The SDSU and Brookings communities will be more immersed by the beautification process going on campus wide, aiding in its overall productivity.

The campus master planning and design committee is now working to develop a policy that will allow sculptures to be constructed. Ideally this would allow for the formation and spread of sculptures throughout the campus.

Along with this development, the master planning and design committee, in correlation with Facilities and Services, as well as with many levels of SDSU’s academic community (the Foundation, the Administration and the Student Association to name a few), are working together to promote the aesthetics of the campus.

“Our committee doesn’t like to work in a vacuum,” Civil and Environmental Engineering Department Professor Christopher Schmit said pertaining to decision making. “We want to engage the rest of the academic community.”

Schmit said that the committee is made up of a variety of people. “We have a really good make up. This committee comments on these plans to make sure we are following the master plans of the University and that the elements work,” he said.

“The master planning and design committee is compiled of one student, several faculty members from a variety of colleges, a member from the Athletic Department, the director of the Student Union and the director of the Art Museum,” Schmit said.

Plans to steer SDSU’s current industrial look to an institutional look is underway. These plans include: extensive landscaping, construction of current and future walkways, as well as parking lots, the establishment of new buildings and the renovation of current ones.

Schmit said ultimately there will be a new design standard on campus.

Dean Kattelmann, assistant vice president of facilities and services stated that the main purpose of this construction is to make the campus look more appealing to the SDSU and Brookings community as a whole.

For designing these beautification projects, Facilities and Services hired Confluence, a professional consulting landscape firm in Sioux Falls. Confluence previously aided in the design of the Jackrabbit Green, a project that began in April, 2010, consisting of the green space between The Union, the Wellness Center and the Briggs library.

Kattelmann said funding for these projects is not limited to one source but rather a combination of sources. Many projects are donation-based, while other funding is made possible by using higher education facility funds as well as student tuition funds.

Senior electrical engineering major, Danny Andrawis of Brookings, said he felt as though the beautification of campus is a good thing but dislikes the fact that funding for such projects comes out of student tuition.

“I’m paying for it and I’m not going to get to see it,” Andrawis said. He will be graduating this May.

“Although there is contemplation of what future sculptures there will be, there has been talk of putting Weary Wil and Dirty Lil statues on the north side of The Union,” Schmit said.

Despite Andrawis’ dislike for using student funds, pertaining to the statues he said, “That would be sweet.”

Schmit said it is the President’s vision for SDSU to become a walking campus and because of the increased greenery it is slowly becoming a reality.

#1.1782061:3291373503.png:Beautification-2-BW-Ryan-Robinson.png:The Jackrabbit Village is one of many spaces on the SDSU campus included in the campus-wide beautification process. Pictured above is the unfinished fountain centered among the three new residence halls. Future plans will be to work on the campus green north of the Union.:Collegian Photo by Ryan Robinson

The Tinder Box incorporates philosophy within their lyrics to bring individual meaning, diversified music and a sense of belonging to listeners.

“World Peace,” Dual vocalist Chad Konrad jokingly answered when asked what he hopes the music of The Tinder Box will bring to the world.

Music alone has the capability to touch hearts where walls guard, inspire minds once distraught and bring solace to troubled souls. But can music alone bring world peace? To what capacity is it able?

Throughout my encounters with various musicians I have found inspiration to believe that hope for such a cause does exist within the lyrics. Within the chosen words, one is able to find tranquility amongst even the most bittersweet realizations that lyrics unveil.

Chad Konrad, Jon Wallner and Dominic Osterloh, all SDSU students, enhance each other’s musical creativity by living, practicing and performing together as The Tinder Box. While each contribute different instrumental variety, they breathe as one, harmonizing to create the sounds of combined Folk Rock and Blues Grass Folk.

The band’s current line up started about a year ago when they came to find one another through mutual friends as well as their mutual interest in music. Prior to The Tinder Box all three musicians had been in different bands.

The band’s unique name has an equally unique beginning. While working for his landlord, Konrad came across an old German style fairy tale in the old children’s room. The fairy tale, one of Hans Christian Anderson, was titled The Tinder Box. Finding the story rather intriguing, the name “The Tinder Box’ was born.

