STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
SPIER-SIIRA SWORN IN
After two years as president, Peterson hands power to new team
EMILY DECOCK
Assistant News Editor
New leadership was sworn in and old leadership said goodbye at Monday night’s Students’ Association meeting.
Newly elected SA President, Sophie Spier, and Vice President, Wesley Siira, were sworn in on April 7 to lead the SDSU student body for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Spier is a freshman pre-pharmacy major. Spier and Siira’s campaign motto was “Building on progress, brick by brick.” They hope to accomplish their three main initiatives: improvements to commuter parking, starting the Blue Bridge Project, and something Spier calls executive socials.
Also sworn in was Spier and Siira’s chosen executive board. The new executive board consists of Chief-of-staff Emma Peterson, Government Affairs chair Anna Hundt, Finance Chair Dominic Delahoyde, Diversity Liaison Matilda Alex and Communications Chair Emily Ringgenberg.
“We had a lot of great applicants, and at the end of the day we chose the people that we felt would best serve not only the Students’ Association, but the body as a whole,” Spier said.
Senators not returning reflected on their time spent in SA in the last year and their entire careers in the senate. Trinity Peterson, who was SA president for two years, said she is grateful for the experience.
During her time as a senator and president, Peterson has seen countless initiatives pass through SA. She said installing a second scoreboard facing students in Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, establishing free period products in the Wellness Center and University Student Union, and her strategic General Activity
2025-2026 EXECUTIVE BOARD
President: Sophie Spier
Vice President: Wesley Siira
Chief-of-Staff: Emma Peterson
Finance Chair: Dominic Delahoyde
Communications Chair: Emily Ringgenberg
Diversity Liaison: Matilda Alex
Government Afffairs Chair: Anna Hundt
Fund (GAF) plan have all been “passion projects” she was able to see through.
“Serving as your president has really been one of the honors of my lifetime,” she said. “I’m just really grateful for everything that we’ve been able to do, and thank you all for having me.”
After graduation this spring, Peterson plans to attend law school at Creighton University.
Also not returning to SA is former Vice President Hayden Bentz. He served as Peterson’s vice president for Peterson’s two-year presidency. He lost the presidential race this year to Spier.
“Two years, six months and 20 days ago, I first sat down at this table,” Bentz said. “Tonight it will be my last. It’s been one of my greatest honors to serve the student body of the university that I love
so dearly… SA has become the defining experience of my time here at SDSU.”
Peterson and Bentz both received standing ovations.
One new club was approved at the meeting. The Bioethics Club will allow students to talk through ethical and moral issues they may face in their professional lives. Gunnar Gunderson, a senior biology major, is one of the founding members of the Bioethics Club.
“The best way to describe this club is, we want people thinking about these issues now, so when they’re encountering them in the future, they don’t have to think about them then, because they’ve already processed them a little bit,”
Gunderson said. “It’s not just a smack in the face, like, ‘Whoa, I don’t even know what I think about this,’ you know?”
To learn more about the club, Gunderson suggests visiting their Instagram page, @sdsu_bioethics.
SA awards faculty and students each academic year with their campus partner of the year awards. This year’s recipients are:
Campus Partner of the Year: Marjoanne Collins - assistant director in the office of multicultural affairs and accessibility
Professional Adviser of the Year: Amanda Wilder - Adviser from the natural resource management department
Student Organization Adviser of the Year: Traci Gislason - Adviser for Student Nurses Association
Faculty Adviser of the Year: Christine Larson - Kemp endowed professor of honors and mathematics
Senator of the Year: Oscar Garciadiversity liaison
Ex-Officio of the Year: Alyssa MaurerUPC vice president
Collegian photo by EMILY DECOCK
Former President Peterson hugs newly-elected President Spier after being sworn in at the last Students’ Association meeting on Monday.
South Dakota Governor Q&A
Gov. Rhoden and Lt. Gov. Venhuizen sat down with The Collegian
NATALIE DEAN and EMILY DECOCK Collegian Staff
Larry Rhoden became South Dakota’s governor in January after former Gov. Kristi Noem left to be the United States Secretary of Homeland Security with the Trump administration. He is the 34th person to serve as South Dakota’s chief executive. The longtime legislator is currently on his Open for Opportunity tour. Rhoden stopped in Brookings on Tuesday to join the ROTC Governor’s Day Awards and take a tour of the SDSU campus. Rhoden and his Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen sat down with the Collegian to discuss issues coming out of Washington and how they might affect students and the larger South Dakota community.
Q: Last week the Board of Regents raised tuition 2.9%. What do you think about this increase and do you see this happening more in the future?
A: [Rhoden] Well, if I had a crystal ball I’d tell you, but with an economy such as it is, we don’t know from month to month what our revenue stream will do. In South Dakota, we do government on the cheap, and we are very much at the mercy of the economy and our revenue stream, sales tax specifically. So, it’s really hard to predict. Especially at this period in time, because the years after COVID, our economy was just going gangbusters, and now we are getting back to reality as some of that has worn off. The waters are still trying to find its stagnant mark where we come out of this turmoil created from COVID.
[Venhuizen] We’re lucky though. We had several years of no tuition fee increase so it has been, overall, a pretty good period of affordability.
Q: The concealed carry bill was passed, but our Students’ Association
voted to oppose it. Tell me why you think it was a good bill to sign?
