September 15, 2021

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GAME CHANGER

STORY, PAGE 16

$20M gift jumpstarts Frost renovation

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September 15, 2021

SA in brief: GRACIE TERRALL Managing Editor (She/Her)

During the South Dakota State University Student’s Association meeting Sept. 13, Senators discussed COVID-19 vaccine promotions, The Food Recovery Network Conservation’s constitution and an amendment to improve remote Senator voting.

COVID-19 vaccines SDSU held a vaccine clinic Sept. 9 in the Volstorff Ballroom. There were 162 participants at the clinic. The school distributed over $8,100 in Hobo Dough to the students who participated, Willis said.

The City of Brookings is hosting a citywide vaccine promotion from the campus community called “Your Shot to Win.” The city will be distributing 10 $5,000 prizes Oct. 24 and student scholarships. An event will be held later in October to award the prizes.

“To be eligible, you have to be a resi-

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dent of Brookings Country,” Willis said.

“That does include SDSU students living on campus in the residence halls or off campus in the Brookings community.”

People can apply for the promotion from Sept. 13 through Oct. 11 online at https://www.swiftelcenter.com/yourshot.

Food Recovery Network Conservation The Food Recovery Network Conservation (FRNC) was formed two years ago, but was never in the student body part of campus. During the meeting, President Alexis Elfstrand presented the club’s constitution to the Senate during the open forum section.

The FRNC’s mission is to “support food-insecure students by partnering with Aramark and other campus food distributors to deliver pre-packaged, leftover food to Jack’s Cupboard,” section 1-A of their constitution read.

The FRNC will also be implementing reusable containers and sustainability pro-

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grams to educate people about waste production, Elfstrand said.

The constitution was approved unanimously by the Senate.

SA Senator Voting The Senate voted unanimously to pass Amendment 21-1-A: Remote Voting in Senate Meetings.

Article V. Legislative Branch, section 3, subsection 9 of the SA bylaws was removed.

“An absent senator may not vote by phone or other electronic means via proxy or in lieu of a proxy,” the removed section read.

The amendment will now allow senators to vote from home if they are unable to attend meetings.

“We’ve all seen a need for tele-activity,” Vice President Rachel Schöön said. “If someone can’t attend because they are quarantining, we want them to have the right to vote.”

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Qualifications for Brookings vaccine promotion: • A resident of Brookings County (SDSU campus residents included) •

U.S. citizen

•

At least 12 years old

•

Must have either the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine or first dose of Pfizer or Moderna

•

Present vaccine card if you are one of the winners

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For full versions of stories and more content, go to sdsucollegian.com.

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NEWS

September 15, 2021

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College of Nursing renovates, introduces new skills lab JACOB BOYKO News Editor (He/Him) Students in the College of Nursing have begun the semester in an all-new space following a recent renovation on the third floor of Wagner Hall.

Over the past several months, a wall separating a classroom and a small lab area has been demolished and the space united for an expansive, hospital-style skills lab and attached debriefing room for reflective analysis. The new space can accommodate more lab groups and learning equipment, creating an overall more engaging experience for future nurses.

“We basically have doubled our space,” Karin Emery, assistant dean for the College of Nursing, said. “Our old area used to be half lab and half classroom.”

The College of Nursing lost classroom space on the third floor with the renovation, but a classroom on the first floor of Wagner Hall is being used in its place.

The updated skills lab replicates the environment of a hospital and can now accommodate nine beds for mannequin patients—up from six beds prior.

Nursing students in the lab courses practice procedures like checking for pulses, inserting an IV or a catheter, identifying respiratory illnesses and even step-bystep interactions with patients.

According to Emery, the responses to the new space have been positive from everyone who sees it, including faculty, College of Nursing alumni, families and students.

“This is awesome. We are actually jealous of the Semester 1 nursing students because they’ll get to use this lab for all of their instruction … but we’re thrilled to have it as we finish our degree coursework this year,” a group of Semester 4 students said during their lab.

Construction began at the end of April 2021 and was completed under a very tight timeline, according to Project

Collegian photo by Jacob Boyko (He/Him)

From left: Emily Peterson, Diana Johnson, Katie Drezen and Grace Witherspoon practice inserting catheters into manikins in the new skills lab for their NURS 358 class.

Architect Jonathen Meendering.

“Due to material supply constraints, a lot of the work was condensed into a few weeks at the end of the project,” Meendering said. “There are a few items that remain to be completed which include furnishings, countertops, and classroom technology.”

The remaining items are expected to be completed before the start of the spring semester in January 2022.

The overall cost of the project was approximately $280,000. This figure includes upgrades to finishes, plumbing fixtures, lighting, classroom technology, storage, equipment, and furnishings.

“The project was made possible by private donations from more than 30 individuals,” Al Bahe, development director for the College of Nursing, said.

Some of the donations were made during the 2020 and 2021 One Day for STATE campaigns by donors who selected the project to receive their gifts.

“We are pleased that many of our nursing alumni and friends recognize the value of interactive learning and the opportunity for students to learn and practice these important clinical skills in a safe and modern environment … ” Bahe said.

The project was divided into two phases. The completion of the skills lab wraps up phase 1. The first phase, according to Meendering, was initially set to focus on creating an active skills classroom just off the new lab, but leadership in the College of Nursing decided to prioritize the skills lab.

“Through design development dis-

cussions with the nursing faculty and administrators, it was determined that the skills lab would need more space than originally planned,” Meendering said.

