For Immediate Release 30 June 2000

BROOKINGS-The South Dakota Board of Regents, meeting today on the campus of South Dakota State University, presented awards to two student organizations from South Dakota State University. President Harvey C. Jewett IV, presented the awards on the Board's behalf. "Participation in organizations such as those honored today enrich education," said Jewett.

SDSU President Peggy Gordon Elliott and Dean of Students Marysz Rames presented the groups to the Regents.

The award for academic excellence was presented to the Rho Chi Honor Society, Tau chapter for its promotion of Pharmaceutical Sciences through the encouragement and recognition of sound scholarship. Rho Chi celebrated 77 years of contributing to the students of the College of Pharmacy at SDSU and continues the honor society's goals of improvement in the academic excellence of students. The Tau Chapter received various awards from the national office of Rho Chi. Programs such as student research presentations and free tutoring improved the academic competence and grades of students, provided guidance to those pursuing graduate education, offered opportunities for students to share research experiences and to be recognized for their scholarly achievements.

The award for organizational leadership was presented to the American Society of Civil Engineers for its endeavors to develop leadership, communications and organizational skills in their chapter members. Activities of the organization included donation of an excess of 1,000 hours of time to community service which included visits with the Girl and Boy Scouts, a presentation to Medary Elementary on careers in engineering, the donation of funds and filling American Red Cross Friendship boxes, serving as Hobo Day 5-K traffic control and more. The organization made several professional development trips during the year which included the Regional Conference in Ames IA: Zone III Workshop for Student Chapter Leaders in Houston, TX; and National ASCE Convention in Charlotte, NC. The chapter also competed in the steel bridge building regional contest and the Midwestern Regional and National Concrete Canoe Competition. The chapter was honored with the 1999 Ridgeway Award as the number one student ASCE chapter in the nation.