Black Hills State University Fall 2005 Black Hills State University Spring 2005 AlumniAlumniMagazineMagazine Penton lands career in energy exploration Also in this issue Schopen revolutionizes Buddhist history Robinson hits the jackpot in casino management Black Hills State University Non-Profit Organization 1200 University Unit 9506 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED U.S. POSTAGE PAID Swarm week Spearfish, SD 57799-9506 FARGO, ND updates Permit No. 684 Classnotes Alumni gatherings photos Editorial Alumni News Tim Penton lands a job in energy exploration ________ Page 2 Gregory Schopen revolutionizes Buddhist history ____ Page 4 Dr. Thomas O. Flickema BHSU President Robinson hits the jackpot in casino management ____ Page 6 Larry Vavruska Class of ‘68 BHSU Alumni Association President Classnotes ______________________________________ Page 8 Steve Meeker Class of ‘84 50-year class reunion ____________________________ Page 18 Vice President for Institutional Advancement Terri Wells Director of Development Creating a Legacy Jodi Neiffer Class of ‘99 Director of Alumni Wanda Bellman honored ________________________ Page 20 Corinne Hansen Class of ‘85 Golf tourneys raise funds for scholarships __________ Page 20 Director of University Communications Editor Scholarships established ________________________ Page 21 Kristen Kilmer It’s one of my greatest honors to Class of ‘99 Information Specialist present awards to exceptional Copy Editor students, faculty and alumni at Black Hills State University. Megan Wyett, Black Hills State University, who received the Spirit of BH Award founded in 1883 as a teacher University News this spring, is an excellent example preparatory institution, has grown to of the talented, creative, hard-work- become the state's third largest univer- Flickema presents Spirit of BH award ing and motivated students on our sity with nearly 3,900 students. BHSU has expanded its curriculum and now Alumni will be honored during Swarm Days __________ Page 22 campus. She and other BHSU Dr. Thomas Flickema, president of Black Hills State University, presents offers more than 80 majors and minors Megan Wyett with the Spirit of BH award to honor her leadership in a students develop time management through three colleges - the College of skills by successfully managing aca- Education, the College of Business and BHSU people in the news __________________________ Page 26 number of student organizations and her participation in volunteer Technology and the College of Arts and activities throughout the community. demics, volunteerism and extra-cur- Sciences. To find out more see Wyett has been actively involved in a variety of student organizations ricular activities. The success of our www.bhsu.edu. Students in the news ______________Page 27 since she first came to campus as a freshman in the fall of 2001. She is alumni attest to the fact that these currently president of the Student Senate, a past president and member of skills are put to use when the the BHSU Student Ambassadors, and vice-president of the University students graduate and emerge as University news__________________ Page 28 Programming Team. She has co-chaired and chaired the annual Swarm BHSU Alumni Magazine Days homecoming week committee, was elected vice president of awards leaders in their communities. I’m for the BHSU Reading Council, is currently serving as the president of Chi always pleasantly surprised by the Fall 2005 Sports __________________________ Page 32 Theta Xi Sorority and is a member of the search and screen committee for variety of occupations that our alum- retention. She has also volunteered as a New Student Days group leader ni pursue.. and as a student athletic trainer. The Alumni Magazine is published twice a year by the Looking ahead __________________ Page 33 The Spirit of BH award is given annually by the BHSU Alumni Association Dr. Thomas O. Flickema Black Hills State University Alumni Association. 13,910 to honor a student who has made significant contributions that reflect BHSU President copies were printed at a cost of 48.7 cents each. favorably on the university and larger community. Send address corrections and alumni news to: BHSU, 1200 University, Unit 9506, Spearfish, SD 57799-9506 or call 605-642-6446. Your comments are welcome. Please email [email protected]. Alumni News The low American at the U.S. Embassy who "Although energy has been my career, asked him to come to work for Williams as my passion has been education," Tim says. the director of finance and administration Tim has long been interested in teaching for their Venezuelan operations. and says he seriously considered adding three Energy businessman "It was by sheer coincidence that we met teaching as a second major while at BHSU. at all," Tim says. "It was