DAKOTA STATE Spring 2020 MAGAZINE FOR OUR ALUMNI, PARENTS, ANDFRIENDS DEAR FRIENDS AND FELLOW SUPPORTERS OF DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

Welcome to our spring 2020 magazine. Tis issue contains many In addition, in December 2019 when the threat I understand that right now extroverts are struggling examples of one of DSU’s greatest assets and strengths – the people of the new coronavirus came on the world with the emotional deprivation of reduced human of the extended DSU community. It is especially apropos for the time scene, DSU’s administration began working on interaction, and introverts are enjoying the solace in which we suddenly fnd ourselves, the onslaught of the new novel contingency planning if the crisis should spread they need to recharge. Personally, I am basking in coronavirus and the illness COVID-19. to the U.S. and South Dakota. In January 2020, appreciation at the strength, ingenuity, and positive as information grew about the deadly impact atitude of the people of Dakota State University, It seems as though almost overnight we went from the distant sounds of widespread COVID-19 illness, we moved to once again demonstrated in our shared, highly of a mild threat, to the loud drumming of a dangerous atack on our working intensely on detailed plans for a potential successful response to this present crisis. We will get doorstep. Trough it all, the people of our extended DSU community – transition to operating fully online. When the through this, and we will all be stronger for it on the the students, faculty, staf, City of Madison, Lake County, State of South executive orders came to shif, DSU was able to other side. As Robert Schuller, the American writer, Dakota, and our worldwide network of alumni and supporters – have move quickly and seamlessly to online operations. speaker, and pastor once said, “Tough times never come together in impressive and innovative ways to keep DSU people last, but tough people do.” I am so very grateful to be safe and the university moving forward. Tanks to energetic and skilled contributions part of this amazing #DSUStrong! community of by people across the university, I am happy to tough people. As we go to print with this magazine, we have come through some report that we have successfully transitioned all of tumultuous weeks. Tis novel coronavirus spreads aggressively through our essential activities to online delivery, and the person-to-person contact. Te innumerable in-person interactions of a university has stayed up and running and moving busy university campus, especially students living together in university forward through all of this shif. Best wishes for safety and health for you and yours, residence halls, was a highly dangerous situation. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem gave the order in March for all state employees Tis COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to march (all DSU faculty and staf are state employees) to move to working across the United States, creating enormous from home if at all possible. DSU faculty and staf have done so. Te personal, professional, social, and economic South Dakota Board of Regents made the decision to have the regental disruption. Tis batle with an unseen, initially silent universities move to all online classes through the end of this semester. but deadly enemy is unlike anything I believe any of All but a very few of our residential students have moved back home or us has previously experienced. I believe we all have a President José-Marie Grifths, Ph.D. to other safer environments where they can practice the isolation and new appreciation for our shared human and societal Dakota State University social distancing critical to stemming the tide of COVID-19 infections. vulnerability to the devastating impacts of a highly- contagious health threat. At the same time, it has While this transition to remote work certainly required innovation also brought into stark focus the responsibility and and fexibility from DSU faculty and staf, Dakota State was far beter requirement for each of us to do everything we can prepared for the move than most universities across the country. DSU’s to not only protect ourselves but also our families tech/cyber-intensive environment meant that we already had in place and loved ones, our communities, and our country. the resources and tools people needed to continue their work from of-

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT THE FROM LETTER campus locations, generally their individual homes. DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

2 3 Dakota State University (DSU) in Madison, S.D. offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs through its Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business and Information Systems, Computer and Cyber Sciences, and Education. Visit dsu.edu. FEATURES 6 DSU Family Making an Impact 32 News Around Campus 38 Advancing the Mission 42 Trojan Athletics 50 Class Notes

MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTORS

Marketing & Communications Institutional Advancement Jen Burris, Strategic Communications Coordinator Mark Millage, Vice President Kelli Koepsell, Director of Marketing & Communications Carrie Slaathaug, Director of Alumni & Family Engagement Jena Martin ‘05, Production Center Coordinator Jona Schmidt, Director of Major & Planned Gifts Brittni Shoup-Owens ‘17, Content Writer Athletics Shannon Steffke, Marketing & Branding Coordinator Nick Huntimer ’05, Sports Information Director Andrea Tanner, Graphic Designer Jane Utecht, Strategic Communications Coordinator President’s Office Kathleen McClatchey, Assistant to the President for Strategic Projects

Dakota State Magazine is published by the DSU Send address updates and class notes to: Marketing and Communications Department and [email protected] or distributed at no cost to over 14,000 alumni, donors, DSU Alumni Office and friends. 820 N Washington Ave Madison SD 57042 TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTENTS OF TABLE

4 5 TO WATCH IN 20 2020 ANDREW BEHRENS Instructor of Information Systems KATIE ANDERSON College of Business & Information Systems Assistant Professor of Reading and AS DAKOTA STATE embarks on the Soaring ‘20s, Language Arts Andrew Behrens earned his undergraduate we are highlighting 20 people of DSU to watch in 2020. College of Arts & Sciences degree in information systems at DSU, then he These students, staff, and faculty members were worked for three years at the hospital where he Katie Anderson started her teaching previously interned. During that time, he earned selected by each college’s dean for their efforts in and career in 2004 at a middle school in Rapid his master’s degree through DSU in health outside the classroom. Read on to learn about these City, South Dakota. While teaching, she informatics and information management. earned her master’s degree in curriculum outstanding members of our DSU family. instruction and in 2013, she was named While working at the hospital, Behrens mentored South Dakota Teacher of the Year. interns and realized he wanted to become an instructor. He was able to apply for an instructor Not long after, she began working at DSU position at DSU and is now pursuing his Ph.D. in in 2014. Anderson’s focus in her courses information systems while teaching. is how to teach reading. All courses have some form of fieldwork where a student is He enjoys teaching. “It’s kind of fun when you see matched with a teacher in the field to see that lightbulb click on, as cliché as it sounds,” he practices in real life. shared. He also enjoys watching them grow as students and go on to do exciting things. Anderson’s goal in the classroom is that her students feel prepared. “When they get done Behrens’ goals include becoming a professor with my coursework and student teaching after completing his Ph.D. and expanding and and they start teaching, I want them to feel continuing his research in healthcare. confident and comfortable teaching the content area that I trained them in, whether that’s reading in general, or assessment in general.”

She also hopes to continue working with other faculty to offer professional development for teachers across the region. DSU FAMILY MAKING AN IMPACT IMPACT AN MAKING FAMILY DSU

6 7 GRACE CROOK Exercise Science Hometown: Gettysburg, S.D. DR. MICHAEL GAYLOR Associate Research Professor of Chemistry Grace Crook was deeply involved with track College of Arts & Sciences and field in high school, so when looking at colleges she knew she wanted to attend one Dr. Michael Gaylor did not always see a future for that gave her the opportunity to continue ELLIC GANT himself as a chemist. In fact, he started out as a running. Game Design music major and while he ended up changing his Hometown: Sioux City, Iowa major to biology, later he pursued his rock star DR. PETER HOESING With an initial interest in athletic training, dreams of touring as a drummer. Director of Sponsored Programs the exercise science program was the right Ellic Gant may only be a freshman in the Research & Economic Development path for Crook. game design program, but he’s already Now Gaylor teaches chemistry and conducts created a free game, “Pixel Planet,” that has research at DSU. His research with students Dr. Peter Hoesing’s background is in music and Crook spent two years on the track team, over 3,000 user accounts. focuses on astrobiology, or life in the universe. cultural anthropology, but a successful skillset before stopping due to injuries. She then in grant writing led him to join DSU as director joined the Exercise Science Club, which In addition to game design, Gant is “Meteorites contain chemical compounds that, of sponsored programs with DSU Research and encourages networking at conferences, and interested in video production, music in certain environments, undergo chemical Economic Development. began working as a personal trainer at the creation, and playing games. In his short reactions that produce molecules essential for Community Center. time at DSU, he’s made meaningful life,” he explained. In his position, he works with faculty researchers relationships with his peers. One of his to develop research ideas into fundable projects Crook expressed appreciation for the hands- friends offers feedback and ideas for his “So we’ve now been able to show in this that can be pitched to organizations, institutions, on practice students in the program receive, game and tips on how he can secure it. tiny little lab at Dakota State University, that and private foundations to fund research. and learning from the different teaching molecules that are abundant in the solar system styles of her classmates. “I enjoy the act of creating,” Gant said. “I and throughout the universe, and occurring in Most of his time is spent collaborating with love seeing people’s reactions to things I meteorites, if you do certain things to them they faculty to draft proposals for grants, contract She hopes to continue her education have made.” produce chemical compounds that are the same offers, and service agreements. “The bonds that to become a physical therapist after types of molecules that are absolutely essential I’m really most proud of here are with faculty graduation. He’s enjoyed the ability to create a variety for life to happen as we understand it today,” he researchers,” he said. of projects through creative outlets like said. “If I do become a physical therapist, I want computer science, music, and video game Hoesing enjoys seeing all the different passion to open my own practice because I want design for others to enjoy. Gaylor’s goals include earning more grant projects across campus. “I can see really up to have a family and I want to have the funding, expanding research, helping students close and personal the commitment that they flexibility of spending time with them.” “I chose DSU because they have one of the find their passion, and making DSU known as have to the progress of science to the common best computer science programs I could much for science as it is for technology. good,” he said. find,” he said. His goal is always to increase funding from

DSU FAMILY MAKING AN IMPACT IMPACT AN MAKING FAMILY DSU Gant’s goals include owning a game design regional, national, and international foundations studio and making a living off of his video to continue producing new research projects. games.

