1999 Alumni Award Recipients

Distinguished Alumnus, Gene Bovee, ’59 Gene has traveled extensively to South America, Europe, North Africa and the Middle East during 35 years of international banking. During his career in banking, he dealt primarily in financing of United States Agricultural Exports to over 35 countries. He has worked for Chase Manhattan Bank of New York, Panama, Puerto Rico, Venezuela; First Interstate Bank, Seattle, WA; Central Bank for Cooperatives, National Bank for Cooperatives, and CoBank of Denver, CO.

Special Service, Doris Phillips Doris Phillips retired in 1982 after 30 years of service at Black Hills State University. During that time she was head librarian (1952-1972), library service coordinator (1952-1982) and taught library science (1952-1982). She was also included in the first edition of the World Who’s Who of Women in Education in 1978, and named South Dakota Librarian of the Year in 1982. She also catalogued and filed the BHSU picture collection in the Leland D. Case Library as a volunteer from 1989-1995.

Dakota Territory/Spearfish Normal, Hope Glenn, ‘39 Hope Glenn’s accomplishments were numerous during a teaching career that spanned 35 years. During that time, she served as a consultant to various districts in Southern California in developing continuums and proficiency standards, represented the district at the state level in developing California proficiency tests, and was assistant to the superintendent in curriculum for grades K-12 in the San Bernardino Unified School District.

2000 Alumni Award Recipients

Four award recipients were honored during the annual Swarm Day breakfast. Awards were presented to Kathleen Engle, Robert Worth, Sever Eubank and Jeff Jacobs.

Excellence in Education - Kathleen Engle Kathleen Engle, Class of '80, has taught and coached for 19 years, and is currently a physical-education teacher at Newcastle Middle School. She earned both a bachelor's and master's degree from BHSU. She is the site coordinator for the University of Wyoming/ Schools Partnership Program and she has authored and received several grants totaling over $90,000. Engle has received the $25,000 Milken gift award, the Christa McAuliffe Fellowship, and the "Disney Salutes the American Teacher Award." These awards and recognitions moved her to establish the Engle's Education Scholarship for students aspiring to enter the field of education.

Special Achievement - Jeff Jacobs Jeff Jacobs, a Pierre native, attended BHSU from 1980 to 1982. In 1986 he modified his grandfather's barbecue sauce to give it a Southwest flair, and he began a business known as Southwest Specialty Food Inc. Today, his company ships to over 3,000 specialty gift, gourmet, airport, upscale grocery and tourist areas in the United States and Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, China and Japan, as well as servicing over 120,000 direct-mail customers and an ever-expanding base of Internet customers.

Distinguished Alumnus - Robert D. Worth Robert Worth, Class of '74, began his banking career in 1973 with Norwest Bank and held several management positions in South Dakota and Montana. He was named regional president of Wells Fargo's Southern California Community Bank in January 2000. He is responsible for 225 stores with over $7 billion in banking assets. He holds a bachelor's degree from BHSU and is a graduate of the Colorado School of Banking at the University of Colorado. He has served as chairman of the Northern Rockies Cancer Center and he was a legislative delegate to the American Bankers Association.

Special Service - Sever Eubank Dr. Sever Eubank became a member of the BHSU faculty as a professor of history in 1962 and served as chairman of the social science department until his retirement in 1985. He was a delegate to the South Dakota Democratic Convention in the 60s and chairman of the state Democratic Platform Committee in 1968. Eubank was named Lawrence County Democrat of the Year in 1984. He held memberships in numerous historical societies at local and regional levels including the presidency of the South Dakota Social Science Association. In the community, Eubank served as president of the Spearfish Chamber of Commerce Board, president of the Lions Club and served on the city council.

2001 Alumni Award Recipients

The Black Hills State University Alumni Association honored five individuals for their service and achievements during an awards breakfast Swarm Day, Sept. 22, at 8:30 a.m., in the Student Union Jacket Legacy Room.

Individuals being recognized are Langford Palmer, Kellogg, Idaho, Distinguished Alumnus Award; Thomas Finn, Spearfish, Special Achievement Award; Wayne Snoozy, Klamath Falls, Ore., Excellence in Education Award; and Wanda and Stewart Bellman, Spearfish, Special Service Award.

Palmer, distinguished alumnus and a 1973 graduate with a degree in English, became a certified registered nurse anesthetist in 1973. In 1982 he became administrator of the Shoshone Medical Center in Kellogg, Idaho, and five years later he implemented and administered a 15-bed skilled nursing facility within the medical center. Palmer relinquished his leadership role in 1992 but continued to serve as a full-time CRNA. He continues to support SMC by providing quality CRNA services on a regular basis. It was his dedication and loyalty that kept the hospital organization viable. He and his wife, Gloria, have raised a family, and are now enjoying grandchildren.

Special achievement award winner Thomas Finn is a 1966 graduate of BHSU with a degree in physical education. He earned a master's degree in education from BHSU in 1970. He began his education career in South Dakota as a teacher in Geddes, and later returned to Lead as public relations manager for Homestake (1969), and then did counseling work for Lead/Deadwood Public Schools (1970-1976). From 1976 to 1979 he served as dean of student affairs at Archbishop Shaw High School, Marrero, La. For the next 20 years (1979-1999) Finn worked for McDermott International, Inc., a multi national offshore oil construction company, in the areas of employee relations and human resources. His responsibilities dealt with company domestic and international relations in numerous countries from South America to the Far East. He lived, traveled and worked in Europe, Emirate countries, Africa, Indonesia, China, and Australia, to name a few. His job with McDermott provided him with unusual and exciting opportunities; it also provided stressful situations involving evacuating company employees when revolutions broke out, such as in Indonesia in 1998. He also had the difficult task of notifying families of fatalities resulting from transportation accidents (helicopter and boat transportation) or work related injuries.

