After visiting with several SDSU graduates about their experiences at SDSU, I realized that SDSU students have changed little in 125 years. Although the SDSU environment is drastically different (one building on campus has grown to over 80 buildings), students continue to pull pranks, work hard, and study.

Many of us college students strive to get an education to change the world or become happier. V.J. Smith’s book, “The Richest Man in Town,” shows that an education, money, or an attractive appearance are not needed to make a difference.

The book is a true story about Smith’s relationship with a Wal-Mart cashier named Marty, short for Aaron Martinson.

After ringing up the sale, Marty would shake the Wal-Mart customer’s hand and flash a warming smile. When a customer had a concern or problem, Marty would truly listen to the person, instead of “faking his concern.”

Marty grew up during tough times. He left school in the ninth grade to work for a traveling carnival. At the age of 18, Marty was drafted. He fought in the Philippines during WWII.

Throughout his life, Marty went through financial problems. However, that never stopped him from enjoying life.

Marty felt that relationships were the most important aspect of life. Through helping and caring for others, he found true enjoyment in life.

Although Marty never finished high school, earned high wages, or walked on the “Red Carpet,” he became well-known throughout the community because of his generosity and thoughtfulness. He was the grand marshal for the Brookings Festival of Lights Parade, won the national Wal-Mart Hero Award, and received more than 400 get-well cards while he was ill.

“The Richest Man in Town” is brilliantly written. Throughout the book, Marty reminded me of different people in my life who have went beyond the norm to help me. The book was so real that it forced me to step back and reevaluate my priorities. Fame and fortune will not allow you to make a difference in others’ lives. A simple handshake, friendly smile, and hug can go a long way in the world.

Smith, the Executive Director for the SDSU Alumni Association, also helped write “The College on the Hill.” Smith has been a professional speaker for ten years.

“The Richest Man in Town” can be purchased at the University bookstore.

For the past two-and-a-half years, Kimberly Harer has played an essential role in bringing entertainment to the South Dakota State University campus.

Harer has been the University Program Council president for the past two school years. During the 2003-04 school year, Harer was the UPC Lectures and Forums coordinator.

Harer, a fifth-year biology and microbiology, pre-med major, volunteered for UPC during her freshman and sophomore years.

“I truly enjoyed being a part of the organization, so when the Recreation and Travel coordinator asked me to apply for a coordinating position, I jumped at the opportunity,” said Harer.

Harer received the Lectures and Forums position. As the Lectures and Forums coordinator, Harer was given the tasks of bringing Martin Luther King III and an AIDS awareness speaker to campus.

“Watching thousands of my fellow students attend an event, knowing that I helped make it possible?the feeling is absolutely amazing,” said Harer.

Through UPC, Harer has met many artists, including Everclear, Phantom Planet, various Real Word participants, and Mark Wills.

Harer also said that UPC is a great r

The University Program Council’s events for next semester vary from a national band to Winter Formal to a Breast Cancer Awareness Week.

“Whether students help with the events or just attend the programs, we encourage all students to get involved,” said Kimberly Harer, UPC president.

To get involved with UPC, stop in at their office in the Union, attend a UPC meeting or call 688-5524.

Children’s Miracle Network

The CMN Dance Marathon is an annual event in which students who raise $100 or more for CMN can participate. This year’s dance marathon will take place Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. The event, themed “A Night with the Stars,” will include concerts, games, dancing and free food and beverages. Participants will have the opportunity to meet some of the families that are personally affected by CMN.

“It is important for students to get involved in CMN.” said Ashley McIntosh, CMN coordinator. “Students not only get the chance to help children and families in need, but also get the opportunity to provide a positive influence.”

Dancer packets are available at the UPC office.

Winter Formal

The annual Winter Formal will take place at the Brookings Inn Feb. 24. The event is comprised of a limousine ride, dinner and a dance. The Pavillion will cater the dinner.

The formal gives SDSU students a chance to show off their elegant styles and have fun in an off-campus setting. The event has sold out for the past two years.

Volunteers are needed to help plan, promote and decorate.

Caricature Artist

To celebrate SDSU’s 125th anniversary, a caricature artist will draw students’ pictures for free. The event will take place Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Union. Paper to have the pictures drawn on will be provided.

Mechanical Bull Showdown

For those that are seeking the danger and thrill of mechanical bull riding, UPC will hold a mechanical bull showdown April 20 in the Volstorff Ballroom of the Union.

“The event will feature a little competition to see who is the best mechanical bull rider on the campus of SDSU,” said Nick Fosheim, UPC recreation and travel coordinator.

The day may also consist of a dance and western wear contest. Detailed information will be available in the spring.

Jack White

An internationally-renowned pool trick shot artist will visit the SDSU campus on March 14.