8 9 DR. AUSTIN O’BRIEN Assistant Professor of Computer Science IVY OELTJENBRUNS JAROD KEENE The Beacom College of Computer Master’s in Computer Science Master’s in Computer Science & Cyber Sciences Hometown: Hartford, S.D. Hometown: Rapid City, S.D. ANDREW KRAMER Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Ivy Oeltjenbruns originally thought she was interested Jarod Keene always thought he was going to Instructor of Computer Science Dr. Austin O’Brien, spent a portion of his in graphic design, but after two job shadows and an attend the South Dakota School of Mines, but The Beacom College of Computer & collegiate career as a cheerleader at SDSU. internship during high school she knew cybersecurity when his sister chose that school he wanted to Cyber Sciences Now he uses that same enthusiasm in the was what she wanted to study. carve out his own path. An experience at DSU’s classroom teaching Dakota State students in GenCyber Camp helped him do just that. Andrew Kramer moved from California The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber As a cyber operations major, Oeltjenbruns found Dr. to Madison sight unseen to earn his Sciences. Tom Halverson, associate professor of computer “I went to the GenCyber Camp and I enjoyed bachelor’s degree from Dakota State. science, very influential, taking many of her intro every class and every elective,” Keene said. “But From teaching freshman through graduate classes to the program with him. He also encouraged even above that the people who work here are Kramer initially hadn’t planned to stay level students to advising computer Oeltjenbruns to join the Computer Club and run just the nicest people.” in Madison. “I really fell in love with the programming teams, O’Brien is invested in as an officer, which helped her earn a CyberCorps school and the area in a way I hadn’t teaching his students theory, application, scholarship. At the camp he met some of his future planned to,” he explained, adding that and communication as they prepare for their professors, Dr. Tom Halverson and Dr. Austin he found his people at DSU. future careers. After interning for the past two summers with MITRE, a O’Brien. These professors have impacted him non-profit organization that manages federally funded beyond the classroom in research, projects, and “I get to spend my time working with “I hope students will not just soak in what research, Oeltjenbruns has continued working part competitions. Keene recently attended a national students on all the things I was excited they’re being told, but learn to take the next time for them from South Dakota and will be taking a ICPC competition with programming team to spend my time on anyway,” he said. step and apply it to real world problems and full-time position with them in Maryland in May. advisor O’Brien, competing against teams from communicate that with others,” he shared. Stanford and MIT. He works in MadLabs as director of “I want to continue advancing my career, start speaking the Deep Red Lab, which is offensive O’Brien’s future goals include working at conferences in the industry, and go outside of my After two summers interning with the security work, or vulnerability research. toward tenure and helping Dakota State comfort zone,” she shared of her goals. Department of Defense, he hopes to continue to become known as the go to university in the work for the federal government. He also hopes “We are creating technology faster than region for artificial intelligence, in addition to to be able to work on research projects in the we are securing it, so we’re hoping to cybersecurity. new Cyclops Lab on campus in the future. identify some of those problems before someone else does,” he explained. While he’s often busy programming, completing IN-STATE TUITION IN-STATE TUITION Kramer’s future goals include speaking research, studying, and competing, you may COLORADO MINNESOTA *This is an updated be surprised to learn he’s found the time to at the conference DEF CON in Las IOWA number and differs from the printed version of the Vegas and earning a Ph.D. magazine $2PER CREDIT9 HOUR7 memorize the entire Dinner Party episode of WHY DSU? MONTANA “The Office.” NEBRASKA $291PER CREDIT HOUR

DSU FAMILY MAKING AN IMPACT IMPACT AN MAKING FAMILY DSU 100% NORTH DAKOTA JOB PLACEMENT RATE dsu.edu/visit FOR 24 MAJORS SOUTH DAKOTA 98% JOB PLACEMENT RATE WYOMING FOR RECENT DSU GRADS

10 11 SHANNON OYLER BEZONIA Bachelor’s in Business Administration Management FRANCISCA OPOKU-BOATENG Hometown: Rapid City, S.D. Ph.D. Information Systems in Cyber Defense CARL PETERSEN Hometown: Ghana, West Africa Shannon Oyler Bezonia, a self-employed, non- Computer Game Design NOAH SALMEN traditional online student, felt a management degree Mathematics for Information System Minor Elementary Education Francisca Opoku-Boateng has earned two in business would be beneficial for her career goals. Object-Oriented Programming Certificate Hometown: Madison, S.D. master’s degrees and is now working toward Hometown: Parade, S.D. her fourth degree, a doctorate in information “I looked into several colleges with online programs Noah Salmen always thought he would end systems with a focus in cyber defense. before selecting DSU,” Bezonia said. “I liked the Carl Petersen is a grant recipient, business owner, up farming on the family popcorn farm, smaller atmosphere and DSU seemed more tech- Indigenous game developer, and DSU student. but education opportunities based in his Education is important to Opoku-Boateng oriented than others.” interest of teaching began popping up while and her entire family. They believe in and In 2019, Petersen was awarded the Billy Mills $10,000 he was still in high school. He interned at agree with the African proverb, “If you She is no stranger to reaching her goals. While Dreamstarter grant offered through Running Strong for the Madison Christian School and began educate a man, you educate an individual. pregnant with her daughter she was put on bedrest. American Indian Youth, which enabled Petersen to start helping with Sunday School and Vacation But if you educate a woman, you educate a During that time she chose to learn HTML and about his company Northern Plains Games. Bible School. nation.” online selling as a way to make income from home. For the past 16 years she’s been creating her own Through his company, which employs Native Americans Being born and raised in Madison, and As she saw technology use increase over income sources. to create games for Native Americans, he is developing having had both his parents attend DSU, the years, she saw her own future in the “Tipi Kaga” an interactive 3D game in which players build Dakota State seemed like the perfect fit for technology sector. For the 2019-2020 school Bezonia runs and writes for a website, a traditional Lakota Tipi by receiving instructions in the a degree in education for Salmen. year, Opoku-Boateng was awarded the offgridworld.com, she purchased in 2017 that Lakota language. Google Women Techmakers Scholarship and generates passive income through advertising. “It Throughout his time in the elementary a blackcomputeHER Fellowship, giving her focuses on several areas of sustainability and self- Petersen hopes to partner with Native K-12 schools to education major, he has learned a lot about access to professional development such as sufficient living, like off-grid homes, growing food, and offer his game as a supplement to teaching the Lakota the importance of building relationships in retreats, conferences, and networking. renewable energy,” she said. language. He will also make his game available to the education. public by releasing it on STEAM, a game-buying platform. When she’s not busy earning accolades Bezonia found many of her courses valuable, His future goals include creating a sequel to “Tipi Kaga” “It’s a pretty valuable lesson for education, or completing research with Dr. Ashley specifically mentioning Dr. Jack Walters’ business with deeper vocabulary and to continue to develop other building a rapport with students and Podhradsky and Dr. Pam Rowland, she is part strategy course, and Dr. Michael Roach’s small Native games, while staying in South Dakota. parents,” Salmen said. of the MadLabs Digital Forensics for Cyber business management and entrepreneurship courses. Enforcement (DigForCE) team, where she “I would recommend them to anyone who might want “Right now, there aren’t really any game design studios He’s thankful for other opportunities he’s analyzes and conducts forensic investigations to start or manage a small business,” she said. in South Dakota, much less on a reservation,” he said. had in the College of Education, from field into cybercrimes. “So, I’d like to have a studio on the reservation that can experience observing in a real classroom, With many goals for herself, like sustainability projects provide jobs and train people in a skill set. There are a lot to researching the use of tech in math Opoku-Boateng’s future goals include such as unconventional/off-grid homes to sell or of artistic people who just don’t have opportunities and I enrichment activities and sitting on a panel inspiring more women to consider the rent, and new website ideas, Bezonia is excited for the want to provide those opportunities.” for prospective students. technology field and to return to Ghana to future. share what she’s learned about technology DSU FAMILY MAKING AN IMPACT IMPACT AN MAKING FAMILY DSU Upon graduation in May, Petersen will return to his In the future he hopes to be working and cybersecurity and teach others. “Big picture, I want to teach others how to live healthy, reservation, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, to run his for a school in the area teaching upper self-sufficient lives while creating something I can company and help out in his community. elementary and immersing himself in all pass on to my kids and future generations.” areas of the community. 12 13 DR. KEVIN SMITH Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education BRANDON VANROSENDALE PHUSUDA SHEEHAN Coordinator for Master of Science in Educational DUSTIN STEINHAGEN Computer Information Systems Business Analytics Hometown: Madison, S.D. Digital Arts and Design Technology Program Ph.D. in Cyber Defense Photography Minor College of Education Home State: Minn. Hometown: Watertown, S.D. Brandon VanRosendale didn’t start his college education at Dakota State, but he’s happy to be here now. He spent one Dr. Kevin Smith earned an undergraduate degree in Dustin Steinhagen, a second-year doctoral year at the School of Mines before he transferred to SDSU for Phusuda Sheehan was born in Bangkok, math education with a technology minor when he student in cyber defense, developed an one semester, but struggled with his grades. VanRosendale Thailand, but grew up near Watertown, S.D. attended Dakota State. After graduation he taught interest in cybersecurity after learning that then moved back to Madison and worked full-time at Sunshine and spent her youth going on photoshoots high school math, but his interest in technology the brain is hackable during his time as a Foods. While he liked his job at the grocery store, he knew with her mother, a professional photographer. made him decide to go back to graduate school. biological engineering student at Cornell other opportunities were out there. University. As Sheehan graduated high school, she At the University of Nebraska, he studied instructional technology, while also working in the “I learned a lot from working in retail and managing my own started her own portrait and wedding There’s more to cybersecurity than department of distance education as an instructional department, from SCM, CRM, data warehousing, inventory photography business, PB Photography, and just protecting computer networks and designer, developing high school correspondence care, some basic accounting, and communication skills,” he decided to attend DSU for graphic design. She information. courses and turning the course into online courses explained. is currently on track to graduate in 2.5 years. with multimedia. During this time one of the In addition to running her own business and students in the distance program was American “In cybersecurity our job inherently involves In spring of 2019 he began at DSU. “I made the honor roll that being on a fast track to graduating, Sheehan singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress Britney protecting people,” Steinhagen said. “People semester, something I never thought I’d do,” he said. is an RA, and a work study employee. Spears. are the most critical infrastructure we need to protect.” While he still works part-time at the grocery store, he has In the digital arts and design program, Joe Smith went on to work remotely for organizations also started teaching supplemental instruction to help other Ren, assistant professor of digital arts and in New York City and St. Louis, until returning to This includes protecting people’s private students. design, impacted Sheehan with her describing DSU to teach math education and technology. He data from hackers and scams like phishing him as “phenomenally cool, just so different focuses on building relationships with his students in emails with malicious attachments and bank His goals include completing undergraduate research and from not only artists, but also professors in hopes that he will model how to teach in their future and social security scams. In cybersecurity being accepted into the 4+1 master’s of analytics program. the Midwest.” classrooms. these hacks and scams are called social engineering, which is the psychological “He’s inspired me to do more and follow “I think the most important thing in teaching is manipulation of people to get them to do relationships,” he said, along with incorporating a style even if it doesn’t match your something, such as divulging confidential technology and fun into the learning process, he surroundings,” she said. information. TROJAN DAYS added. SAVE THE DATE “I decided the best way to help address issues Sheehan’s favorite part of photography is Smith and a friend, Kent Steen, created three being able to tell someone’s story with a learning apps available in the Apple App Store: in the human exploitation field is getting a single photograph. “Portraying somebody’s Spelling Star, for practicing spelling; Math degree in cybersecurity,” said Steinhagen. emotions, actions, energy, and style in one Mountains: Add & Subtract; and Math Mountains: October 3, 2020 second in time is something I am blessed to Multiply & Divide. Steinhagen has been an integral part of Parade be able to do,” she said. developing curriculum for the cyber defense In the future, Smith plans to continue moving doctoral program. Dr. Kevin Streff, his advisor 10 a.m. She also appreciates the flexibility of forward through the tenure track process, continue and mentor, inspired him to spearhead the Tailgate learning, and develop his research skills further. His new 700 level introductory data privacy