a great move for Tim has used that on-going passion to me." A move that he's been happy with become involved in the development and Education advocate despite some trying times at the company, advancement of an English-speaking school which was at one point within 12 hours of in Venezuela, Escuela Campo Alegre, which bankruptcy. In what has been called the his children attended. He has helped out in Family man greatest turnaround in the history of the many ways and most recently served as industry, Williams pulled through, restruc- president of the board of education and has tured the business and is now contending chaired many committees. s with growth. When the school created a mission to imC says he can trace his success in It's obvious that Tim has a strong loyal- "be the best school in the world," Tim says life to his parents, who both chal- ty for Williams, a Tulsa, Okla., based com- others scoffed at the idea, but the school lenged him to reach out and do pany, which produces, gathers, processes board and faculty were determined to "see T Tim Penton whatever he was interested in. and transports clean-burning natural gas how close we could get to that vision." The "My parents let me believe that I could that is used to heat homes and power elec- school has been very successful and pro- be whatever I wanted to be. That was the vides inno- vative edu- biggest catalyst for me. They gave me the confidence I needed," Tim says. Now, as a s a high school student, Tim Waiting a year to begin cation, which parent, Tim tries to instill that confidence Penton, Class of '80, began work- college turned out to be a in his own children. He recently had the ing in the oil fields near his home- good decision for Tim focuses on A individual honor of speaking to his daughter's gradu- town of Casper, Wyo. That was the begin- because the following year, ating high school class. In his address, he ning of what would become a long and Gene Schlekeway, who student outlined the importance and value of three successful energy career that has included was then head football needs. key attributes: commitment, caring and assignments in the western part of the U.S. coach at BHSU, called and Tim Penton According confidence. Tim's philosophy on living as well as in several international loca- asked Tim and a high to Tim, the school pro- and learning is based on these attributes, tions. school teammate to join the you're through with college, you're not It has been a career of dreams with Yellow Jacket football team. Tim remem- vides the or what could be termed the three Cs. going to succeed. You continue to learn all most up- unforeseen opportunities and develop- bers that call from the football coach and of your life." ments for Tim, who is now country man- considers it a pivotal point that offered to-date Tim credits his start in the energy busi- education- Confidence ager for Williams International, an energy him a positive direction in his life. ness to growing up in Casper where he al method- Tim knows the confidence his parents business that produces, gathers, processes "That was a very fortunate call. I was gained experience in the industry through ology and instilled in him was empowering through- and transports natural gas across the U.S. just finishing up a job, and at the time, I summer jobs. He began as a tool mechan- technology out his education and career. He encour- as well as in some international locations. thought it sounded better than any other ic and later moved into a field job as a Tim oversees the Venezuela, South options I had," Tim says. While at BHSU, and is rec- ages young people to "set goals you can't roustabout for a major oil company. Tim ognized America, operations. Tim also participated with the rodeo club achieve because otherwise you won't says his college degree made it possible for interna- Energy has been Tim's business; how- and as a member of the track team. know what you can do." He also reminds him to move into an office position which tionally as ever, he has maintained a strong interest Tim remembers many instrumental students of all ages that "it's up to you to later led to advanced positions in other an out- and an active role in education, an occupa- and influential professors at BHSU, but locations which he decided seemed to be a have the confidence to demonstrate leader- tion he once considered in college. Even as one, Fred Heidrich, stands out in particu- standing better option "than staying in the cold school. ship." Tim continues to rise in the international lar. Tim remembers that Heidrich, who Wyoming winters." energy field, he has stayed active in educa- recently retired as a business instructor, Living in Venezuela, Tim Penton's interest in world politics has Tim met Tim and his family soon embarked on intensified.