The project was revised to allow for more space in the skills lab and the classroom renovation was set to become phase 2. Currently, there is no set date on when phase 2 will begin, but it remains a priority for the college, according to Meendering.

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sdsucollegian.com September 15, 2021

NEWS

Collegian photo by SAMANTHA SCHOENBAUER (She/Her) The new Sigma Phi Epsilon house was finished this summer, moving the fraternity closer to campus than their old house along Campanile Avenue.

New fraternity house opens at SDSU Sigma Phi Epsilon relocates after alumni donations, fundraising

MCKENZIE MOCKLER Reporter The Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity moved into a new house this summer. The new house has attracted many new members, said Katie Yunker, program advisor for Greek Life.

The fraternity house was previously located on Campanile Avenue and is now located at 705 11th Ave. The new location is more convenient for members who are living there. It is closer to campus and has amenities such as a large yard for hanging out and a better parking area.

The Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity put in hard work to achieve the goal of building a new house. Since the fraternity does not receive any university funding, they must operate independently

Volume 137 • Issue 2

and work together with the alumni.

“The alumni of the SDSU chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon decided it was time for the chapter to have a new house, so they raised the money for several years to be able to pay for it,” Yunker said.

Sophomore and member Colton Hansen said the transition into the new house went smoothly.

“It is similar to dorm life, but I would say it has been easier adjusting to living in the house than it was adjusting to dorm life freshman year,” Hansen said.

Hansen said he is most excited to use the new house for events, have a good time with the guys and get to further know all the members of the fraternity.

Sophomore Max Miller said he is most excited to use the new space for activities while creating new connections,

The Collegian is the independent student newspaper at South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D. The Collegian is published by and for South Dakota State University students under the First Amendment guarantees of free speech and a free press.

Opinions expressed on these pages are not necessarily those of the student body, faculty, staff or administration.

The Collegian is published weekly on Wednesday during the academic year of SDSU.

along with being able to use the study rooms and have a quiet place to do work.

With the new fraternity house being built, Sigma Phi Epsilon has seen increased interest from freshmen and sophomore students. This year the fraternity has 34 members. Yunker hopes to see Sigma Phi Epsilon significantly grow this next recruitment season and she hopes for increased interest in fraternity and sorority recruitment on campus in general.

“Any time a new facility is built, it creates excitement for that group and the community as well,” Yunker said.

Sigma Phi Epsilon has three main pillars that they go by in their chapter: virtue, diligence and brotherly love. These three pillars are what hold the men together and help them achieve their goals.

“I am really looking forward to Gracie Terrall

Mara Wheaton

Managing Editor

Asst. News Editor

Symmone Gauer

Jacob Boyko

Brina Sturm

Adriana Garcia

Skyler Jackson

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Elise Heesch

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Lifestyles Editor

Graphic Designer

Ad Sales Representative & Designer

News Editor

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Lesly Abarca

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meeting some new guys and new future leaders,” Matthew Halley, Sigma Phi Epsilon’s president, said.

As each organization does its fundraising, it is unknown which chapter will be the next to renovate or build a new chapter house. Yunker predicts that within the next five years, SDSU’s campus may see one or two more chapters break ground on a new house.

Fraternity recruitment is happening now on campus while sorority recruitment will start Sept. 17 and go until Sept. 19. Men interested in joining a fraternity on campus can sign up online. Women interested in joining a sorority can find details about recruitment on the SDSU Panhellenic Instagram page @sdstatepanhellenic.

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Letters to the Editor Send letters to letters@ sdsucollegian.com or to USU 069 Box 2815, Brookings, S.D. 57006.

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Please keep to less than 250 words.

Main line: 605.688.6164 Newsroom: 605.688.6166 Editor-in-Chief: 605.688.6178

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NEWS

September 15, 2021

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New Starbucks to open next summer

COLETTE GANNON Reporter

A new drive-thru Starbucks location will be opening next summer in Brookings. Located at 1402 6th Street, it will be the third Starbucks in Brookings in addition to the SDSU campus and Hy-Vee locations.

Unlike the two current locations, it will feature a drive-thru and will be the first corporate-owned Starbucks in Brookings.

“Starbucks is always looking for great locations to better meet the needs of our customers,” a Starbucks spokesperson said.

Dallas Lyple, a barista at the Brookings Hy-Vee Starbucks location, explained the difference between a corporate-owned Starbucks and a licensed Starbucks—such as the one at Hy-Vee or on the SDSU campus.

“Licensed Starbucks fol-

low (Hy-Vee) store dress code, get store pay and get Hy-Vee employee benefits ... we don’t work for corporate,” she said.

According to Lyple, a licensed Starbucks location features the same product that a corporate Starbucks does.

Licensed Starbucks also buys products from the same supplier that a corporate-owned Starbucks does.

“We have the same Java chips, coffee and milk that a corporate Starbucks has,” Lyple said.

Since it’s only a five-minute drive from the SDSU campus, students are excited for the addition of a new coffee shop with a drive-thru in town.

“It’s really exciting to have a drive-thru. It’s close to campus ... sometimes there are long lines at the Starbucks on campus. It will be convenient when I’m not on campus,” sophomore Katie Noteboom said.

Tess Burton, a represen-

tative of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), a non-profit that speaks for coffee professionals, shared a study that the SCA collaborated on with the National Coffee Association (NCA) about the coffee habits of Americans.

According to the study, which was done in January 2021, 36% of Americans over the age of 18 had drank a specialty coffee the day before the study took place.