Wallner and Konrad began harmonizing together, and with the addition of Osterloh on the banjo, located the aspired sound they visualized and what they currently are working towards enhancing.

Mutually writing all original lyrics to their songs, The Tinder Box acquires their inspiration from philosophy.

“We don’t want to be that band that just sits and writes about love songs and heartbreak,” Konrad said, “The new EP [Extended Play CD] that we have coming out is all about mid-west philosophy.”

With all three growing up in South Dakota, the main focus pertaining to the inspiration is to portray to listeners the struggles that entail with living here, while emphasizing that within their battle with Midwest philosophy, they are not alone.

Their new concept album, These Winds, is currently in the mixing process and will most likely come out in late November or early December of this year.

The Tinder Box has passionately been working on These Winds, tripping down to a studio located in Eudora, Kan., a suburb of Kansas City. While in Eudora, Konrad, Wallner and Osterloh had the opportunity to work with an engineer/producer at Black Lodge Studios, who is mixing their music.

The band members are extremely excited for the release of their CD, hoping it will allow people to listen to their music and spread it to others.

“It’s not really fair to expect people to buy them from us if they don’t know our sound yet. We really want people to listen to our music more than make money off of it,” Konrad said.

Although recently in the shadows, The Tinder Box says come Spring 2011, shows will begin to flourish. They are in the process of working towards putting on a show with Avian Sunrise, another local band.

“I really want people to interpret what is meaningful to you and what you can take from it that is positive in your life,” said Wallner, hoping their lyrics will touch the hearts of listeners.

Osterloh hopes their music will help listeners to understand the need for diversity.

“We have a different sound [trumpet and banjo]. I just want, when people listen, to find appreciation for all types of music,” Osterloh said.

Through the lyrics, Konrad wants people to come to the realization that we, as humans, are all part of the grander scheme of life.

“[To] let people know that they are one person and there are plenty of people that can relate with you,” Konrad said about writing lyrics. “That’s why I make my lyrics interpretable, so people can interpret and relate to each other. [We] need to realize that we are not so different. In reality we are all the same race, we are all the same species and … World Peace.”

We humans are not so different, spoken from true creative minds. The Tinder Box, if not convinces, enlightens people on the fact that music can bring about bliss.

More information about upcoming shows or general interesting facts can be found at The Tinderbox’s Facebook page.

The South Dakota Art Museum, in conjunction with former Brookings residents Lynn and Diane Anderson, celebrated the dedication of the newly constructed Anderson Plaza to honor their daughter, Brooke Anderson.

“It was a beautiful fall day, the weather was beautiful, it was a good turnout. It was a nice event,” said Jeanne Manzer, information supervisor of University Relations, speaking on the Oct. 22 dedication ceremony.

In June of 2005, Brooke Anderson, 1997 Brookings High School graduate and University of Illinois graduate, passed away due to cardiac arrhythmia.

Landscape architect and Lance Meyerink, owner of Groundwater, Inc., designed the 5,500 square-foot plaza.

Meyerink, of Sioux Falls, worked with SDSU Facilities and Services to create the plaza and its surrounding scenery, which consists of a 2,700 square-foot paved area, various greenery and eight benches dedicated on behalf of Brooke’s 1997 graduating class and members of the Anderson family.

“We are ecstatic to have the Anderson Plaza as part of the museum grounds. It will be a place for contemplation and conversation for visitors,” said SDAM director, Lynn Verschoor, in a press release.

President David Chicoine and SDAM Board of Trustees member and artist Dorothy Morgan were among the speakers during the event.

In 1986, the Anderson’s moved to Brookings, where Diane became actively involved with the SDAM. She spent a great deal of time volunteering for the art museum as well as for the art-in-the-schools program. Since the mid-1990s Diane has served as a museum board member.

Out of appreciation to the museum and its hard working staff, the Anderson’s aspired to give back. The dedication of the Anderson Plaza fulfilled their desire to not only honor the SDAM, but to honor their daughter’s memory as well.

SDAM Marketing Specialist, Dianne Hawks acknowledged the help of SDSU fraternity Delta Chi. Hawks said the fraternity volunteers their time to SDAM assisting with receptions and various other events put on by the museum.

