Monday Message, April 28
海角直播app Community,
A rainy Monday greets us as we begin another busy and exciting week on campus. This time of year brings a special energy to South Dakota State University as colleges and departments across campus recognize their graduating seniors, host scholarship banquets and prepare for commencement ceremonies, which are now less than two weeks away. It is a season of achievement and celebration, and I personally look forward to the privilege of shaking hands with every student crossing the stage to receive their degree.
Last week was an extraordinary one for our university, and I would like to take a moment to recognize the outstanding leadership and efforts of the 海角直播app Foundation. Through a series of important events 鈥 including meetings with the Foundation鈥檚 Board of Governors, Council of Trustees and many generous donors 鈥 our community celebrated the impact of private philanthropy on our university鈥檚 continued success. The commitment and generosity of our alumni, friends and partners provide us with a margin of excellence. Private giving enables our students and faculty to learn, teach, research and solve the complex challenges facing our world today.
The week culminated in a historic moment for Jackrabbits Athletics with the Athletics Scholarship Auction. I am thrilled to share that we set a record, raising more than $2.55 million to support scholarships for our student-athletes. This achievement speaks volumes about the passion and loyalty of the Jackrabbits family and underscores our shared commitment to student success both on and off the field. Thank you to everyone who made this remarkable evening possible.
As you know, the ability to be nimble and adapt to changing circumstances has never been more essential. Our values guide our decisions and actions and periodically revisiting them ensures they reflect who we are and who we aspire to be. We also believe it is important to use consistent and clear language as we express our core values to ensure 海角直播app鈥檚 ongoing success.
To better align with the South Dakota Board of Regents (SDBOR) opportunity statement, and our own highly successful and impactful Wintrode Student Success and Opportunity Center, we will be updating our Diversity core value to a more direct, action-oriented phrase: Opportunity for All.
Over the last several months I have discussed this topic with the SDBOR staff and leaders across campus. This week I will again meet with Shared Governance leaders to further discuss this update. Communication to the entire campus community with additional information will be coming from my office early next week.
Lastly, I want to remind everyone that commencement is fast approaching. For the first time in three years, we will host all commencement ceremonies on campus, in the newly renovated First Bank & Trust Arena. To ensure a smooth and welcoming experience for our graduates, their families and our honored guests, we are seeking volunteers from across campus to help with the three in-person ceremonies.
The Office of Academic Affairs recently sent an . I encourage you to consider participating if you are able. Being part of commencement is an incredibly rewarding experience 鈥 you help create lasting memories for our students as they celebrate one of the most important achievements of their lives.
Your dedication, generosity and passion make 海角直播app a truly remarkable place. Thank you for everything you do to support our students, each other and the broader community.
I hope you have a wonderful and productive week.
Go Jacks!
Barry H. Dunn
President, South Dakota State University
Above and Beyond recognizes individuals and groups of South Dakota State University employees, faculty and students for individual and team efforts that go Above and Beyond to make the campus community a better place. This week we recognize the students and faculty who participated in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
VITA is a national, IRS-sponsored program that provides free tax preparation and filing for low-income taxpayers.
Ten 海角直播app students enrolled in Accounting 490, specifically designed for VITA, and 11 student volunteers from Accounting 430 contributed their time on Tuesday evenings from 6-9 p.m. and three Saturdays throughout the semester from 9 a.m. to noon. The students, who obtained a volunteer filing certification from the IRS, gained valuable, real-life accounting experience while helping members of the campus and community file their taxes.
The program is led by Victoria Dubbelde, lecturer in the Ness School of Management and Economics.
Students began filing taxes on Jan. 28 and this year filed 101 tax returns through April 15, beating the 海角直播app program record of 82. This is the 12th year 海角直播app has participated in VITA.
To utilize the VITA program, an individual must have had a yearly income of $67,000 or less and had no schedule E, F or cryptocurrency transactions. There were also limitations on schedule C filing.
For more information on the VITA program, reach out to Victoria Dubbelde or call 605-688-4842.
Thank you to the students and faculty for providing this important service on campus.
The Monday Message appears weekly during the academic year and less frequently during the summer months and holiday breaks.
