Monday Message, March 24
SDSU Community,
The first week of spring gives us the opportunity to celebrate some outstanding achievements by our student-athletes. First, congratulations to the Jackrabbits women鈥檚 basketball team for its impressive first-round victory over Oklahoma State in the NCAA Division I Women鈥檚 Basketball Tournament. The athletes鈥 talent and teamwork made all of Jackrabbit Nation proud.
Tonight, the Jacks will face UConn in the second round, with tip-off at 7 p.m. (CT). The game will be broadcast live on ESPN, and I encourage everyone to tune in and cheer them on. The team's journey, led by head coach AJ Johnston and his outstanding staff, reflects the hard work and dedication they鈥檝e shown all season. We are all behind them as take on a perennial powerhouse in UConn in front of a national TV audience.
I also want to recognize Cade DeVos for earning All-American honors at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in Philadelphia. Earning All-American honors is no small feat, and we are proud to have Cade representing SDSU on such a prestigious stage.
Additionally, I want to commend the nine Jackrabbits wrestlers who qualified for the NCAA Championships. Their presence at this elite competition highlights the strength and depth of our wrestling program. Their efforts, along with the leadership of Coach Damion Hahn, continue to elevate SDSU鈥檚 reputation for athletic excellence.
This year, I am excited that our commencement ceremonies will return to campus and be held in the newly remodeled First Bank & Trust Arena. After two years at Dacotah Bank Center, bringing graduation back to campus will make the event even more special. The renovated arena will provide a beautiful backdrop as we honor the hard work and accomplishments of our students. We will need people to help with this important event, so please be on the lookout for a future call for commencement volunteers.
I encourage everyone to visit the graduation webpage for details and important information about the ceremonies. Faculty members wishing to participate will need to RSVP by April 26, and I hope many of you will take part in celebrating this momentous occasion with our graduates.
I encourage everyone to take part in the many events going on this week. The 102nd Little International is this Friday and Saturday. Additionally, our annual Wacipi will move back to FB&T Arena on Saturday and Sunday. Your presence will make a huge and positive difference for the students who are planning and hosting these events.
As we enjoy this spring weather, let鈥檚 keep the momentum going 鈥 both in the classroom and on the court. Tune in tonight to support our women鈥檚 basketball team and join me in celebrating the continued success of Jackrabbit Nation.
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 faculty, staff and students for individual and team efforts that go Above and Beyond to make the campus community a better place. This week we recognize students and coaches of Jackrabbits Forensics, who recently returned home with the Tier 2 National Championship from the Pi Kappa Delta 2025 National Comprehensive Tournament.
One of the largest forensics tournaments in the country, the event was held March 13-16 at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Fifty-four universities participated in the tournament with over 1,900 event entries. The SDSU team also secured third place in the individual events sweepstakes.
As South 啵啵直播秀 State University鈥檚 nationally recognized speech and debate team, Jackrabbits Forensics equips students with the skills to articulate ideas, challenge perspectives and engage with societal issues 鈥 all of which are key to SDSU鈥檚 commitment to fostering informed and engaged citizens.
The Pi Kappa Delta National Tournament was the first of two national tournaments the team will participate in this spring. The next competition, the American Forensic Association National Speech Tournament, begins April 4 at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, where 15 Jackrabbits Forensics members will compete.
The evening before leaving for their last national tournament, team members will host 鈥淔orensics Showcase: Night Before Nationals.鈥 The public is invited to the South 啵啵直播秀 Art Museum auditorium on April 1 from 6-8 p.m. to watch a variety of performances from Jackrabbits Forensics.
The team members include: Abi Slater, Brenna Nuese, Amelia Lee, Edie Oliver, Gavin Eischens, Killian Schlotfelt, Sydney Morgan, Abby Steffes, Jacob Ramp, Raegan Modlin, Hannah Markley, Esther Ilunga, Taylor Sutton, Emma Arneson, Sam Pappas and Rachael Guler. Coaches are Andrea Carlile, Lars Wagener, Kara Vetch and Jesus Hernandez.
Team members鈥 success this season has also included qualifying 28 of 42 events in the fall semester. At the L.E. Norton Memorial Tournament, the group placed 10th overall in team sweepstakes. They have also collected 11 consecutive first-place team finishes in Valley Forensics League tournaments since fall 2022.
Congratulations to Jackrabbits Forensics for its success so far this season, and good luck on competition yet to come. Thank you for representing SDSU well in the region and the nation.
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. Information about the awards and the nominating process can be found on the .
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 toSeth 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, Thursday 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. Additional information and how to register can be found on the
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, Saturday, known as the spring powwow. Volunteers will be given a free shirt or a free Indian taco. Volunteers may .
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 through videos, student spotlights and student giveaways on social media. There will also be a table in the 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. Guests 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.
Additional information and is available online.
Ombuds
Communication Importance in Cohesive Team Building 鈥 The Ombuds office, in collaboration with the Access, Opportunity and Belonging Committee, invites 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 tomorrow from noon-1 p.m. in the Hobo Day Gallery at the University Student Union.
Eastern Science and Engineering Fair Judges
The Eastern South 啵啵直播秀 Science and Engineering Fair will be held tomorrow 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.
Individuals interested in helping judge may .
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. Information and how to register is available on .
Francis Miller Lecture
The College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions will host the 12th annual Francis Miller Lecture, April 1 at 5 p.m. in Founders Recital Hall at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center.
This year鈥檚 lecture, 鈥淎ntimicrobial Pharmacology: From Bedside to Bench to Clinic,鈥 will be presented by Warren Rose, an associate professor of pharmacy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy. Rose also has an adjunct affiliate faculty appointment in the Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases.
Rose鈥檚 translational research employs three distinct themes of pharmacology to study multi-drug-resistant pathogens. These research areas surround understanding the translational effects of antimicrobials including antibiotic efficacy such as combination therapy and resistance suppression, impacts on bacterial pathogenicity, and antibiotic effects on host-pathogen interactions including innate immune responses and pathogen immune evasion/dysregulation.
The Francis Miller Lectureship is made possible through generous support from the Francis Miller Fund. Miller was a longtime pharmacist and drugstore owner in South 啵啵直播秀, including his hometown of Gettysburg.
Musical Bright Star
SDSU Theatre and Dance will present 鈥淏right Star鈥 a musical written and composed by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. Performances will be in the Oscar Larson Theatre at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center, April 3-5 at 7:30 p.m. and April 6 at 2 p.m.
Inspired by a true story about a baby that had been thrown from a train in a suitcase, the performance is a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and 1940s. With beautiful melodies and powerfully moving characters, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tightly in its grasp, 鈥淏right Star鈥 is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful.=
=Tickets can be purchased online at sdsutheatre.org, at the box office in the lobby of the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center or by calling 605-688-6045.
New Principal Investigator Training
Eric Kinslow, assistant director of grants and contracts administration, will provide an overview of the responsibilities of a principal investigator, including personnel management, purchasing, reimbursement requests and reporting.
The training is intended for new principal investigators, faculty or staff who hope to become a principal investigator, or experienced principal investigators who need a helpful refresher.
The training will take place April 4 from 11 a.m.-noon. It will be conducted in Morrill Hall 104 .
The session will also be recorded and posted to the Division of Research's Events and Training page.
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.
