Dennis Hedge had a fresh beginning in the new year as he moved from acting dean to the official position of Dean of the College of Pharmacy at SDSU.

“We have a great tradition of academic excellence associated with our pharmacy degree program, and maintaining that excellence will always be a priority,” said Hedge.

Hedge had been working as the acting dean since July 2008 and moved to dean on Dec. 22. Hedge takes the place of Brian Kaatz, who moved to the University of South Dakota to become Dean of the School of Health and Sciences.

“Seeing what Dr. Hedge has done as assistant dean and acting dean for the pharmacy program, we know we can look forward to great things from him in the future,” said Christina Christopher, senior pharmacy student at SDSU.

“Working with Dean Hedge has been great,” said Jolene Landmark, senior secretary of pharmaceutical sciences. “He’s very approachable with any issue, and I believe he will make an excellent dean.”

The dean provides leadership to the College of Pharmacy by working with students, faculty, staff, alumni, administrators and others at SDSU and across the nation to make the pharmacy program the best that it can be. The dean works to educate and ensure that faculty under the College of Pharmacy are doing their best to educate, as well as conduct research and provide service to the public.

“A goal is to elevate the college’s identity both nationally and internationally via an expanding research program and increased scholarship,” said Hedge.

Still, the new dean does not plan to overhaul the whole pharmacy program.

“I do not anticipate major changes [for the pharmacy department]. From an organizational standpoint within the college, a few changes will occur to enhance our overall efficiency in conducting business,” said Hedge.

The College of Pharmacy has been relocated in recent months to the Intramural Building as they await the completion of the Avera Health and Science Center, which is currently under construction. Hedge said that with the completion of the center, the college will at last have a first-class educational home where they can continue to grow. The $51 million Avera Health and Science Center is expected to open in fall 2010.

“With completion of the Avera Health and Science Center, you will see larger pharmacy degree programs, class sizes and a growing doctorate degree program in pharmacy,” said Hedge. “We will also initiate work to elevate our identity on both a national and international stage.”

Hedge began his career at SDSU as the head of the department of pharmacy practice, a position he held for five years. He was promoted to associate dean one year prior to becoming the dean.

Hedge graduated with a doctoral degree in pharmacy in 1991 from the University of Kansas. Afterwards, he completed a clinical pharmacy residency at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Mo.

#1.882019:2800523384.JPG:DSC_0008.JPG:Recently appointed Pharmacy Dean Dennis Hedge speaks during the White Coat Ceremony on Jan 23.:Ethan Swanson

SDSU, in partnership with Avera Health, held the first annual Research Symposium in Brookings on Jan. 13. The event was organized by the Avera – SDSU Health Sciences Advisory Board.

“I believe the symposium laid the foundation for several collaborative projects between Avera Health and South Dakota State University that can enhance healthcare education and improve the health of citizens in the region,” said Dean Dennis Hedge of the College of Pharmacy.

The symposium was held at Shamrock Hall, with about 120 people in attendance. It included guest speakers from both SDSU and Avera Health. Topics discussed were the latest genetics technology, research and chemical technology and the Human Performance Research Alliance. There were also discussions on e-medicine and rural healthcare.

“The research symposium helped to bring to light and to highlight the research being done by SDSU and Avera Health and to explore more areas for their collaboration,” said Daryl Thuringer, director of marketing and public relations for Avera Health.

During the symposium, there was an opportunity for those registered to attend the breakout sessions of genomics, translational research, movement science and telemedicine.

“We have a wide range of research going on, from human genomics, behavioral health and pharmacology to exploring new and innovative ways to deliver medicine in a rural state,” said Thuringer.

The research symposium was sponsored by the College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, College of Arts and Sciences and College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Plans for a second annual symposium are already in the works for next winter. Next year’s event will possibly be held in Sioux Falls.

Living on campus is a key element in the college experience, but sooner or later the time comes when students need to begin the search for off campus housing.

“I feel that it is easier to move off campus at semester time, instead of at the end of the year,” said Molly Paterson who is a sophomore dairy science manufacturing student at SDSU. “I’ve found that it is best to have a group of people who all want to live together already set up before you begin looking for a place.”

The first step toward living off campus is to decide when to begin the search.

“Some students start looking right now, but I suggest not starting until December at the very earliest,” said SDSU Off-Campus Housing Coordinator Andrew Walters. “Complexes won’t really know what they will have available until next year, so by beginning to search sometime next semester is the best choice for students.”