DSU FAMILY MAKING AN IMPACT IMPACT AN MAKING FAMILY DSU graphic design. Her goals for the future are Noon - 4 p.m. to move to New York City after graduation research interests currently involve gamificiation course, and a new social engineering course. and engaging students, particularly when it comes to Football Game and incorporate graphic design into her Steinhagen has had the opportunity to teach math. DSU vs. Waldorf University - 4 p.m. photography business. both courses. 14 15 Checking in WITH OUR GRADUATES

LINDSEY VOGL Professional Accounting Major DR. SHENGJIE XU While we look ahead at the Soaring ‘20s, we are also taking time to look back at Hometown: Webster, S.D. Assistant Professor some students we featured in 2005 and 2017, students deemed “ones to watch.” The Beacom College of Computer Lindsey Vogl was drawn to Dakota State & Cyber Sciences Read on to learn about their accomplishments and future goals. to play on the basketball team, but the professional accounting major solidified her Dr. Shengjie Xu teaches both undergraduate decision to play and study here. and graduate level courses, in addition to conducting research. Xu joined DSU this year 2005 GRADUATES “The lesson I’ve learned in school is there’s from University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a opportunities everywhere, but sometimes doctorate in computer engineering. you have to go find them,” Vogl said. Xu is really enjoying the process of teaching, CHRIS AHRENDT Once on campus, Vogl immersed herself focusing on hands-on experience and making in campus activities beyond the basketball himself available for questions. “Often times Major: Double Major in Mathematics and Computer Science team, joining PBL Business Club, serving the students are so self-motivated and that’s Hometown: Sioux Falls, S.D. on Student Senate, and serving on Captain’s what delights me most,” he said. Graduation Date: May 2005 Council. During his time as a Ph.D. student, Xu focused Where I’m living now: Eau Claire, Wis. She also learned about hard work, his research on artificial intelligence because, What I’m doing today: I am currently an Associate Professor of Mathematics at the balancing her time, and setting priorities as a world, we’ve moved into the big data era. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Outside of work, my wife Carol and I have three through her participation in basketball. Her Data can be utilized to help secure people’s wonderful children who keep us quite busy: Michelle, 10, Anastasia, 7, and Gabriel, 6. favorite memory of DSU is her first college information. start; in that game she went 7 for 8 from the Professional accomplishments I’ve reached since graduating: 3-point line. “I’ve been doing research on artificial I completed my doctoral work at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and my Ph.D. advisor was Dr. Allan intelligence and how we can apply that to Peterson. Dr. Rich Avery in the DSU mathematics department was also a student of Dr. Peterson, and Dr. Avery Vogl recently accepted a job with RSM security and privacy research,” he said. played an instrumental role in encouraging me to pursue graduate work at UNL. Since joining the University in Minneapolis as an International Tax of Wisconsin-Eau Claire faculty in 2010, I have been mainly focused on teaching undergraduate courses and Associate for the fall. Her future goals are Xu’s goals at DSU include continuing to working with undergraduate students on faculty/student research collaborations. I have had the pleasure of to first pass her CPA exam and ultimately make himself available to students, earning teaching about 2,500 students over the years here at UWEC in a wide-range of mathematics courses, as well become a controller or CFO for a company tenure, and continuing to research artificial as working with dozens of students on research collaborations—all of which have resulted in presentations at in Minneapolis. But her dreams don’t stop intelligence and the Internet of Things. professional mathematical conferences, as well as a few publications in peer reviewed journals. there, she hopes to publish a fiction novel One specific impact DSU has made on my life or career: one day, inspired by her favorite mystery and The faculty at DSU had an immense impact on my future. While I was attending DSU, the idea of going to horror books by Stephen King. graduate school and teaching in academia was not necessarily in the forefront of my mind. But seeing firsthand the commitment and excellent example of my math professors especially, as well as all of the encouragement

DSU FAMILY MAKING AN IMPACT IMPACT AN MAKING FAMILY DSU they provided me, truly inspired me to pursue these things.

16 17 JOSHUA HOGUE KELLEY TIETJEN Major: Business Management & Marketing Major: Elementary Education Hometown: Gregory, S.D. Hometown: Milbank, S.D. Graduation Date: May 2005 Graduation Date: December 2005 Where I’m living now: Watertown, S.D. Where I’m living now: My husband, Shane and What I’m doing today: President of Reliabank Dakota, which is a $470 I have lived in Harrisburg, S.D. since 2009. We million dollar bank, servicing nine locations, employing close to 100 have two children, Ava and John. people, located in northeastern South Dakota. What I’m doing today: I am currently teaching Professional accomplishments I’ve reached since graduating: Master of Science in Banking 2nd grade at Liberty Elementary in the Harrisburg School District. This and Financial Services from Northern State University and Graduate School of Banking from the is my second year teaching in Harrisburg. I appreciate that although University of Wisconsin – Madison. Harrisburg is a growing district, they have an emphasis on innovation Goals for my future: Continue leading and growing the bank through mentorship of employees, while also striving to attain a small community feel. I have previously strategic planning, and business development. taught in the Tea Area School District for 12 years as a librarian, Title One teacher and 1st grade teacher. I have been very fortunate to work One specific impact DSU has made on my life or career: Meeting my wife Emily (class of 2004) with and learn from dedicated professionals in both districts. was a pretty big highlight of my time at DSU; our marriage has blessed us with three daughters Take a Turn in the ages 11, 9, and 8 months. Professionally the information and technical background that DSU Professional accomplishments I’ve reached since graduating: provided gave me a leg up when I started my career. This ability to understand and learn more Although I have completed a vast amount of professional training in RIGHT about systems, data, and technology has stayed with me, and gave me the ability to build upon the areas of assessment, curriculum, and instructional practices, the basis set 15 years ago. I don’t believe I would have received the same technical knowledge if I having longevity in the teaching profession is an accomplishment DIRECTION had pursued a business degree at another institution. all on its own. It takes perseverance, dedication, and a strong work Begin Your ethic to improve your practice and teaching craft in an ever-changing Philanthropic Journey profession. I consider myself a very reflective individual and constantly Would you like to get involved and think of ways to improve upon my instruction, whether it be focusing support our cause in exciting ways? on ways I can improve student engagement or instructional delivery of concepts. We wear many hats in the teaching profession, so it’s You may be surprised to discover that there are many options available important for educators to focus on one’s individual purpose and the with gift planning. Let us help you JEFFREY SWETT rewarding impact we have on the children we teach. make a turn in the right direction with a plan that’s customized for Major: Mathematics for Information Systems; Business Management Goals for my future: After having 14 years of experience in the you and your goals, so that giving to Hometown: Platte, S.D. profession, I have become quite interested in curriculum and the causes you care about becomes instructional delivery. My family is in a busy season of life, but possible today. Graduation Date: 2007 eventually I would like to pursue further knowledge in these areas, Become part of our team, Where I’m living now: Murfreesboro,Tenn. whether that be through attaining a master’s degree or other further )) inspire others, and create a lasting legacy. training. What I’m doing today: General Counsel and Compliance Officer for an Visit our website dsu.edu/giving international auto parts manufacturer. One specific impact DSU has made on my life or career: Although to begin learning about the many technology has changed greatly since I was in college, DSU’s different ways you can create a Professional accomplishments I’ve reached since graduating: In my custom gift plan. technology component in education helped give that added boost when previous job, I became a partner in a law firm. In my current job, I am I was entering the teaching profession. The staff in DSU’s educational leading the legal and compliance efforts for the company’s United States operations. Ready to talk now? Give us a call. department not only helped me feel prepared for my career, but I also Goals for my future: Take on more responsibility and attain higher levels of leadership with my felt valued as an individual. I will never forget how appreciative I was Phone: 605-256-5693 current employer. when they reached out to me on a personal level when my mother [email protected] One specific impact DSU has made on my life or career: passed away in the fall of 2003. They offered advice and support as I At DSU, I was always encouraged to take on greater challenges and strive for excellence in completed my degree. For all of these things, I am ever grateful!

DSU FAMILY MAKING AN IMPACT IMPACT AN MAKING FAMILY DSU everything I do. This mindset has presented many great opportunities and has helped me to excel in graduate school and as a leader with my employers. ® DAKOTA STATE FOUNDATION