A: Well, I think for a number of reasons. When I was in the [state] Legislature, I carried that years ago and there was opposition from some of the student body at that time. Now this was a different bill. This had additional requirements, additional safeguards. The student has to meet a certain criteria and they have parameters, and they have to have an enhanced concealed carry permit. I went through that course. It’s pretty extensive. Bear in mind, we are dealing with adults. Just because they happen to be at a college campus, that’s not reason enough to fetter their Second Amendment right. So, I think it was very reasonable and very thoughtful and I think it’s the right thing to do, so I signed it.
Q: Could you tell us a little bit about your vision for South Dakota during your time in office?
A: Well, my time in office has been three months. But early on, I thought it through, and the three words that always came to mind were strong, safe and free. That we have a strong state, we are going to keep it strong, take steps to make it stronger. Safe – people want to be safe in their own homes, so we want to take steps to make South Dakota safer. I think one of the first things I did, I think the first week I was in office, is I signed an order for a new squad of Highway Patrol in the city of Sioux Falls. Crime rates have been going up in Sioux Falls, and they haven’t increased their workforce on the Highway Patrol in the Sioux Falls area for
a number of years. So we added a squad to that area. And free, I think COVID years proved we are the freest state in the nation. The only state that didn’t close businesses and we were rewarded for that. We demonstrated to a nation, what honoring our God-given rights and understanding that our rights, liberties and freedoms are given to us by God, not by government. Staying true to those principles instead of making decisions based in fear paid dividends.
Q: You talk about more Highway Patrolmen in Sioux Falls, how else have you been communicating with law enforcement across South Dakota?
A: It’s kind of interesting. I have a brother, my older brother is a deputy sheriff in Meade County, and one of my
Photo courtesy of JOSIE HARMS
Gov. Rhoden and Lt. Gov. Venhuizen sit down with Collegian reporters to discuss a wide range of topics on Tuesday, April 8.
TUITION IS ON THE RISE
SDSU’s cost of education set to increase next year
BRAYDEN BYERS Editor-in-Chief
The cost of an education at some South Dakota schools will be going up next year.
The Board of Regents approved a 2.9% system-wide increase for five of its university’s undergraduate tuition along with a $1 per credit hour increase in the general activity fee at its most recent meeting last week.
According to data from the Board, the total undergraduate cost annually for South Dakota State University students will increase by 2.6%, or $443, bringing the average to $17,773.50.
Newly elected Students’ Association president, Sophie Spier says the increase was mild compared to what many had in mind.
“Obviously, nobody wants to increase tuition.” Spier said, “However, a lot of not only higher education stakeholders but also state legislators were expecting a double-digit increase or 8-9%, to catch up with our regions in the area.”
While the increase was expected by some involved, it has taken some students by surprise.
“It makes me feel really angry and upset,” said freshman exercise science and pre chiropractic major Faith Caldron, “I worked really hard throughout high school to be able to pay my tuition, and this semester and last semester, I was able, with my financial aid and scholarships, to pay my tuition. But next year, I am already going to have to take out more private loans.”
This is the second-lowest percent increase across the system, behind only USD, which will increase by 2.5% next year. The highest will be the 4.5% increase for the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.
Freshman journalism and agricultural communications major Jacob Schutter says he is not as worried about the increase.
“I looked at other states, comparable, I would say that we are pretty equal to other states, and we’re still one of the cheapest schools,” Schutter said.
Inflation and budget decisions from the state Legislature contributed to the increase, something that will continue for the next few years, Regents Executive Director Nathan Lukkes said.
Board President Tim Rave said in a press release that the increase shows their commitment to keeping costs
for South Dakota’s public universities as low as possible.
“This adjustment is necessary to address rising operational costs and inflationary pressures,” Rave said, “but we remain steadfast in our mission to provide accessible, high-value education for our students,” Rave said.
The increase comes after a five-year tuition freeze across the state funded by the Legislature. In that time, South Dakota has managed to stay near the bottom in tuition and fees compared to other states in the region, according to data from the Board of Regents.
While tuition has stayed steady, the funds provided by the Legislature did not cover fee freezes, which the Regents decided to implement anyway, or the Legislature’s mandated increases in employee salaries, according to Regents Vice President of Finance and Administration Heather Forney.
“In an era where our neighboring states are increasing tuition by double digits, we’ve really held the line,” Forney said.
The new rates will be in effect from the 2025 summer
term to the 2026 spring term for Black Hills State University, Dakota State University, Northern State University, South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota.
THE 2024-25 TUITION RATES PER YEAR FOR STATES IN THE REGION
Collegian graphic by BRAYDEN BYERS
Spring Dance Concert features student led choreography
PEYTEN WIESE Reporter
The annual Spring Dance Concert will be Friday through Saturday at The Oscar Larson Theater.
Start times are 7:30 p.m. on Fri, Sat and 2 p.m. Sunday.
Every year the dance concert’s theme changes, this year the theme is “Be,” which stemmed from the Theatre and Dance’s 2024-2025 season theme “Freedom.”
Melissa Hauschild-Mork, the director of the Spring Dance Concert: Be, said, “Each choreographer found meaning in these themes based on their own experiences, questions or curiosities.”
Hauschild-Mork coordinates the dance minor and teaches all the dance courses and is the resident choreographer for State University Theatre and Prairie Repertory Theatre.
