For Release March 27

ABERDEEN, SD—The South Dakota Board of Regents, meeting at the South Dakota School for the Visually Handicapped today, presented awards to two student organizations at Northern State University. Regents President David Gienapp presented the awards on behalf of the Board. "The Regents want to recognize our students for the constructive things they do for their communities and for themselves," Gienapp said.

The award for academic excellence went to the History Club for its impact on the university and community. Formed just one year ago, the club has sponsored trips to the Annual Student History Conference at the University of South Dakota, the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre, and the Living History Fair in Brookings. Members of the club learned about South Dakota history and careers in history. The club also sponsored activities during Black History Month and a campus and community book sale.

The award for organizational leadership was given to the Student Ambassadors. As ambassadors from NSU to the community, members supported the March of Dimes, Habitat for Humanity, and Adopt-A-Highway. Ambassadors assisted the Student Affairs office as members of New Student Orientation and by working with parents of new students. The Ambassadors hosted the Presidential Student Summit.

"These are exactly the kind of young people that reflect so well on our universities. We must do more to keep them here. They are tomorrow’s leaders," said Regent Pat Lebrun, chair of the Board’s Committee on Academic and Student Affairs.

History professor Dr. Ric Dias serves as advisor for both groups. The student organizations are a credit to NSU, he said. Accepting the award on behalf of the History club were Katie Kloster, president, Karen Sjerven, and Charles Martinell. Present to receive the award for the Student Ambassadors were members of the executive committee: Shana Keating, Robert Jones, Kim Kiner, Myles Jones, and Shannon Melham.