Notes from President Gestring’s State of the University Address

USD President Sheila Gestring delivered her second State of the University address in Aalfs Auditorium Thursday afternoon. Gestring discussed topics ranging from the university’s 2025 strategic plan to renovation projects to campus buildings. Here’s a rundown from her address. USD’s 2025 strategic plan The first developmental stages, listening and data gathering of the university’s 2025 […]

5 mins read

Downtown during Dakota Days: How Vermillion’s bars prepare for the busiest week of the year

This is a two-part story examining how Vermillion’s downtown businesses prep for the madness of Dakota Days. To read about R-Pizza and Dakota Brickhouse stocking up for the long week, click HERE. John Guagliardo used a short phrase to describe Dakota Days, USD’s annual homecoming celebration, which this year begins on Sunday: “A 72-hour party.” […]

5 mins read

Yotes For Life and Students for Reproductive Rights chalk it out

USD’s pro-life and pro-choice student organizations traded messages on campus sidewalks on Thursday. Yotes For Life (YFL), a pro-life student organization at USD, chalked anti-abortion messages on campus sidewalks yesterday afternoon. Hours later, Students for Reproductive Rights (SFRR) responded with chalkings underneath YFL’s messages. YFL, responding to The Volante’s query for confirmation that the chalkings […]

3 mins read

Searching for six: Coyote cross country striding toward next step

The last time the USD women’s cross country team wasn’t wearing the Summit League crown, Kianna Stewart was a sophomore in high school in Red Wing, Minnesota. It was 2013. Stewart, now a senior (in college), is one of seven standout returners spearheading the Coyotes on their search for their sixth consecutive conference title. The […]

7 mins read

Plain White T’s to perform at fall CAB concert

Campus Activities Board (CAB) revealed on Twitter Friday that the Plain White T’s will headline the annual fall concert inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. The alternative pop group, best known for songs such as “Hey There Delilah,” “Rhythm of Love” and “1234” were picked among a list […]

1 min read

A house on Center Street: the story behind Vermillion’s other dome

On Center Street, roughly a five-minute walk from the western edge of campus, sits a structure resembling something between a camel’s back and a bomb shelter.  It’s closer to a bomb shelter. Built in 2007, the “Trinity Dome” is nearly indestructible, fireproof, termite-resistant and requires sparse maintenance. One thing the house isn’t immune from, however, […]

6 mins read

Heck’s cements Vermillion legacy with opening of Cherry Street location

Jody Harnois, on Labor Day, joined a large portion of the country’s workforce to enjoy a day off from work. It was well deserved. Harnois, owner of Heck’s Dakota Style BBQ in Vermillion, had spent the last 13 days hauling his silver food truck across southwest South Dakota and its surrounding regions to cook and […]

4 mins read

The Heights prepares for game day as alternative tailgate option

USD administrators have audibled their plans for football game day —  the first of which begins at Saturday’s sunrise — in the midst of the DakotaDome’s year-long makeover. A half-capacity venue means fans without tickets must search for a gameday experience outside the Dome.  This includes a redesigned tailgate to accommodate an influx of students […]

3 mins read

Posters from white nationalist organization appear on USD campus

Posters from a white nationalist group appeared on bulletin boards in buildings on USD’s campus Monday morning. The posters, one reading “Diversity Destroys Nations” above an illustration of a burning city and another reading “Defend America” above a painting of a white woman standing atop a globe and holding a U.S. flag, belong to the […]

1 min read