Jason Mack, senior business economics major and Delta Chi treasurer says that the fraternity has a long time relationship with SDAM and that he fully enjoys his time spent volunteering there.

“The people are really nice, they joke with us, and I really enjoy it,” Mack said.

The Anderson Plaza is currently still under construction and has plans for future landscaping. The Anderson’s hope the SDSU and Brookings communities will utilize this new development to their benefit, essentially as a place to gather for receptions, celebrations and presentations.

#1.1743589:1104597843.png:Anderson Plaza 11-03-2010 78:The newly dedicated Anderson Plaza will be used for outdoor events and presentations. Currently there are plans for additional landscaping.:Collegian Photo by Rachelle Sather

The International Relations Council, formerly known as International Relations Club is the only umbrella organization that oversees smaller organizations, with the goal of working together on campus.

International students from 66 countries across the world are currently represented by IRC. Of those 66 countries, IRC takes responsibility in overseeing four main sub clubs: Chinese Students’ Scholars Association, Nepali Students’ Association, Indian Students’ Association, and African Students’ Association.

This fall, SDSU had the opportunity to greet approximately 500 international students from the 66 different countries represented. Of those 500, nearly 400 students are actively involved with IRC throughout the school year, keeping busy organizing events and voicing opinions.

International Relations Coordinator, Lin Lin, emphasizes the fact that IRC wants to create an increased welcoming atmosphere for the international students as well as the domestic students here on campus. A misconception regarding IRC is that participation within the council, as well as the festivities, are limited solely to international students.

“If you are talking about international relations in regards to meeting new people, it seems like segregating,” said Ely Madden, junior transfer student and english major. “A lot of people focus on the differences between people when we should focus on them as human beings. We are all human beings.”

IRC takes pride in welcoming everybody as a community and as human beings, highlighting the importance of full diversity.

“I’m very excited for the increasing international population. More and more countries are representing the SDSU campus … this is great,” Lin Lin said.

IRC, concerning future achievements, hopes to not only inform the public about the importance of diversity, but also to find innovative techniques essential for helping international students with their transitions to SDSU.

Beginning last semester IRC created numerous workshops to benefit students. Such workshops cover topics pertaining to healthcare and future career paths.

Vice President and senior visual arts major, Devanshu Narang, of Chandigarh, India is working alongside fellow IRC members in finding ways to ultimately benefit international and domestic students as a whole. He said he hopes that IRC allows for a growth of common ground between all students.

IRC in association with the four sub clubs have been dedicating an abundance of time to put together educational festivities, essential opportunities for the SDSU, as well as the Brookings community, to better enlighten themselves about different cultures.

International Relations Night, IRC’s upcoming event and annual tradition, gives international students the opportunity to inform SDSU about their culture using cuisine as a medium. By doing so, IRC hopes to unite people from all cultural backgrounds.

International Relations Night is Nov. 7, starting at 6 p.m., in the Volstorff Ballroom of The Union. The event features a buffet style dinner and a diversity showcase presented by students. Singing, dancing and a fashion show are among the entertainment offered.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for kids (10 and under) and $7 for SDSU students (ID required).

“It’s going to be a great event (International Night). We had a full house last year. If you don’t come to this you will be missing out on a great college experience,” Narang said.

Madden, plans to attend the upcoming International Night.

“Generally speaking it’s good to expose people to these things [International Night]. It’s a great way to break the tension barrier between cultures,” Madden said. “It’s a good conduit to introduce.”

IRC welcomes volunteers. For further information regarding International Relations Council or International Relations Night please contact IRC President, Nardos Asfaw at nardos.asfaw@jacks.sdstate.edu or Vice President Devanshu Narang at devanshunarang@yahoo.com.

#1.1717739:3893883798.png:international-1-web.png:From left to right, Zhao Lee, Mayumi Morioka, Ladan Bahmani, Christophina Lynch, Shirin Pourafshar, Can Yang, Sun-hyeong Kim and Jeehee Ryu take time out of last year?s International Relations Night festivities for a group shot.:Submitted photo by Mayumi Morioka
#1.1717743:3516583763.png:international-2-web.png:Front Row: Mayumi Morioka, Yuko Yoshii, Kanako Watanabe, and Minae Takahashi. Back Row: Yudai Kumano, Shogo Eguchi, Nobuyuki Izawa and Yuto Fujikawa.:Collegian photo by Yuko Yoshii

A recent addition to Brookings dining, Taste of Europe, opened April 30, introducing the community to a variety of cultural experiences.

