Contacts: Jack R. Warner, Executive Director and CEO
jack.warner@sdbor.edu

Janelle Toman, Director of Communications
Janelle.toman@sdbor.edu

Telephone: (605) 773-3455
Fax: (605) 773-5320
www.sdbor.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Thursday, May 16, 2013

SDSU and DSU Students Recognized by Regents

BROOKINGS, S.D. – Student organizations from South Dakota State University and Dakota State University were recognized this week for their outstanding academic, community, and organizational work by the South Dakota Board of Regents.

Student organizations from SDSU honored with special recognition were:

• Award for Academic Excellence – Delta Chi Fraternity focuses on leadership opportunities and offers programming that develops its members’ leadership potential. Through the Sir Edward Coke Leadership Society, the fraternity invites community leaders to speak about traits of a successful leader. An annual chapter retreat is held to set goals for the upcoming school year and to provide leadership development sessions for Delta Chi members. Lunch discussions throughout the year also provide informal sessions on leadership and professional development.

• Community Service Award – Kappa Epsilon Pharmacy Fraternity unites pharmacy students on campus and offers many networking opportunities. Much of the local chapter’s community service is tied to the national chapter’s project focus, which is breast cancer awareness. The fraternity has hosted guest speakers, collected donations for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, prepared gift baskets for 25 breast cancer patients, and made fleece blankets for chemotherapy patients. The group also has hosted education sessions for students at the SDSU Wellness Fair. 

• Award for Organizational Leadership – The SDSU Sub-unit of the American Fisheries Society promotes conservation and development of fisheries resources and continuing education in fisheries science. The group works with local youth to educate students about aquatic resource conservation through such events as Fisheries Research Fun Day and the Cub Scout Fishing Derby. The sub-unit also hosted a job fair for undergraduate students, featuring information about internships and employment opportunities in natural resources management and research. 

DSU student organizations honored with special recognition by the regents were:

• Award for Academic Excellence – Phi Beta Lambda brings business and education together in a positive working relationship through leadership and career development programs. PBL students attend educational workshops and leadership conferences, learn from motivational speakers, and participate in competitive events. While learning more about the business environment, members have the opportunity to build their resume, network with local business leaders, experience the rewards of volunteerism, and participate in special activities and business competitions. 

• Community Service Award – The goal of Enactus is to apply students’ knowledge of financial literacy, success skills, market economics, ethics, and entrepreneurship to community needs. The local team collaborates with Interlakes Community Action Partnership to offer volunteer income tax assistance to low-income tax clients at no charge. After the local Jaycee chapter dissolved, Enactus stepped up to sponsor the Halloween haunted house, a community tradition dating back to 1920. The group also hosts a program on campus to teach students about credit and loan management issues.

• Award for Organizational Leadership – The Colleges Against Cancer organization raises cancer awareness by supporting American Cancer Society programs in college and university communities. Community service is stressed through campus events and fund-raising activities at Dakota State University such as Purple 101 Week, DSU Kickin’ Cancer, Hands of Hope, and many others. 

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