“When I was a sophomore, I started looking for off-campus housing in February and had no problem finding a nice apartment by the end of the school year,” said Lindsay Schultz, senior human development and family studies major. “People said that we had begun our search way too early, but we found what we were looking for by looking in the newspaper and by driving around.”

The next step would be to visit the off-campus housing Web site located through the Student Affairs link on the SDSU Web site, or simply through studentaffairs.sdstate.edu/StudentUnion/och.htm. Students can also get in contact with Off-Campus Housing by stopping by Information Exchange in The Union.

This Web site includes information from the off-campus housing office concerning available housing, the annual fair, the educational series on housing and information about the Americans with Disabilities Act compliancy.

Living off campus can be an intimidating experience with all of the options that are available but knowing which type of living arrangement works best is the trick to making that intimidating experience into a no-sweat situation.

“Places that are mainly available to students are apartments, houses, duplexes, some triplexes and a few mobile homes,” said Walters.

Another decision to make when thinking about living off-campus concerns whether to live alone or with roommates.

“People usually have people lined up to live with before they begin looking for a place to live,” said Walters. “We get some people who want to live alone, but for the most part, students chose to have roommates.”

When it comes to looking at units, knowing what to expect from them is key. Questions concerning washing and drying units, dishwashers, refrigerators, stove tops, microwavable units, parking spaces and in some situations, if pets are allowed are common questions that are asked by students.

“Really, it all depends on what you’re looking for,” said Walters. “One of the biggest questions that students need to ask about is if the landlord pays the utilities.”

Walters also warned students to be informed.

“I suggest looking over the lease before signing,” said Walters. “Do an inspection of the complex with your landlord and make a list of things that need fixing. Look at the overall condition of the unit before you make a commitment to live in it.”

Overall, many students enjoy the experience of having their own place.

“The hassles with living off campus for me have been walking to class and having to buy my own food, but the cheap rent has definitely made up for the hassles,” said Mallory Lambrecht, a junior animal science major. “It is really nice to have more storage for my stuff and to have a bigger living area. You don’t feel like you’re trapped in a little cube like you do when you live in the dorms.”

Off-Campus Housing will be hosting its annual fair on Feb. 4, 2009, in the Lewis and Clark room in The Union from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. During the day, numerous local reality companies will be available to answer questions and inform students on available options.

A celebration was held on Oct. 17 for the dedication and ribbon cutting of The Wellness Center.

“Today is a very momentous day,” said Alex Halbach, the 2006-2007 Students’ Association president who helped develop the building plans and worked closely with SDSU administration and faculty.

“Without the support of everyone gathered here, we wouldn’t be in the position that we are, with looking forward towards the future and looking toward continuing to develop SDSU, and make it a wonderful place to be at,” Halbach said.

The program included various speakers who have contributed to the success of the Wellness Center. Guests included SDSU Administration, Students’ Association presidents from the past four years, representatives from the Board of Regents, the city of Brookings and EAPC Architects. Tours were given after the dedication, a ribbon cutting was held and a luncheon was provided.

“I believe this building will always be a symbol of what student vision and initiation, hard work and responsibility can accomplish,” said former SDSU President Peggy Gordon Miller in a statement that was read by Halbach.

The concept of the Wellness Center has been in process for nearly 15 years. It was created through the desire for more fitness and exercise opportunities for the SDSU campus and for the community of Brookings.

When 2005-2006 Students’ Association President Ryan Brunner came into office, he had an initiative for this project, and through voting to increase student credit hours by $2.75, this dream of a student wellness center became a reality.

After the project was underway with a $6 million budget, Brunner and the Students’ Association discovered that would not be enough. A petition was started, and after 2,800 students had signed the petition for more funding for this project, the future of the SDSU Wellness Center was looking brighter and brighter.

Through the efforts and petitioning of Brunner, the Students’ Association and the students of SDSU, the $12.1 million dollar Wellness Center went from idea to reality.

“Today we celebrate the future, and what a bright future it will be,” said Brunner. “Because of the collaborative efforts of those who helped with this project, SDSU will be a great Division I university in the future.”

When Alex Brown came into the position of president of the 2007-2008 Students’ Association, it was all about making decisions and getting his hands dirty. Brown and others went to the North Dakota State University and the University of Minnesota, Mankato campuses to tour their wellness facilities and see how they could develop SDSU’s facility.

“It was excitement from beginning to end,” said Brown. “To see the building as a shell, envision where the office spaces would be, it was truly exciting.

