University News
nrollment at Black Hills State University increased by more than 100 students this fall. There are currently more than 4,000 students attending classes at BHSU, an increase of nearly three percent.
The total fall enrollment at BHSU is 4,004 students, an increase of 108 students from the previous year. This is only the second time in the school’s his- tory that enrollment has been over the 4,000 mark.
BHSU President Kay Schallenkamp attributes the impressive increase to a number of factors including a significant increase in retention as well as contin-
ven as the water is being pumped from the former Homestake Mine, the Center for the Conservation of Biological Resources (CCBR) at BHSU is taking an active role conducting genetic analysis of microbes found in water samples from the Sanford Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory (SUSEL).
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Jake Miller, a pre-medicine student from Pierre, along with Dr. Cynthia Anderson, associate director of the CCBR, are sequencing bacterial and archaeal clones of samples taken from the former Homestake Gold Mine. The research will try to identify new micro- organisms from samples of the water at the 1,000-foot level, the 3,000-foot level and the 4,850-foot level. In the CCBR lab, Miller and Anderson compare the genet- ic sequences of the samples to known organisms searching for undiscovered organisms.
The genetic analysis, which will continue through the next few months, is part of a research project by Dr. Sookie Bang from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Results from this study are expected in about a year.
Anderson says they are excited to be
working on one of the first experiments at SUSEL. The research has already stim- ulated ideas and discussion of future research projects in conjunction with the developments at SUSEL. “I believe this research will open the door for future projects,” Dr. Shane Sarver, director of CCBR, says. “We are
BHSU in the news E
Enrollment exceeds 4,000 for the second time in University history
ued high interest in the university from new students in the state and region. Enrollment numbers from the surround- ing states of Nebraska, North Dakota, Montana and Colorado all increased this year.
BHSU continues to meet the chang- ing needs of students in the region. The number of students pursuing master’s degrees at BHSU increased considerably this fall. In addition, BHSU has approxi- mately 1,000 students attending classes in Rapid City and recorded an increase in the number of students taking classes by distance learning options. Schallenkamp says the overall
BHSU takes an active role in research at SUSEL
currently developing research ideas and will be submitting research proposals in the future.”
Research for this project and oth- ers at the CCBR are being conducted by undergraduate students as well as stu- dents enrolled in BHSU’s new master’s degree program in integrative genom- ics.
increase is significant especially in light of declining high school enrollments in the state and region.
“Students recognize and appreci- ate the depth and breadth of our aca- demic programs. Students are seeking the exceptional educational experience that Black Hills State University offers,” Schallenkamp says.
The retention of students has been a campus-wide initiative at BHSU in the last year and positive results are clearly evident. This year BHSU had an eight percent increase in retention, marking the highest retention rate in the last decade.
Professional Development Schools to be established
he College of Education at BHSU is meeting the national call for changes in teacher prepara- tion by implementing a Professional Development School model (PDS) that will provide novice teacher candidates the opportunity to study their profes- sion in a school setting.
T BHSU, which has the largest teach-
Jake Miller, BHSU pre-medicine student conducts genetic analysis of water samples from the former Homestake Gold Mine at the Cen- ter for the Conservation of Biologi- cal Research. As a BHSU student, Miller has had the opportunity to be involved in one of the first research projects at SUSEL. The development of SUSEL, in nearby Lead, will en- hance the research opportunities for BHSU students.
Black Hills State University Alumni Magazine Page 24
er-education program in the state, is poised to take the lead in PDS develop- ment. BHSU will draw on their experi- ence instituting Project SELECT, a suc- cessful professional development school program at the secondary teaching level in the Rapid City area schools. Faculty at BHSU will establish an elementary PDS model in partnership with six diverse school districts. The first district identified was Rapid City Area Schools with sites at General Beadle, Knollwood, and Black Hawk. According to Nancy Hall, dean of the College of Education, the PDS con- cept has several advantages including higher teaching skill levels of gradu- ates, increased retention of graduates in the teaching profession and enhanced collaborative development of creative teaching practices with classroom teach- ers and BHSU faculty. In addition, the PDS will provide in-service opportuni- ties for participating school districts.
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