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For Immediate Release: Friday, May 9, 2003
Student Groups from SDSMT, BHSU Recognized
RAPID CITY - The South Dakota Board of Regents presented awards Friday
to student organizations from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
and Black Hills State University.
"Traditionally, Tech students take their academic careers
seriously, but it's gratifying to see that they find time to contribute to
the Tech community and the Rapid City area, and that they are so involved
in regional and national professional organizations," said Dr. Pat
Mahon, SDSMT's vice president for student affairs and dean of students.
"We're very proud of all their achievements."
The SDSMT groups receiving recognition are:
- Award for Academic Excellence - Members of Tau Beta Pi, an
engineering honor society, are in the top one-eighth of the junior
engineering class or the top one-fifth of the senior engineering
class. At the society's national convention, the SDSMT chapter
received awards for outstanding projects and the Secretary's
Commendation Award. Tau Beta Pi sponsors an annual spring career fair
and an Order of the Engineer luncheon on campus. Three SDSMT students
have received national Tau Beta Pi scholarships, and one graduate
student received a national fellowship.
- Community Service Award - The Circle K club has performed more than
500 hours of community service in the past year. Members recently
stayed up for 24 continuous hours to conduct a community service
marathon project in Rapid City. SDSMT Circle K members have served as
governor and lieutenant governor for the Minnesota-Dakotas District of
Circle K.
- Award for Organizational Leadership - Members of Triangle Fraternity
volunteer their services for many projects, including highway cleanup,
blood donor drives, a community haunted house during Halloween, the
Hospice Christmas party, and as servers at a local arts festival.
Fraternity members also serve as leaders in other campus-based
organizations, including Student Association, the school entertainment
club, Students Against Drunk Driving, the homecoming committee,
Student Ambassadors, Tech Geological Association, and the orientation
committee.
"Black Hills State University is proud of the accomplishments of
these outstanding student groups," said Dr. Judith Haislett, vice
president for student life at BHSU. "Their activities and service
enhance the campus and the entire community." Haislett thanked the
students for dedicating their time and talents to serve others through
volunteerism and student leadership.
The BHSU student groups that were recognized Friday are:
- Award for Academic Excellence - Kappa Delta Pi recognizes high
academic performance by teacher education candidates in the College of
Education. In 2002, the Black Hills State chapter initiated 47
members. Kappa Delta Pi offers members professional development,
undergraduate and graduate scholarship opportunities, and monthly
journals promoting effective research and continued learning in the
education field.
- Community Service Award - Sigma Tau Gamma is focused on
service to the community and those who are less fortunate. The group
conducts a two-mile clean-up of highway along Spearfish Canyon,
sponsors the Books for Kids Drive, and an annual "waterbed
sleep-a-thon," with proceeds directed to people who are in need.
The group has received national honors for its fundraising efforts,
and also implemented a Study Hours program last fall to encourage
members to improve their overall grade point average.
- Award for Organizational Leadership - The Lakota Omniciye club
focuses on social and cultural activities that contribute to an
improved quality of student life on the BHSU campus. The group is
multi-cultural, with people of all backgrounds welcomed. Starting the
year with few returning members and all new officers, the Lakota
Omniciye members focused on their leadership and communication skills
to solidify the club as a group. Members spent considerable time and
effort to raise more than $15,000 for a three-day powwow celebration
this spring.
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