The SCA defines specialty coffee as “any espresso-based beverage” or “non-espresso based beverage” that includes lattes, cappuccinos, frozen blends and cold brew.

An even more striking finding is that 62% of Americans drink coffee everyday, with the average American coffee drinker drinking over three cups per day, according to a March 2020 press release from the NCA. According to the Brookings Community Development

Office, the new Starbucks is being built by a local general contracting company, Drew Clark Construction, which also verified the construction of the new Starbucks.

Construction is currently in the demolition stage, which started June 16. According to the City of Brookings 2021 building permit records, each of the two demolitions cost $30,000.

The records listed the property owner as VK Properties LLC.

Several local coffee shops were reached out to for comment on the effects of the new Starbucks drive-thru location on business, including Choco Latte, a drive-thru coffee shop in Brookings. Choco Latte’s owner, Donna Behrend, had no comment. Cottonwood Cafe, located in Brookings, did not respond to the request for comment by the time of this article publishing.

Graphic by: ADRIANA GARCIA (She/Her)

Students receive up to $1,100 through new federal grant BRINA STURM Asst. Lifestyles Editor (She/They) Signed into law March 11, 2021, the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is providing $39.6 billion to institutions and students in order to ensure higher education continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department of Education’s final rule of eligibility, as stated in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, is, “students who are or were enrolled in an institution of higher education during the COVID-19 national emergency are eligible for emergency financial aid grants from HEERF.” In short, this means that all university students are expected to receive a grant.

While many college students have already received their grants, several questions remain; Director of Financial Aid and Scholarship Beth Vollan answered.

Q: What is the grant that students recently received or will soon receive?

A: The grant is the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III), authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP).

Do all students get grants this semester?

All degree-seeking students enrolled for this fall semester have or will receive the grant. We gave some smaller awards to those enrolled in the summer semester.

How will students receive the grant?

The grant will be disbursed to your bank account this week through direct

deposit, or, if you don’t have direct de- ernment releases more funds, students posit set up, by paper check mailed out should not expect another HEERF grant. to your student refund address.

Have questions about your financial Many students are wondering why aid? Contact Financial Aid Services at they may have received a different SDSU.FINAID@sdstate.edu amount than their peers. What “tiers” did SDSU define for the grant?

The Department of Education legislation said we have to prioritize students with financial need. PELL-eligible students got the highest grants, followed by  Tier 1: PELL grant-qualifying students those just outside the qualifying range, — $1,100 then those with a higher Expected Fami-  Tier 2: Students just outside PELL ly Contribution (EFC). Students enrolled range, lower EFC* — $850 in 4 credits or less qualified for half-time  Tier 3: Students with higher EFC— grants, splitting their tier amount in half. $700 Can students expect another grant next semester?

We do not have any money reserved for next spring. Unless the federal gov-

HEERF III Tiers

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September 15, 2021

sdsucollegian.com

OPINION

EDITORIAL

Issue: The post-9/11 world is the only world we know

One of the most tragic days in U.S. and world history was last Saturday: 9/11.

While older generations remember the day vividly, college students don’t know a pre-9/11 world. We don’t know a world without TSA or a world where we don’t cover our laptop cameras because the FBI is spying on us. We were all at least 4 or younger, and most of us lived far away from the incident. So, after 20 years of watching tribute videos during class and airport security checks, what did college students learn?

Despite the well-spirited lessons of America’s coming together after the tragic event, other long-lasting les-

sons were taught to young Americans.

Islamophobia rippled throughout the country post-9/11. That same Islamophobia slowly leaked into school systems through jokes about terrorism and rumors about Obama “secretly being Muslim.” The actions of Al-Quida were weaponized against our young Muslim and brown classmates through jokes and taunts. These jokes about plane crashes, memes about bombings and casual Xenophobia only further desensitized our generation to the tragedy of 9/11.

So, what was the real lesson learned from 9/11, and what should the lesson

have been? How can we truly “never forget” an event we don’t remember?

How can we reflect on the repercussions of the event when we have never experienced a world before those repercussions?

The truth is that we will never remember that day. We will never be able to recall where we were when we first heard about what was happening.

We will not know a world before 9/11 besides the world our parents and grandparents and elders have described.

What we are able to do is empathize.

We can put ourselves in the shoes of those who came before us and try to feel

their fear, their surprise, their sadness.

We can learn that the world was forever changed, and we can understand why.

We can learn from the bad that came out of 9/11 — the deaths, the war, the Islamophobia, the fear — and we can learn how to rebuild the community from the collective mourning that we have been told so much about.

The Collegian Editorial Board meets weekly and agrees on the issue of the editorial.

The editorial represents the opinion of The Collegian.

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NEWS

sdsucollegian.com

SDSU student places in Minn.

State Fair SYDNEY MITCHELL Reporter (She/Her)

A South Dakota State University dairy production major won a chance to advocate for the dairy industry and got a rare bonus out of the deal – a 90-pound carving of her head made out of butter.

Kelsey Erf of Oakdale, Minnesota, was a finalist in the Princess Kay of the Milky Way competition at the Minnesota State Fair. The winner was crowned late last month, and while she didn’t win, Erf was one of three finalists to win a scholarship and the opportunity to tell people about the dairy industry during the fair.

Princess Kay of the Milky Way is the state of Minnesota’s dairy princess. The goal of the Princess Kay program is to serve as a goodwill ambassador for Minnesota’s dairy farmers. The 68th Princess Kay was crowned Aug. 25 in St. Paul before the start of the Minnesota State Fair.