She has been working collaboratively with Erik Ritter, who is an instructor from the School of Design, as well as Ritter’s students. She’s also been working with Aaron Ragsdale, the professor of percussion, and four percussion students and four dancers.
The work is titled Meet Me in the Silence. It is a dance piece building from the text by Ralph Waldo Trine in his book “This Mystical Life of Ours,” first published in 1897.
Hauschild-Mork said she was initially moved by Trine’s text, which sent her in search of music.
“I found a piece written for four marimbas and asked if Ragsdale, the professor of percussion, might have students interested in playing the piece for this new work.
She then reached out to Ritter in the School of Design to see if he was interested in collaborating on the piece.
“Ritter and I spent hours discussing thoughts and images rooted in the idea of ‘Silence’ and developed a framework for the piece,” she said.
Once the framework was established, she asked Corey Shelsta, a professor in
the School of Performing Arts, to develop a lighting design to go with the piece. Ritter has been working with a group of students to develop visual elements for the dance and Hauschild-Mork has been working with a group of four dancers to develop the movement content.
“The movement for the dance has all been created through prompted exploration and improvisation and ultimately curated into the choreography that will premiere on the upcoming concert,” Hauschild-Mork said.
When asked what her favorite part of the dance concert is, Hauschild-Mork said, “An appreciation for concert dance performance, for young artists and their artistic voices, and the power of collaboration.”
Theater lighting design students have been paired with each choreographer to develop lighting for each dance to uphold the choreographic intent.
Another collaboration for this year’s dance concert is a collaborative dance film. Senior dance minor Olivia Gabrielson, along with two technical students, Nick Teal and Jake Hilmoe, have been working on this film project since September.
Hauschild-Mork said she is proud of
all these students’ professionalism, discipline and creativity. She is grateful for the theatre students who share their gifts and talents as designers, costume designers, wardrobe assistants, stage managers and board operators.
Every choreographer has brought their own individual style to the concert stage and their dance, she said.
Senior dance choreographer, Chloe Bender, has been dancing for 18 years. She has chosen to choreograph a dance to the song “Achilles Come Down” by Gang of Youths.
“I chose this song because I wanted to explore the theme of learning to live and grow with the human emotion anxiety with the music taking Achilles through a struggle with mental health,” Bender said.
She choreographed another dance to “Nina Cried Power” by Hozier for her senior showcase that will be performed again for the spring concert.
“My piece to ‘Nina Cried Power’ is about coming together in a group to call for change and use the power of a shared voice to cause the change you strive for in the world,” Bender said.
When asked what she hopes the audience gets from her piece, Bender said,
“I hope the audience takes away a sense of belonging and empowerment after watching my pieces.”
Bender said she is proud to see the arts growing and appreciates the support from her peers and faculty members.
Kirynn Engelbrecht, a sophomore dancer, said she decided to be a part of the Spring Dance Concert: Be because she did it last year and had a lot of fun.
“I really enjoy the process of seeing how each student choreographs their dances differently through different styles, stories, and song choices,” she said.
Engelbrecht described this year’s dance concert as energetic and personal with each choreographer having a person or a story to dedicate their dance to.
“The students got to choose different words that felt right to describe their dances such as be vulnerable, be yourself, and be confident and that has opened up such different styles of dances this year,” Engelbrecht said.
SDSU students get in free with their student ID. Tickets can be purchased at the box office starting an hour-and-a-half before each performance or online at sdstate.evenue.net.
Photo Courtesy of STATE THEATRE AND DANCE
ing compared to the state and national average, with Brookings County at 41.1% and the city of Brookings percentage being 50.9%.
According to Zillow, the average rent in South Dakota is $1,078 with the rental price ranging from $490 to $3,500. Brookings 48% lower than the national average. Projects are working to accommodate more features that rental properties in the Brookings area have learned are what many renters specifically search for in a rental space.
Shawn Storhaug, owner of Brookings Property Management, said they work closely with the engineers and owners to not only consider pricing for materials and overall cost of units, but also to build and add components to make them quality units.
Storhaug said he hopes these new buildings provide enough housing that there won’t be any such occupancy problem. He added that it is important to continue to move forward on these projects and take the chance to provide more housing in the Brookings area.
Many students, after completing two years of their degree, opt to move off-campus and rent a place to stay that allows them to commute to school and have a change from living in campus residence halls.
“It’s always a partnership trying to meet the demands of the community and the university,” Struck said. “I think
it’s always a challenge because you never know when that big class is going to hit but you want to try to and be prepared, and unfortunately in construction, it’s a long build process and we have a short construction season, so it’s challenging.”
Junior computer science major Leo Ostigaard is finishing his first year living off campus and while he enjoys being off campus, it was new to then have a landlord but has learned the importance of communication between landlord and tenant.
“Learning how to rent and how to handle issues that come up with the house, like reaching out to the landlord about that kind of stuff, that was all new to me, so that was more of the thing I was worried about coming into it,” Ostigaard said.
Ostigaard said that he did have a rent increase but sees it as a reasonable increase for the property. He advises students to take a housing opportunity if they get it.
“I know it may be hard to take that step, you don’t know what you’ll get,” Ostigaard said. “It was kind of easier for me since I had connections with the residents of the house that I am now in, so I had the inside scoop on that. I would say go for it, and overall, as a person I think you grow from it. Living away from your parents at college in a dorm is a step of independence and then working with a landlord and renting, that’s even better.”
important to consider when evaluating housing options along with what that price includes.