Whilte will hold a two-hour presentation of different pool tricks. Later on, students will be given the opportunity to challenge White to a game of pool.

Fifteen seniors finished their SDSU football careers with a 30-14 victory against Northern Colorado on Nov. 19. Through the last four years, the football team has had a 25-18 record.

“This will be a huge loss to our football program because of what they brought to the team,” said Head Football Coach John Stiegelmeier. “The senior class was a picture of what we expect from our players. They served leadership roles on and off the field.”

Stiegelmeier said the senior class averaged a GPA above 3.0. Mitch Klein, a senior free safety, has maintained a 4.0 GPA. Klein was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District First Team for two years. John Perry, a senior safety, earned academic All-Great West Football Conference and was an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Second Team honoree in 2004. Mike Murphy, a senior kicker and safety, is a Briggs scholar.

On the field, the senior football players have also succeeded. Josh Davis, a senior wide receiver, holds the SDSU record for career pass receptions. As a redshirt freshman, Davis captured the single-game receiving record. In his junior year, Davis was named to the first team All-North Central Conference Team and led the league in reception yards per game. Senior offensive guard Paul Keizer earned all-conference honors in 2003 and 2004. Other seniors have earned second team and honorable mention All-Great West Football Conference honors.

Every senior has played a role on the team.

“Football is really a team sport,” said Stiegelmeier. “It isn’t ‘this guy’ or ‘that guy.’”

Throughout the past four or five years, the seniors have really gotten to know each other.

“It’s amazing how close you get with a group of guys,” said Keizer. “What I’ll miss most is not being able to step on the field with them day in and day out.”

“I’ve had so many memories with the senior class,”said senior cornerback Hank McCall. “No matter what was going on as far as our record, we always had fun.”

The senior class has had to provide leadership in many situations, including the transition to Division I. The seniors were recruited to play at the Division-II level. However, by their junior year, they were competing at a higher level.

“A lot of people expected us to flounder at the D-I level,” said McCall. “We had added pressure to prove that we would not. As a team, we rose to the challenge by giving 100 percent each week.”

After donning the blue and yellow jerseys together throughout their collegiate careers, each senior will now go his separate way. The team will have to fill the fifteen lost pairs of shoes.

“They’ve brought some really great classes in, and they’re going to do well,” said McCall. “I can’t wait to come back and see this program continue to grow and succeed.”

Try-outs for the annual Cavorts talent show will be held on Wednesdsay, Oct. 5.

Interested applicants can sign-up for tryouts all day Wednesday at the University Program Council office in the Union. Performers ranging from poets to dancers, are encouraged to participate.

“Participating in Cavorts is a good way to get noticed if you are an artist,” said junior Sarah French, the coordinator of Cavorts.

The first place winner will receive $200, second place, $100, and third place $50.

Last year Cavorts filled Doner Auditorium. Students waited in line to purchase tickets.

To avoid long lines, students can purchase tickets at the Information Exchange in the Union prior to the event. The cost is $3 for students and $5 for non-students.

Cavorts has been a Hobo Days tradition for many years.

This year, Cavorts will take place on Oct. 21, the Friday before Hobo Day.

“It is a fun way to see other students and celebrate Hobo Days,” said French.

Climbing trees, tying knots and rappelling at the HPER is not exactly what most people view as a college class.

In John Ball’s one-credit recreational climbing activities class, that is exactly what about 30 students meet once a week to do.

“I needed one credit, and I thought it would be fun,” said Mindy Meagher, a sophomore general studies major.

The students meet once a week during the last eight weeks of the semester, once a week for two hours. In addition, students were given the opportunity to go on field trips to expand their skills. During the class, students learn how to tie different kinds of knots, how to use the rock-climbing equipment and different rock-climbing techniques.

“It’s a great class for someone to gain confidence in their abilities, and it also lets people explore another recreational activity that may become life-long,” Ball said.

Students had the opportunity to take part in a $350 field trip to Devil’s Tower April 23 and 24. The cost of the trip covered housing, transportation, equipment and guides. After practicing, the students ascended Devil’s Tower.

Students also traveled to Dell Rapids and Blue Mounds State Park in Minnesota.

“The best part about the class is the opportunity to step outside of your limits,” said Ashley Wallin, a freshman biology major.

Although some of the students have had prior rock-climbing experience, others have not. Experience is not required because it is a beginer’s class, but students must be in adequate shape to climb about four flights of stairs. Ball said that students must be able to run 1.5 miles in 11 minutes, do 20 push-ups, and 45 sit-ups.

“If I wasn’t in the class, I probably wouldn’t have had the opportunity to experience some of these things,” said Laura Sapp, a sophomore nursing student.

After taking the class, students have enough knowledge about rock-climbing to take up the hobby themselves.

