South Dakota Board of Regents
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Thursday, June 25, 2004
CONTACT: Janelle Toman, (605) 773-3455

Regents Recognize USD Student Groups

VERMILLION, S.D. – Three student-led organizations at The University of South Dakota were recognized by the South Dakota Board of Regents Friday for academic excellence, community service, and leadership.

“The university is proud to honor three outstanding organizations that demonstrated commitment to outreach in the community and impact beyond the classroom,” said University of South Dakota Dean of Students David Lorenz.

The campus groups receiving regents’ recognition are:

·        Award for Academic Excellence – The Political Science League contributes positively to the academic environment and student performance on campus. The league hosted a death penalty forum, which was attended by nearly 300 students, to hear from experts on both sides of the issue. The group also organized a debate on current issues between student representatives from the College Democrats and College Republicans. The league also works to strengthen relationships among faculty and students in the political science department. 

·        Community Service Award – Students Enhancing Resources for Vermillion Enrichment, or SERVE for short, offers USD students the opportunity to become more involved in their community. The group conducts a variety of programming, including Adopt-a-Grandparent, Adopt-a-School, Big Pal/Little Pal, Caring Corrections, Heroes, and Into-the-Streets. SERVE’s programs help students gain leadership skills through volunteerism, while providing the Vermillion community with valuable services.

·         Award for Organizational Leadership – Pi Sigma Epsilon, a fraternity representing the marketing, sales management, and selling professions, hosted a “Naked Truth” project. It put USD students in contact with companies that might not be considered by job-seeking college graduates. Organizers said students learned from the project and found a wide variety of employment opportunities at these companies. Pi Sigma Epsilon’s 13 members at USD also hosted the group’s Midwest regional convention.

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