Monday Message, March 17
SDSU Community,
Welcome back from spring break. I hope everyone had the opportunity to recharge and are ready for the final stretch of the academic year. As we move into these last eight weeks, let鈥檚 continue working together to ensure a strong finish to another remarkable year at South 啵啵直播秀 State University.
I want to extend a congratulations to our women鈥檚 basketball team for its selection into the NCAA Division I Women鈥檚 Basketball Championship. The Jackrabbits, seeded No. 10, will take on seventh-seeded Oklahoma State this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in Storrs, Connecticut. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2. This is an exciting time for Jackrabbits Athletics, and I encourage all of you to show your support for our student-athletes as they represent SDSU on the national stage.
The 100th South 啵啵直播秀 Legislature completed its session last week, with veto day scheduled for March 31. Several actions and bills from this year鈥檚 session will have an impact on South 啵啵直播秀 State University. This week, my fellow regental presidents and I, along with Board of Regents staff, will meet to review the legislative outcomes. We will share pertinent information with the campus community in the coming weeks. In addition to state legislative matters, we continue to monitor developments at the federal level, particularly with the Department of Education. We are committed to keeping you informed as we navigate these important discussions and policies.
Beyond athletics and legislative updates, I want to take a moment to recognize some of our outstanding students for their recent achievements. The senior design team in the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering was recently selected as a finalist in the NASA Blue Skies AgAir Competition. This prestigious event鈥檚 focus is to challenge students to solve agricultural issues through unmanned aerial vehicle technology. This marks the first time an SDSU team has participated in the competition, and we are incredibly proud of the students鈥 accomplishments. The team will compete in the finals on May 20-21 in Palmdale, California, near NASA鈥檚 Armstrong Flight Research Center. We wish the students the best as they prepare for this significant opportunity.
Additionally, our Jackrabbits Forensics team recently returned from the Pi Kappa Delta National Tournament, where it earned the Tier Two National Championship title. This is a testament to the students鈥 hard work, dedication and excellence in speech and debate. Congratulations to the team on this outstanding achievement. Look for a university release soon that will highlight team members鈥 accomplishments in more detail.
As we push forward in these final weeks of the semester, I encourage all of you to stay focused and support one another. Whether you are a student working toward the completion of your courses, a faculty member guiding students to success or a staff member ensuring the smooth operation of our university, your contributions are invaluable. Together, we continue to build on SDSU鈥檚 tradition of excellence as a premier land-grant university.
Thank you for all that you do. Your dedication and commitment to South 啵啵直播秀 State University make a difference every day. Let鈥檚 finish the semester strong and celebrate our achievements together.
Go Jacks!
Barry H. Dunn
President, South 啵啵直播秀 State University
Above and Beyond recognizes individuals and groups of South 啵啵直播秀 State University employees, faculty and students for individual and team efforts that go Above and Beyond to make the campus community a better place.
SDSU is home to over 250 student organizations. Each gives students the opportunity to develop leadership skills and build community across campus. This week we feature a student leader whose involvement is making an impact.
Little International, also known as Little 鈥淚,鈥 is the largest two-day student-run agricultural expo in the nation. It takes roughly 160 students and months of planning to put on a successful event.
Leading it all as general manager is Teigen Hadrick, a senior 啵啵直播秀 science production management major from Faulkton.
Hadrick joined the Little 鈥淚鈥 staff at the urging of his roommate his first year at SDSU and said he fell in love with it right away.
He was drawn to the leadership role because he had ideas for changes to the organization and 鈥渋t's no good complaining鈥 if he wasn鈥檛 willing to step up and help. He hopes he has improved Little International while recognizing the organization is helping him grow as a leader.
Little International brings roughly 2,600 high school students to SDSU to compete in an FFA- or 4-H-style competition.
His involvement with Little 鈥淚鈥 has helped him grow his leadership skills including communication and managing people.
Outside of Little International, Hadrick stays involved in the Farmhouse Fraternity, Swine Club, Dairy Club, Collegiate Cattleman鈥檚 Club, as an Animal Science ambassador and as a member of the Meat Judging Team.
Hadrick is currently looking at job opportunities to follow up his time at State, but in the end, he hopes to work back at the family farm with his dad.
