Alumni Magazine Fall 2009
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Fall 2009 AlumniMagazine Transforming Lives Gary Mule Deer a one-of-a-kind entertainer Also in this issue Classnotes Alumni recognized during Swarm Week Mining for knowledge BHSU faculty and students make headlines Greetings to all BHSU alumni t is rewarding to hear the many national and international success stories from Iyou, our alumni. We want to share these exceptional stories to recognize your service and professional achievements in future issues of our magazine and on our website. One of my goals is to ensure that our alumni grow ever more proud of having earned a BHSU degree. It is my hope that your pride translates into advocacy and support whether that’s through participating on an advisory board, serving a mentor to current students, or supporting our fundraising efforts. BHSU is recognized for transforming the lives of our students. It was an honor for me to present diplomas to the nearly 400 graduates in the Class of 2009 this spring as we celebrated their transformation from student to university graduate. In these uncertain times, it’s important to recognize that a degree from BHSU is an investment in the future for the student and the state. BHSU graduates have been challenged to become critical thinkers with an innovative approach to life that will be vital to their success in our dynamic and ever-changing world. BHSU President Kay Schallenkamp recently visited with former BHSU presidents, Dr. Clifford Trump (1985-1994), and Dr. Thomas Flickema (1994-2006), about the many changes on campus. They toured the campus and discussed transformations that have taken place during the years each of them served as leaders for the University. Black Hills State University Alumni Magazine Fall 2009 The Alumni Magazine is published twice a year by the Black Hills State University Alumni Association for alumni and friends of BHSU. Your comments are welcome. Email us at [email protected]. Please send updates and address corrections to: BHSU, 1200 University, Unit 9506, Spearfish, S.D. 57799-9506 605.642.6385 Dr. Kay Schallenkamp Dwight Hansen Corinne Hansen, Class of ‘85 BHSU President Director of Development Director of Marketing & Communications Sandy Mattern, Class of ‘89 John Kietzmann Kristen Kilmer, Class of ‘99 BHSU Alumni Association President Director of Athletic Development Information Officer Steve Meeker, Class of ‘84 Tom Wheaton, Class of ‘87 Michelle Tracy, Class of ‘03 Vice President for University Advancement Director of Alumni Relations Information Specialist 15, 800 copies were printed at a cost of 52.9 cents each. Alumni Feature Bringing people together with healthy laughter ary Mule Deer knows how to make people laugh. He’s been doing that since 1957 Gwhen he first started performing as a student at Black Hills State and turned to jokes to allevi- ate his nervousness on stage. Although he always knew he wanted to be on stage, Gary says he never dreamed his career would lead him where it has. In a time when celebrities’ careers are short-lived, Gary Mule Deer sustained a five-decade music and comedy career that has kept him on the edge of celebrity and has given him the opportunity to make people laugh at the absurdity of life while showcasing his musical performance. A talent contest at Black Hills State set Gary (who then used his original surname Miller) on a path that has included performances on national stages – performing regularly on the Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show and appearing at Carnegie Hall and the Grand Ole Opry. He has had over 350 television appearances and still entertains regularly in Las Vegas, Reno, and Atlantic City. For the past 15 years he has been touring in concert as a special guest with Johnny Mathis. Gary knows the importance of laughter and is proud that his comedy has stayed true to what he calls healthy laughter; the kind of comedy brings people together and bridges generational gaps. He is recognized for his ability to perform for a wide range of ages. Gary, who now resides in his hometown of Spearfish, has been “living on the edge of celebrity” for years and is, in fact, writing a book with that phrase as the working title. Gary has maintained friendships with many celebrities through the years. He met Steve Martin early in his career and created a lasting impression that included a mention in Martin’s memoir. During his career, Gary has shared the stage with many stars including Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Willie Nelson, Vince Gill, Brooks and Dunn, and many others. He continues to earn high compliments from many celebrities including Will Ferrell who named Gary Mule Deer when asked by ESPN to choose a comedian for this