September 15, 2021

“You always look at those girls who get sculpted out of butter at the fair every year and you always want to be one of them.”

Kelsey Erf Dairy production major

Submitted photo

The competition is supported by Midwest Dairy, an organization that represents 5,800 dairy farms in the region. Erf, who was one of the top-10 finalists, has long wanted to be named Princess Kay, but she never thought that she would get the chance until a rule changed in 2019, allowing her to apply.

Erf ’s family raises dairy heifers for a larger dairy. In previous years, girls whose families raised dairy animals that contribute to Minnesota dairy production could not apply to the competition. Now they can.

“I was not expecting to win a scholarship,” Erf said. “It means a lot to know that the judges and Midwest Dairy believe in my future in the dairy industry.”

Erf is a fifth-generation dairy farmer. She grew up raising and showing Brown Swiss cattle, participating in 4-H, FFA, dairy judging and quiz bowls. She is heavily involved in SDSU activities, serving as the vice president of the Dairy

Club, a mentor for first-year dairy and food science students and more.

Part of the Princess Kay competition that garners a lot of interest from outsiders, is that each finalist gets their head sculpted out of butter. Erf admits that it’s a little surreal seeing a model of her head made from butter.

“You always look at those girls who get sculpted out of butter at the fair every year and you always want to be one of them,” Erf said.

“Now that can be my fun fact, that I have a butterhead.”

Erf will be given the 90-pound butter sculpture and any scraps from the carving. She plans to give away the scraps to family and friends and use the rest of the sculpture to host a meal to give back to those who have supported her.

During the fair, Erf took part in media interviews, talked with fair visitors at the butter booth, helped at the dairy judging ceremony, participated in the parade, went to

the 4-H Dairy Showcase, attended the Milk Run and the retirement ceremony for Linda Christensen, the butter sculptor for the past 50 years. Christensen sculpted this year’s Princess Kay finalist and will be replaced as the creator of the iconic sculptures by Gerry Kulzer, who sculpted the rest of the finalists this year.

Erf ’s favorite part of the fair was connecting with others.

“We could be talking about the most random topic and there would be something that is connected to dairy in some way, shape, or form,” Erf said. “It was like bridging the gap to show how they are connected to the dairy princesses.”

To compete and become Princess Kay, applicants must first be a county dairy princess. From there, eligible applicants compete at something called the May event for a chance to be a top-10 finalist. At this event, competitors participate in a prepared speech, an interview, mock media interviews and submit an application.

Jenna Davis, the manager of farm relations at Midwest Dairy and the Princess Kay competition coordinator, said that when judges are selecting finalists, “they are really looking for someone who is going to uphold the reputation and ideals of the dairy industry.”

Read full story online at sdsucollegian.com

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LIFESTYLES

Barry & His Books

“If I could give any person a gift, it would be reading.”

BARRY DUNN University President

Writen by SYMMONE GAUER / Lifestyles Editor / (She/Her) & ANDREA HUETE / Copy Editor / (She/Her) “If I could give any person a gift, it would be reading,” President Barry Dunn said.

Anyone who knows President Dunn knows that he has a deep love of reading.

Books inspire him, and they challenge him to be a better person. They help one explore and understand emotions, history or relationships. As such, Dunn has a very large book collection.

Dunn mainly focuses on reading three types of books: Pulitzer prize-winning novels, biographies of great people, and leadership and management/higher education books.

He rotates the three types, and he reads every night. Dunn says he tries to learn from the mistakes of others, but he wants to try to emulate their successes.

As someone who is always on the road toward self-improvement, Dunn says reading is a big help in that.

“He’s a lifelong learner—always has been,” his wife Jane said.

Even as a child, Dunn was always an

avid reader.

“I think I always had a book in my hand,” he said.

Growing up in Mission, South Dakota, Dunn worked on the family ranch after graduating from SDSU with degrees in biology and animal science.

Once his family decided to sell the ranch, he wanted to reinvent himself by going back to get his Ph.D. in his mid-forties.

Dunn was then a faculty member at SDSU for a time before getting a job at Texas A&M University. He later returned to State in 2010 as dean of agriculture until finally becoming university president in 2016.

“I had two lives: about half my professional life I was a cattle rancher, and the other half I was an academician, and so it was an unusual background,” Dunn said.

Reading is now one way he broadens his horizons and learns to become a better leader in that regard.

“What I’m most impressed about is

Barry Dunn reads ‘And the Mountains Echoed’

that he is willing to change,” Jane said.

One thing Dunn enjoys reading about is the founding fathers; he’s read around 20 biographies of past U.S. presidents.

Teddy Roosevelt is one of his favorite historical characters as he proved to be a great leader and showed a “tremendous innate understanding of America.” He led an interesting and challenging life, and Dunn relates to him because they share similar interests.

Both were cattle ranchers when they were young. The two also shared a love of nature and ecology, and both have

kept collections; Teddy Roosevelt had a collection of insects, plants and animals, whereas Dunn has his books.

He estimates having around 400 to 500 books that fill up bookshelves around his home.

“I only put a book up on the shelf if I’ve read it. That’s one of my rules,” he said. While there are some books at the president’s campus residence, most of the books are at his personal home north of Brookings, which is his wife’s original family homestead.

They have about 10 bookshelves full, many of which used to be simply

September 15, 2021

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A9

Barry Dunn and his wife Jane both enjoy reading. They have two sons, Thomas and Michael.