Ostigaard and Sandman said that being off campus seems to be cheaper when campus housing and dining costs are compared to what rent and grocery costs.
Sandman advises new students to look into new properties to determine important qualities they want and to consider what it means to sign a lease. When she and her roommates started their first year of renting, they were unsure of what to look for but have since gained insight into what each property offers.
Senior Wynn Sandman, a double major in criminology and psychology, is finishing her second year living off-campus and, though she learned that when it comes to renting, what a place offers is
“We also, to a degree, we felt like we had to rush into our first lease because it kind of sounded like we wouldn’t get anything else, and it was kind of pitched that way,” Sandman said. “Sign by tomorrow or somebody else will swoop in and that’s not a good enough excuse to put yourself into a legally binding contract for a year.”
Photo courtesy of SHAWN STORHAUG
AUSTIN DABNEY Reporter
STATE A THON RETURNS TO SDSU
SDSU students will take to the State A Thon, a 10-hour dance marathon fundraiser, on Saturday, April 12 in the Volstorff Ballroom.
State A Thon is the largest student-run organization on campus. It unites hundreds of students each year in one mission: to support children receiving care at the Castle of Care, the region’s only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. The money raised goes to helping families with expenses not covered by insurance, such as travel costs, lodging, meal vouchers, and therapy tools as well as support programs for patients and families.
“This event is truly student-led and student-driven,” said Keeley Klein, State A Thon president. “We’re able to make a real difference in the lives of families going through incredibly difficult times.”
Membership has reached 444 students who joined the initiative. The State A Thon event will host over 20 kids and their families who have been impacted by Children’s Miracle Network and treated at the Sanford Children’s Castle of Care.
Kids spend the day with State A Thon participants playing games, sharing their stories and of course, dancing.
“They just bring so much joy and enthusiasm,” said Grace Weaver, one of the organization’s morale leaders.
This year’s State A Thon includes several new features. More Miracle Families are attending and sharing their stories.
It also includes the return of popular games and morale dances. There will also be a Miracle Kid Talent Show to highlight the children’s creativity, a sensory room to provide a quiet space for kids with sensitivities and a memorial room to honor children who have passed.
“These additions help us create an inclusive and reflective atmosphere while keeping the energy high,” said McKenna Henrich, an executive board member.
“There’s joy, connection, and remembrance all wrapped into one day.”
Students are encouraged to sign up, even if they’ve never participated before. “You don’t have to know anyone,” Klein said. “You can sign up as an individual and be placed on a morale team. From there, you’re part of something bigger.”
For the student leaders organizing the event, State A Thon is more than just a one-day event, it’s deeply personal.
Klein said she first got involved after someone encouraged her to try it out, and it quickly turned into a lasting commitment. Her passion deepened when she met a child at the hospital who had the same rare cancer her father had survived. That moment gave her an even greater sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of how the event affects real families.
Henrich was inspired to get involved after seeing her own cousins receive care at Sanford Children’s for a blood-clotting disorder.
“Knowing that my family has directly benefited from the hospital we’re supporting makes every hour of planning worth it,” she said.
Emma Lusk, who serves as internal vice president, said her passion comes from watching how State A Thon helps families find hope and community. She recalls a moment when a young Miracle Child didn’t want to leave the event, saying it was the most fun he’d had in a long time.
“That showed me the real impact we can have,” Lusk said. “Sometimes, just being there and showing up for these families is what matters most.”
The overall total amount of money raised so far remains unknown to the public and to all but one of the 444 members.
“The total, no one will know until it’s flipped,” Klein said. “That will happen at our main event on April 12, and then we will flip at 5:30 p.m.”
“I truly think that [State A Thon] is way bigger than the money you know, like raising awareness, supporting these families, supporting these kids, that’s what it’s truly about,” Lusk said.
Students, faculty and community
members can sign up or donate until and during the event on. To get involved or learn more, follow @sdsustateathon on Instagram or contact Klein at (605) 830-0481.
STATE A THON
When: Saturday, April 12
Where: Volstorff Ballroom Students that joined intiative: 444
PAST TOTALS
$143,623.23
Photo courtesy of JOSLYN BUSH
State A Thon made $111,390.24 in 2024, $143,623.23 in 2023 and $133,208.22 in 2022. This photo is the number reveal for last year.
New bridal shop ‘Eleven Eleven’ brings unique shopping experience to Brookings
ESTELLA PROCHNOW
Reporter
A unique bridal shop owned by South Dakota sisters has opened its doors in downtown Brookings, offering brides-to-be a more intimate, personalized shopping experience.
Jadyn Parsley, who co-owns the business named Eleven Eleven with her sister Jeryn Christensen, said they saw a need for a bridal shop in Brookings. It’s the only one in the area.
“We wanted to do something different. It’s not about having a huge selection of dresses” Parsley said, “it’s about offering a private, intimate experience where brides can truly focus on finding their perfect dress.”
What makes Eleven Eleven stand out is its commitment to a personal touch. While other bridal shops may have dozens of gorgeous gowns, Eleven Eleven focuses on offering a special selection. Brides can book private appointments in one of the shop’s bridal suites, where they can bring up to six guests to help with the decision-making.
“We want our brides to feel like they’re the only ones in the room,” Parsley said. “We offer mimosas and refreshments, and there’s no rush. Our appointments are an hour and a half, and we want to make sure every bride has plenty of time to try on the dresses and enjoy the experience.”