hypothetical situation. “It’s the seventh game, ninth inning of the World Series of Comedy. You have to pick a comedian to be out on the mound.” Will’s answer was Gary Mule Deer. Perhaps the compliment he most cherishes is a comment from his hero and mentor Jack Benny who once told Gary “you have the potential of my timing.” Black Hills State University Alumni Magazine Page 2 Alumni Feature excerpt from Steve Martin's book Gary’s connection to Black Hills State Born Standing Up goes way back to kindergarten when he attended the “lab” school formerly Tommy Smothers came up to me and said directly, "We located on the BHSU campus that need an intro for this bit. Can you write it?" This question matched local school district students was put to me with a clear implication that my job was on the with teacher training candidates known line. I said yes but meant no. I went upstairs to my office as as “practice teachers." He returned as a if I were on a march to the gallows; my mind was blank. Blanker than blank. I was a tabula rasa. I put paper in the college student in 1957 and often quips typewriter and impotently stared at it. Finally, a great line that he holds the record as a seven-year occurred to me, except it belonged to my roommate, the freshman. Although his educational comedian Gary Mule Deer. But it was perfect for this intro, so career was disrupted by his performing why not call him and ask if i could use it? By a miracle, he was success, he recognizes the importance of home. I explained that I was stuck. He said sure, use it. I went a university degree and supports Black downstairs, handed in the line, and Dick Smothers read the Hills State University in many ways. He joke: "It has been proven that more Americans watch television returned to campus last year for a sold- than any other appliance." Two highly experienced writers, out performance during the University’s Hal Goodman and Al Goldman, with credits extending back to Quasquicentennial celebration and joined Jack Benny, came up to me and said, "Did you write that joke?" fellow performers this summer for a Yes," I said. "Good work," they said. If, at that moment, I had scholarship fundraising concert. been hooked up to a lie detector, it would have spewed smoke. Music is what initially brought Gary to the stage and he remains a musician while building a name for himself as a "This guy has got to be the funniest man on the planet." comedian. Gary, and his former band, - Bob Goen, Entertainment Tonight the Vaqueros, were among the first inductees into the South Dakota Rock "He's charming, he's witty, and he's very, very funny!" and Roll Music Hall of Fame. Gary now - Johnny Mathis performs with the Duck and Cover Band and is known for his performances of "Nobody can be funnier than Gary Mule Deer and watching Johnny Cash music. him receive four standing ovations one night in Las Vegas was something to behold." - Joe Delaney, Las Vegas Review-Journal "You are a very unusual young man." - Frank Sinatra, Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas Gary Mule Deer on the Gary with The Duck and Cover Band Late Show with David Letterman Alumni News Kudos & Announcements Beverly (Olsen) Black Hills Council of Mary (Augspurger) Sharyl (Walla) Glader, Laurie (Williams) Hayes, The Carr, Class of ’55, Local Governments. Cooper, Class of ’74, Class of ’72, Rapid City, Class of ’74, Spearfish, 50s was named the retired after 34 years of received the Golden Apple retired after 31 years of 2009 Auxilian Ken Orth, Class of ’68, teaching. She taught in Award. Sharyl teaches teaching. Laurie is a past of the Year by the Spearfish Mitchell, retired after Spearfish for 24 years. physical education at recipient of the South Regional Hospital and teaching for 40 years and Mary was named the Valley View Elementary Dakota Reading Teacher of Dorsett Regional Senior officiating boys and girls Spearfish School District in Rapid City. the Year. Care Auxiliary. She has basketball for 41 years. Teacher of the Year in 1993. been a member of the Julie (Graham) Glasford, Michael Wayne Miller, Ruth Rosenau, Class of ’69, Auxiliary for more than Madeline Custis, Class Class of ’79, Rapid City, Class of ‘72, Casper, Wyo., Meadow, retired from 35 years. of ’79, Spearfish, received joined the Rapid City retired after 37 years in teaching for 56 years. the F.I.S.H Award (First in Convention and Visitors education. Michael spent Thomas Hart, Spearfish Hospitality) by Bureau as office assistant. the last 32 years teaching The Dale Brownell, The attended, the Spearfish Chamber of physical education at Class of ’79, Washington, 70s Commerce. Madeline is the June (Riggs) Harvey, Kelly Walsh High School 60s Spearfish, wrote and owner of Canyonside Bed Class of ’74, Creswell, in Casper.