18 19 HILLARY WIESE HENRICH Major: Business with majors in Finance and Management KELLY BETHKE Major: Digital Arts & Design: Hometown: Ortonville, Minn. Computer Graphics Graduation Date: May 2005 Hometown: Pierre, S.D. Where I’m living now: Big Stone City, S.D. Graduation Date: May 2017 What I’m doing today: I have been employed with Big Stone Therapies, Inc. Where I’m living now: Casper, Wyo. since graduation. I will have worked with the company for 15 years in May. I JOSHUA started as an Operations Assistant to the owners of the company. I became What I’m doing today: Working Operations Manager in 2011 and Chief Compliance Officer in 2017. I married my husband Joe in 2005 part-time at a credit union as a DOSDALL and together we have two children, Zoee 8, and Jade, 5. Lobby Advisor while developing my own business focused Major: Computer Science and on wall art, greeting cards, and other illustration-based Mathematics for Information Systems Professional accomplishments I’ve reached since graduating: In 2001, I received my MBA in products. Healthcare Administration. I also became certified in Healthcare Compliance, CHC in 2017. Hometown: Elk Point, S.D. Professional accomplishments I’ve reached since Goals for my future: My professional goals are to continue to learn the world of healthcare Graduation Date: Spring 2017 graduating: I have had a difficult time finding opportunities compliance to best help the organization I work for. I would like to earn the CPHC - Certified in in my field since graduating. However, I have worked at Where I’m living now: Elk Point, S.D. Healthcare Privacy Compliance. several credit unions since graduating and have learned a What I’m doing today: Field Services One specific impact DSU has made on my life or career: DSU provided several opportunities for me lot of professional skills along with financial and budgeting Engineer at Riverside Technologies, Inc. that helped shape the person I am today - personally and professionally. DSU promoted to students skills. I believe these will help me in developing my own Professional accomplishments I’ve to become involved on campus in various ways. There was a strong focus on academics but also an business. Working at these credit unions has also taught me reached since graduating: Certified in emphasis on the person. the importance of community involvement and supporting Digital Watchdog security cameras. others around me which is a vital part of owning a small business. Goals for my future: Buy a house in the next year, continue building up my career Goals for my future: My ultimate goal is to be running a knowledge and abilities. successful business from home while raising future kids. One specific impact DSU has made One specific impact DSU has made on my life or career: on my life or career: DSU expanded The various art and design classes allowed me to 2017 GRADUATES my knowledge and improved my skills experiment with different mediums. The professors also to perform exponentially better at my pushed me to try new and challenging things with my art. I career. BEN AASHEIM continue to use this advice with my art today. Majors: Business Technology and Management Hometown: Sioux Falls, S.D. Graduation Date: December 2018 TAKE YOUR CAREER TO THE » Master’s degrees in Business Administration, Analytics, Computer Science, Education Technology, Master’s Where I’m living now: Sioux Falls, S.D. of Science in Health Informatics and Information Management, Cyber Defense, Information Systems What I’m doing today: IT Quality Assurance Specialist at Sanford Health NEXT LEVEL Professional WITH A GRADUATE DEGREE » Ph.D.s in Information Systems, Cyber Operations, Cyber Defense, and Computer Science Accomplishments I’ve reached since graduating: Featured in Sanford Health FROM DAKOTA STATE Intern Recruiting Video. Gained experience working with different teams and departments within » Our newest degrees - Cyber Security Graduate certificate, Sanford through project work on multiple large enterprise implementations and initiatives. Graduate and Advanced Graduate Mathematics certificates Goals for my future: Continue my education by pursuing a master’s degree, and continue to develop and advance in my professional career. FOR MORE INFORMATION Graduate Office One specific impact DSU has made on my life or career: The guidance I received from my advisor and [email protected] DSU FAMILY MAKING AN IMPACT IMPACT AN MAKING FAMILY DSU professors at DSU was invaluable to me in my pursuit of a career. Also, the education and experience (605) 256-5799 I received from DSU has helped me to stand out and integrate successfully into the work force. dsu.edu/academics/majors-degrees.html

20 21 ANDREW KRAMER Major: B.S. Cyber Operations, M.S. Computer Science Hometown: Etna, Calif. Graduation Date: B.S. 2015, M.S. 2017 SID MOORHEAD B.S. Network and Security Administration, M.S. Cyber Defense Where I’m living now: Madison, S.D. Major: Warroad, Minn. What I’m doing today: Instructor at DSU. Hometown: May 2017 Professional accomplishments I’ve reached since graduating: Graduation Date: Found some neat software bugs. Where I’m living now: Plymouth, Minn. Goals for my future: Find more software bugs! What I’m doing today: Network Security Analyst at Polaris. One specific impact DSU has made on my life or career: Professional accomplishments I’ve reached since graduating: Completed an M.S. in Helped me build my academic and professional network. I’ve had the privilege to work with a lot of Cyber Defense at DSU and a two-year developmental program at Polaris. great people! Goals for my future: Continue to expand my career in cybersecurity. One specific impact DSU has made on my life or career: DSU’s career services offered excellent resources to secure multiple internships and a relevant role immediately upon graduation.

CARISSA LEWIS Major: Elementary Education K-6 Hometown: Jordan, Minn. VICTORIA SOPKO Major: Elementary Education Graduation Date: May 2017 Hometown: Forest City, Iowa Where I’m living now: Northfield, Minn. Graduation Date: May 2017 What I’m doing today: Teaching as a full-time Pre-K teacher in Lonsdale, Minn. Where I’m living now: Chandler, Ariz. Professional Accomplishments: Taught Adult English Education for six months at a private institution in Nepal; Taught as an ESL Teacher in Faribault, Minn. for What I’m doing today: Teaching 4th grade at Power Ranch Elementary in Gilbert, Ariz. the 2018-2019 school year. Professional accomplishments I’ve reached since graduating: This past fall I earned Goal for my future: I’m planning to pay off all student loans by the end of this year and head to South my Structured English Immersion (SEI) endorsement. This year I am Team Lead for my Asia soon after to teach at an international school. grade level group of teachers. I participated in the Red for Ed movement in Arizona in May of 2018. I spent six days at the Capitol fighting for improvements for student funding, resources, and teacher pay. Specific impact DSU has made on my life or career: It was a great starting place for me. The courses were practical. The professors were very experienced, knowledgeable, and caring. The year-long Goals for my future: I am hoping for more leadership opportunities within my school and school district. I plan student teaching did a really good job of preparing me for joining my own school district— being a to stay up to date in best instructional strategies in the teaching profession. I want to continue to be a lifelong colleague to the other teachers, experiencing the ups and downs, seeing the transformation students learner! went through, the different classroom management styles, etc. One specific impact DSU has made on my life or career: From my education at Dakota State, I felt very prepared for my first year of teaching. I appreciate the relationships I formed with my professors in the small class setting. I frequently refer back to my college notes and resources for ideas to implement in my classroom and to share with colleagues. DSU FAMILY MAKING AN IMPACT IMPACT AN MAKING FAMILY DSU

22 23 THE POWER OF MENTORS

At DSU, faculty members strive to create Narukonda soon became Rowland’s graduate WELCOMING CHALLENGES mentorships that go above and beyond any assistant and it didn’t take long for the pair For Jared Dewitt, that positivity and guidance is found “It’s a very influential area because it forces us to expectation, especially in our academic to embark on a mentorship that’s grown into in the lab of Dr. Michael Gaylor (pictured above), ask very deep questions that science has so far been programs. So, when students approach successful collaboration, fresh perspectives, an associate research professor of chemistry who unable to answer definitively. Engaging students in the professors and ask them to be their mentor, the and innovative ideas. conducts research in astrobiology and planetary study of such big questions pushes them far outside answer is always, “YES.” science. their intellectual and academic “When you work together, you get to know each comfort zones and prepares them to work at the cutting-edge of scientific These mentorships create lifelong other, so it naturally flows into a relationship During the summer of WORKING IN THE GAYLOR LAB discovery when they graduate from professional relationships and where you share life and help the other person 2019, he worked with BROADENS MY HORIZONS DSU,” Gaylor said. “It’s challenging academic experiences navigate their goals and dreams,” said Rowland. Gaylor and undergraduate AND SHOWS ME HOW MUCH work and long days, but it creates for both students and researchers from the HARD WORK IS REQUIRED TO faculty. The duo, who work collectively on complex and exciting dialogues Astrobiology Institute DISCOVER THINGS THAT NOBODY projects like Wobble Bot Day, Girl Scouts’ “ between the students and me and of Colombia – an ELSE KNOWS AND TO CREATE Mentees are more likely Cybersecurity Patch Day, Rocket Girls, and requires us to think critically about international affiliate of NEW HUMAN KNOWLEDGE. how to solve one of the biggest to experience academic, GenCyber, credit each other with bringing the NASA Astrobiology - Jared Dewitt questions in science,” said Gaylor. social, and economic in fresh ideas, as well as ways to maximize Institute – during an success. And mentors the impact of their ideas coming together as intensive research build on significant one. They feel their mentorship helps them internship. Dewitt and his team lead a project to The unique part? Dewitt doesn’t graduate from high leadership, management, and become better individuals and inspires creativity identify how non-living chemistry might have given school until May. He took his senior credits his junior creative skills. Dr. Pam Rowland (lef), in research and academia. year, so he could attend DSU full time. Though he’s Kanthi Narukonda rise to the chemistry of life on the ancient Earth some four billion years ago. The team also discovered that just beginning his college career, he welcomes the NAVIGATING GOALS AND DREAMS “It’s better when you have someone to guide chemicals found in meteorites react on minerals many challenges in the Gaylor Lab with open arms. When DSU graduate student Kanthi Narukonda you. Dr. Rowland helps me get where I want common on the planets and moons of our solar recognized her passion for women in to be. She’s such a positive person, which has system to produce the very same chemicals that “There are very high expectations and plenty of cybersecurity, she switched her Ph.D. program a subconscious effect. That positive feeling make all living things go on Earth today. The team’s constructive criticism from Dr. Gaylor, which advances DSU FAMILY MAKING AN IMPACT IMPACT AN MAKING FAMILY DSU to Information Systems. From there, she met she’s created, it’s what students need,” said ultimate goal is to develop methods to look for these my knowledge and helps shape my learning. It might Dr. Pam Rowland, assistant professor of cyber Narukonda. same chemical reactions happening on other planets sound cliché, but it’s been a dream,” said Dewitt. security, who shares the same passion. as possible indicators of the existence of life on these 24 worlds. 25 Many teachers who have taken DSU ’s summer teacher camp come back as students in our MSET program. Recent graduates include: Joey Liesinger, Though it may be a dream, it still comes with many remain curious and share Madison High; Mitch Miller, Flandreau Public Schools; Dan Hall, Flandreau Public Schools; Lisa Shepardson, Medary Elementary – Brookings; Andrea Fish, Medary Elementary – Brookings; Jenna Grossenburg - Aberdeen Public Schools; and Kalee Greve, Medary Elementary – Brookings. lessons for both mentee and mentor. For Gaylor, new perspectives,” one of those lessons has been to be more strategic said Cronin, “We in distributing assignments and collaborations have to learn how to to student researchers in a way that does not break down barriers overwhelm them. between faculty and students. It will allow “I’m afraid that when I discover extremely curious us to have more and ambitious students like Jared, I get so excited successes along the that I have sometimes thrown too many things at way.” Jenna Grossenburg (lef), them at once,” said Gaylor. Dr. Kevin Smith INSPIRING OTHERS But for Dewitt, those many tasks have so far led WITH TECH to more inspiration, self-motivation, and self- Dr. Kevin Smith, assistant professor of revelation. mathematics education, breaks these barriers GENCYBER INSPIRES EDUCATORS by inspiring his education students to utilize There’s been moments that build together, like classroom technologies in unique ways. One of his TO JOIN DSU’S MSET PROGRAM receiving career or academic advice,” Dewitt said, students, Jenna Grossenburg, met Smith through “I never envisioned myself on this path, so working a methods class and, while at a cross country DSU’s GenCyber Teacher’s Camp is proving just how “We were also able to network and meet other in the Gaylor Lab broadens my horizons and shows meet, the two sparked ideas for technology in the important technology within the K-12 classroom is. teachers in the same content area, which is very me how much hard work is required to discover classroom. uncommon considering computer science is a new things that nobody else knows and to create new The free camp teaches 6th-12th grade science, area for many small schools in S.D. I have been so human knowledge.” “Kevin has influenced me in many ways. He’s technology, engineering, and mathematic (STEM) fortunate to attend teacher’s camp twice, and I am taught me to have an innovative mindset and to teachers, how to hack, fix, and explore the world so grateful to the people that put it on. It really is a BREAKING BARRIERS take risks. He provides great resources and advice. of cyber security. Throughout the five-day stay, great experience!” educators engage in hands-on education sessions Dr. Kyle Cronin, an assistant professor of He’s taught me to be a lifelong learner and was the main inspiration for obtaining my Master of that expand on programming, networking concepts, This innovative camp has inspired educators to take information assurance, has spent the last year and security concepts with DSU professors, alumni, their learning to the next level by enrolling in the Science in Educational Technology degree,” said mentoring Chris Loutsch, a cyber and current students. Master of Science in Educational Technology (MSET). Grossenburg. operations student and CyberCorps The program has 22 students currently enrolled and scholar. “It’s great to see teachers that are excited to learn focuses on contemporary teaching, technological Being that lifelong learner means about cyber and connect with others. If and when learning processes, and how to effectively integrate “When I came to DSU, Kyle incorporating innovative technology and ideas they return to the camp, they’re able to build on classroom technology. knew what he was talking into the classroom, like the Chasing Einstein previous skills and incorporate them into their about and answered my Challenge, which Smith implemented in 2017. classrooms,” said Robert Honomichl, instructor of “Many educators like the MSET program because questions. He’s a good leader, Information Systems. it’s 100% online and it’s flexible for their schedules. approachable, and engaging,” The goal of the project? Have college Schools are always investing in technology, so Those who attend the camp also work with hiring educators that have a graduate degree in said Loutsch. “He took me students mentor Grossenburg’s fifth grade Raspberry Pi’s, lock picking, and soldering. All are educational technology is really valuable for both under his wing and introduced math class through video communication, then pieces of equipment that are inexpensive and enable the school and the educator,” said Dr. Kevin Smith, me to different concepts and project provide math challenges for students to work on. Chris Loutsch (lef), teachers to take them back to their schools, to show coordinator for MSET program. initiatives.” Dr. Kyle Cronin Grossenburg and Smith credit each other with administrators and students. They walk away with a backpack full of tools, to help demonstrate what they The program is for all kinds of educators, but the ability to collaborate via email or Twitter, Their very first project required them to learned to students. specifically targets those who have an interest in where Smith tweets about innovative ideas and successfully use wireless technology to signal educational technology or those who teach STEM and work with electronic sensors for ice fishing technologies. Tina Belden, technology coordinator in the Estelline classes. tip ups. Loutsch also helps Cronin with summer School district, has attended the camp for the last camps, which allows him to build teaching skills – “I use technology to remind my students that two years. Both the GenCyber Teacher’s Camp and the MSET an opportunity that doesn’t often come natural for innovation is different than invention, learning program are available through Dakota State for any technology majors. never ends, and taking risks is very important. “The best part about teacher’s camp is that we educator interested in educational technology. DSU FAMILY MAKING AN IMPACT IMPACT AN MAKING FAMILY DSU So, when a young teacher like Jenna takes risks receive a lot of tools to integrate into our classrooms “Chris thinks outside the box and shares his and learns new ways to keep students engaged, it such as circuit kits, python cards/book, etc.,”she Visit gencyberteachers.camp or dsu.edu for more said. information. ideas with me, whether they’re about the camps, inspires her classroom and keeps me inspired as projects, or research. We encourage each other to well,” said Smith. 26 27 27 NEW Contact Us -ldn.&tJo,,,om,, 1-aii-osu'i!aa v,s,r osu WEBSITE BETTER ACCESSIBILITY