“So many people have helped make this dream a reality: the state of South Dakota, the Board of Regents, the SDSU Foundation, the city of Brookings, President Chicoine, all of the senators and student leaders and everyone else who helped. I just can’t thank you enough,” he said.

Alan Dostert, president of EAPC Architects, concluded that this was a good and exciting project to work on because of the people involved with SDSU.

“This project, when it’s all said and done, is a collection of brick and mortar,” said Dostert. “But this program has a greater good for students, not just on the academic side, but on the total health and wellness, which is something that will stick with them for the rest of their lives. ? We were very happy to be a part of this.”

“I have extreme gratitude to the students of SDSU,” said Brown. “This building is a testament to the power of student leadership and their desire. This is something that students wanted, and now they have it. Today, as always, is a great day to be a Jackrabbit.”

#1.882323:2373001666.jpg:Wellness.Center.COURTESY.PR.CMYK.jpg:The new Wellness Center was dedicated on Oct. 17.:Courtesy of University Relations

“The Philadelphia Story is a wonderful look in the lives of the rich and fabulous during a time in our nation’s history when being rich was the fun thing to do.” said Geoffrey Nixon, a senior theater and speech education major.

The timeless tale of love found, and love befuddled comes to SDSU Oct. 15 to 19 through the classic play, The Philadelphia Story.

“There are so many wonderful moments in this play,” said Callie Hisek, director of The Philadelphia Story, “I saw the movie when I was 10 years old, and it became my favorite. After reading the play, I completely fell in love with it and when presented the opportunity to direct a play here at SDSU, I knew this was the one.”

The play is set in 1939 outside of Philadelphia, at the Lord Estate where Tracy Lord lives as a young, wealthy socialite. Tracy is engaged to George Kittredge, but when Tracy’s ex-husband C.K. Dexter Haven shows up, things get a little crazy, especially after the arrival of a newspaper reporter named Mike Conner. After some comedic events occur, Tracy finds herself in trouble: three men, and only one Tracy.

“When it came to the auditions, I looked to see whose personalities matched the best with the characters. This show requires comedy and class, and we needed actors who fit these descriptions,” said Hisek.

The cast includes Cori Bortnem, who plays Tracy Lord, Jake Windish in the role of Mike Conner the reporter, Jason Yapp who plays the fiancé, George Kittredge, and the part of the ex-husband, C.K. Dexter Haven, is played by Pierce Humke.

The plot may be about love, and the inability of Tracy to pick a man, but this play also includes Tracy’s family issues and the comedy that comes with having sisters, uncles and extended family.

“I play the dirty uncle that everyone wishes they had,” said Geoffrey Nixon, who plays the part of Uncle Will Tracy, “Uncle Willie provides the show with a certain amount of fun and comic relief, and I like to think that I do the same in my life.”

Tickets for the show can be purchased through the Audience Service Office. SDSU students are free with their student ID. The show runs from Oct. 15 through Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Doner Auditorium. A matinee of the production can be seen on Oct. 19 at 2 p.m.

#1.882334:768117336.jpg:DSC_0139.jpg:Allison Weiland applys makeup prior to rehearsal of The Philadelphia Story.:Ethan Swanson

Going green has been a trend this past year, but SDSU is taking that trend and making it a way of life.

“Prior to April, recycling of paper and similar products was done strictly in offices, and there was no recycling offered to the public,” said Jane Hegland, acting dean of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences and department head of Design, Merchandising and Consumer Sciences.

Hegland, who has been assisting in the recycling restoration, is a founding member of Project Sustainability, a recycling program created in spring 2008 to help increase awareness and use of recycling on campus. It has yielded ten recycling bins: two sets of two bins on the lower and main floors of the NFA, as well as two bins in the breezeway of the Rotunda. In one bin, paper products can be disposed of and in the other, cans.

“When we started Project Sustainability, we had three goals in mind,” said Hegland. “The first goal was to raise awareness amongst students at SDSU and increase their interest in it. The second goal was to target food systems, such as ARAMARK and campus dining, and help them start a recycling program in that area. The third goal was to explore ways of bringing recycling programs to campus that would be useful and effective for the SDSU campus.”

To help with maintenance of the recycling program, Project Sustainability has involved seven organizations and clubs that are associated with the NFA building. These include: the American Society of Interior Design, Modern Language Student Organization, Nursing Student Organization, Food Science, Dietetics and Hospitality Club, Apparel Merchandising Association, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Club and the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Club.