The boutique’s quiet, cozy atmosphere has brought in many local brides-to-be, like Eleven Eleven customer Mckenna Sirek, who recently found the gown of her dreams at the shop.
“I chose Eleven Eleven because I enjoy supporting new and upcoming businesses,” she said. “I also loved their selection of dresses and they had exactly what I was looking for. The private bridal suites made the experience so special — getting to try on dresses with my family and closest friends in our own space was
amazing.”
Beyond the private experience, the welcoming attitude of employees is very appealing to brides. Sirek noted how friendly and supportive her stylist was during the appointment.
“My stylist made me feel like a true bride,” she said. “She was so kind and genuinely invested in making sure I loved my dress. There was even a moment when we all shed a tear together when I said yes to the dress! It was so special.”
While the boutique’s selection may seem small, it allows brides to feel special because owners give them a more handson experience, something larger shops may struggle to offer. The business is still building its collection. “But we want to make sure that what we offer is high quality and fits a variety of styles and budgets.” Christensen said, “We aim to
have something for every bride.”
The owners also emphasized the importance of building a sense of community in Brookings. Both attended South Dakota State University, and always have loved the small-town feel of Brookings. “There’s a lot of charm here, and it’s been great to see so many unique businesses popping up downtown.” Christensen said, “We wanted to be part of that—giving brides a special, memorable experience in a cozy, welcoming space.”
supportive from the beginning,” Parsley said. “She’s even worked with us as a bridal stylist, helping with marketing photos and just being an incredible resource as we continue to grow.”
The shop is also committed to supporting local vendors. The owners have been working with local florists, photographers, and other businesses to create a sense the town of Brookings has.
“We’ve teamed up with Erica Lynn Photography, and she’s been so
As for Eleven Eleven’s future, the owners have big plans.
owners something special here,
“We’re excited to see where the next year takes us,” Parsley said. “We’re building something special here, and we can’t wait to be a part of so many brides’ special moments.”
Photo Courtesy of ERICA LYNN PHOTOGRAPHY
Private sitting area where friends and family of the bride can drink mimosas and relax while they admire the dresses.
Photo Courtesy of ELEVEN ELEVEN BRIDAL Private dressing room where brides can try the unique selection of wedding dresses Eleven Eleven has to offer.
Commentary continued
As I spoke with Perkins about the importance of acknowledging race and exercising care when tackling topics like slavery—especially in a predominantly white institution—he gave a small, knowing laugh each time I used the word “white”. His visceral reaction felt telling. Finally, Perkins said, “to say that there is a race called white, race called black, I reject that, personally. I think [race] helps form the foundation of racism.” I tried for clarification afterward and asked if he was saying that race isn’t real. He confirmed and reiterated, “ I actually think and would advocate strongly that there’s one race ultimately, the human race.”
I think in that moment, it became painfully clear how Luke Perkins and Equip were able to overlook their ignorant and harmful rhetoric. Attention folks! We have found another victim of white fragility propaganda!
Let’s analyze Equip’s statement further, “The slavetrade was morally evil.” First, the use of “was” implies
that slave-trade is a thing of the past – it isn’t. Nonetheless, understanding we are in the middle of the good ol’ U.S. of A, I can gather context clues to understand that these disciples are referencing the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The Transatlantic Slave Trade consisted of the kidnapping and torture of an estimated 12.5 million innocent African people (up to 40% being children) to be used for the sake of free labor in the Americas. This atrocity occurred from the 1500s up until the late 1860s (the 13th Amendment was enacted in 1865).
Did You Know? Due to an overlooked documentation issue, the last state to ratify the 13th amendment was Mississippi in 2013! Only took them 143 years.
I’m not here to give you a full history lesson. We are grown adults, I expect us to be educated on something as pivotal to history as slavery was, as I expect a college level club to understand too. Despite this, Equip has demonstrated their neglect to understand that this is a serious, and real topic that caused the death of millions. Its after effects are still impacting people today.
The slave-trade is not something to exploit as a ploy to promote your god. Christian students look to Equip for guidance. The club has a responsibility.
To his credit, Perkins did acknowledge some responsibility, saying, “Maybe next time we’ll phrase it differently.” It’s a start, but when the same volunteer adviser openly dismisses race as “not real,” it’s clear there’s far more to learn. True accountability demands more than simply rephrasing a prompt, it requires recognizing the realities of systemic racism, both past and present, and understanding how these issues still harm people today. Debates can be important. But when real suffering is reduced to a rhetorical exercise, the result is not intellectual growth—it’s harm. The massacre and abuse of millions should never be up for debate. Equip, SDSU, and every student on this campus must recognize the weight of their words and actions (or lack-thereof). We are responsible for creating an environment where racism is not entertained, but eradicated. There is no nuance.
COJO to present Cinema Event featuring Midwest stories
MAYCEE THEEDE Reporter
Graduate students from the South Dakota State University School of Communication and Journalism (COJO) will host a documentary triple-feature on Monday, April 14th at the South Dakota Art Museum. This presentation of short documentaries will run from 6-8 p.m. and highlight stories rooted in Midwestern culture and history.
These films have been carefully crafted by SDSU graduate students to fit the theme of “Stories from the Fields and Main Streets of the Midwest.” The filmmakers look to be informative and culturally inspirational in their documentaries.
