sheila gestring
The Future of Enrollment and Housing at USD
As the 2022 academic year wraps, USD has seen continued heavy enrollment trends coupled with limited housing options both on and off campus. Mark Petty, the Dean of Enrollment at USD, expects another increase in freshman enrollment similar to Fall 2022. “We’re pretty optimistic that our freshman class will be larger than it was last […]
President Gestring Delivers Semesterly Report at SGA Meeting
Enrollment records, budget priorities and housing concerns, were just some of the topics brought up by USD President Sheila Gestring during Tuesday’s SGA meeting. Gestring was the guest speaker at SGA’s meeting, sharing her semesterly report and asking for feedback from the association. Gestring announced the university’s fall enrollment numbers increased by 4% and broke […]
President Hosts Annual All-Campus Picnic
President Sheila Gestring and her husband Keith Gestring held their annual all-campus picnic on Sept. 15. It was originally going to be held on the MUC’s west lawn but due to weather conditions the event was moved inside. The event kicked off with The SOUND of USD performing alongside the spirit squad in front of […]
Opportunity Center stakeholder meetings held, planning for Opportunity Center continues
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Volante’s Bennett Clary and Miles Amende contributed for this article. The third and final Opportunity Center stakeholder meeting was held Oct. 25, in which members of the Opportunity Center Task Force met with the Student Government Association (SGA) and the Environmental Club to gather input on how the center should operate. Laura McNaughton, university President Sheila Gestring’s chief of staff, said the plan is for the […]
SB 55 Task Force meets, gets questioned on Opportunity Center initiative
The South Dakota Board of Regents’ (SDBOR) Senate Bill 55 (SB 55) Task Force came to USD Oct. 14 to present the BOR’s strategies for addressing the bill’s charges to students and faculty. SB 55 is “An Act to require the Board of Regents to assemble a task force to study the operations and functions […]
Founders Park construction underway next to Inman House
At the 2021 State of the University Address, University President Sheila Gestring announced the construction of one of USD’s newest projects, the Founder’s Park. Assistant Vice President of Facilities Management Brian Limoges is managing the project for the university. In an email interview with The Volante, he said this park will be located next to […]
USD faculty perform at Colton Grand re-opening concert
After six months of renovations, the Colton Recital Hall is now open. The faculty of the music department at USD performed at the Colton Recital Hall Grand Re-opening Celebration Concert. USD music department chair, professor and director of choral activities David Holdhusen said the entire music department was excited and ecstatic to be back on […]
Gestring talks renovations, strategic plan at State of the University address
USD’s 18th President, Sheila Gestring, delivered her annual State of the University address Thursday inside Aalfs Auditorium. Gestring discussed a handful of topics during her speech that lasted a little over an hour. Students and faculty were encouraged to attend and the event was livestreamed on the university’s Facebook page. Gestring’s opening remarks included an […]
COVID-19 on campus: looking back, looking forward
The tide may be turning on the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, with a decline in new cases nationally and regionally and with South Dakota’s Board of Regents seeking a more “normal” fall semester on USD’s campus. In response to this, USD student organizations, Vermillion businesses and local government leaders are looking to bring […]
Breaking Ground on New Health Sciences Building
The School of Health Sciences broke ground for construction of their new building last Thursday. The School of Health Sciences encapsulates nine departments with 22 different programs, but does not currently have a designated building. Speakers at the groundbreaking included Dean of the School of Health Sciences Haifa AbouSamra, Sen. Arthur Rusch, who represents District […]