Feature
Faces of Charlie the Coyote show school spirit
Sophomore Jordan DeBoer has always had school spirit. In high school, he played football and would try to get the crowd excited at basketball games by initiating a roller coaster or a wave of hands from the audience. Now he has the chance to hype up other students as one of the students who dresses […]
International Partner Program connects international students with USD partners
As first-year international student Michelle Allotey walked through the Muenster University Center with a friendly smile, something stood out. She was nicely dressed compared to the usual students’ attire of jeans and sweatshirts. “In Ghana, when you’re going to school it’s more like a fashion show,” Allotey said. “Everyone wants to wear heels and look […]
Literature project urges students out of comfort zones
Through several disciplines, the University of South Dakota works to help students embrace their creative side. One organization, the Vermillion Literary Project, is devoted to promoting creative writing and contemporary poetry to all ages, stretching from the campus into the community. The project had the first of its poetry slam-style open mic nights Sept. 25, where students and community […]
Students turn to apps for dating
Dating isn’t the same as it was 100, 50 or even 10 years ago. “Guys don’t ask girls on real dates anymore,” said first-year Paige Thoelke. “They just ask to hang out.” Wenqian Dai teaches the Courtship and Marriage course at the University of South Dakota. Dai said dating is more diverse than in the […]
English professors jam out in rock band
A few English professors at the University of South Dakota have found a way to relax from the stresses of their day jobs by playing in a rock band at night. Narrative Feed, founded in 2002, consists of USD professors John Dudley and Skip Willman, former USD professor Dennis Sjolie and Jim Batt, who teaches at Northeast Community […]
Paradise Fears wraps up first full-band headlining tour, prepares for upcoming album release
Story by Trent Opstedahl and Josie Flatgard The smell of sweat, perfume and a hint of alcohol fill the air inside the compact yet comfortable concert venue. A crowd of about 200 begins to erupt with song and cheer as the house lights dim and the stage lights begin flashing in chaotic patterns. A few […]
Despite small membership, Improv Club has big ambitions
Troy Berg sits behind fellow sophomore Xiola Koile-Paxton and Scott Stallamann and acts as the playwright. Koile-Paxton and Stallamann stand and face the audience, ready to portray the characters and scenes of Berg’s choice. The two are ready for anything the playwright’s mind can come up with — ranging from outer space adventures to fairytale dramas. […]
Newman Center sees boost in Bible study interest
On a Tuesday night in the St. Thomas More Newman Center, three students sit in a circle made of couches with Bibles on their laps, reading from the light of a standing lamp. That night, sophomore John Fanta, first-year Brennan Vote and junior Jonah Beacom read from the second and third chapters of John, including […]
Married faculty members ‘completely integrated’ in each other’s lives
Growing up, Kelly McKay-Semmler’s parents owned a small business in western South Dakota and were able to pull off working with each other all the time. Although it’s something she has always wanted for her own life, she never thought she’d be able to replicate it. But McKay-Semmler has done just that with her husband, Shane […]
Ph.D. student selected to participate in child maltreatment prevention workshop
In October, Eliann Carr will leave her family behind for three days to travel to Jerusalem for a cause she finds herself passionate about — preventing and treating child maltreatment. A Ph.D. student in Counseling and Psychology in Education at the University of South Dakota, Carr will represent the university, the state and the United States at […]