Alumni News
Kudos & Announcements Crofut receives impressive national award
herry Crofut, Class of ’97, is the recipient of the National Educator Award from the Milken Family Foundation. The national award included a $25,000 cash prize and an all expense paid trip for Sherry and her family to California. Sherry teaches eighth grade English and Social Studies at North Middle School in Rapid City. “I am incredibly honored by this award. I teach in a state with so many fine educators and will be pleased to represent our state when I go to Los Angeles in March to meet with the other Milken recipients. I truly love what I do each day and thank the Milken Family Foundation for showcasing education.” The Milken National Educator Awards were created by Lowell Milken in 1985 to celebrate, elevate and activate the highest caliber professionals in the nation's schools. Each year 100 unsuspecting K-12 teachers, principals and specialists throughout the United States are surprised with the news of their $25,000 awards. At a surprise assembly, which included a color guard ceremony, a performance by the school’s drum group and orchestra, and refreshments, S.D. Governor Mike Rounds presented Sherry with her award. Sherry is in her ninth year of teaching at North. “With my technology background, I really work to integrate technology into my curriculum whenever it seems appropriate. I enjoy my students and believe that relationships are key to education,” said Sherry. She credits her accomplishments to North Middle School and principal, Jeanne Burckhard, who is a 1986 graduate of BHSU. According to Sherry, “our staff is hard-working and dedicated to the betterment of every child that enters our doors. We have excellent leadership and our principal, Jeanne Burckhard, has been largely responsible for nudging me out of my comfort zone and into some leadership roles.” Sherry is currently working on her second year of the National Board Certification for Professional Teachers process. For the last two years she has been a facilitator at the Governor's New Teacher Academy, and this year she serves as one of the facilitators for Rapid City's New Teacher Induction program. Sherry also fills the shoes as the Building Technology Leader and helps the staff with their technology needs. She plans to start her doctorate degree in educational administration this spring.
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S.D. Governor Mike Rounds presents Sherry Crofut, Class of '97, and eighth grade English and social studies teacher at North Middle School in Rapid City, with the National Educator Award from the Milken Family Foundation. Sherry was awarded at a sur- prise assembly with a $25,000 unrestricted cash prize and an all expense paid trip for her and her family to California. The Milken National Educator Awards celebrate, elevate and activate the highest caliber professionals in the nation's schools.
Emily (Haataja) McAllister, Class of ’87, Plymouth, Mich., was recently hired as a mathematics professor by Oakland Community College in Michigan.
Michael “Keith” Sladky, Class of ’87, Ogallala, Neb., recently became the administrator at
Indian Hills Manor and WEL-Life @ Ogallala Assisted Living in Ogallala.
Denise “Dee” Welsch, Class of ’82, Arvada, Colo., recently joined the J. Walter Thompson Advertising Agency (JWT) Denver office as the senior print produc-
tion manager. Dee’s responsibilities will be coordinating and project managing all regional print and display proj- ects for the Ford Motor Company for 14 western states.
The 90s
Wes Brown, Class of ’96, Rapid City,
was hired as a marketing consultant for Haugo Broadcasting, Inc.
Dawn (Bromwich) Huntley, Class of ’96, Rapid City, is now the office manager for ARC International, an archi- tectural firm in Rapid City.
Jensen “Jennie” (Morris) Moore- Copple, Class of ’99, Warren, Mich., received her doctor- ate from the University of Missouri School of Journalism in 2007. She is teaching online courses for the university.
Jennifer M. Schnabel, Class of ’99, Sioux Falls, has joined Sanford Health as a financial access advocate.
Jeramiah Smith, Class of ’98, Seattle, Wash., received his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Kentucky.
Ken Thompson, Class of '97, Interior, received the Carnegie Medal from the Carnegie Hero Fund
Commission and
the Valor Award from the Secretary of the Interior. Ken works for the Badlands National Park.
Travis Traphagen, Class of ’99, Sioux Falls, is the assistant women’s basketball coach at the University of Sioux Falls.
Black Hills State University Alumni Magazine Page 13
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