA swears in senators, questions President Gestring

In its first in-person meeting of the semester, the USD Student Government Association swore in two new senators — Carter Linke and Caleb Weiland. The body also hosted University President Sheila Gestring and USD COVID-19 task force head Kevin O’Kelley. President Gestring spoke about the completion of the DakotaDome renovation and the continuing renovation of […]

3 mins read