This year鈥檚 Little International will be held March 28-29.
The Monday Message appears weekly during the academic year and less frequently during the summer months and holiday breaks.
Information for the Monday Message, including nominations for Above and Beyond, can be submitted online.
2025 Distinguished Alumni Nominations
The SDSU Alumni Association is seeking nominations for the 2025 Distinguished Alumni awards. .
LeadState Nominations
The Office of Student Union and Activities is seeking nominations for LeadState, a semester-long program for sophomore students that will take place during the fall 2025 semester. The program helps students identify and build on their leadership strengths, identify and lead with values, be a catalyst for social change, connect with campus and community leaders, and engage in community service.
Additional information about LeadState can be found on sdstate.edu.
Faculty and staff who have students they would like to nominate for LeadState should send each student鈥檚 name, student ID number and email address to Seth Daughters by April 4.
Professional Staff Annual Celebration
The Professional Staff Advisory Council will host its annual celebration and award ceremony May 14 at 2:30 p.m. (CST) in Woster Celebration Hall at the SDSU Alumni Center. A social will begin at 2:30 p.m., followed by the awards at 3 p.m.
The Rising Star and Presidential 啵啵直播秀 of Excellence recipients will be announced and those in attendance will have a chance at door prizes.
A Zoom link will be made available for those who cannot attend in person.
Autistic Culture Talk
The Office of Multicultural Affairs and Accessibility and the College of Education and Human Sciences will host a discussion on autistic culture and pride, March 27 from noon-1:15 p.m. in the Lewis and Clark Room at the University Student Union.
Personal stories that illuminate the experiences of autistic individuals in educational, social and interpersonal settings will be told, providing opportunities to gain insights into practical strategies to cultivate supportive atmospheres and avoid unaccommodating environments.
Jumpstart Your Wellness
SDSU students, alumni and friends are invited to join the SDSU Alumni Association for the third annual Jumpstart Your Wellness event. The event includes three educational presentations to help you take the next step in a wellness journey.
The event will be held April 10 at 5:30 p.m. in Woster Celebration Hall. .
SDSU Admissions Ambassador Selection
The Office of Admissions is currently taking applications for 2025-26 Admissions Ambassadors.
Admissions Ambassadors are hired to represent and promote SDSU to prospective students and their families, as well as the public. They are critical to the successful recruitment of students to SDSU. Ambassadors are often the first, and possibly the only, student that a prospective student and their family may meet during the college search process. The public will form lasting impressions about SDSU based on the information Ambassadors provide.
Admissions Ambassadors are selected through a competitive application and selection process. Positions are offered to current SDSU students who will have completed at least one year as a full-time college student at SDSU when they start their position.
The final information session will be held at the Enrollment Services Center on Thursday from 3-4 p.m.
Application reviews begin Friday with interviews scheduled for March 25-26.
Go Big, Give Blue: A Month of Impact for SDSU Student Organizations
For the next four weeks, SDSU student organizations will come together for a campuswide giving challenge designed to support their initiatives, foster a culture of philanthropy and strengthen the Jackrabbits community.
Through April 11, student clubs and organizations will showcase their missions, rally support from peers, alumni and the SDSU community and raise funds for the projects that matter most.
Through digital storytelling, collaboration and engaging challenges, participating groups will tap into the power of philanthropy one small action at a time.
Various events include the Go Big Rally kickoff event that includes a video workshop where students get guidance and feedback for creating campaign content and a digital scavenger hunt to kickstart engagement and participation.
Weekly themes will guide clubs through creative storytelling, collaboration, action-based challenges and impact reflection. Incentives and prizes will reward student groups for engagement, participation and fundraising success.
Open to all SDSU-affiliated clubs, organizations and student-focused initiatives, each group can actively promote their fundraising efforts or support other participating organizations throughout the challenge.
The Jackrabbits Philanthropy Center is here to help. There are resources and support to provide tools, visibility and guidance to help student groups make the most of this opportunity.
Interested student organizations should contact Heidi Hopewell at the SDSU Foundation.
AISA's Annual Wetu Wacipi | Spring Powwow
The American Indian Student Association is looking for volunteers to help with the annual Wetu Wacipi, known as the spring powwow. Volunteers will be given a free shirt or a free Indian taco. .