Collegian photos by SYMMONE GAUER (She/Her)

by Khaled Hosseini near the fireplace in the President’s Home. Collegian photo by SYMMONE GAUER (She/Her)

decorative, and there are even shelves in the guest bedrooms. He has piles of neatly stacked unread books around his house, but he said his wife is very patient with him about it.

“I don’t mind--he’s actually quite neat,” she said. “He has his own system...I dust around them, but I do not move them.”

All of the books are categorized, but not alphabetized, so only

Dunn knows exactly where to find everything.

On occasion, he’ll send Jane to retrieve a book and will be able to tell her exactly where it is and even what color the cover is.

“He’s very easy to shop for,” Jane said. “It’s a really positive hobby to have, and it’s not terribly expensive.”

She said it’s just as easy to drop him off at a

Barnes & Noble while she runs her own errands.

When holidays and birthdays are coming up, Dunn will write down which books he is looking to read next, and friends and family members will deliver. But he is just as happy to receive any good book from a friend, particularly if it’s one they wrote.

In his university office, President Dunn has a

shelf dedicated to books his friends have written and inscribed to him, and he also keeps copies of his past grad students’ theses to show his pride in their accomplishments.

Dunn says one of the best things about books is that you’re able to share them. He will often give copies of his favorite books to others, or sometimes he’ll make recommendations. He commonly recommends his favorite book called “Beyond the Hundredth Meridian” by Wallace Stegner.

“It’s nonfiction, but it’s a biography of John Weasly Paul, and it’s a fantastic book,” he said. It’s a book he read nearly 20 years ago but remembers vividly because it’s such an inspiring story. He also gave copies of it to his grad students at A&M as a graduation present.

Some of Dunn’s favorite authors include Mari Sandoz and Ivan Doig. “All the Light We Cannot See” is another favorite book of his, one he recommended to his wife.

“He said that was one

of the best books he’s ever read, so I feel like I have to read that and see if I feel the same way,” Jane said, and she’s planning to read it soon.

While both Jane and Barry like to read, Jane considers reading more of a reward than a part of her daily routine. She also likes to read books of faith in addition to historical fiction and inspiring true stories. “The Glass Castle” is a favorite of hers.

Another difference the couple has is that Jane prefers e-books and Barry loves hardcover, as made obvious by the hundreds of copies he owns.

Reading is a big part of who he is. Dunn works hard at his job and tries to deliver the best he can for the staff, students and our community. Building relationships and trusting in one another, he says, is important in having a successful life, but there’s always so much one can learn from simply reading a book.

“It’s a wonderful vehicle to grow and understand the world around us,” Dunn said.

FUN FACTS

1.

Barry Dunn met his wife Jane when they were students living in Pierson Hall. “She lived on the 4th floor and I was on the 1st floor, and I was looking for a way to meet her. I approached her one afternoon, and that is how we met...And then went for ice cream,” Dunn said.

2.

Barry Dunn took poetry and literature classes when he was a student for his degrees in biology as electives, which he really liked.

He once published two pieces of poetry in a South Dakota poetry journal called “Pasque Petals.”

3.

The fireplace mantel in the President’s Home is made from wood from the log cabin that was once part of Dunn’s family homestead in Mission, South Dakota.

President Dunn and his wife Jane are the first to live in the President’s Home, which was completed in 2017.

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LIFESTYLES

Zac Brown Band plays Wednesday, Sept. 8 at Jacks Bash 2 with Fall Out Boy and country singer Gabby Barrett. Collegian photo by TAYLOR ROEMELING (She/Her)

Bash draws 17,000

Fans say they wouldn’t mind seeing a third concert TAYLOR ROEMELING Reporter (She/Her) Last week’s music triple-header attracted about 17,000 fans to Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium and helped South Dakota State University polish its image around the region.

The Grammy Award-winning Zac Brown Band headlined the concert, known as Jacks Bash 2, and Fall Out Boy and Gabby Barrett also performed Wednesday, Sept. 8. First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard were exclusive sponsors of the show.

The event happened five years after

the original Jacks Bash, and it went smoothly, creating a positive impact for SDSU, said Jeff Holm, senior associate athletic director for the university.

“People embracing (the event) from the campus, to the community, to the state, brings people to our beautiful campus and stadium. It unites people,” Holm said. “Everyone is there to have a great time and see some great performances.”

Last week, all the planning and practice for the event worked well, as far as Sioux Falls resident Glenda Merkwan was concerned.

“It was my first time at the Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, and I thought it was

awesome,” she said.

Melissa Carlson, a resident of Dell Rapids, said she is a fan of country music and attended the first Jacks Bash in 2016.

Jacks Bash 2 did not disappoint her.

“My experience was great,” Carlson said. “My husband and my daughter were able to go and they had a good time.

My daughter is 14 and she liked it a lot. I didn’t know there were going to be fireworks; it was a nice surprise.”

The event was billed by promoters as a one-of-a-kind pyrotechnics finale followed Zac Brown Band’s performance. Pyrotecnico, the company that put on the display, also produced the pyrotechnics show at half-

time of Super Bowl LV in Tampa.

Also on hand were former NFL Minnesota Vikings stars Chad Greenway and Ben Leber, both native South Dakotans. They served as hosts for the show and shared the experience with their social media followings.

“That was fun, Brookings!” Greenway tweeted.

Leber also got the word out: “Damn, this is fun!!” he tweeted. “Thank you @ GoJacksSDSU for having @chadgreenway52 and I host.”

Timothy Heaton, SDSU’s chief of Safety & Security, said the event went smoothly.