Following the debut of our new “We want to make sure people brand, Dakota State introduced can go to dsu.edu and find the a new website in December information they’re looking for, 2019. The new site features more no matter what their ability is,” visually rich imagery, increased Johnson explained. video capabilities, and increased Jndivictua { Virtual Visits SJ1711. functionality. Johnson worked with Dr. Chris Olson, associate professor/ Work on the website began in 2018 coordinator of information systems with focus groups of students, program, who offered expertise in faculty, and staff, said Joelle accessibility. He recommended a Johnson, DSU web editor. tool which DSU now uses called Site Improve. The tool offers “One goal is to focus on student automated testing of areas on the engagement and enrollment,” she site like forms, color combinations, said. “An equally important goal and PDF accessibility to ensure it is to showcase DSU’s research meets Web Content Accessibility and technology to our current Guidelines (WCAG). and prospective faculty, corporate partners and government entities.” “Our job is to make sure that information is coming across to The process of creating the new site the best of our ability to a wide went beyond the coding to include audience base, so those with content audits, reorganization of sight, hearing, mobility, or other the site, and the creation of new impairments can access all content. content,” she said.

During the creation process, See our next issue to learn more Dakota State worked to increase about Olson’s accessibility efforts accessibility of the website for throughout DSU. DSU FAMILY MAKING AN IMPACT IMPACT AN MAKING FAMILY DSU people of all abilities.

28 29 NEW MISS AMERICA PARTNERSHIP Simone Esters (center) is the winner of Te CREATES OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPACT Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences STEM Scholarship. The Miss America Organization (MAO) has PARTNERSHIP IS MUTUALLY Congratulating her aligned on an “unbelievable partnership” with BENEFICIAL are Amy Crissinger, Dakota State University, said Shantel Krebs ‘98, associate vice president Miss America has a goal to highlight talent of Enrollment Services board chair of the MAO. over appearance with its Miss America 2.0 (lef) and President initiative. “There are a lot of misconceptions José-Marie Grifths. Announced in December, this partnership about who Miss America is,” said Krebs, but by is based on a first-of-its-kind scholarship, participating in this STEM-focused competition, The Beacom College of Computer and Cyber along with community service and social Sciences STEM Scholarship. This writing impact initiatives, the young women prove their competition was based on a STEM-theme. relevance, she said.

The winner, Simone Esters (Miss Missouri), The writing competition judges saw relevance as WRITING COMPETITION RELEVANCE was awarded a $5,000 Beacom College STEM well. Dr. Pam Rowland saw great passion in the Scholarship cash award. The scholarship also writing she judged. “These women are educated The writing competition takes MAO to another level. Dr. Justin Blessinger, professor of English, another offered four years of undergraduate studies, leaders who want to make a difference.” “Writing is a skill that is integral to any job that you’re of the competition judges, said Esters “offered a including tuition, room, and board, or a pursuing, no matter the field, being able to effectively nuanced and informed discussion of email-driven scholarship for tuition to complete one degree Rowland, associate professor of computer communicate your thoughts,” Esters said. phishing attacks, and then connected it to her work of graduate studies. The Beacom College also science and cyber security, stated, “with the experience. Her essay showed verve, intelligence, sponsored the live broadcast of the preliminary Beacom College’s national reputation and Dr. Ashley Podhradsky, one of the judges for the and sophistication.” competition. excellence in education and the need for more writing competition, agreed. “Having highly technical professionally trained women in this field, it is skills in cyber is great, but if you cannot communicate SCHOLARSHIP IMPACT a great fit. This partnership opens the doors your results in writing or through communication Esters will use her cash scholarship this summer. for highly motivated women to receive a great then your work cannot be disseminated.” Podhradsky “I accepted an internship with the NFL and that education in a dynamic field.” is associate dean of The Beacom College of scholarship is going to entirely cover my housing.” Shantel Krebs, Computer and Cyber Sciences and associate She is investigating DSU’s graduate certificates for the chair of the By partnering with the internationally known professor of information assurance and forensics. the in-kind scholarship benefit, after she completes Miss America MAO, DSU’s programs were showcased with her degree next December. Organization regional, national, and international audiences. The 51 candidates wrote a blog, tweet, and Board, is a ’98 an Instagram post in answer to this question: “We hope the national attention the Miss America DSU graduate “The world needs to know what Dakota State “Technology is changing faster than at any other time contestants helped to bring to the issue of cyber in business offers as far as security and education and in history. While these advances can make our lives security will serve as a catalyst for still more administration. technology advancements, that they’re in the easier, they also put us at risk. What is the greatest extensive conversations and partnerships at DSU lead with any other university in the nation,” technological threat to our safety and security and and for The Beacom College of Computer and Krebs said. what should be done about it?” Cyber Sciences, where we confront the big issues of information security every day,” said Blessinger. Response to the partnership was very positive, Esters, a convergence journalism major at the Krebs noted. At the December competition “I University of Missouri-Columbia, wrote about the heard people say that was exactly what they concept of social engineering for the blog: “We need want to see their daughters or our candidates to re-engineer our minds to outsmart the social

DSU FAMILY MAKING AN IMPACT IMPACT AN MAKING FAMILY DSU competing in and getting scholarships for, with a engineers who are endangering our safety and top leading university in STEM and cyber-related security.” fields.” 31 30 31 fec,,,_fo /D~ ~ A ~~~AA . BL lJE'l L_;. U<.J...(A/,Y r V BEAN BAG BOAIRDS Great Graduation Gifts Fun for Outdoors and Summer Parties Order yours today!

