Diversity
International Students Welcome Neuharth as New Home at USD
Unlike many colleges across the country, USD continues to see strong enrollment numbers. In particular, one demographic of students has far outpaced everyone else: international students. According to Gallagher International Center Director Patrick Morrison, there are currently 764 international students from 71 countries studying at USD. Roughly […]
Tiospaye Celebrates 50th Wacipi This Weekend
This weekend, Tiospaye Student Council will host its 50th annual Wacipi, a cultural celebration of tribal traditions for both students and alumni. Anna Harlan, co-president of Tiospaye Student Council and member of the Omaha tribe, said the student council has taken an interest in extending invitations to the community. […]
Vermillion Commission Seeks Student Representative
Vermillion’s Human Relation Commission is seeking a student appointee for the upcoming school year. The Human Relations Commission was established six years ago, focusing on preventing discrimination and advocating for Vermillion residents who have experienced discrimination. The commission works alongside the Vermillion City Council to settle cases where residents may have experienced discrimination related to […]
“Never Forget the Names,” Students March for Missing Indigenous People
On Thursday, February 16, USD students, faculty and staff joined the Native American Law Student Association (NALSA) and the Native American Cultural Center for a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person march. There are 132 missing people listed on South Dakota’s Missing Persons Clearinghouse. 71 of the persons listed are Native American or Alaskan Native. Attendees […]
HOW DRAG AFFIRMS IDENTITY FOR USD STUDENTS
Finding your stride as a queer person in South Dakota can come with challenges, but for Pollie Esther, it happened by accident. Since stumbling across RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2019, Pollie Esther has been developing herself and her identity in her parents’ basement. “When I found [RuPaul’s] Drag Race, I got inspired and wanted to […]
Union of African American Students Celebrates Black History Month
February is Black History Month for the United States, and the Union of African American Students (UAAS) has begun celebrating the month with various events. UAAS is an organization on USD’s campus that focuses on creating a comfortable and educational environment for all members of USD’s campus. “We’re here to be a safe space and […]
MSA set to host Ramadan celebration Thursday
On Thursday, April 14, the Muslim Student Association (MSA) is hosting its first event of the year, a celebration for Ramadan, the holy month in Islam. The event will consist of an informative presentation, a traditional meal and a quiz. The event is at 7:30 pm in the Muenster University Center (MUC) pit. The president […]
International Club hosts Festival of Nations
The Festival of Nations was held by USD’s International Club on Sunday evening in the Muenster University Center (MUC) ballroom and welcomed students and Vermillion residents. The event included food, music, games and the opportunity to experience new cultures from around the world. Over 30 countries were represented by individuals who prepared dishes from their […]
Dispatches from the CDC: Community in all colors
This is the third installment of a series recording the experiences of students and faculty involved with the Center for Diversity and Community (CDC). The series seeks to highlight why this organization was so impactful on the USD community and why the CDC was more than the sum of its parts. “When I was (in […]
Native American student athletes recognized at basketball game
Native American Heritage Day was held in recognition of the nine South Dakota tribal nations with the 11 native athletes on campus at the Dakota Dome on Saturday, Feb. 19, during the men’s basketball game against Western Illinois. The director of native student services Megan Red Shirt-Shaw and director of native recruitment and alumni engagement […]