Information for the Monday Message, including nominations for Above and Beyond, can be submitted online.
Arts at the Oscar: A Night of Stars
The inaugural Arts at The Oscar, a community arts celebration, is designed to engage, recognize and showcase performing and visual artists, patrons and art enthusiasts, showcasing local artists of all ages.
The final entertainment of the evening will feature the stars of 鈥淗amilton: The Musical鈥 and The Glenn Miller Orchestra 鈥 The Kings of Soul & Swing.
When: Thursday, May 15, 2025
Where: Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center
5:15 p.m. 鈥 Social hour (Appetizers and soft drinks included. Cash bar available.)
6 p.m. 鈥 Opening ceremony
6:30 p.m. 鈥 Local talent showcases
8:30 p.m. 鈥 The Kings of Soul & Swing (Dancing will be encouraged.)
Energy Conservation Project
Facilities and Services is launching a strategic energy conservation project through SitelogIQ, an Energy Service Company. The company will conduct a campuswide energy audit, highlighting potential energy savings projects, which would in turn reduce university utility costs.
The cost savings will then be leveraged to fund approved energy projects over a 15-year period. In addition to saving energy, the effort also provides an additional funding source to upgrade older equipment.
Facilities and Services engineers and the SitelogIQ team will thoroughly canvass campus to identify viable projects starting as early as this week. The team will be around campus checking light fixtures, doors, windows, the building envelope, HVAC equipment and more.
Wokini Challenge Grant
The Wokini Challenge Grant is now open for applications. The grant supports innovative projects and/or research that align with the goals and mission of the Wokini Initiative.
It is an opportunity to develop leadership opportunities for Indigenous students, develop relationships with Indigenous staff and faculty at 海角直播app, and enhance cultural understanding and community engagement through projects that uplift Indigenous perspectives and knowledge.
Important dates:
- Application deadline: May 30 by 5 p.m. CST
We look forward to receiving your applications and supporting impactful projects 鈥 .
SPARC RFP
The Division of Research and Economic Development invites applications for Seeding Partnerships to Advance Research Collaborations, an internal competitive planning grant to support the development of large, complex project proposals for external funding.
Proposing teams must represent at least two substantively different disciplines, and projects must align with one of 海角直播app鈥檚 priority research themes.
Applications may request up to $15,000 and must be submitted via InfoReady by May 30.
Prairie Repertory Theatre Season Tickets
. This year marks PRT鈥檚 54th season.
海角直播app faculty and staff receive a discount on all tickets purchased.
2025 Distinguished Alumni Nominations
The 海角直播app Alumni Association is seeking nominations for the 2025 Distinguished Alumni awards.
Information about the awards and the nominating process can be found on the .
Summer IDS eLearning Academies
Instructional Design will host 2025 Summer eLearning Academy in May. The academy will focus on empowering faculty to leverage the potential of generative artificial intelligence within the D2L learning environment.
Additional information and how to register is available on sdstate.edu.
Professional Staff Annual Celebration
The Professional Staff Advisory Council will host its annual celebration and award ceremony May 14 at 2:30 p.m. in Woster Celebration Hall at the 海角直播app Alumni Center. A social will begin at 2:30 p.m., followed by the awards at 3 p.m.
The Rising Star and Presidential Award of Excellence recipients will be announced, and those in attendance will have a chance at door prizes.
A Zoom link will be made available for those who cannot attend in person.
IDS Spring 2025 Training Schedule
Instructional Design Services will host training seminars during the spring 2025 semester.
The trainings will include online community building, accessible eLearning and teaching in the generative AI era. Some featured workshops include the D2L accessibility checker (Panorama) and the newly added D2L gradebook feature allowing instructors to publish grades directly to Banner.
These workshops, eLearning applications, weekly webinars and the Online Teaching Certification Program will help prepare for successful teaching in spring 2025.
All 海角直播app faculty, academic staff and graduate teaching assistants are encouraged to attend these training sessions. .
Updated Policies
New and updated university policies continue to be adopted and published. For the most recent updates, visit New and Recently Revised Policies.
