Dare to Do

DARE TO DO
Last year Dakota State University adopted a new “slogan” or “tagline” that is a quote from a wonderful writer named Eudora Welty. While the statement is short and to the point, it also encouraged discussion about what exactly it meant. So I would like to use my column in this issue of the Trojan Times to give my perspective on “dare to do” and point out a few examples of what this means in concrete terms.
There are many examples of how this university has dared to take on new programs and new initiatives. We have been absolutely in front of the mobile computing initiatives that the state (at the K-12 and university level) is adopting system wide. We have developed a new doctoral degree in information systems that has surpassed our expectations for enrollment. While these university wide activities are good examples, it is clearly individual student “dares” that are what “dare to do” is really about.
DARE to COMPETE:
Dakota State University student Ashley Podhradsky was named a recipient of the 2008 Google Anita Borg Scholarship. This $1000 scholarship was awarded to 50 women across the nation. Podhradsky is the only woman from South Dakota who is receiving the scholarship. Others schools represented include Berkley, Carnegie Mellon, Harvard, Stanford, and MIT.
Dakota State University junior Jenny Grabinger was awarded the Sales & Marketing Executives Inc., of Sioux Falls (SME) scholarship. Grabinger competed against three finalists for the $4,000 scholarship. The competition consisted of an oral sales presentation, along with a formal application process.
Citibank awarded 30 scholarships, with 9 of them going to current Dakota State students and 3 to students transferring to DSU – double the number awarded to any other university in the state. The purpose of the scholarships is to address the teacher shortage in South Dakota, as well as encouraging the graduates to stay in the state. Current Dakota State students receiving scholarships included Michael Anderson, Sioux Falls; Kelsey Hoff, Watertown; Nicole Hoiten, Montrose; Jennifer Hove, Sioux Falls; Casey Krogman, Oldham; Abbey Rotter, Centerville; Katie Schultz, DeSmet; Amber Sherman, Goodwin; and Scott Sonne, Mount Vernon.

DARE to ACHIEVE
Dakota State University student Ryan Pries was awarded the best paper award at the 2008 International Conference on Communications (ICC) in Beijing, China. Pries’ paper was judged best by peer-reviewers and received the top recommendation from the symposium chairs. The ICC is the flagship international conference on communications.
DARE to LEAD
Dakota State University (DSU) senior Justin Kulm was selected to serve as Detachment 780 Cadet Wing Commander for the Air Force ROTC at SDSU. Kulm is the first DSU cadet to be chosen for this role. He assumed the responsibilities for leading the Cadet Corps on May 3 and will continue through the fall 2008 semester.

The South Dakota National Education Association/National Education Association (SDEA/NEA) recently recognized two Dakota State University students for their service to the organization and their local campuses. Kindra Bean Hofman was named 2008 Outstanding Student Leader for SDEA. Michael Anderson was named 2008 Outstanding State Student Leader for SDEA.