Finn Kane, creator of “Galena: The Ghost Town That Came Back to Life,” explores the history and ambiance of Galena, an unincorporated community in The Black Hills. The film is categorized into three key components: history, real-life stories and preservation.
“I think there is something really special about ghost towns. They capture the reality of history and how quickly and easily it’s forgotten about. Being able to tell that story is really important,” Kane said.
The film includes interviews from the family of key figures in the ghost town and current residents who celebrate its interesting history. These perspectives will share the real-life impact of the town’s recognition. Upon reflecting on his main message and atmosphere for the documentary, Kane said, “I want to capture the idea of place through the people who live in the place and how they’re constructing it through the stories.”
Through the documentary’s original music and intricate shots, Kane “wants more historical preservation
[in ghost towns] and the history surrounding it” and looks to prove that Galena’s history and story are worth preserving.
Residents of Galena look forward to the town’s recognition. If the opportunity presents itself, Kane would be interested in a follow-up sequel, even if it were ten years from now to see the lasting impact that the preservation truly has.
The filmmaker will be returning to the ghost town after the cinema event to show the residents and associated families his work and tribute to Galena.
What may be underneath the soil can tell its own story. Ariana Schumacher, creator of Regenerate: Preserving South Dakota’s Soil Health, looks into Midwest agriculture and all it has to offer. This film will showcase farmers across South Dakota, the evolution of no-till crop farming and regenerative agriculture.
Schumacher’s passion for agriculture was rooted in her family farm and expanded during her time at Dakota Lakes Research Farm where no-till increased in awareness. She can recall her grandfather’s experience through the Dust Bowl and the plowing circumstances during that time. This inspired her desire to dig deeper into the soil’s rich history and how it can be preserved and protected.
To truly connect the audience with the documentary, Schumacher states, “I decided I wanted to use a lot of that natural sound to make it feel like you were almost on the prairie with the farmers.”
A crop farmer, a rancher, and a researcher who helped develop no-till in South Dakota can all be highlighted in the documentary by “showcasing how hard farmers work to keep your food sustainably grown, all of the learning they do and how their learning changes
throughout their operations. They are always working to improve how they’re growing their food,” she said.
Schumacher is currently a reporter for Ag Week TV and is looking to potentially create similar documentaries that correlate to her profession.
Like Schumacher, women in film are an inspiration, no matter how the film is categorized.
Stefanie Fauth, creator of “Women in Film in Minnesota, looks into the perspectives of four women in the film industry with different motives, whether professionally, as a hobby or for advocacy.
These intriguing women from the Twin Cities, in Minnesota dive into their personal experiences when experimenting and progressing in the world of film. These sit-down interviews offer authenticity and true emotion that can be seen in the filmmaking process. Differences in perspectives will be explored via gender differences, occupation and more.
“The differences in how men and women see storytelling and one’s not better, one’s not worse, but the way you see the world shapes the way you tell stories and it is nice to have different people telling different stories,” Fauth said.
Viewers can expect inspiration and authenticity that is associated with women’s lives in the film industry. Fauth advises to, “let go of perfection. Do it messy; do it wrong. Be willing to be imperfect because if you’re not doing it because you’re too scared or because you can’t make it exactly what you need, it’s not going to move you forward.”
The documentaries offer a diverse set of narratives that reflect life, history and culture in the Midwest. The graduates look forward to sharing their creatively unique films at the COJO Cinema Event.
Baseball drops two against Oral Roberts; hosts Omaha at Erv Huether Field
JON AKRE
Sports reporter
The South Dakota State baseball team’s losing streak continued in Oklahoma after they dropped two games against Oral Roberts.
The Jacks move ahead in the conference schedule this weekend with a home series against the Omaha Mavericks starting tomorrow at 3 p.m. Friday’s contest will also include a dedication for the new turf on Erv Huether Field.
Game One (ORU 4, SDSU 2)
The Jacks dropped the first of two games against Oral Roberts in a low-scor-
ing affair despite an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first with the help of a Luke Luskey two-run home run.
Seven different Jackrabbits recorded a hit while Jake Goble took the loss on the mound in 5.2 innings, allowing two runs on four hits, striking out three batters.
Easton Teel was the winning pitcher for ORU, tossing seven dominant innings, allowing just two runs on five hits and one walk. Four different players drove in a run for the Golden Eagles in the loss.
Game Two (ORU 9, SDSU 1)
ORU took care of business in the second half of Sunday’s doubleheader.
Nathan Love struck out nine batters in six innings for the Golden Eagles to limit the Jacks’ offense, while Brendan Asher shut out the Yellow and Blue offense over the final three innings to collect the save.
ORU third baseman Keaton Campbell drove in three runs on two hits, while Martell Davis had two RBIs in the win as well.
Jude Sundquist allowed three runs on one hit and two walks in 0.2 innings for the Jacks, while Keagan Jirschele scored the only Jackrabbit run on a solo homer.
“We need some of these games that were playing well to result in a win just to get a little bit of confidence, especially for our young guys,” said Head coach Rob Bishop.
Vs. Omaha
The Jacks will host the Omaha Mavericks this weekend, starting tomorrow at 3 p.m. at Erv Huether Field, with two more 1 p.m. games on Saturday and Sunday. All three games can be watched on the Summit League Network.
