Student Life
Congress to Campus program makes an impression on students, faculty
Former U.S. Congress members Barry Goldwater Jr. and David Minge may have differing political views, but they set those differences aside this week to talk to USD students about the importance of political civility and participation. The two former Congressman were at USD from this past Sunday to Tuesday as a part of the Congress […]
Law school’s annual Lavender Lecture discusses LGBTQ+ rights in the military
Attorney Bridget Wilson gave a presentation to USD students, staff and community members about LGBTQ+ equality in the military this past Monday night, an opportunity in itself that proves how far the issue has evolved, she said. Wilson’s lecture was the fourth Lavender Lecture hosted by USD’s School of Law, which centered around educating South […]
Number of non-traditional USD students remains steady
The number of non-traditional students enrolled in USD courses is steady, according to the Admissions Office. Generally, the only time any variation occurs is when there’s a recession, when more non-traditional students come to USD hoping to get a degree in a more lucrative career, said Travis Vlasman, senior associate director of USD Admissions. USD […]
North Complex entrances, parking lots to get security cameras
Ten security cameras will be implemented at North Complex entrances and in its parking lots within the next few weeks. The use of a video surveillance system with digital CCTV cameras has become increasingly popular in recent years, as it provides a more sophisticated level of surveillance than traditional analog cameras. The footage from a […]
Runners flee from ‘undead’ to raise money for charity
The living dead roamed the streets of Vermillion on Wednesday night. The Zombie Run, a Dakotathon-sponsored event, saw about 30 participants take part in the annual fundraiser. The run started at Prentis Park, went through the Vermillion Cemetery and ended back at the park. During the run, students had to try to outrun people dressed as zombies that were hidden […]
SDBOR approves $190,000 for interior electronic card swipes
The South Dakota Board of Regents approved about $190,000 during their meetings in Aberdeen last week to convert all interior floor doors in North Complex and Burgess/Norton Hall from key access to electronic card swipe access. Todd Tucker, director of University Housing, said the $190,000 will also go toward increasing handicap accessibly on the first […]
Students prepare for midterms, testing philosophy varies by professor
As the halfway point of the semester nears, many students are preparing for their midterm exams. However, not all professors administer tests the same way. Brennan Jordan, a science professor, believes tests are more of a teaching tool than a testing tool. “Midterm exams give the students incentive to review material that they have been working […]
Toastmasters helps students, faculty build communication, leadership skills
Toastmasters, an international organization focused on empowering individuals in their communication and leadership skills, has started a chapter at USD. About 20 students, faculty and community members participate in the weekly meetings so far. At each meeting, members give a speech on a specific topic. Lee E. Felder, Jr., vice president of Human Resources for […]
USD entrepreneurs overcome struggles of starting a business, sign deal with university
The last few months have been a roller coaster of emotions for USD entrepreneurs Michael Helgerson and Naveen Rokkam. At the end of April, the two were working on incorporating WeConnectU, a business of theirs that would develop a smart application device called ConnectU, allowing universities to send location-based information to students’ phones and other smart […]
USD students give the ‘gift of life’ with 800 units of blood per year
By making a quick stop at a bus, USD students were potentially saving lives last week. Sponsored by the Sioux Falls-based Community Blood Bank, the Oct. 5-6 blood drive saw a total of 90 participating students, which is “fairly average,” said Ken Versteeg, the executive director of the Community Blood Bank. Community Blood Bank, which […]