COLUMN: ‘The strength of the Coyote is the pack’

To my fellow Coyotes,

Welcome to Vermillion, and welcome to the University of South Dakota! We are so pleased that you chose to bring your talents and time to this wonderful place of learning. We are looking forward to getting to know you and watching you grow in your time here, and we hope you will feel right at home at USD these next few years.

Choosing USD for your college education has put you in the ranks of some of the best and brightest the world has seen, from Al Neuharth, the founder of the USA TODAY, to Tom Brokaw, NBC Nightly News anchor, to multiple South Dakota governors and politicians and even a Nobel Prize winner or two. Their USD experience was certainly different than what you will find in your time in Vermillion, but one thing never changes: We are all Coyotes.

What does it mean to be a Coyote?

Being a Coyote means being engaged in campus life. There is so much to be a part of on this campus and in the community, whether getting involved with one of the hundreds of clubs or organizations on campus, joining our active Greek community, starting an intramural sports team with your friends or simply going to the many plays, concerts, Coyote athletic events, speakers or community events. Find what interests you, and see what USD and Vermillion have to offer!

Being a Coyote means being engaged in your studies. In the midst of all of the fun that college brings, it’s easy to forget why you’re here. Study hard! Go to class, and take full advantage of the academic resources and services that are available to you. Get to know your professors, and don’t be afraid to ask questions in class. Talk to your adviser about what interests you and what you want to do with your life. They are more than willing to help you and help you get the most out of your education.

Being a Coyote means bleeding red and white. We are loud and proud, ready to “Defend the Dome” at any given moment with our Coyote teams. There’s never been a better time to be a Coyote as we enter our second year of Division I athletics as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference and the Summit League. Old regional rivalries have been renewed with Northern Iowa, University of Nebraska-Omaha, North Dakota State and our bitter rivals to the north, South Dakota State University. But more importantly, we are competing for national titles against the likes of the Big Ten Conference or the Big 12 Conference.

Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, it means being engaged with your fellow students. As the old saying goes, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know that matters.” Value your learning while you are at USD, but also learn to value your fellow student. You will build friendships here that will last a lifetime — and not through a computer screen or a smart phone. Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone and meet new people.

As your student body president, I am here to serve you. If there is anything I can do to help you while you are here, please do not hesitate to contact me! I care very much about your success at USD, as do countless others on campus, and I will do my best to assist you. Myself, along with the Student Government Association, are your voice to the faculty, administration and the Board of Regents, so please, talk to us — we are your greatest advocates!

Again, I welcome you to the Coyote family, and I wish you all the best in your time at USD! Remember this: The strength of the Coyote is the pack. We are in this journey called “life” together, in Vermillion and beyond. This is only the beginning!

Go Yotes!