“It’s a great way to get in shape,” Wallin said. “Now I will be able to do it on my own.”

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SDSU performed well at home as they swept NDSU in a three-game series this weekend.Tyson Bothof became the first SDSU pitcher this season to record a nine-inning complete game as the Jacks defeated NDSU 10-1 Saturday. The Jacks came from behind in both games to win 4-3 and 9-6 over the Bison.Bothof, a senior from Green Bay, Wis., improved to 2-4 on the season as he struck out eight. Bothof retired the first nine and last six batters he faced. The Bison’s lone run came in the fifth.Freshman outfielder Nick Adams and red-shirted freshman outfielder Tim Hanigan led the Jacks with three hits each. Adams drove in four runs.SDSU took the lead in the fourth in Sunday’s opener. Senior first baseman Greg Geary drove in the Jackrabbits’ only earned run of the game with a leadoff home run in the fourth. Senior Pat Farrell scored when NDSU misplayed junior Kyle Sytsma’s single. Geary’s home run was his sixth of the season and 39th of his SDSU career. Right-handed junior Gary Olechoski earned the save.The Jacks were out-hit by the Bison 8-6.In the final game of the series, SDSU starter Francisco Torres faced nine batters in the first three innings. NDSU rallied to score five runs in the top of the fourth. Hanigan’s three-run homer in the bottom of the fourth brought SDSU back within one. The Jacks replied in the bottom of the sixth inning by scoring five of their own. Hanigan and Geary led the Jacks with two hits and three RBIs each.Olechoski earned the save again. He now has five on the season.SDSU improved its record to 10-24 for the season, while NDSU fell to 2-28-1. The Jacks face the University of Minnesota at Sioux Falls Stadium at 3 p.m. Wednesday.Mark Ekeland and the Jackrabbits’ seven seniors were honored in the series against NDSU.Ekeland coached SDSU baseball for 20 years, from 1984 to 2004. He posted a career record of 561-345-2 over 20 seasons.His teams captured five North Central Conference Championships and won the 1984 Division II World Series.Ekeland received many personal awards for his coaching efforts. He was voted NCC Coach of the Year five times and the 1984 NCAA Regional Coach of the Year.Ekeland, 53, retired as head baseball coach in 2004 due to his health. He was diagnosed with a liver disease in 1994 and received a liver transplant in 2004He now works as the Intramural Coordinator for Special Projects at SDSU.Saturday was declared Mark Ekeland Day statewide by Gov. Mike Rounds.The seniors recognized on Sunday as part of Senior Day were: Tony Lane, Pat Farrell, Greg Geary, Josh Elliot, Tyson Bothof, Francisco Torres and Tigh Surdez.

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Blue-colored rubber bracelets imprinted with the word “Jackrabbit” will be sold for $2 Thursday, April 14 at Larson Concourse from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The bracelets can also be purchased in the Rotunda Breezeway from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the same day.

“We have not officially decided what we will do with the money raised,” said Jennifer Hasis, president of the Student Athlete Advisory Council. “We might use it for weight room equipment and improvements at the HPER.”

SAAC is a committee made up of two representatives from each of the 20 SDSU varsity sports. The committee meets once a week.

“The major aspect SAAC focuses on is community service work,” Hasis said.

SAAC has done many different community service projects including taking kids to sporting events, collecting toys for needy families at Christmas and tutoring middle school kids.

“Everyone should support this outstanding group of young people,” said Nancy Neiber, Internal Liaison for SAAC.

The 51st annual Jackrabbit Stampede Rodeo will be held Friday, April 8 through Sunday, April 10 at the Brookings Swiftel Center.

Fifty SDSU students and 20 different schools are scheduled to compete. Fifteen schools will be represented with complete teams.

Sophomore Joe Gunderson leads the SDSU team. Gunderson finished ninth in bareback riding at the College Finals last year. This year he is ranked 16th at the professional level. For a short period of time he was sitting in first place. The top 15 in each event at the Jackrabbit Stampede will advance to the professional finals.

SDSU has a number of regional leaders. Logan Schlint from Flandreau and Cullin Wilson from Jamestown, N.D. are ranked first and second in team roping heeling. Becky Schrader and Jackie Murry from Isabel are ranked first and second in goat tying.

SDSU Rodeo Coach Terry McCutcheon encourages everyone to attend.

“We’re an official state school, and rodeo is the official state sport,” McCutcheon said.

Tickets are $11 for adults and $7 for SDSU students with an ID.

The first performance is Friday at 7 p.m. and the second performance is at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Finals are Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The top 10 finishers in each event will be eligible to compete in finals.

McCutcheon said that university clubs that wish to participate in the rodeo can call his office at 688-5774.