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Miss America 2020 Camille Schrier visited Dakota “We’re changing the way things are produced, State on Friday, March 13. During her visit, Schrier we’re making things more efficient, we’re hoping to spoke about how she became interested in STEM, reduce environmental impacts through the way we demonstrated the experiment she conducted as produce things,” she explained. her talent in the Miss America competition, and answered questions submitted by Madison Middle As Schrier continues traveling across the U.S. as SEE WHAT’S School students. The event was livestreamed on Miss America, she hopes to inspire young girls like BRAND NEW YouTube and Facebook Live, with students from herself who have an interest in science. Madison and Huron watching online. ANY DAY. “I have girls who wear lab coats and crowns to ANY TIME. While sharing her love of learning and science, come meet me,” she said. “If a young girl can think Schrier spoke about how science is a part of so of Miss America as having a white coat then I’ve many things. She believes the STEM field will done my job.” continuously expand, ultimately touching every Te place to fnd single industry in the U.S. and world. DSU clothing and TROJAN ZONE swag for everyone! Online Bookstore

Receive a 10% While visiting campus, Schrier (far right) posed for a discount by using photograph with DSU alum Ray Peterson, who has been producer of the Miss South Dakota Pageant promo code: SHOP ONLINE 24/7 for over 50 years, and DSU alumna Shantel Krebs, SPRING10 who was Miss South Dakota 1997 and current board dsubookstore.com

NEWS AROUND CAMPUS CAMPUS AROUND NEWS chair for the Miss America Organization. Peterson Discount ends on May 31, 2020 graduated from Dakota State in 1968 with a degree in Discount ends on May 31,2020 art and Krebs graduated from DSU in 1998.

32 33 We’ve learned to never underestimate the power of a meal swipe,” said Rachel Sumekh, founder and CEO of Swipe Out Hunger.

Angi Kappenman (left), David The pilot program takes place on 13 campuses across Overby, vice president for the nation, including Dakota State. These schools will Technology and CIO, and Stacy Krusemark, vice president for determine best practices for a “Meal Swipe Bank” at Business and Administrative each participating institution for students in need. Services, helped with recovery efforts after the 2019 flooding. “This is another opportunity to provide an additional These efforts are now ongoing as program to ensure our students are successful,” said Trojans Helping Trojans. Jacobsen.

Sodexo will provide two free meals for every full-time meal plan sold – an estimate of more than 25,000 free meals annually. At Dakota State, this will amount to about 620 meals this spring semester.

Referrals are confidential, through members of the Student Affairs team, faculty and staff, or students management aspects, privacy, location, and themselves. Students can receive five meals at a TROJANS HELPING TROJANS distribution protocols. time, or up to 20 meals a semester. The meal swipes are loaded onto their student ID card, so they can PROGRAM DEMONSTRATES UNITY “We felt it was important to have this on campus,” swipe their card at the Marketplace conveniently and said James Jacobsen, vice president for Student anonymously. FOOD PANTRY AND SWIPE OUT HUNGER ADDRESS affairs, “because as a university we want the additional support to help our students be successful.” For more information on the Trojans Helping Trojans CAMPUS FOOD INSECURITY program, reach out to Angi Kappenman at [email protected] or 605-256-5134. Everyone is facing challenges, said Angi To make a bigger impact, efforts are underway to The resulting food pantry is now housed in the Kappenman, vice president for Human Resources. look for more ways to help each another. One way Learning Engagement Center (LEC), offering food deals with college student food insecurity. items along with health and beauty aids. This “We need to be there to support one another and academic year, the university has also been providing show kindness. That’s what being a Trojan is all DSU FOOD PANTRY winter clothing, such as a hat and mitten drive at about.” Student hunger is real. Steve Johnson, director an all-employee event. This becomes increasingly of Dining Services, said that nationally there is important, Jacobsen said, “as we expand our footprint Students and employees alike faced big about 30% food insecurity on college campuses, for students who come to us from warmer climates.” challenges in the fall of 2019, when severe meaning approximately one in three college flooding impacted the Madison area. Several students will go hungry. Notices of open hours are posted around campus, and departments collaborated to help those in need referrals are accepted from faculty and staff. In its first with a program that came to be called Trojans “Some people trying to improve themselves few weeks of operation in fall 2019, 35 students were Helping Trojans. Efforts included finding a variety through higher education may not have enough served. of volunteers, and accepting donations of food, financial backing, so it can be a burden to go goods, or cash. to college,” said Johnson. These students may “wonder where their next meal is coming from.” SWIPE OUT HUNGER “We wanted to build a foundation in the darkest In October, DSU’s food service vendor Sodexo, times of our students’ and employees’ lives,” she Because of this, many campuses have food announced an industry-leading and first-of-its-kind said. Because Trojans Helping Trojans so well fit pantries for their students, said Donna Fawbush, pilot program to expand its partnership with Swipe

NEWS AROUND CAMPUS CAMPUS AROUND NEWS the new brand theme of unity, it was decided to events coordinator and interim bookstore Out Hunger – a leading national nonprofit group Donna Fawbush stocks shelves in the DSU Food Pantry. Commitee continue the program, “to be there to brighten director. In 2018 she started planning and committed to reducing food insecurity on college members include: Jim Jacobsen, Angi Kappenman, Mandy Parpart, people’s day when they are going through tough assessing the option of a food pantry at Dakota campuses. Bryn Hart, Nicole Bowen, Pati Beck, and Kim Wermers. times,” Kappenman said. State, investigating the program’s sustainability, 34 35 HOME SUITE HOME RESIDENCE VILLAGE CONSTRUCTION BEGINNING THIS SPRING Architecture Incorporated, KWK Architects, and Journey Construction are working together with DSU to create a durable, long-lasting residence with sustainable characteristics. Beginning fall 2021, students at DSU will have a door in the hallway for units with a Resident

new housing option on campus with the opening Assistant. All bedrooms in the new hall will be Construction on Residence Village will begin COtnlfY.U:O !RE5 1C EN'CEIIAI.L of Residence Village, a 122-bed residence hall single occupancy. Residence Village will also this spring. The residence hall will be attached with four-bedroom suite and six-bedroom include community study areas, lounges, laundry to the Courtyard Residence Hall and Learning apartment-style units. facilities, and a food and beverage retail space. Engagement Center.

NEWS AROUND CAMPUS CAMPUS AROUND NEWS The four-story, over 40,000-square foot building “This facility will help to meet our strong “This new residence hall will not only house

will include six different unit plans, including enrollment growth as well as provide the features our students, its new design style will enhance WMIIIHlil'ON AVENUE NDlll:III handicap accessible units, apartment units and amenities that students desire,” said Jim their living and learning experiences,” said DSU with small kitchens, and an additional exterior Jacobsen, vice president for Student Affairs. President José-Marie Griffiths, Ph.D. 36 37 CARRIE SLAATHAUG SIMONS NAMED NAMED PERMANENT PHILANTHROPISTS OF THE ALUMNI DIRECTOR YEAR AT THE DSU GALA FAMILY EMPHASIS ADDED TO POSITION TITLE

Carrie Slaathaug, interim director of Alumni and Family Engagement at Dakota State University, has been named to the position permanently. Darrel and Patti Simon were named the 2019 Philanthropists “Carrie is a natural for this role,” said Mark Millage, vice president of the Year for Dakota State for Institutional Advancement at DSU. “She is an established member University. The Madison couple of the DSU Foundation team, and is an active leader in the campus has supported Dakota State community,” he added. Slaathaug had been Annual Fund and University and its students for Phonathon Manager since 2016 and was named interim director in May almost 50 years. “We derive 2019. a lot of satisfaction in giving “Carrie is engaging our alumni, students and their families, and our time, talent, and treasures is already hard at work planning a number of events – near and to Dakota State University,” far – that will provide meaningful opportunities to strengthen these said Darrel, “especially to relationships,” Millage stated. the many young men and women who desire to better Because she has been including families in her efforts, this was themselves and the world by highlighted in the new position, Millage pointed out. seeking further education.” The Philanthropist of the Year “The addition of ‘family’ to Carrie’s job title emphasizes the importance award was established in 2006 of her continued work in engaging the families of our students through to acknowledge donors who regular communication and activities. They are important partners make significant personal when it comes to student recruitment and retention,” he said. contributions of time, talent, and resources to DSU. Slaathaug is looking forward to melding the engagement efforts to include both alumni and family members. “These are not the same in terms of engagement, but there are significant overlaps that will lend themselves well to being managed by this position.”

She noted that Dakota State alumni are proud, but often quiet SANFORD SPONSORSHIPS champions of the university. This spring Sanford Health Technology Solutions Upon completion of their degree, students who began offering a sponsorship program at DSU, received sponsorship will work full-time for three “I’m hoping to provide up-to-date, more frequent information providing financial assistance of up to $10,000 to years at Sanford Health. This position will require regarding DSU to our alumni and family members so that support tuition and other expenses. Students can the individual to work as a technology solutions they can confidently (and less quietly) share it with those apply for the sponsorship as a sophomore. professional for the health system in Sioux Falls. around them. So much is happening at Dakota State and we need to arm our best advocates of the university with that The sponsorship is open to a variety of majors, such information,” Slaathaug said. as computer science, cyber operations, network

ADVANCING THE MISSION MISSION THE ADVANCING security, software development, and business finance, Jona Schmidt, the previous alumni director, is now SANF~~RD according to Jill Ruhd, development officer with Director of Major and Planned Gifts. HEALTH Institutional Advancement. 38 38 39 FUNDING BETTER FUTURES