Graduate Student Appreciation Week
Graduate Student Appreciation Week is being celebrated April 7-11. The purpose of this week is to celebrate and emphasize the contributions, impact and value of our graduate and professional students.
It is a time to celebrate graduate students all over campus, including posting videos, student spotlights and student giveaways on social media. There will also be a table in the University Student Union, April 7 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., to highlight and celebrate our students.
Nepal Night
The Nepalese Student Association will host 鈥淣epal Night: Namaste Nepal,鈥 April 6. It is the first time in five years the event will be held. Guest will enjoy an enchanting evening showcasing Nepal's vibrant cultural heritage through traditional performances and authentic Nepalese cuisine prepared with ancestral recipes.
Experience the rhythm of Himalayan dances, savor complex flavors of homeland dishes and be immersed in the rich tapestry of Nepalese culture.
.
Ombuds 鈥 Communication Importance in Cohesive Team Building
The Ombuds office in collaboration with the Access, Opportunity and Belonging Committee would like to invite the campus community to learn more about building cohesive teams through communication. Josh Westwick, director of the School of Communication and Journalism, and Shelly Bayer, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Accessibility, will lead the discussion.
Each speaker will talk about the importance of communication and intercultural awareness as part of team building. The event will be held March 25 from noon-1 p.m. in the Hobo Day Gallery at the University Student Union. .
Summer Term Compensation Open Forums
Continuing and Distance Education, Academic Affairs and Human Resources are hosting an open forum for departments, schools and faculty regarding summer term compensation.
Nine- and 10-month faculty who may be teaching, conducting research and providing service during the summer term are invited to join us to learn about summer term compensation, related processes and important dates.
Wednesday 鈥 Summer term faculty open forum from 1:30-2:30 p.m., University Student Union Room 169, Campanile and Hobo Day Gallery (A and B).
.
China Night
The Chinese Students and Scholars Association will host China Night March 23 at 6 p.m. at the Dacotah Bank Center. The event features authentic Chinese food and cultural performances, including a lion dance, a fashion show, instrumental music, vocal selections and much more.
Dinner includes chongqing spicy chicken, cumin beef, fried dumplings, mapo tofu, red bean paste sesame balls, three delights of the earth and white rice. .
Eastern Science and Engineering Fair Judges
The Eastern South 啵啵直播秀 Science and Engineering Fair will be held March 25 in Club 71 at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium. The event invites middle and high school students to campus to showcase their research. The success of the event depends on a group of judges helping interview students for a variety of awards and prizes.
.
The majority of the judging occurs from 9-11:30 a.m., with judges training starting at 8:15 a.m. Some judges are also needed for the Grand 啵啵直播秀s from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. If you are interested in serving as a Grand 啵啵直播秀s judge, please email Brad Blaha. Grand 啵啵直播秀s judges generally have judging experience and an interest in a broad range of subjects.
Faculty who work with undergraduate students that may be interested in helping serve as volunteers . Colleges and departments interested in sponsoring an award should email Brad Blaha.
Jacks Virtual 5K
The South 啵啵直播秀 State Alumni Association will host the Jacks Virtual 5K to benefit Jack鈥檚 Cupboard, SDSU's free on-campus food pantry for students experiencing food insecurity, during the month of April. A virtual 5K is a race that can be run or walked from any location, any day or any time that you choose during the month of April. Additional information about the event and how to enter is available on the .
IDS Spring 2025 Training Schedule
Instructional Design Services will host training seminars during the spring 2025 semester.
The trainings will include online community building, accessible eLearning and teaching in the generative AI era. Some featured workshops include the D2L accessibility checker (Panorama) and the newly added D2L gradebook feature allowing instructors to publish grades directly to Banner.
These workshops, eLearning applications, weekly webinars and the Online Teaching Certification Program will help prepare for successful teaching in spring 2025.
All SDSU faculty, academic staff and graduate teaching assistants are encouraged to attend these training sessions. .
Updated Policies
New and updated university policies continue to be adopted and published. For the most recent updates, visit the New and Recently Revised Policies page on sdstate.edu.
