DSU E Newsletter - Fall 2007

DSU is #1 Again!

For the second consecutive year, DSU is the best public baccalaureate college in the Midwest according to U.S.News & World Report magazine’s annual analysis of “America’s Best Colleges 2008.”Dakota State is ranked first in the category of Top Public Baccalaureate Colleges in the Midwest region. U.S. News categorizes the nation’s schools by mission and in some cases, region.  They base the overall rankings on several measures of academic excellence including graduation and retention rate, ACT percentiles, class size, student to faculty ratios, and alumni giving. The colleges are also asked to do a peer assessment of the other schools in their category. Scores for each measure are weighted to arrive at the final rankings.  The U.S.News & World Report rankings list the top four public baccalaureate colleges in each region. Rounding out the top four institutions in the Midwest are Northern State University, in second place, Valley City State University (ND) in third and University of Minnesota-Crookston in fourth.  Dakota State offers undergraduate majors in education, arts and sciences, and business and information systems, graduate degrees in information systems, educational technology, and information assurance, and a Doctor of Science degree in information systems. 

Discover DSU Days!

Thinking about your future? There is so much to consider….

1.       Do I qualify for scholarships?

2.       Which college is the best for me?

3.       What the campus like?

4.       What about the majors?

We can help! At Dakota State University we’re ready to answer all these questions and more!

Join us for a Discover DSU Day!

Come check out DSU at one of our Discover Days!

It’s your chance to learn more about Dakota State.

*Innovative and challenging technology integrated into all majors.

*Personal attention on a small, friendly campus.

*Outstanding career placement rates. A number of programs consistently place 100% of their graduates.

*Value! An affordable education that gets results.

Discover DSU Days

Friday, December 15^th, 2007

Friday January 19^th, 2007

Friday, February 16^th, 2007

Friday, March 23^rd, 2007

Friday, April 20^th, 2007

Sign up online @admission.dsu.edu or give us a call @ 1-888-DSU-9988

If these dates don’t work for you, you’re welcome to call and set up a personal appointment.

DSU Virtual Tour

Log onto admission.dsu.edu anytime to get a virtual tour guided by one of our Student Ambassadors.

Notes From the Dean of Students

Another busy year is in full-swing at the DSU campus, and the fall semester is quickly moving along.  The following represents a brief update on some happenings that have occurred over the past few months:

• DSU established a new record enrollment during the fall 2007 semester.  The student headcount rose from 2,439 in fall 2006 to 2,570 students this fall.  This represents a 5.4 percent increase in the total number of DSU students.

• In October, DSU installed the new class of initiates into Phi Eta Sigma.  Phi Eta Sigma is a first-year Honor Society, and is the largest and oldest such society in the U.S.  The chapter recognizes those students that have performed at a very high academic level during their first year at DSU.

• DSU celebrated Homecoming earlier this fall with a week-long celebration of activities focused on the theme, “Rollin’ Out the Red Carpet.”  It was a great week culminating with a city-wide parade and DSU football victory.      

• The DSU Football, Volleyball, and Cross-Country teams are concluding their seasons.  Our student-athletes have a tremendous level of dedication and put in a terrific amount of time and energy.   The basketball season begins soon, with the Women’s Team looking to win their third straight Dakota Athletic Conference title. 

• This is the fourth year of the Wireless Mobile Computing Initiative at DSU, meaning every student has a Gateway Tablet laptop computer.  This Initiative continues to transform the teaching and learning environment at DSU.

Please stop by the Student Services office in the Trojan Center if you are ever on campus.  Have a wonderful winter and Holiday Season!

Sincerely,

Steven W. Shirley, Ph.D.

Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs

Center of Excellence in Computer Information

Systems Celebrates First Decade

 Ten years ago the South Dakota Board of Regents created Centers of Excellence at all regental universities in South Dakota.  The focus for the Center at Dakota State University was information systems. Fast forward 10 years and the Center of Excellence in Computer Information Systems has become an integral part of the academic fabric on campus.   In excess of 100 DSU graduates have added the minor to their respective transcripts.  The Center attracts high achieving high school and college students regardless of their chosen Major with an ACT score of at least 24 and a GPA of at least 3.2.  The Dakota State University Center of Excellence in Computer Information Systems includes faculty, staff, and students who have a very high level of information systems skills together with knowledge in a traditional discipline. How is this done? By giving the student the opportunity to be involved; the involvement in projects and in ongoing research allows the student to apply what they have earned in the classroom to a real world issue. Yes, it is possible to make contributions before a person graduates from college.

At the same time those involved with the on going work of the Center are eligible for cash awards and special scholarships that are made available only to Center of Excellence in Computer Information Systems students. You owe it to yourself to check out Dakota State University and the Center of Excellence in Computer Information Systems. If I can help at all, I am as close as your telephone (605-256-5800), or your computer (wayne.pauli@dsu.edu). I hope to hear from you.

WIST Women Bring Speakers to Campus

 DSU’s Women in Science & Technology program provides an opportunity for women majoring in specific disciplines to meet and learn with others who have similar interests and goals, enabling them to create friendships and support networks early in their  academic careers. 

The newly established group has been hard at work their first few months of existence bringing many notable speakers to campus.  On Monday, September 24, 2007 Dr. Peter Geltenbort from ILL Grenoble, France presented to the women and others from across the state of South Dakota his ideas on cold neutrons that were announced earlier that month.  

On October 24th the WIST program welcomed Dr. Scott Meyer, Vice President of Research for the State of South Dakota.  Dr. Meyer spoke to a good crowd about his past experiences with NASA and his work with many of the astronauts in the program. 

Thank you to all who have been instrumental in the creation of this program and to the women who have stepped up as its leaders. 

WIST Officers

President-Jennifer Pueppke

Vice President-Sarah Rost

Secretary-Kianne Gilles

Treasurer-Heather Specht

Historian-Amanda Clobes

Diversity and Technology Education Conference

 The Dakota State University College of Education sponsored their annual Diversity and Technology Education Conference on Friday, September 28 in the Kennedy Center on the DSU campus. Sessions began at 8:30am and concluded at 4:00pm.  All elementary, special education and secondary education majors were invited including student teachers and Level III students.

Presenters included WORKPLACE TECHNOLOGY CENTER consultant Brian Lee introduced techniques for using the SmartBoard.  His discussion included the many new features of SMART Notebook 9.7, SMART’s new Senteo interactive classroom “clickers” and the Airliner wireless tablet.  DSU professor Dr. Mark Geary’s session was on Visual Literacy and Madison educator Kristin Morse gave insights on teaching at a Hutterite Colony School in which English is a second language for students. 

The afternoon session began with a principal’s forum including Rich Brubakken from Medary School in Brookings and superintendent and high school principal Mike Cullen from Howard.  Students were given an opportunity to ask questions about expectations for student teaching and interviewing for jobs.  The forum was followed by an International Panel in which women from China, Egypt, and Poland discussed the educational systems in their countries and how they learned English.  The audience heard firsthand the challenges experienced by those who learned English as a second language.The conference concluded with remarks from Charlotte Mohling, Teacher of the Year from the Wessington Springs School District. 

Gee Whiz Facts! 

To improve our programs and services, DSU periodically surveys students. Here are a few facts from recent surveys!

 According to students’ ratings on the National Survey of Student Engagement:

 First-year students used an electronic medium (listserv, chat group, internet, instant messaging etc.)  to discuss or complete an assignment significantly more than students nationwide.

  First-year and senior students indicated that their DSU experience contributed to their knowledge and skills in using computing and information technology significantly more than students nationwide

 According to DSU students’ rankings on the Student Satisfaction Inventory:

The campus is safe and secure for all students.

