Feature
Past SGA presidents reflect on their time in office
The Student Government Association has a long history, with a list of past presidents that dates back to 1890. With the 2017 election coming up later this month, The Volante decided to reach out to a few alumni presidents for their memories, lessons learned and insights for this year’s candidates. 1975-76 Gerry Oligmueller, president in 1975-76, has […]
USD first-year to release album later this year
Lemmons guitarist, Blue Velvette band member, former sushi chef, first-year music major, Sioux Falls native, Beach Boys fan. These are just a few ways to describe Nic McGuire. McGuire is working on their (preferred pronoun) own album under the name Pretty Boy. The name of their album hasn’t been released yet. McGuire records all the […]
UPD sergeant committed to USD, safety
The university police department is committed to student safety, a priority that’s evident in the work of Sergeant Andrew Paulsen. Paulsen has been monitoring USD’s halls, hazards and homecoming festivities for more than 10 years. He started as a student worker in 2003. He became a security officer in 2004, was hired as a full-time police […]
Law school professor seen as ‘asset’ to students, Indian law
USD law professor Frank Pommersheim, who recently received the Distinguished Achievement for the Humanities from the South Dakota Humanities Council in November, has been teaching Indian law at USD since 1984. While this is one of many awards Pommersheim has received, he’s known best on campus for his engaging teaching style and passion for Indian […]
Confetti, toilet paper and ‘good vibes’ abundant at The Varsity Saturday night
“Everybody vibe out right now!” This demand from Tenenbaums guitarist Brandon Phrommany was the theme of the evening at The Varsity Pub in downtown Vermillion Saturday night. The night featured bands from Sioux Falls, including Lemmons, Meriwether Raindelay, Androgynous Squash and Tenenbaums. Lemmons, which was originally a solo act by Jacob Lemme, kicked off the […]
USD alumnus creating second Dakota Days video
Garnering more than 69,000 views on YouTube and landing USD on party websites across the web, senior Byron Banasiak’s coproduced Dakota Days video last year documented the crazy and drunken escapades of college students during the university’s homecoming week. This year, Banasiak, now an alumnus, was back behind the camera filming for a new Dakota […]
President James Abbott enters 20th year as head USD executive
7:30 a.m. – As the rays of the early morning sun start to peak through the thick mist that has settled over the University of South Dakota, a lone white car sits outside of Slagle Hall under a sign that reads “Parking for University President Only.” It’s a new week at South Dakota’s flagship university […]
USD alum finds passion directing films, wins $50,000 prize
After Jonnie Stapleton graduated from USD with an acting degree in 2008, he moved to Los Angeles to seek his fortunes as an actor. While there, Stapleton acted in a few small films but soon found that his passion wasn’t acting, but directing. For all the actor aspirants, navigate to this website to enroll in […]
USD sustainability coordinator fights for native prairies, animal rights
Meaghan Jarchow, coordinator of USD’s sustainability program, has spent much of her life trying to reduce the animal suffering that occurs in the agricultural system. After graduating high school in Brandon, South Dakota, Jarchow completed her undergraduate and masters degrees in plant ecology from Ripon College and Minnesota State University, respectively, and later on went […]
Bearded professors form rock band, take Vermillion music scene by storm
Beards are no longer just a trendy style of facial hair — but a local band from Vermillion, which sprouted up like stubble on the face of the local music scene. The Beards are made up of USD biology professors Jake Kerby on electric guitar and Jeff Wesner on drums as well as English professor […]