Omaha currently sits with an 11-18 record overall and a 5-7 conference record, but has recently found its groove, winning six of its last seven games.
The Mavericks most recently took a 3-game series against North Dakota State, winning the last two games by a combined score of 16-2.
The offense has really picked up for Omaha since the start of conference play, with senior Henry Zipay batting .426 in conference play with six doubles and a triple. Tyler Bishop isn’t far behind with a .395 clip, tallying six doubles, two homers, and a team-leading 14 RBIs.
Ben Weber has been the ace for Omaha since Summit League play kicked off. With over 20 innings pitched on the mound, Weber is tallying a 4.43 ERA, allowing just ten earned runs while fanning 23 batters.
Another pitcher, junior Brayden Cur-
tis, has made a name for himself this conference season as well. The right-hander has fanned ten batters in 12.1 innings this season, allowing just six earned runs.
SEASON STATS
Batting Average
No. 1: Luke Luskey (.351) No. 2: Carter Sintek (.343) No. 3: Owen Siegert (.318)
On-base Percentage
No. 1: Owen Siegert (.446) No. 2: Luke Luskey (.418) No. 3: Bryce Ronken (.413)
Slugging Percentage No. 1: Luke Luskey (.670) No. 2: Owen Siegert (.500) No. 3: Carter Sintek (.424)
Runs Batted in No. 1: Luke Luskey (27) No. 2: Owen Siegert (15) No. 3: Bryce Ronken (14)
Hits
T-No. 1: Carter Sintek (34)
T-No. 1: Luke Luskey (34) No. 3: Nolan Grawe (28)
Summit League Standings
No. 1: St. Thomas (16-10, 10-1)
No. 2: NDSU (9-18, 7-4)
No. 3: Oral Roberts (17-12, 6-4)
No. 4: Omaha (11-18, 5-7)
No. 5: UNC (8-21, 3-9) No. 6: SDSU (4-21, 2-8)
Photo courtesy of MARK KUHLMANN/SDSU ATHLETICS
Luke Luskey readys for a pitch during an at-bat. Luskey leads the team in batting average, slugging percentage, runs scored, RBIs, home runs, total bases and walks.
Dixon continues dominant season
BRIE PETERS
Reporter
After an undefeated indoor track season, senior hurdler Brielle Dixon is focused on bringing home more hardware during the outdoor season.
The physical education major from Brandon, South Dakota capped off her indoor season with a Summit League record in the 60-meter hurdles, posting an impressive time of 8.16 seconds.
Now, as Dixon nears the end of her collegiate career, she is reflecting on the journey that led her to become a champion.
The path to South Dakota State University was not without its hurdles. The pandemic disrupted Brielle’s junior year of high school, cutting short her track season—a critical time for recruitment. Despite the challenges, associate head track coach Eric Hanenberger trusted his instincts when recruiting Dixon.
For the senior, the recruiting process was abnormal. She had to rely on Zoom meetings to connect with Hanenberger and the team, making the experience unique. But when it came time to make the decision,
Dixon knew South Dakota State was the right choice.
“I really liked the community and the girls on the team,” Dixon said. “They completely won me over, and Eric is pretty cool.”
Becoming a collegiate athlete brought a new set of challenges. With the addition of indoor track, the season was now nearly double the length and created a heightened level of competition. The transition to yearround training required a new level of discipline and hard work for Dixon.
To handle this, recovery became a vital part of Dixon’s routine. She learned the importance of listening to her body and avoiding burnout.
“One of the biggest things that’s changed my performance is sleep,” Dixon said. “Sleeping, eating and knowing what I can and cannot do before bed—that has been huge.”
But the South Dakota native didn’t learn all of this on her own. She has had many mentors that have turned her into the athlete she is today.
“My mom, she has always pushed me to do better and has taught me all the things about eating right, sleeping right,” Dixon said. “My mom and my best friend Savan-
BRIELLE DIXON PERSONAL RECORDS
* indicates school record
60-meter: 7.45 seconds
*60-meter hurdles: 8.16 seconds
200-meter: 26.78 seconds
100-meter: 12.02 seconds
*100-meter hurdles: 13.60 seconds
Collegian photo by EMMA WAAGE
Bergstrom and Jackrabbits prepare for 2025 season with Spring Game this weekend
MYLES ESTUNDA Reporter
Brian Bergstrom is a familiar face to Jackrabbit football fans. Bergstrom was hired in January to be the new defensive coordinator and safeties coach under Dan Jackson, South Dakota State’s new head football coach.
With 25 years of coaching experience across multiple levels of football, Bergstrom has plenty of experience. Bergstrom previously served as head coach at Winona State, a Division II program in Minnesota.
Bergstrom is excited for the upcoming season and the new additions to the coaching staff and the team.
“I’m really excited, we’ve been able to put together a staff that has a great combination of guys that have either played here, coached here, or both,” Bergstrom said.
Bergstrom also said the coaching staff and team are working on ways to improve and continue the culture of South Dakota State football. Bergstrom understands the importance of teamwork and the team’s core values of TUFF (team, understanding, focused, finish).
“It starts with team,” Bergstrom said. “It starts with doing your job and trusting the guy next to you to do theirs.”
Bergstrom also talked about his personal goals as a coach such as impacting the lives of players outside of just football. He wants his players to be better husbands, dads and employees in the future.
