University News


lack Hills State University boasts two Olympic athletes among its faculty ranks. Dr. Christian Nsiah, an economics professor, has competed in Olympic relays and dashes, and Dr. Daniel Durben, a physics professor, has competed in Olympic rifle shoot- ing and is now the head coach for the


New administrators named at BHSU


Dr. Lois Flagstad, dean of Student Life at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, has been named vice presi- dent for Student Life. Flagstad, who has been at Kearney for the last 15 years, has an extensive background in student affairs leadership. Dr. Priscilla Romkema was named dean of the College of Business and Technology.


T Flagstad


Romkema, who joined the BHSU faculty in 1997, is currently chair of the management and marketing department. “Priscilla’s level of enthusiasm and dedica- tion to the university and the College of Business is remarkable. She has a unique ability to motivate others to suc- ceed in the classroom and outside of the classroom,” Dr. Dean Myers, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said. Warren


Romkema Wilson


was named to a joint appointment as chief information technol- ogy officer for BHSU and executive director of


Wilson t h e


South Dakota Library Network (SDLN). Wilson has been employed with


the Regents’ Information Systems in Vermillion since 1990 and is the Regents’ representative to the SDLN executive committee. Wilson’s time will be divided between BHSU and SDLN.


Black Hills State University Alumni Magazine Page 24


wo new administrators began work this summer at Black Hills State University.


BHSU in the news B


BHSU professors draw on Olympic experiences


Paralympics rifle shooting team. In addition, Dr. James Hesson, exercise science professor, spent nearly a decade teaching and coaching during his summer break at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Hesson worked with leaders in the in sport physiology and sport biomechanics during his time at the Olympic Training Center.


Nsiah competed in three consecutive Olympic games. In the 1996 games he was a finalist in the 4x100-meter relay. In 2000 he competed in the 100-meter dash and 4x100- meter relay, and in 2004 he ran in the 4x100- meter relay. He draws upon his Olympic expertise as a volunteer track coach to the sprinters and says his experiences has shaped how he teaches in the classroom as well.


Durben competed in the 1988 Olympics as a part of the shooting team. He coached


Dr. Christian Nsiah, an economics profes- sor, has competed in Olympic relays and dashes, and Dr. Daniel Durben, a physics professor, has competed in Olympic rifle shooting. In addition to these two faculty Olympians, Dr. James Hesson, exercise science professor, spent nearly a decade teaching and coaching during his sum- mer break at the Olympic Training Cen- ter in Colorado Springs, Colo. Hesson worked with the Olympic Training center again this summer.


Founders day observed; plans set for 125th celebration


Lois Fitzgerald Doran, widow of the late President Maurice Fitzgerald, and BHSU President Kay Schallenkamp, cut a birthday cake to celebrate 124 years for BHSU during a Founder’s Day luncheon. More than 100 people including retired faculty along with faculty, staff and students, gathered for the first-ever Founders Day luncheon. Dr. David Wolff, associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at BHSU who is recognized as a Black Hills and Western history special- ist, presented briefly about the early days of the university. BHSU is making plans for several major events in 2008 to celebrate the


125th anniversary of the university.


shooting for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. After a change in the Paralympic Game standards by the United States Olympic Committee, a need was created for experi- enced coaches like Durben. The Paralympics is an international competition for disabled athletes. Durben became the Paralympic head coach for the top disabled athletes in rifle shooting after stepping down from his Olympic head coaching position. When it comes to teaching physics and coaching athletes, Durben finds little dif- ference. “In both cases, you’re dealing with people who are learning, trying to excel and going through successes and failures. Being a coach showed me how to guide people effectively and not tell people how to do it but how to coax them into a better technique."


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