The manager of the new restaurant is Susanne Nuemann, originally from Munich, Germany and is a former recipient of the “5-Star-Diamond Award” from the Donald Trump Academy of Hospitality. She works with SDSU students and offers authentic cuisine created by chefs Matthew Reif, Mitch Miller and Adam Wehrkamp.

Sophomore global studies major, Daniel Howard, said he thoroughly enjoyed the dining experience at Taste of Europe.

“It’s probably one of the best meals I’ve had in South Dakota for sure. It’s very authentic and just good,” Howard said. “These people obviously know what they’re doing.”

Chef and senior hospitality management major, Matthew Reif prepares and creates dishes from scratch to satisfy personal cravings.

Taste of Europe offers a variety of meat and vegetarian dishes, as well as gluten-free options. Imported beer and fine wine are available as well. The restaurant has a fine-dining atmosphere inspired by creative artwork, though Nueman emphasizes that “[We] welcome everyone … no suit or tie is required.”

Taste of Europe creates an environment to take time and enjoy conversation over several hours, without feeling overwhelmed by expensive prices.

Reif said, “[People] have the perception that it’s expensive, but it’s not.”

Dinner menu prices range from $5 for a bowl of Oma’s Huehnertopf, which is a white chicken vegetable medley noodle soup, to a more expensive option of Filet Mignon, $24. Appetizers, specialty platters, sides, desserts and drinks are also features on the menu.

Not only is it a place to eat, but Taste of Europe incorporates entertainment into the dining experience by hosting live music every Friday and Saturday night; typically Jazz. Nuemann encourages and welcomes all styles of musicians to come entertain. Any level of musical talent is welcome.

Nuemann hopes to incorporate an SDSU open-mic night once a month to all students. A grand piano is furnished in the restaurant and is available to use, though Nuemann encourages musicians to bring personal instruments.

Taste of Europe provides free birthday desserts and reservation rooms for special occasions.

SDSU students receive 10 percent off of all menu items with their student ID.

The restaurant is located at the entrance of Indian Hills Galleria Plaza, south on Main Avenue. It prepares European-style food from Italy, France, Germany and England. The restaurant is open daily except for Mondays, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

For more information or to make a reservation, call (605) 691-0866 or email at taste.of.europe@hotmail.com. The restaurant is also on Facebook.

#1.1655422:2187411948.jpg:The new restaurant in town, Taste of Europe, brings the culture of Europe to the Brookings community:The new restaurant in town, Taste of Europe, brings the culture of Europe to the Brookings community with the atmosphere of fine dining and European music, all without having to wear formalwear.:Collegian Photo by Brittany Canales

Resources and services to the Brookings community are provided by Hilton M. Briggs Library, which works in conjunction with the Brookings Public Library.

Both libraries offer study spaces and meeting rooms. Both libraries offer technology including copy machines, printers, computer labs with the Internet and WiFi.

“We encourage all students to come and get library cards,” said Allison Tappan, manager of the Brookings Public Library Circulation.

Both the libraries are part of the South Dakota Library Network. They work with one another by sharing resources. One example of this is if a library user is unable to find a particular resource at one library, the staff will work to find it together.

Students are able to access materials at Briggs by using their student ID card and do not need a library card. The Brookings Public Library cards are free and can be obtained by any member of Brookings County. One form of ID is necessary to be issued a card, as well as proof of residency.

“We often get the comment that this is a nice library with friendly, knowledgeable staff,” said Elizabeth Fox, digital information and service librarian at Briggs Library.

Sophomore biology and pre-chiropractic major, Isaiah Crevieh makes an effort to go to Briggs Library at least twice a week.

He said the online assistance provided by the library’s website is extremely helpful and he often uses its computers and printers.

“Customer service is really good,” said Crevieh. “There is always someone available to help.”

Both libraries offer staff to help with questions.

