For Immediate Release 5 May 2000

VERMILLION-The South Dakota Board of Regents, meeting today at the University of South Dakota, presented awards to two student organizations from USD. President Harvey C. Jewett, IV, presented the awards on the Board's behalf. "The Board is always proud to honor outstanding student organizations because we feel they are important to the growth of the student. Belonging to a student organization not only shows tremendous commitment, but also a respect and dedication to others," said Regents President Harvey C. Jewett, IV.

David Lorenz, Dean of Students at USD, presented the organizations to the Board. "USD is truly proud of these organizations," said Lorenz.

The award for academic excellence was presented to the USD Pi Beta Phi for its dedication to educational enrichment. The 76-woman membership of Pi Beta Phi holds an average GPA of 3.10. In order to uphold these high scholastic achievements, many "out of class" activities have been implemented to continue academic growth. Each semester, the chapter holds a scholarship dinner, where they recognize academic success. During this dinner, a professor or faculty member from USD is invited to speak about the importance of academics at the university. In addition to the scholarship dinner, there are weekly activities to promote educational advancement. Members are required to have at least six hours per week of documented study hours. On campus and in the community, Pi Phi's are actively involved in academic success of themselves and others. Members tutor college students in multiple subjects and volunteer two afternoons per week tutoring grade school and middle school children at the Vermillion Public Library.

The award for organizational leadership was presented to the USD Criminal Justice Club for its promotion of academic excellence and enhancement of educational leadership. The Criminal Justice Club organized many highly publicized events throughout the year. The most popular event during the year was the Federal Law Enforcement Forum in which representatives from the FBI, DEA, INS, and the United States Secret Service spoke to USD students about life in federal law enforcement. The club also organized events such as a Juvenile Justice Forum, and trips to the Custer Boot Camp. An activity organized by the club that reached the campus as a whole was the Employment Forum which included a listing of job search engines on the Internet and representatives that critiqued resumes and help students search internships.

President Lori Malde and Heather Meyer accepted the award for the Pi Beta Phi. Also in attendance was the Greek advisor, Genevieve Evans Taylor and Pi members Holly Olson, Stephanie Lorang, and Maggie Colleran.

President Ron Loecker accepted the award for the Criminal Justice Club. Also present was the club's advisor, Dr. John Gehm.