“It was pretty calm,” he said. “We

September 15, 2021

sdsucollegian.com

D.C. speaker set to discuss diversity SYMMONE GAUER Lifestyles Editor (she/Her)

Photo by TAYLOR ROEMELING (She/Her) didn’t have many issues.”

Holm said he is happy that this year’s event went well but wouldn’t say if his department is planning another one.

“Students were having a great time.

That’s how we want to be remembered,” Holm said.

Kate Thompson is a 19-year-old nursing major from Minnesota. She said she’s going to the next Jacks Bash, if there is one.

“It was amazing. Great night,” Thompson said.

The first Jacks Bash attracted almost 23,000 fans and featured Luke Bryan as the headliner, with Little Big Town and Lee Brice. The university is always looking for ways to improve fan experiences, and Holm said they’ve come a long way since the first Jacks Bash, which was the first event ever at Dykhouse Stadium.

“Jacks Bash 2 was just as fantastic, but we had an idea of how the stadium operates,” Holm said. “We learned things from every football game we had, trying to make the event a better situation as we move forward.”

“Everyone is there to have a great time and see some great performances.”

JEFF HOLM SENIOR ASSOCIATE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

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The “Why We Need Inclusiveness” workshop will take place at 7 p.m. Sept.

21 in the Lewis and Clark room of the Student Union. This is a great opportunity for students to learn more about what diversity means and how one can be more inclusive.

The workshop will be led by motivational speaker and educator, Joseph Green.

Green is from Washington, D.C., and he is also an award-winning spoken word artist who works as a trainer and professional storyteller.

He’s started many nonprofit programs for youth in the D.C. area focused on creative writing and spoken word. He also travels around giving presentations and workshops about creative mindfulness and team building as well as those on diversity and inclusion.

“His work is used to remind us that more important than knowing what we are fighting against is knowing what we are fighting for,” Anna Schwader, social awareness coordinator for the University Program Council, said.

“My job is not to convince anybody of anything political,” Green said. “My job is to remind folks how important it is for us to take care of one another and that we have the obligation, the responsibility and the opportunity to create the community that we want to see in the greater world in the small spaces that we exist in.”

Schwader heard Green speak at the National Association for Campus Activities last spring, where he talked about going through the process of identifying yourself. She explained how his sharing a poem about raising his son in an unwelcoming commu-

nity really made an impact on her and showed her a new perspective, a perspective she wanted to bring to SDSU. “[It] was what really made me think, ‘Wow, this man needs to come here and talk about that.’”

The workshop is sponsored by UPC, Black Student Alliance and the Multicultural Center, and it will be interactive and engaging to those that attend.

Green will start by sharing his own diverse experience through a spoken word performance. Then there will be group exercises—a diversity scavenger hunt, as he described it—that will set up the opportunity for people to speak about themselves in a way they aren’t normally encouraged to.

“Inclusion to me is the intentional bringing of people to a space where they feel that they are allowed to be their whole and complete selves,” Green said. “[And in this workshop,]

they get to have conversations about diversities that are greater than what is skin deep.”

Participants will hopefully walk away from the event with resources and tools to better recognize, appreciate and implement diversity and inclusion in their everyday lives.

“I believe anytime you can give students the opportunity to talk openly and explore more about themselves, you empower them more to learn about others,” Alex Wood with the Multicultural Center said. “We strive to provide opportunities for our students to become the powerful global citizens that will represent SDSU, their communities and families.”

For more information on the event, students can email SDSU. UPCSocialAwareness@sdstate.edu Below: Joseph Green will discuss how to be more inclusive.

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SPORTS

Soccer team blazes to fast 7-1 start EVAN PATZWALD Assistant Sports Editor (He/Him) The Jackrabbit women’s soccer team has enjoyed a hot start to the 2021 fall campaign, starting the season 7-1. In the preseason, they were picked to finish second behind Denver in the Summit League after going 12-0-5 last spring.

Omaha and South Dakota rounded out the top four of the rankings.

To kick off the season, SDSU picked up wins over Augustana and Texas Rio Grande Valley before traveling to Hawaii for a week to play three games. While they were there, they swept all three of their opponents including Idaho State, Hawaii and Hawaii Pacific.

“Hawaii was a lot of fun,” coach Brock Thompson said. “I think all of our players realize that it’s a pretty magical place. It is a little stressful traveling with 40 players to Hawaii, but it was a great experience for our team to take that trip.”

The Jacks returned to the mainland and traveled to Omaha to face off against Creighton where they picked up their first loss of the season. They lost 0-3 with all three of the Blue Jay’s goals coming in the second half.

“Creighton played quite well,” Thompson said. “It took us a while to get into the game. They were very good in the moment of transition when they won the ball, and that tested us in ways we had not been tested thus far in the season.”

Finally, SDSU returned to Fishback Soccer Park, picking up a win vs Northern Iowa last Friday. To cap off the weekend, the Jackrabbits played in the second annual GOALD Game against Morningside College.

The women’s soccer team and Sanford Children’s Cure Kids Cancer! teamed up two years ago to play the GOALD Game in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Senior Hailee Fischer brought the idea to her team in 2019 to show tribute to her cousin, Ian, who had passed away

COACH BROCK THOMPSON

from a battle with a rare upper perivascular epithelioid cell cancer.

Fischer did not play in the game because she is still recovering from injury.

GOALD Game t-shirts were sold before the game, with all proceeds being donated to the Sanford Health Foundation.

