Fall 2011 Alumni - Black Hills State University

University NewsBHSU in the newsBlack Hills State University selects Dr. Rodney Custer as new provostDr. Rodney Custer has been selected tofill the provost position at Black HillsState University. Custer is currentlyassociate vice president for research,graduate studies, and internationaleducation at Illinois State University (ISU)in Normal, Ill.As associate vice president at ISU,Custer is known for his commitment toteamwork and collaboration and hisenergetic, positive approach.“I am pleased to announce thatDr. Rodney Custer has accepted theprovost position,” BHSU President KaySchallenkamp says. “His professionalleadership and service combined withhis diverse educational backgroundand exceptional achievements in highereducation and in the community willcertainly benefit Black Hills StateUniversity.”Custer says he is looking forwardto his role as provost and vice presidentof Academic Affairs at BHSU. Afirst-generation college graduate who grewup on a farm in rural northwest Kansas,Custer’s background, experiences, andphilosophies will be valuable for BHSU. Hiseducational background, which includesdegrees in education, the humanities andsocial sciences as well asa doctorate in education,combined with his successfulhigher education experienceand achievements will createa synergistic foundation foracademic leadership at BlackHills State University.“My philosophy,Custervalues, and vision for highereducation align with the mission and goalsof BHSU,” Custer says. “The University’semphasis on innovation, studentcenteredness,educational excellence,integrity, inclusiveness and scholarship iscongruent with my experience andpersonal values. It is clear that Black HillsState University is positioned to build on itsstrong reputation for high-quality educationand involvement within the wider region.I am delighted to have this opportunity tojoin the administration at BHSU.”Custer has a broad range of highereducation leadership experience, includingworking with students, faculty, deans, andchairs, and upper administration as well asworking with community leaders andgovernmental officials. Over the past 20years, he has been involved at the nationaland international levels on a variety ofprojects focused on STEM education. Thiswork has included standards and policydevelopment for technology and scienceeducation, accreditation guidelinedevelopment and implementation, andprofessional development for secondarylevel STEM education. He has receivedfederal funding for a number of curriculumand professional development projects,primarily through the National ScienceFoundation, and has authored a number ofarticles, books and book chapters.In his current role as associate vicepresident, he facilitated the developmentof a number of innovative campus-andcommunity-wide initiatives including thedevelopment of a business incubator, aCenter for Renewable Energy, an integratedsystemsrobotics laboratory, a communitywidewellness coalition. He also supervisedthe Center for Mathematics, Science andTechnology. He enjoys teaching and hasremained active in the classroomthroughout his entire administrative career.In addition to his five years as associatevice president, Custer served nine years asa chairperson at ISU. Prior to that he was aprofessor and program leader in thetechnology and educational department ofthe University of Missouri-Columbia.Over 400 graduates honored during University's 161st commencementThere were over 400 Black Hills State Universitygraduates recognized during the 161st commencementceremony last spring. The University continued thetradition of leading the commencement processionalwith the University mace. The mace, which was firstintroduced during the spring 2009 commencement, wascommissioned during BHSU’s Quasquicentennial year.A symbol of the University’s academic leadership, themace was carried by Dr. David Wolff, the DistinguishedFaculty Member for 2010. Wolff also delivered thecommencement address. He spoke of the way BHSUtransforms lives and read some of the transformations thegraduates underwent while at BHSU. Dr. Kathryn Johnson,president of the South Dakota Board of Regents, gave agreeting from the Regents. Dr. Kristi Pearce, interimprovost and vice president of Academic Affairs, presentedthe graduates; and BHSU President Kay Schallenkamp, assisted by April Meeker, registrar, presentedthe diplomas. Bill Collins, president of the BHSU Alumni Association, welcomed the new graduatesinto the Alumni Association.To view Class of 2011 photos or to read Wolff's commencementaddress visit www.BHSU.edu/Class2011.Black Hills State University Alumni Magazine Page 17