“The NFA’s recycling program is a great benefit to both the school and the environment,” said Michelle Ralston, a junior interior design major and president of the SDSU American Society of Interior Design Organization. “It is the students’ effort and awareness of this issue that will make the program successful and cause administration to further implement recycling programs into other areas of the university.”

The process of Project Sustainability includes students recycling their papers and cans in the designated bins in the NFA building or in the designated bins at the Student Union.

“The Union has recycled aluminum cans and plastic bottles near the lower level vending machines since the mid ’90s,” said Jennifer Novotny, the Union Director. “We haven’t maintained a strong and pervasive effort throughout the building until now.”

According to Novotny, bins have been placed near trash can areas throughout The Union, and paper, plastic, aluminum, cardboard and glass can be recycled. This is only a temporary plan; a permanent one is in the works for The Union.

Three times a week, trucks from Cook’s Recycling in Brookings come to campus and collect the materials in the bins and bring them to their recycling facilities.

Hegland hopes that all students understand the true impact that recycling has on the whole world.

“With materials that are recyclable, we are able to give those materials another life. We save a few more trees by recycling paper, we decrease the need to mine aluminum and decrease the need to create glass out of sand. Through recycling, we are extending the life of materials and letting them live again.”

In the future, Project Sustainability hopes to continue expanding the recycling program in The Union and in the residence halls. It also hopes to start new programs in the library and in any other buildings on campus interested in recycling.

Hegland encourages students to pay attention to what they are recycling. It is important to pay attention to the “Do’s and Don’t's of Recycling” that are posted above all of the recycling bins in NFA.

“It’s not very hard at all to recycle,” said Megan Schilling, a sophomore biology major. “I am really glad that SDSU is taking steps to make this program successful and make a difference.”

“We would love to see more student involvement in Project Sustainability,” said Hegland. “It’s important for students to take leadership in this project. Those interested in this project or in starting projects in other buildings are encouraged to participate and get involved.

“Every direction we turn, we’re bumping into green, environmentally friendly efforts,” said Hegland, “Some think that ‘going green’ is a trend, but it is sticking around, and it is important for our campus to get involved and be aware.”

SDSU would not be the same without the Hobo Day traditions, but this year marks a first in Hobo Day history with the Grand Pooba stick being handed from one sister to another.

2008 Grand Pooba Bethany Wuttke, a senior human development and family studies major, followed in the footsteps of her sister, Kelsey, who reigned over last year’s Hobo Day.

“It definitely is a cool experience,” said this year’s Grand Pooba. “It is the first time that anyone can find in Hobo Day history that this has happened. The best part was definitely seeing my mom’s face, because it means so much for the Grand Pooba stick to be handed from my sister to me.”

The position of Grand Pooba includes getting all aspects of the parade in line. To help with all of these duties, seven people are selected to be on the Hobo Day Executive Committee and assist the Grand Pooba.

Duties of the Grand Pooba and the committee include lining up parade day floats, organizing and contacting local high school and college marching bands, driving dignitaries around during the parade, finding security and extra help from students to make the parade run as smoothly and safely as possible, as well as working with alumni relations from SDSU, community members from Brookings and SDSU faculty.

With so many duties and responsibilities, it is no wonder that Wuttke has asked for advice and assistance from her older sister a time or two.

“I have called my sister with endless questions,” Wuttke said. “She lives in Sioux Falls, so it is easy for her to come up to Brookings when I really need her help. It will be nice to have her standing on the corner with me on the day of the parade, as is the tradition to have the previous and current Grand Poobas on the corner on the day of the parade.”

One of the biggest challenges this year has been the parade route, because of the construction on Main Street.

“It has been a challenge, but we’ve worked through it,” said Wuttke. “We had to look at the layout of things and decide what route was best. We’ve worked a lot with the city and made it all work out. The parade is always difficult to start, but once it starts, it is fun to watch it all come together. It is unfortunate that we won’t be able to go downtown as we have in the past because downtown Brookings has such a cool atmosphere, but the parade will go on.”

Wuttke began her involvement with the University Programming Council by volunteering to be on various committees her freshman year and proceeded onto the recreation and travel committee her sophomore year. Her junior year, Wuttke was elected UPC Vice President, and finally, her senior year, she followed in her sister’s footsteps as Hobo Day Grand Pooba.

“I am most looking forward to the parade,” said Wuttke, “the bonfire that we’re bringing back will be a lot of fun too. We’re constantly trying to make these experiences better and more exciting every year. It will be very cool to see how it all turns out.”

#1.882436:4070380676.jpg:Wuttke.Profile.jpg::Ryley Dunn