In it together

Post date: Mar 30, 2015 3:16:30 PM

STURGIS, SD -- “Who is the president of Walmart? What is your pastor’s name? Who is the colleague sitting next to you?” Black Hills State University President Tom Jackson, Jr., asked educators at a recent inservice. “Now you know how your students feel,” he said. “The answer is a college graduate.”

Encouraging teachers to recommend BHSU to students, Jackson noted the area university offers more access to staff and more opportunities overall. “GIve a good look to your neighborhood university,” he said. BHSU is in the “top 5% of the world, best education program in the region and fastest growing science programs in the world.”

“You matter,” Jackson told SBHS staff members. “You matter to BH, but you really matter to our students. Those little nuggets you leave for our students matter.”

In addition to remarks shared from President Jackson, commentary was also provided from Dr. Rod Custer, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. David Wolff, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts; Dr. Patricia Simpson, Dean of the College of Education & Behavioral Sciences; Dr. Laura Prosser, Assistant Professor of Accounting; Beth Oaks, Director of Admissions; and Joe Rainboth, Assistant Director of Admissions.

“We are so appreciative of all that you – our local-area school faculty and staff do to help prepare local high school students to move on to higher education,” Rainboth said.

Former SBHS alumnus Nolan Schneider, Admissions Counselor for Sturgis-Brown High School, was also recognized as an outstanding graduate.

Culminating the impromptu gathering was the sharing of a cake and fresh coffee, acknowledging contributions and connections between the two schools.