D I C K I N S O N
S TAT E
U N I V E R S I T Y
May 2018 CELEBRATING THE PAST, LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
By: Salena Loveland
BLUE HAWK STAMPEDE RODEO TO BE HELD MAY 5 & 6 AT STARK COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS It’s that time of year again! The Dickinson State University (DSU) Rodeo Program, Dickinson Rotary Club, and the DSU Heritage Foundation will host the 2018 Blue Hawk Stampede Rodeo Saturday, May 5, and Sunday, May 6, at the Stark County Fairgrounds located 2.5 miles South of Dickinson on Highway 22. The Dickinson State University rodeo program has been around since the late 1990s and has been thriving ever since. As in every rodeo there are several timed events as well as rough stock events and the annual Blue Hawk Stampede is no different. To start off, the bareback riders will take the stage, followed by calf roping, breakaway, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, goat tying, and bull riding events.
On June 24, 1918, the Dickinson Normal School teacher’s college, now known as Dickinson State University (DSU), welcomed 104 students to a career in education. Two years later, 18 of these students would make up the first graduating class. These students charted the path that, 100 years after the school was established, culminates in a centennial commencement celebration. More than one hundred and eighty students are eligible to celebrate the accomplishment of completing their degree programs at the spring commencement ceremony Saturday, May 12, 2018, in Scott Gymnasium. Some things have changed over the past 100 years. The first 104 students attended class sessions free of charge; paying only for room and board. Classes were held at Dickinson High School because the college did not yet have any buildings of its own. Of course, there were also the changes that naturally happen with each passing generation: fashion, technology and communication. Despite the differences brought about by time, many things are the same as they were in 1918. The pioneering students entered the doors of an institution of higher learning eager to begin a new journey. They undoubtedly had some apprehensions, too. They made new friends, studied long hours, and broadened their understanding of the world around them. One hundred years later, DSU’s graduating class of 2018 has certainly had similar experiences. During the commencement ceremony this spring, President Mitzel will be wearing a new presidential medallion to commemorate this historic year. The Centennial Medallion hangs from a chain that incorporates the names and years served of all 12 of the University presidents. It is a beautiful symbol of DSU’s history. When asked what it is like being the president of Dickinson State at this important time, Dr. Thomas Mitzel said, “It is an honor to be president at an institution with such a rich and vibrant history as DSU. To be at the University during this momentous occasion as we celebrate 100 years of existence and pedagogy, while simultaneously planning for the coming 100 years, is irreplaceable and I am deeply humbled to be a part of the beauty and development of our Blue Hawk community.” The history and future of the University cannot be viewed apart from its connection to and close ties with the greater Dickinson community. Dickinson State’s inception depended on the generous support of the community, which was proud to be part of the school’s creation. The relationship between DSU and the surrounding community remains. “The strong and meaningful relationship the University realizes with the city of Dickinson has helped the institution remain a top educational organization in which to educate young minds for the coming generations,” said Dr. Mitzel. Commencement is always a special time of reflection on what has been accomplished and of looking forward to new possibilities. In this centennial year, we celebrate the past and look forward with anticipation to what the future holds. Dickinson State has deep historical roots in the community and continues to serve the region by providing access to high quality educational programming. Join us Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 10 a.m. in Scott Gymnasium as we celebrate this historic commencement.
Don’t miss two days packed full of entertainment! The rodeo will begin Saturday with performances at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday will feature slack at 8 a.m. and a short go at 2 p.m. “Our rodeo team has been taking names up and down the region,” said Dickinson State University student and rodeo team member Bailey Forsness. “Right now, the men’s team is ranked first in the region and our women’s team is ranked sixth.” According to current stats, the DSU Rodeo Club has some talented athletes on the teams. For the men’s rodeo team: • Sterling Lee is sitting first in the men’s all around. • Chance Glass is sitting first in the tie down roping event. • Jamie Mullins, Jordan Hunt, and Travis Koenig are all in the top six in the region for saddle bronc riding. • Lane Berg is in the top eight for bull riding. • Clay Jorgenson is in the top ten of the bareback riding. • Sterling Lee, Lane Berg, and Wade Berg are in the top fifteen for steer wrestling. • Jade Boote, is in the top fifteen for team roping headers, and Travis and Sterling are in the top fifteen for team roping heelers. As for the women’s rodeo team: • Jami Derfliger, Carlie Bowditch, and Jerilyn Wiseman, are sitting in the top fifteen in barrel racing. • Jade Boote and Allisha Dworshak are sitting in the top fifteen in the goat tying event.
“The team has a representative in almost every event regionally ranked. They work hard and like to show the community what we are good at,” said Forsness. “We love to have the support of the community, and love to see them all come out to have fun!” The Blue Hawk Stampede Rodeo, named the Great Plains Region Rodeo of the Year for 2016-2017 by the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA), is the region’s final college rodeo of the season. The regional champions can be determined at the two-day event. These champions go on to represent the region at the College National Finals Rodeo where more than 275 contestants from a five-state region go head to head. “The DSU rodeo team is pleased to host the Blue Hawk Stampede,” said Dr. Chip Poland, rodeo program supervisor and chair of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Studies at DSU. “More than 2,000 contestants and fans will join us for great rodeo action at the Stark County Fairgrounds. Our DSU rodeo athletes are ready to show the home crowd what they can do!” Tickets for the Blue Hawk Stampede Rodeo cost $10 for adults and $5 for students grades K-12. Admission for DSU students is free with valid ID. Proceeds from this event are split equally between the Dickinson Rotary Club and scholarships for the DSU Rodeo Program. For more information, contact Annika Plummer at (701) 483-2185 or annika.plummer@dickinsonstate.edu.
Memorial Day Ceremony Monday, May 28, 2018, 10:00 A.M. Dickinson State University Klinefelter Hall, Beck Auditorium On this special day we remember and honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. May we never forget that freedom is not free.