Pam Lewis

ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP LEAVES A MARK

Gertrude Gill, a graduate of She applied for the brand-new After teaching for a few years Madison State Normal School Gertrude Gill Scholarship. and a 28-year career in (now DSU), left an endowment The Gertrude Gill Scholarship, insurance in Sioux Falls, Lewis of $275,000 to Dakota State open to academic leaders in all and her husband moved back to upon her passing in 1983. That majors with a GPA of 3.5. Madison about five years ago. funding made an immediate GERTRUDE GILL impact on one student, Pam At the time Lewis received the Upon returning to Madison, Gill was a 1910 graduate who taught upper Lewis, and continues to benefit scholarship she was about she got a job at Dakota State. elementary in Sioux Falls, until she returned ir;}'}: students today. to have her second baby, She started out working in to Madison in 1920 to teach at the teacher and financially college was a Admissions before moving to education program at what was then known as Eastern State Normal School (now DSU). :··.· . Lewis, a December 1986 struggle. the College of Arts & Sciences graduate with a degree in as senior secretary. . ~ :.·.: ·.-··.: ·. Gill left the school in 1923 to teach at a secondary education, was a “It was very important to me college in Michigan. She eventually earned non-traditional student. “I was financially to be blessed with Gill’s endowment was one of the her master’s degree at University of Chicago married, I had one child and that scholarship,” Lewis said. first endowments the university and returned to General Beadle State I was out of high school five “It was a two-year full ride.” received, according to Jona College (now DSU) until her retirement in 1959. years,” Lewis said. Schmidt, director of Major and Being the recipient of a Planned Gifts. Her impact is Education was extremely important to Gill, Initially Lewis only had financial scholarship has inspired Lewis still felt by providing financial which led her to leave DSU $275,000. DSU aid to cover her college costs to include DSU in her will, help to current students. “She’s ADVANCING THE MISSION MISSION THE ADVANCING was her home, this was her family. Many and with a child she had the cost donating a certain percentage been gone since 1983, but here of her relatives continue to donate to her of childcare as well. After two to DSU scholarships. we are in 2020 still telling her scholarships adding to the legacy funds. years, someone recommended story,” Schmidt said. 40 she apply for scholarships. 40 41 FURLONG FAMILY MAKES for the Madison residents, for those who lost their “We really love the size and location of DSU and the homes and much of their belongings in the flood, fact that they’re fundraising to build new facilities. MADISON THEIR HOME so we didn’t take those offers. We thought it best to They’re growing, and that’s an excellent sign. The AWAY FROM HOME stay in a hotel,” said Dan. biggest asset DSU has is the people who surround it and work there,” said Dan. “It just warms my heart when I’m in Madison. When it comes to their grandchildren, Everyone is so kind, they treat each other well, Their pride doesn’t stop at football. They also spend there’s no distance that could keep Dan and and they all care so much,” said Claudia. time cheering on other DSU athletic teams, including Claudia Furlong from showing their support. Trojan Volleyball, and the Madison High School football team. The couple lives in Soldotna, Alaska, a After recovering from the flood, the Furlongs community on the Kenai Peninsula that’s continued to appreciate their home away from But their favorite memories so far? Watching about three hours from Anchorage. But home, from the beautiful countryside to the Brenner score his first touchdown his freshman year when it comes to supporting their grandson, Community Center. and starting two games this last season. But thanks

AND DSU student athlete Brenner Furlong, they to Claudia’s planning, Dan was also able to surprise laugh in the face of distance. The 3,000 “Everyone is so kind and welcoming. They always Brenner at the indoor track meet for nationals in miles can’t stop them from showing their remember the fact that we’re from Alaska and Brookings. S.D. Trojan Pride. always have a question or comment for us, it’s wonderful. We feel right at home when we’re “I was in the stands, sitting by the door where the “We’ve rarely missed any of our four there,” said Claudia. teams enter and walk across the track to the infield. grandsons’ activities since they were in When DSU came in, they began to walk across the elementary school. We’re a really close- The couple loves Madison so much they even track, but Brenner randomly stopped, turned, looked knit family and continuously support them subscribe to the Madison Daily Leader to keep up up into the stands and right into my eyes,” said Dan, in their academic, athletic, and community on news and events in the Madison area. “I just put my hands in the air and smiled. It was a endeavors,” said Dan. In addition, the Furlongs have much respect and really special moment.” love for Dakota State. Throughout their time here, “It means the world to me to look up and they’ve become members of the Trojan Athletic Club The Furlongs plan to return with their RV in tow, see them there in the stands. It lets me (TAC) and have met President José-Marie Griffiths, to watch Brenner and the rest of the Trojan’s 2020 know how much they really care. Having many DSU faculty and staff members, as well as football season. them here also helped me adjust to Brenner’s coaches, teammates, and roommates. Madison, because they helped make it feel more like home,” said Brenner.

During their first visit, they fell in love with NOMINATE A CANDIDATE the Madison community and Dakota State, FOR THE DAKOTA STATE so they bought an RV and camped at Lake ACADEMIC HALL OF FAME Herman State Park throughout the 2019 Celebrate As part of an initiative to bring football season. a c a d e m i c greater visibility to scholarly work at DSU, the mission of the While enjoying the season and taking in Academic Hall of Fame is to the beauty of Lake Herman, the Furlongs IEVEMENT ACH collect, preserve, and disseminate were subjected to the 2019 flooding that the intellectual work of DSU devastated the Madison community. Though faculty, students, staff, and alumni. an unfortunate event, the Furlongs believe it was positive experience thanks to the Send Nomination Letters to: people of Madison. Provost’s Offce 820 N. Washington Ave “We were the only people in the park at Madison, SD 57042 that time. The ranger and his staff helped TROJAN ATHLETICS TROJAN us get out. We had many wholesome offers from people in town, everyone was so accommodating. But we felt extremely bad DRIVEN DEDICATED 42 43 Senior Spotlight

BRANDON SCHMIT Sport: Football and Track & Field 2017-2019 Major: Professional Accountancy, Business Technology, and Marketing NICK BRUGGEMAN Hometown: Jackson, Minn. Sport: Cross Country, Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field Big Wins: Beating Valley City in Valley City State two years ago in football. Beating Dickinson Major: Network & Security Administration State at home three years ago in football. Winning against DWU any of the four years I played. Hometown: Larchwood, Iowa My sport is more than just a game or a meet because: I was able to work to my fullest potential and lead by Big Wins: Winning three conference titles during the 2018-19 season, winning the example as a captain of the football team and continue to grow personally through of all it to who I am today. conference title from the 2019 cross country season. My sport is more than just a meet because: It’s a way for an individual to work on being the best version of themselves while being surrounded by a supportive group of people that further LINDSEY VOGL encourages you to reach that goal. Sport: Women’s Basketball Major: Professional Accountancy and Finance Hometown: Webster, S.D. Big Wins: Overcoming my second ACL tear. My sport is more than just a game because: BRADEN CURNOW It’s shaped who I am, and that will follow me for the rest of my life. Sport: Cross Country and Track & Field Major: Exercise Science Hometown: Wawina, Minn. EVAN MCCREARY Big Wins: Multiple team NSAA conference championship wins. Any race Sport: Men’s Track and Field where I received All-American Honors. Night run with T-chub and the boiz. Major: Exercise Science My sport is more than just a meet because: You are literally pushing your body as Hometown: Webster, S.D. hard as you possibly can for the entire duration of the race, you don’t get time to sit Big Wins: Indoor Conference Team Champions 2019, Outdoor Conference Team Champions 2019. on the bench, you don’t get timeouts. It is entirely up to you and how hard you can My sport is more than just a meet because: Track and field is more than just a meet because

TROJAN ATHLETICS ATHLETICS TROJAN push yourself. The training is grueling, and you don’t get an “off” season, you have to there is so much more that goes into it, that being the many hours of practice each day, and the compete with the weather, and there will absolutely always be someone better than relationships built with my teammates over the years. you.

44 45 ASHLEY ROBINSON RACHEL JOHNSON Sport: Cross Country and Track & Field Sport: Volleyball Major: Biology Major: Business Management Hometown: Huron, S.D. Hometown: Jackson, Minn. Big Wins: Winning the 2019 steeplechase conference title and COMING IN 2ND IN Big Wins: Beating Viterbo and breaking their conference winning streak, and making it to the THE CONFERENCE IN THE 2019 CROSS COUNTRY SEASON AND ADVANCING TO NATIONALS!!! first round of nationals and making DSU volleyball history! My sport is more than just a meet because: Participating on the cross country and track team My sport is more than just a game because: I’m creating lifelong friendships and being a role model for has given me a family. It is more than just racing. It is creating lifelong friendships. Running young girls in our community, showing them that anything is possible with hard work and determination. has shaped me into who I am. It has allowed me to push myself beyond my limits and see who I truly am. It has taught me resilient and confidence. Racing has helped me manage my anxiety and utilize to my advantage. I am a stronger person, mentally and physically because I made the decision to run at DSU. It is a decision I would never change; I would do it again and again. MAXWELL CRUSE Sport: Cross Country and Track & Field Major: Computer Science Hometown: New Glarus, Wis. COREY HERMANN Big Wins: 2018 and 2019 NSAA Cross Country Champions. Sport: Cross Country, Track & Field My sport is more than just a meet because: Running becomes such a big part of Major: Master’s in Computer Science who you are when you run for DSU. Hometown: Fargo, N.D. Big Wins: Getting the conference trifecta (winning men’s cross country, men’s indoor track and field, and men’s outdoor track and field conference championships). JOBI MCCREARY My sport is more than just a meet because: It has both an individual and a team aspect. Sport: Indoor/ Outdoor Track & Field You compete individually and are responsible for how you perform so there are no Major: Biology for Information Systems excuses. There is also the team aspect, especially during the conference meets, where Hometown: Webster, S.D. you are really excited for everyone else to be performing at their best. Big Wins: Indoor Conference weight champion and Outdoor Conference hammer champion. My sport is more than just a meet because: My sport is more than just a meet because of all the life lessons that I was able to learn, such as gaining lifelong friendships, persevering through an injury, and being fully dedicated to the team. BARBARA H. BRICENO HERNANDEZ Sport: Volleyball TREY RANDEL Major: Network & Security Administration, minor in Computer Forensics Sport: Baseball Hometown: Lima, Peru Major: Physical Education Big Wins: Beating Viterbo at home last year and beating Bellevue every time this Hometown: Dell Rapids, S.D. past year. Big Wins: Upsetting number 1 Mayville in conference tournament. My sport is more than just a game because: The relationships you build from the start of the First career pitching win against Champion Christian College. season to the end are endless. My sport is more than a game because: It is what I have grown up playing and it has made me into the person I am. It has also allowed me to meet many great people who will be friends and brothers. 2 Corinthians 5:17 CASEY BOURQUE Sport: Football AUSTIN ROW Major: Cyber Operations Sport: Track and Field Hometown: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Major: Cyber Operations Big Wins: DWU 2019. Hometown: Baltic, S.D. My sport is more than just a game because: It gave Big Wins: Winning both indoor and outdoor conference meets. TROJAN ATHLETICS ATHLETICS TROJAN me a way to meet hundreds of people throughout my My sport is more than just a meet because: A person can be a part of a team that supports college career. each other to be their best and reach their goals.

