Academics
Honors program sees retention rise
The Honors program has struggled retaining students over the last decade, but after an enrollment plunge in 2015, numbers over the last four years show improvement. This year, the Honors program has seen its highest enrollment number since 2009 with 469 students. As of Sept. 11, all 160 of this year’s entering class are still […]
Four USD singers advance to national competition
After competing in one competition, another challenge awaits four students from the USD’s music department as they advance to the online screening stage of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) auditions. Eldon Warner, Abby Beach, Kaitlin Pearson and Bailey Quade will represent the Northcentral region in their respective categories this coming month. The […]
Banner allows to students to self-register for courses
For the first time, students can self-register for classes using the portal extension Banner. This is the first semester students are using Banner for registration since it replaced USD’s old portal extension, WebAdvisor. Brittany Schultz, an academic advisor, said she has grown to like the new system and said she thinks it was an easy […]
USD alumni bring positivity out of tragedy with a scholarship
The Rowyn Ann Ney scholarship was created by USD alumni Emily Ney and her husband Scott Ney in honor of their daughter Rowyn. The couple lost their baby girl at 34 weeks and one day in late 2018. They said were incredibly touched by the nurses at the Sanford USD medical center in Sioux Falls. “The […]
USD transitions to new program, schedules student registration for March 18
Starting in March 2019, a new platform called Banner will replace the current service of WebAdvisor. Banner, a self-service program, will allow students to access all of their information including class registration, financial aid and finances. Implementation and Launching Process The South Dakota Board of Regents approved the implementation of the new student information system in […]
USD’s biomedical engineering partnership expands
Biomedical engineering is the only engineering program offered at USD. The program decided to partner with South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (SDSM&T) in Rapid City. The partnership began in 2006 after the universities had worked together and saw a need for it. Daniel Engebretson, the chair of the biomedical engineering program, said this […]
Fine arts uses recruitment strategies to promote department
Although their retention numbers are declining, recruitment efforts are still an important part of the College of Fine Arts’s (FA) strategy to get more students at USD. The theater, music and visual art departments work with admissions to get names of students interested in the majors, then send out mail and advertising materials to those […]
Dental hygiene program provides reduced rate dental cleanings
Getting regular dental cleanings from a dentist is essential in maintaining an optimal oral health. USD understands this so their dental hygiene program offers dental cleanings to students and community members for a reduced rate, giving students the opportunity to put their coursework into action. Erica Carrels, a senior dental hygiene major, said juniors in […]
Fine arts program sees continuously failing retention rates
The College of Fine Arts (FA) has struggled with retention numbers in recent years due to faculty changes, a lack of student advising and stereotypes about careers in fine arts. According to an email sent to The Volante from fine arts dean Larry Schou and from the chairs of each department in the FA, the […]
Free, used language books available to students
On the third floor of Slagle Hall, students have been combing through a collection of used books, taking what interests them for free. Mary Schroeder, the senior secretary of modern languages and linguistics, said the books came from past professors. “They are here because some of the professors have retired or left USD and left the […]