“Brian brings a lot of experience to SDSU and has a great understanding of the culture that has made SDSU so special,” Eric Eidsness, SDSU’s offensive coordinator said.
The Gustavus Adolphus College alumni wants Jackrabbit fans to have faith in the team because of how motivated the team is to win.
“Even though a few people left and there was panic, we will not use that as an excuse,” Bergstrom said. “We will not slow down. Belief is entirely by choice, but the Jackrabbit fans have plenty of reasons to believe.”
In the last five seasons, the Jackrabbits have made it to the National Championship three times, boasting two FCS National Championships. The two without a visit to Frisco, Texas, The Jackrabbits fought all the way to the semifinals.
Bergstrom is a man of faith and family, he believes that god opens doors for him and his family.
“It became obvious that we were supposed to come back and that this job was meant to be,” Bergstrom said. With a fresh team and revamped coaching staff, the
South Dakota State Jackrabbits will be playing in the annual Spring Game this weekend. It will consist of a live scrimmage previewing the 2025 Jackrabbit roster.
The Spring Game will be played at the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex on Saturday at 11:30 a.m.
2025 SDSU FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
04/12: SDSU Spring Game 2024 Record: (12-3)
08/30: vs. Sacramento State 2024 Record: (3-9)
09/06: @ Montana State 2024 Record: (15-1)
09/13: vs. Drake 2024 Record: (8-3)
09/27: vs. Mercyhurst 2024 Record: (4-7)
10/04: @ Youngstown State 2024 Record: (4-8)
10/11: vs Northern Iowa 2024 Record: (3-9)
10/18: @ Murray State 2024 Record: (1-11)
10/25: vs North Dakota State 2024 Record: (14-2)
11/01: vs Indiana State 2024 Record: (4-8)
Defensive Coordinator Carousel
2025: Brian Bergstrom
2023-24: Jesse Bobbit
2020-22: Jimmy Rodgers
2019: Brian Bergstrom/Jimmy Rodgers
2018: Clint Brown
11/08: @ South Dakota 2024 Record: (11-3)
11/15: vs Illinois State 2024 Record: (10-4)
11/22: @ North Dakota 2024 Record: (5-7)
Photo courtsey of SDSU ATHLETICS
Brian Bergstrom returns to South Dakota State as a defensive coordinator after previous stint with the Jackrabbits from 2017 to 2021.
Softball to take on St. Thomas after 2-1 series victory against South Dakota
JORDAN RADDATZ Sports Reporter
St. Thomas
SDSU’s next series will be on the road against the Tommies in St. Paul. Ranked third in the Summit League behind Omaha, the Tommies have won four of their last six conference games. St. Thomas will be coming off a doubleheader against Wisconsin before they host SDSU.
Laken Lienhard leads the Tommies in batting average with a .363 average. The senior shortstop from Cresco, Iowa has 33 hits in 91 at-bats in all games this season with a team-high slugging percentage of .626. Lienhard shares the team lead in home runs with Cassidy Carby, batting .324 on the season.
The Tommies are tied for third-best batting average in the Summit League with Omaha at a .283. The team has the second most strikeouts in the conference, only behind North Dakota.
“They’re a solid ball club,” McSweeney said. “It’s gonna take our best version to be able to do what we need to do to be in the position that we want to be in. We’ve got them in our sights, they’ve got us in our sights, and they’ve played well.”
SDSU plays the Tommies this weekend with a doubleheader at noon and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, and an 11 a.m. Sunday game. The series will be streamed on the Summit League Network through Midco Sports Plus.
South Dakota State capped off their three-game series against South Dakota with a walk-off winner.
Game one (USD 9, SDSU 5)
In SDSU’s home opener at the newly dedicated Jerald T. Moriarty Field, USD set the tone early. A two-run home run by Clara Edwards put the Coyotes up 4-0 in the first. SDSU responded with three runs in the third inning, but that was the
closest they got, as another home run in the seventh for USD stretched their lead further out.
“We were punched in the mouth, that’s the nicest way to put it,” head coach Kristina McSweeney said of the first game. “[We] had our backs against the wall and had to figure it out.”
Game two (SDSU 8, USD 5)
SDSU rebounded for game two. Both teams scored in the third inning as USD’s Delaney White and Emma Vike each had an RBI single. A three run RBI double by Abby Gentry gave SDSU the lead in the next inning. Madi Mangulis held off a Coyote charge in the sixth inning to tie the series.
Game three (SDSU 4, USD 3)
In the final game, SDSU opened the scoring with an RBI double by Gentry, followed by an RBI single by Vike. Edwards tied the game for the Coyotes in the third inning and took the lead in the sixth before an Alli Boyle RBI single tied the game again. SDSU walked it off as Madi Conklin hit an RBI single, allowing Cece Hanson to score from second base.
SDSU moves to 5-1 in the Summit League, remaining in first place.
No. 1: SDSU 5-1 (20-18)
No. 2: UNO 6-3 (26-9)
No. 3: UST 4-2 (19-14)
No. 4: UND 5-4 (20-18)
No. 5: USD 4-5 (21-16)
No. 6: NDSU 2-4 (15-20)
No. 7: KC 1-8 (4-28)
Photo courtesy of DAVE EGGEN/INERTIA SPORTS Junior infielder Emma Vike swings for a pitch against USD. During the three game home series against the Coyotes Vike tallied four hits, three RBI’s and one home run to help the Jacks win the series 2-1.