Nancy Marshall, professor and distance information services librarian and Briggs, said the staff tries to be helpful and welcoming to students.

“We hope that students recognize that we are available to them,” Marshall said.

Both libraries offer coffee shops, stocked with snacks as well as beverages for sale. Food for Thought on the main level of Briggs is a recent addition added last year; the Public Library houses Mango Tree Coffee, located on the second level.

The Public Library houses many extra programs including the summer reading programs, intended for all ages, book clubs and musical performances.

The Brookings Public Library offers a wider range of fiction than Briggs but both offer nonfiction and periodicals.

Both libraries highly encourage people to stop by and utilize the services offered.

“(The students) provide the interesting part of our job,” Fox said.

Briggs Library hours:

Monday-Friday: 7:45-12:00 a.m.

Saturday: 1-9 p.m

Sunday: 1-12 p.m.

Brookings Public Library hours

Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Students can also access them

through their websites:

http://lib.sdstate.edu and http://www.brookingslibrary.org

#1.1641268:3649592083.jpg: Briggs Library on campus and the Brookings Public Library.:A variety of tools lie at student?s disposal when one considers the easy access students have to both the Briggs Library on campus and the Brookings Public Library. :Collegian Photo by Aaron Stoneberger

A solo monologue theater opportunity fell in the hands of an SDSU student to help celebrate the 130-year-anniversary of the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Kimberly Graff, an English secondary education major, was requested to take on a role that would leave her solely in the limelight by Chief Financial Officer Wes Tschetter. On behalf of Theater Director J.D. Ackman, Graff accepted the request to portray Dora Donald, a former superintendent of South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, in a solo monologue.

Graff was chosen to take on the role for multiple reasons, Tschetter said. She is finishing her senior year and was chosen because of her talent as an actress, along with her high maturity level.

“I needed someone to do this … Someone who will enjoy doing this. I feel as though she is the right person,” Tschetter said.

The performance will last about 10 minutes and correlates with the school’s 130-year-anniversary this year. Donald headed the school for its primary years and was a key founder in the school’s motto of “visions of a brighter tomorrow through education.”

The event is on Sept. 23 at 5 p.m., at the Buffalo Ridge Resort and Business Center in Gary, the original location of the School for the Blind where Donald walked the halls years ago. It will be presented to the South Dakota Board of Regents, though open to the public as well.

Donald is remembered for her role as the first superintendent of the first school for the blind and visually impaired in South Dakota, established in 1900. The school has a long history of support and service to public education and has been under the Board of Regents jurisdiction since 1945. Originally located in Gary until 1945, the school is now in Aberdeen.

Graff said that many have influenced her as an artist but her high school theater director Phyllis Schrag was the one who told her to “just go for it.” Graff followed those words of wisdom, which encouraged her to accept the request and perform the monologue.

“If you ever want to try out for a show, just try it,” she said regarding theater. “It’s not as scary as it looks.”

Graff, 21, from Humboldt, has exceeded her own words of advice and is heavily involved with the theater department.

Graff said the job opportunities for theater students are limited, many of which do not offer actual jobs. To partake in this opportunity would allow for a professional, positive experience.

Graff said the theatre staff is welcoming, especially Directors of Theatre, J.D. Ackman and Ray Peterson. Peterson, who has directed Graff in four shows at SDSU, describes her as being extremely passionate for theatre.

“She is one of the theatre students who comes with a wide range of talent … she is a joy to watch from the time she enters the stage to the time she leaves,” Peterson said.

Senior visual arts major, Devanshu Narang has known Graff since his freshmen year. Narang, 21, said she has an enthusiastic personality.

“She’s a pretty happy person … she is very helpful, accommodating and loves to interact with people.”

Aside from the normal routine of school, Graff keeps busy taking on various roles within the Prairie Repertory Theatre. Currently, she is playing nine separate roles for the theatre’s comedy, Leaving Iowa.

Hoping to incorporate theater into her major, Graff encourages underclassmen to participate and finds Capers to be a good starting point to get involved.

#1.1599831:3751679127.jpg:Honoring South Dakota?s School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Kimberly Graff.:Honoring South Dakota?s School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Kimberly Graff will entertain audience with a ten minute monologue.:Collegian photo by Rachelle Sather