Ranked 1^st in satisfaction 

 On the whole, the campus is well-maintained.

Ranked 2^nd in satisfaction

 There is a commitment to academic excellence on this campus.

Tied for 8^th in satisfaction

 Computer usage in my courses reinforces and/or expands my computer skills.

Tied for 8^th in satisfaction

 Carrie Ahern

Director of Assessment

College of Arts and Science offers new opportunities

In the spring (2008), Sociology 285, Information Society, will be a pilot class for service learning.  Students taking the class will have the opportunity to participate in a service learning project, working with the Latino community in Madison.  Projects may include helping adult individuals to learn English and to better understand American culture, as well as other daily activities in which individuals may require assistance.  In addition, opportunities will also be available for students to read to children at the local community center and the library.

This service learning project is one of several activities that is part of a Title III grant that DSU received in order to further students’ awareness of diversity within their own community and to better their understanding of globalization issues locally and abroad.  In addition to working with Latinos, the service learning projects will also give students an opportunity to work with economically disadvantaged and elderly individuals in the community, and to attend on campus and community events dealing with issues of diversity, difference, and tolerance.

Dining Services makes it easier to send a little “Love from Home”

 With the craziness that college life brings, sometimes your student needs a word of encouragement, congratulations or just a thought from home.  Let us help you brighten your student’s day with a gift to say “Good Job,” “Happy Birthday,” or “Hang-in-there.”  Most packages are customizable which allows you to choose your student’s favorite candy, snack and beverages, plus there is no shipping cost!

There are many packages to choose from including three different options for Final’s Week (December and May availability), Beat the Winter Blues (December/January), Cupid’s Delight (February), Movie Night (any time!), and Birthday Blast (any time!).  For full details of each package, visit our website listed below this article.  There are two ways to send your child a package, call and order at (605) 256-7310 or order from our website.

 http://www.departments.dsu.edu/studentaffairs/diningservices/NewSite/love_from_home.htm

Trojan Athletics Fall 2007

 As the fall sports season comes to an end, the Trojans can look back on many accomplishments and firsts.

 The Trojan Football program began their year under new coach Tom Shea with a 3-1 record; a first since the late 1990’s.  In addition, the Trojans opened their conference play 2-0 for the first time since joining the DAC Conference in 2000. They also won their homecoming game for the first time since 2000.  Another first for the Trojans came on September 15, 2007 at Trojan Field when they defeated Dickinson State for the first time in Trojan Football history in a non-conference game.  They completed their season 3-6 and are optimistic for next year.

 Nine Trojan Football student-athletes were named to DAC All-Conference teams.  They are Toby Ball, Gaven Davis, Donald Strand, Derek Gosch, Noah Sanderson, Logan Denning, Jake Hall, Randall Shannon, and Lance Harper.

 In cross country, Chris Heezen qualified for the NAIA Nationals and earned NAIA All-American honor as he placed 22^nd.  It was the first time since 1978 that a Trojan male runner was named to All-American in cross country.  Heezen was also named to DAC All-Conference and All-Region.  On the women’s side, Nicole Geraets was named to DAC All-Conference and DAC Most Outstanding Senior.

The Trojan volleyball program has a young team that featured 12 freshmen on their roster and completed their season 6-25.  The Trojans have high expectations next season as they will lose only one senior. The Trojan Volleyball team finished a tie for third in the Ashford Tournament as the Trojans went 2-2 in the tournament.

Next up for the Trojans are ladies and men’s basketball at the DSU Memorial Field House. The Lady T’s are currently ranked ninth in the nation and are on a five game winning streak as of November 19, 2007.  The Trojan men’s basketball team has notched two wins so far this season and are looking forward to an exciting basketball season!

Thank you for your interest in Dakota State Univeristy!

Take care

Kelly Barnes

Admission and Marketing Representative

Dakota State University

Kelly.barnes@dsu.edu

1-888-DSU-9988