The Jacks won the game 6-0, scoring two goals in the first five minutes. Maya Hansen scored two of the first three goals in the game, continuing her strong start to the season. Hansen leads the team in goals and points with seven goals and 16 points on the year.

“I think you’re starting to see as we get into the season some of the things we’re capable of in front of goal and in the final third,” Thompson said. “It’s a result of having dangerous explosive players and a lot of depth in the final third.”

The Murdzek twins also showed out for the Jacks as Avery had two goals and an assist, while Laney added two assists.

Avery is the team leader in assists with five.

“They’re both able to create opportunities for themselves and others; they’re both able to set up goals and score goals,” Thompson said. “They’re really committed to becoming the best version of themselves.”

SDSU will look to continue their 27-game home winning streak with Northern Illinois coming to Brookings to play Friday at 6 p.m. They wrap up their non-conference schedule Monday Sept. 20 as they travel to Colorado to play against Air Force at 7 p.m.

Collegian photo by: EVAN PATZWALD (He/Him) South Dakota State University midfielder Avery Murdzek heads up field during a ercent soccer game against Morningside College last Sunday. The Jackrabbits beat the Mustangs 6-0.

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September 15, 2021

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Jackrabbit men sweep home cross country victory

South Dakota State University cross country students raced in the only home meet of the year last Friday at the Edgebrook Gold Course. The men’s occupied the top seven positions.

SKYLER JACKSON Sports Editor (He/Him) The South Dakota State cross country teams hosted their lone home meet of the season over the weekend, the SDSU Classic. Both the men’s and women’s teams performed well. Here’s a look at what happened Friday.

MEN

The men’s cross country team put together an impressive performance, with Jackrabbit runners occupying the top five positions, finishing with a perfect score of 15 points. Junior Ben Olson led the way, winning the individual title with a final time of 24:59.74.

Teammates Daniel Burkhalter (25:12.73) and Thomas Breuckman (25:14.60) finished just shy of first place, finishing second and third, respectively. Gabe Peters placed fourth with a time of 25:19.92, and Joseph Minor rounded out the top five in 25:30.39.

Other Jackrabbits who finished

  

WHAT’S NEXT?

Friday: Roy Griak Invitational, Falcon Heights, Mn. Oct. 1: Briar Cliff Invitational, Sioux City Oct. 15: Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational, Verona, Wisc.

were freshman Cody Larson, who recorded an impressive outing with a final time of 25:31.39, finishing in the sixth spot. Michael Schwinghamer wasn’t far behind at 25:32.81.

The Jackrabbits would occupy the top seven positions. North Dakota finished second overall with 65 points. North Dakota State was third with 74 points, with Sioux Falls finishing last with 90 points.

Up next for the Jackrabbits is the Roy Griak Invitational in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, Sept. 24.

WOMEN

The South Dakota State women’s cross country team saw an impressive performance from Leah

Hansen as she won the individual title. Hansen, a sophomore, was battling with Ellyssa Peterson from the University of North Dakota, eventually placing first in 17:56.91.

Overall, North Dakota won the team title with 39 points. SDSU narrowly finished second at 43 points.

Cailee Peterson, who made her season debut, did not disappoint.

She placed third with a final time of 18:13.92, which bettered her personal best by 34 seconds. Jessica Christoffer finished sixth overall in 18:27.91.

Other Jackrabbits who placed in the top 20 were Bailey Dergan (19:08.66) and Bridget Henne (19:19.18), who ranked 15th and 18th, respectively.

North Dakota State would finish third with 51 points, while Sioux Falls would finish a distant fourth with 88 points.

Up next for the Jacks is the Roy Griak Invitational Sept. 24 in Minnesota.

Collegian photos by: SAMANTHA SHOENBAUER (She/Her)

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KEY STATS Quarterback Chris Oladokun: 12-14, 175 yards, 4 touchdowns.

Running back Pierre Strong Jr.: 7 attempts, 110 yards, 1 touchdown Tight ends Zach Heins and Tucker Kraft each caught 2 touchdowns.

SKYLER JACKSON Sports Editor (He/Him) For the first time in almost two years, a full-capacity crowd was back at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium on Saturday.

The fans in attendance for SDSU’s home opener were ready to be back in full swing, watching their football team dominate with a 52-7 win against Lindenwood.

The total fan attendance for the game was 15,162, despite playing a Division II program. This was the eighth highest in the stadium’s history, since opening in 2016.

With the win, SDSU now improves to a 21-4 record in home-opening games under head coach John Stiegelmeier, including 5-0 at Dykhouse stadium.

The Jackrabbits have been a dominant team at home, and Stiegelmeier attributes that to the amount of energy and support fans bring to every game.

“We had an unbelievable crowd (Saturday),” Stiegelmeier said. “I mean, that energizes you, and we made some big plays early that energized them.”

Last spring saw fan attendance limited, and many other policies and protocols were implemented because of COVID-19 concerns.

With the return of fall football and full-capacity crowds, students were excited to get back to enjoying themselves and supporting their Jackrabbits.

JACKS CRUSH LIONS

Running back Pierre Strong Jr. carries the ball against Lindenwood Saturday, Sept. 11. Strong passed 3,000 rushing yards for his career on Saturday.

SPORTS

WHAT’S NEXT

The Jackrabbits have a bye this week. Their next game is September 25 at noon at Indiana State. Their next home game is Oct. 2 against Dixie State at 6 p.m.

And in a game as lopsided as this one was, fans seemed to love every minute of it.

