Fall 2011 Alumni - Black Hills State University

BHSU in the newsGates Millennium Scholarship recipients honored at BHSUBlack Hills State University held areception to honor the prestigiousGates Millennium Scholarship (GMS)recipients, established by a grant from theBill and Melinda Gates Foundation.Each of the recipients completed anextensive and highly competitive process toqualify for the scholarship. Recipients arechosen for their academic achievement,community service, and leadership ability.Those receiving the scholarship were:Nicole Blakey, sophomore psychology majorfrom Martin; Kaitlyn Dupris, seniorbusiness administration major from CherryCreek; Gunner Krogman, freshman businessadministration and physical educationmajor from Mission; Marci Lamont,sophomore business administration majorfrom Martin; Kristen Lawrence, sophomoremath education major from Timber Lake;Mary Jo May, senior social science majorfrom Kyle; Jordan Murray, junior historymajor from Dupree; Dallas Nelson, seniorAmerican Indian Studies and sociologymajor from Pine Ridge; Kaylynn Two Bulls,junior human services major from PineRidge; and Sasha White, junior music majorfrom Kyle.A reception washeld for the students,who expressed theirsincere appreciation forthe program and gave anoverview of theireducational and careerplans. BHSU President KaySchallenkamp along withfaculty memberscongratulated thescholarship recipients fortheir achievements.The GMS, establishedin 1999, was initially fundedby a $1 billion grant fromthe Bill and Melinda GatesFoundation. The GMS isrenewable for recipientswho maintain satisfactoryacademic progress. Theaward provides leadershipprograms with distinctivepersonal, academic, and professional growthopportunities. Gates Millennium Scholarsmay also be awarded graduate schoolUniversity NewsBlack Hills State University recently held a receptionto honor the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarshiprecipients, established by a grant from the Bill andMelinda Gates Foundation. Those recipients presentinclude: left to right, Sasha White, junior musicmajor from Kyle; Mary Jo May, senior social sciencemajor from Martin; Kristen Lawrence, sophomoremath education major from Timber Lake; and JordanMurray, junior history from Dupree.funding for continuing their education inthe areas of computer science, education,engineering, library science, mathematics,public health or science.BHSU faculty and student authors paper thatwas chosen as one of best in nationAnatural history paper authored byBlack Hills State University facultyand a BHSU student was highlightedin an issue of the scientific journal, WesternNorth American Naturalist as one of fouroutstanding natural history papers for 2009."Grass Rhizosheaths: AssociatedBacterial Communities and Potential forNitrogen Fixation" was written by,Dr. David Bergmann, assistant professorof biology; Dr. Mike Zehfus, professor ofchemistry; the late Linda Zierer, who waspursuing a biology degree at BHSU,Dr. Brian Smith, professor of biology; andDr. Mark Gabel, director of the herbarium.The paper describes the study of therhizosheath, a dense cylinder of soilparticles adhering to roots of grasses fromsand dunes in northwestern South Dakota.The authors discovered that some of thebacteria inhabiting the rhizosheath arecapable of nitrogen fixation, thus potentiallyproviding an advantage for the plants in thenutrient poor soils of the sand dune areas.The journal wrote the awards were to“celebrate...achievements in creative andmeaningful research, insightfulinterpretation, and articulate writing.”BHSU faculty (left to right) are:Dr. Mike Zehfus, professor ofchemistry; Dr. David Bergmann,assistant professor of biology; Dr. MarkGabel, director of the herbarium; andDr. Brian Smith, professor of biology;authored a paper that was recognizedin an issue of the scientific journal,Western North American Naturalist asone of the best in the nation.Time is right for abusiness incubatorArecent needs assessment hasdetermined the time is right for abusiness incubator on the Black HillsState University campus.Business Cluster Development (BCD)of Menlo Park, Calif., which conducted theneeds assessment, concluded in their reportthat “the opportunity for businessincubation in the Spearfish area is clear andthe community is committed and supportiveof an incubation program.”BHSU President Kay Schallenkampsays, “A business incubator on the BHSUcampus that is accessible to the NorthernHills Community will engage thecommunity, faculty and students in atangible way, providing experientiallearning opportunities and creating jobsthat help to diversify our economy. It isadditionally one way in which we canposition our region to capture businessopportunities that may arise in support ofthe development of the DUSEL”Black Hills State University Alumni Magazine Page 18