State chess organizers attempt to restart USD club

Jackson Geerts looks almost cherubic behind a chess board with his brown doe eyes and baby-fat cheeks. But when the 11-year-old smirks, his competitors know the Sioux Falls fifth-grader is one step closer to the kill — or rather checkmate. “Defense, then offense. I want to attack usually, but in tournaments, I can’t get away with it,” Geerts […]

6 mins read

Local business hopes to share the dream

When sophomore Kaitlyn Redlegs started volunteering for the Vermillion branch of Sharing the Dream in Guatemala, she knew it wouldn’t be a typical retail experience. “It’s different from all the other stores on Main Street,” Redlegs said. Sharing the Dream in Guatemala is a non-profit organization that sells products imported from Guatemala, including coffee, jewelry and […]

3 mins read

VPD charges former student for rape and dorm shower videotaping

A former student was arrested Aug. 28 on charges of filming females in resident hall showers on the fourth floor of Mickelson Hall in North Complex. Five days later, he was arrested again and charged with an off-campus rape of a university student in the third degree. Daniel R. Hammer, 18, withdrew from the university either Sept. 1 or […]

6 mins read

Suicide awareness walk provides ‘healing’ moments

Equipped with hot chocolate, headbands and plenty of ambition, walkers and runners arrived at Prentis Park Saturday morning for the ninth annual 5K, ready to bear the less-than-average temperatures. Nikki’s Fund 5K Run/Walk, sponsored by the University of South Dakota and the Vermillion and Yankton communities, has raised more than $35,000 since the event started in […]

4 mins read

‘We’re just like you’: SESDAC pairs with USD, Vermillion to change disability stereotypes

In a place where the clap of high fives is as prevalent as the thud of a bowling ball, students from the University of South Dakota and community members are teaming up with people associated with SESDAC, Inc. for a bit of friendly competition while building relationships. Last Monday, practices for the Special Olympics Unified […]

5 mins read

National Music Museum ‘at the tipping point of recognition’ after Google visit

Through Google’s Cultural Institute website, the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota became the first institution in the state to be part of a project dedicated to providing free access to art to people around the globe in the comfort of their homes. The museum welcomed Google to officially launch its virtual gallery […]

4 mins read