46 47 ATHLETICS’ CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SEEING PROGRESS

GUNDERSON’S DONATES TO TROJANS UNITE

“Athletics is a huge part of a Trojans Unite is the capital campaign working to graduates to continue to be involved in a sport they Once the dollars are raised, the university will also university campus,” said Jeff build that new facility. Designed in three phases, enjoy while getting a great education.” need Board of Regents and legislative approval to the first will include a new football stadium and move forward, but Dittman is hopeful DSU will have Dittman, athletics director. concourse that will include locker rooms, academic In addition to gifts, eight acres of land just north of something new for the start of the 22-23 school year. rooms, offices, strength and training room facilities, the current football field has been acquired for Phase Phases 2 and 3 (an event center, and indoor practice At DSU, it amounts to about 33% of the on-campus and other components that will be utilized by every 1, said Mark Millage, vice president for Institutional facility and Fieldhouse renovations) will build on that student body, and that number is growing. There is sport, he said. The cost of Phase 1 is estimated to Advancement. momentum. a record number of scholar-athletes this year, 431 be $27.5 million. compared to 215 two years ago. “It’s important that we continue to build momentum For more information on the campaign, contact Mark The campaign kicked off last August with a $10 over the next year,” he stated, “to identify alumni, Millage at [email protected] or 605-256-7327 or “That impacts the classroom, it impacts the million gift from First PREMIER Bank / PREMIER friends and organizations that have the means and Jeff Dittman at [email protected] or 605-256-5229. professors and staff, it allows us to grow as a Bankcard and the Miles and Lisa Beacom family. interest to invest in bringing Phase 1 to fruition.” Details are available at trojansunite.com. university, not just as an athletics department,” Miles is CEO of PREMIER Bankcard, a former track he said. and cross-country athlete, and 1981 graduate of DSU has been in a perpetual construction phase for DSU.” the last several years and “that will continue for the But with numbers like this, “there is no room for

TROJAN ATHLETICS ATHLETICS TROJAN next 18 months with the Residence Village (see page 34],” us to grow right now,” Dittman said. “Practice In December, Gunderson’s Jewelers pledged Millage said. “Our goal would be to seamlessly go into space is maxed out, locker space is maxed out, $100,000 to the campaign. Brian Gunderson, owner the next phase with the athletics facility.” and we can’t look at new sports until we start and CEO, said DSU athletics inspired the donation building a new facility.” because the sports programs “allow high school 48 49 OLDEST ALUM ADVISES OTHERS TO ‘LEARN EVERYTHING YOU CAN’ HELEN INGLE IS DSU’S OLDEST ALUM AT 107 DONALD WARD KING InJuly 18, 1932 – November memory 17, 2019 Donald Ward King, 87, passed away He also started his own company, King '' ======November 17, 2019, with family at his side. Research, Inc., which performs information systems evaluations and return-on- You never know what direction Don was born July 18, 1932, in Cheyenne, investment studies. He has been nationally Wyoming, and spent much of his childhood recognized as one of the ten most cited life and work will take you in Ames, Iowa. He was a highly skilled authors in the information sciences field. after graduation. -Helen Ingle ‘32 Marine jet pilot and flying instructor. After his military service, Don returned to the In 2015, he became the university’s first ======'' University of Wyoming, completing his B.S. in official “First Dude,” and found great joy 1959 and his M.S. in 1960, both in statistics. in supporting DSU Trojan athletes in their journeys and achievements. These words of advice come from a wise He was co-founder of Westat, Inc., one of woman, Helen Ingle, who knows from the world’s leading private-sector statistical A full obituary can be found at Ellsworth experience the truth of her statement. The survey research organizations. Funeral Home’s website, ellsworthfh.com. 107-year-old is the university’s oldest alumna. Donations in Don’s memory can be made to the DSU Foundation. Born in Chamberlain S.D. in 1912, she studied elementary education at what was then called Eastern State Teachers College, graduating in 1932 with a teaching certificate. Her first and only teaching job was at the JOIN THE TEAM Flandreau Indian School, but as it was the Great Depression, they weren’t paying her, so Her husband passed away fairly early in their she took a train to Washington D.C., to apply to retired years and Helen started traveling the BEHIND THE TEAMS be an accountant with the federal government. world, visiting many countries. She also spent her summers with family, traveling throughout The Trojan Athletic Club leadership group is made up of alumni and supporters To get that job she had to rent a typewriter the U.S. interested in supporting DSU Athletics. The membership dues, which can be given and compete against more than 80 women for to a specific team or distributed to the general athletic fund, provide scholarship one position. She got the job, thanks in part to Helen lived in that beach house until she was and program support for the Trojan’s 13 varsity teams. accounting and typing classes she had taken at in her mid-90s, when she and her sister Mary Eastern State. moved to Greeley, Colorado to be closer to The Trojan Athletic Club is the team behind the teams and was established to family. Helen still lives in that apartment today. play an integral part by enhancing support for Dakota State University’s student She was grateful for those classes, and Her family owns a Greeley coffee shop, named athletes. because of her experience she advises Aunt Helen’s Coffee House, after her. students today to “diversify and learn everything you can.” She hasn’t been back to the campus since she FOR MORE INFORMATION graduated, but would be very interested in Helen never returned to teaching. Instead she seeing the college again. Until recently she kept DSU Athletics stayed in the D.C. area until she retired from a “Round Robin” letter with her classmates, 605-256-5229 the federal government. She and her husband where they would send letters to one another, TROJAN CLASS NOTES NOTES CLASS retired in Maryland, near Solomons Island, keeping everyone in touch. She is now the last ATHLETIC CLUB where they owned a beach house. surviving classmate. dsuathletics.com

50 51 JOEL MOLASCON ’02 STEVEN DAHLMEIER ‘14 (General ACCOMPLISHMENTS (Computer Information Studies) is now the general manager of the Systems) was promoted State Theatre Company in Sioux Falls, S.D. PATRICK MARONEY ‘67 (History to vice president of web The theatre has been closed since 1991, but CHILDREN Education) has been named to the Horizon development at Bulldog has recently undergone extensive renovation Health Foundation Board of Directors. The Media Group in Madison, S.D. and is scheduled to reopen in mid-2020 as a board members oversee operations including luxury movie theatre. of alumni financial management and advocacy efforts of DR. JOSH PAULI ‘02 Horizon Health Care. (B.S. Computer Information JUSTIN VANKIRK ‘14 (B.S. Information Systems); ‘03 (M.S. Information Systems) Systems) has joined the marketing team at DARWIN ROBINSON ’74 (Education) has been elected to the Dakotah Bank Board JDS Industries as a digital media specialist. elected to the South Dakota Sports Hall of of Directors and audit committee. Pauli is IN-STATE TUITION Fame. Induction ceremony set for April 25, currently vice president for Research and JACOB SCHAEFERS ’18 (Cyber FOR OUT-OF-STATE TROJ ANS 2021 in Sioux Falls. Economic Development and director of the Operations) hosted his third annual Veterans Cyclops Lab at DSU. Suicide Awareness March on Veterans Day GINNY FREITAG ’84 (Art) was one of 2019 to generate awareness of the national Children of Dakota State University the featured artists in the October Art & VANCE WINTER ‘02 (Physical Education) problem of veteran suicide. Fifty friends, alumni can pay in-state tuition Wine Walk. Her ceramics were on display at has been named the defensive coordinator at family, and community members made 957 for their undergraduate degrees Rehfeld’s Art & Framing Gallery. The walk is SD School of Mines and Technology. He has laps on Trojan Field, a total of 239.25 miles. sponsored by Avera Health as part of Breast previously coached at several colleges and Total donations raised, $1,230, were given regardless of where they live. Cancer Awareness Month. universities in Nebraska. to Mission 22, a non-profit organization dedicated to healing America’s veterans. The program, approved by the South JAY KRUSE ‘09 (BBA Professional Dakota Board of Regents, is limited Accountancy) chosen as one of 40 under 40 to incoming freshman or transfer by the Prairie Business Magazine. Kruse is students who attend the same Chief Advocacy Officer with the Credit Union Association of the Dakotas. university from which a parent or legal guardian received a degree. AMANDA HARGREAVES ‘10 (Elementary Education) has been named the Teacher of the Year for the Mitchell (S.D.) School District. She For the third year in a row, Jacob Schaefers (left) has organized teaches sixth grade English and science at a veteran suicide awareness march, held Nov. 9. at DSU’s Trojan Mitchell Middle School. Field in Madison, S.D.

ENGAGEMENTS/WEDDINGS DAWN KLUDT ‘90 (Modern Office Systems) named November Employee of the Month at JACOB MEYER ’17 Pioneer Memorial Hospital and Health System (Information Assurance and in Viborg, S.D. Computer Security) married Natasha Borah on Oct. 12, 2019. BRAD MAIR ’98 (Fitness Wellness Management) has been named the president HANNAH KNOCK ‘18 (Graphic of the Home Builders Association of Sioux Design) and DAVID COWAN ‘13 Falls. (Information Systems) will be married in June.

CHARLIE FLOHR ‘02 (Health Physical JACOB WILLIAMS ‘18 (Cyber Operations)

CLASS NOTES NOTES CLASS Education) has been named head football married RACHEL SLAVEN ‘18 coach at SD School of Mines and Technology. (Elementary Education) November 9, 2019. Flohr most recently had been co-offensive They are both members of the DSU Alumni coordinator at Northwest Missouri State. board. 52 53 IN MEMORIUM

WILMA THIELE BECK ‘45 GREGORY SHERMAN ’74

LEROY D. DEBEER ’63 ANDREW DIEDE ’76

CLETUS (CLETE) L. HUETTL ’65 MARK LEE BUDAHL ’77

DAVID EGAN ’67 DENNIS HALSETH ‘65

ROBERT FRAGER, ’69 MARJORIE VARNUM SKOTVOLD ‘42

JOANNE BENZ WAYRYNEN ‘69 DONALD M. HUNGERFORD, ‘71

RONALD FLYNN ’72 RICK STERLING ‘71

EARL STONE ’73 WALTER A. CANNEY, 2015 Philanthropist of the Year ELIZABETH BUCK CULLEN ’74 TED PINS, DSU Foundation Board Member DONITA M. KINDT ‘74 0000 1234 567& 9010 s,1s ~~rno100 0,Rt> HOLDER Send address updates and class notes to ('[email protected] ) Every Swipe Gives Back D A K O TA S TAT E UNIVERSIT Y First PREMIER Bank now offers a free Dakota State University branded GALA BY THE NUMBERS debit Mastercard® with our checking accounts. Each time you use 2020 your card, First PREMIER will give 50 percent of the net interchange fees collected to the DSU Foundation. $165,400 Plus, enjoy benefits like: raised at the 2020 Gala • Online and Mobile Banking, Mobile Wallet and Mobile Deposit 2019 GOAL $150,000 • Debit Card Lock and Unlock $109,500 • Zero® Liability Fraud Protection raised at the 2019 Gala 12 61 • 33,000+ Surcharge Free ATMs Nationwide LIVE AUCTION ITEMS SILENT AUCTION ITEMS • Free Financial Tools 308 11 SPONSORS ATTENDEES ATTENDEES CLASS NOTES NOTES CLASS 333

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