“The environment,” said second-year student Matt Girard when asked what he likes most about football games. “Having a whole fan base is great, and everyone here is pretty supportive.”

SDSU students have always been a very supportive fan base. But football games provide more than just the team.

They allow students to have fun, socialize and be a part of a college tradition.

First-year student Ben Wallraff, attending his first SDSU game, was doing what many others do at Jackrabbit games: hanging out with friends and enjoying the game.

“The anticipation for (Saturday); Just hanging out all day and being here,” he said.

And the Jacks’ performance on the field provided a lot of excitement.

On the team’s opening possession, quarterback Chris Oladokun connected with receiver Jaxon Janke for 55 yards on the team’s first play from scrimmage before running back Pierre Strong Jr. punched it in the end zone two plays later.

The Jacks scored touchdowns in its first five possessions, and by halftime, they had gained over 400 yards of total offense, and the score was 45-0.

Overall, the Jackrabbits outgained Lindenwood in total yards 560-196, including outrushing the Lions 330-84.

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15,162 South Dakota State Jackrabbit fans showed up to cheer on the football team at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium in SDSU’s home opener.

Oladokun, making his first home start for SDSU, was 12-14 for 171 yards and threw four touchdowns before the starters left the game late in the second quarter. Second and third string players got some valuable reps in the rest of the night.

The Jackrabbit rushing attack was also on full display. Strong had another impressive showing, finishing with 110 rushing yards on seven carries and a touchdown. Strong also surpassed 3,000 rushing yards for his college career.

Freshman running back Amar Johnson replaced Strong in the second quarter and added 15 attempts for 103 yards and a touchdown.

Lindenwood looked overmatched all night. The Jackrabbit defense nearly posted a shutout and forced an interception and three sacks.

But the win didn’t come without a price. Running back Isaiah Davis suffered a shoulder injury early and did not return. He is expected to be out for up to eight weeks. This, along with wide receiver Landon Wolff suffering a season-ending injury last week, makes backto-back games where the Jacks have lost key offensive weapons.

This week, the Jackrabbits have a bye before traveling to Terre Haute to take on Indiana State Saturday, Sept. 25 at noon.

“As a football program, it’s a whole different feeling when you walk out into your home stadium, and it’s rocking, it’s full, and the student section ends up being full,” Stiegelmeier said. “That’s a whole different feeling than having it half full in areas.”

Collegian photos by SAMANTHA SCHOENBAUER (She/Her) The South Dakota State Jackrabbits score an early touchdown against Lindenwood Saturday Sept. 11.

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September 15, 2021

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FROST AREA TO UNDERGO $50 MILLION RENOVATION EVAN PATZWALD Assistant Sports Editor (He/Him) A record gift from First Bank & Trust will help pay for the $50 million renovation of Frost Arena.

South Dakota State University Athletics announced on Monday plans to start the renovation and unveiled the venue’s new name: First Bank & Trust Arena. The company’s $20 million gift makes it the lead donor for the project and the largest the school has ever received.

The proposed facility still needs to be approved by the South Dakota Board of Regents.

Once approved, it is estimated that it will cost $50 million in total.

“This arena has been the home of countless fantastic moments, impacting the lives of thousands of student athletes and hundreds of thousands of fans and so much more,” SDSU President Barry Dunn said. “For the last 49 years, this arena has been the literal heartbeat of our campus.”

First Bank & Trust was founded by the Fishback family.

They are longtime supporters of SDSU athletics and the university itself. The business is headquartered in Brookings and is the largest privately held bank in South Dakota.

“We believe this investment will revolutionize the fan experience on gameday,” said First Bank & Trust President Kevin Tetzlaff, who was a star SDSU football player from 1988-91. “It will also provide a first-class venue for all the various events to be held at South Dakota’s largest university here in our organization’s hometown.”

The renovations are expected to last about two years, with each year taking place in phases.

The first year will deal with the exterior of the stadium, and the

Collegian photo from GOJACKS.COM

Top photo: Rendering of the facade for what will be the new First Bank & Trust Area. Right: The new club room will be on the south side of the area. Left: Suites will be an option for sports fans to view the game from above. SUBMITTED

second year will deal with the interior.

Athletic events will continue to be played at the arena while the renovations are taking place.

Capacity will drop from 6,500 to 5,500 because of the additions of premium seating areas, a bigger concourse area and new and improved locker rooms.

Along with that, there will also be new video board and display systems, enhanced sound systems and improved restrooms.

“We’ll have a brand-new entrance on the southeast corner that will lead into a massive new

concourse,” Athletic Director Justin Sell said. “We’ll have a club room on the south side, and we’ll have some suite options. We’re going to do some really special design stuff for our students and our pep band on the west side and make it a real homecourt advantage for us. I’m really excited for the different elements that are going to be a part of this building.”

Frost Arena was named after former SDSU athletic director R.B. “Jack” Frost and was unveiled to the public in February 1973.

It cost $3.685 million to initially

construct. Prior to Frost Arena, sporting events on campus were played at The Barn, built in 1918.

“You can’t do these projects without being a part of a great university and being a part of something greater than yourself,” Sell said. “All of the things that you do when you’re trying to achieve something great come from great leadership and passionate supporters. It is an unbelievable example of how special this university is.”

BY THE NUMBERS x $20 million donation from First Bank & Trust x $50 million to complete x Estimated capacity of 5,500 x Frost Arena has capacity of 6,500 right now x $3.685 million to construct Frost Arena in 1973