"Professional management opportunities have provided me with a wealth of life experience. The most important value of these experiences has been the ability to live, work, and absorb the culture of not only the United States, but also numerous other foreign countries and cultures," said Finn.

Wayne Snoozy, a 1963 BHSU science major, is recipient of the excellence in education award for his work as a teacher, coach, administrator, and volunteer. Born in Rapid City and after attending high school in Belle Fourche, he left South Dakota to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps but returned to the Black Hills to complete his college education. After marrying his college sweetheart, he moved west to begin his teaching career at Klamath County, Ore., where he taught and coached at Bly High School. Thus began a 33-year career in education, all in Klamath County. He taught and coached at Chiloquin High School; he was a teacher at Altamont Junior High School and a principal of Fairhaven and Altamont elementary schools. In 1990 he was named outstanding elementary school principal in Oregon and later was named as a national distinguished principal. He was recognized for his educational reform and raising thousands of dollars for special education and the trainable mentally handicapped and his work with the American Cancer Society. He has served on numerous civic and educational boards over the years. Snoozy and his wife, Shari, are the parents of five grown children.

Special achievement award winner Thomas Finn is a 1966 graduate of BHSU with a degree in physical education. He earned a master’s degree in education from BHSU in 1970. He began his education career in South Dakota as a teacher in Geddes, moved to Las Vegas, Nev., to teach, returned to Lead as public relations manager for Homestake (1969), and then did counseling work for Lead/Deadwood Public Schools (1970-1976). From 1976 to 1979 he served as dean of student affairs at Archbishop Shaw High School, Marrero, La. For the next 20 years (1979-1999) Finn worked for McDermott International, Inc., a multi-national offshore oil construction company, in the areas of employee relations and human resources. His responsibilities dealt with company domestic and international relations in numerous countries from South America to the Far East. He lived, traveled and worked in Europe, Emirate countries, Africa, Indonesia, China, and Australia, to name a few. This provided him with the opportunity to study different languages and experience many different ethnic backgrounds and cultures. His job with McDermott provided him with unusual and exciting opportunities; it also provided stressful situations involving evacuating company employees when revolutions broke out, such as in Indonesia in 1998. He received recognition from the American Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, and a special citation of excellence from McDermott International for his efforts in that evacuation. He also had the difficult task of notifying families of fatalities resulting from transportation accidents (helicopter and boat transportation) or work related injuries.

“Professional management opportunities have provided me with a wealth of life experience. The most important value of these experiences has been the ability to live, work, and absorb the culture of not only the United States, but also numerous other foreign countries and cultures,“ said Finn.

Drs. Wanda and Stewart Bellman are well known professors of English at BHSU and throughout the Black Hills community. Their dedication and commitment to teaching and helping others garner them recognition as recipients of the BHSU special service award. Each was a gifted instructor and specialist in his/her own right. Active in the community as well as at the university for many years, the Bellmans retired from higher education in the mid 90s after inspiring and mentoring hundreds of students. Stewart was actively involved in writing programs and worked with the Bush Foundation during his teaching years. Wanda was enthusiastically involved in speech, drama and women's issues as an educator. Both began their higher education careers at BHSU in 1966 and earned their doctorates of education from the University of South Dakota in 1974. Today, both are active as volunteer readers at West Elementary. Stewart is coordinator for the Matthews Opera House Brown Bag Lecture Series, editor for the Spearfish Center of the Arts and Humanities newsletter, and a member of the board of directors for the Spearfish Center for the Art and Humanities. Wanda is a discussion facilitator for the South Dakota Humanities Council Adult Reading Series and a reader for the Macular Degeneration group. Their interests include theater and musical performances, mountain bicycling, traveling, and spending time together.

2002 Alumni Award Recipients

The Black Hills State University Alumni Association recognized four outstanding individuals for their service and achievements during the annual Swarm Days Alumni Breakfast in the David B. Miller Yellow Jacket Student Union Legacy Room Sept. 28.

Individuals recognized were Michael R. Sullivan, Jacksonville, Fla., Distinguished Alumnus Award; Richard W. Lemm, Story, Wyo., Special Achievement Award; Robert H. Phillips, Lead, Excellence in Education Award; and Lanny Swisher, Spearfish, Special Service Award.

Michael R. Sullivan, a 1969 BHSU graduate with a physical education degree, taught and coached at the high school level in Arizona and Florida for six years. After earning his master’s degree in academic/athletic administration in 1979 from George Mason University, he started coaching basketball at the college level, eventually accepting the head coaching position at Eastern Wyoming College. Sullivan returned to Florida in 1984 to become the executive director of sports and entertainment for the city of Jacksonville. Today, Sullivan is responsible for the day-to-day operations of all sports and entertainment facilities owned by the city. He administers contracts with organizations including the NFL and the PGA. His work involves coordinating other events such as NBA pre-season games and Olympic trials. In 2000 Sullivan was a member of the host and bid committees for Super Bowl XXXIX.

Special achievement award winner Richard W. Lemm graduated from BH in 1969 and went on to flight school at Lewistown, Mont. Lemm’s love of flying began when he worked for Clyde Ice, the “father” of aviation in South Dakota. Since then, Lemm has worked outdoors for much of his life, including time with the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. From 1970 through 1977, Lemm was flight instructor and program administrator for Sky Ranch for Boys as well as a charter pilot and various other aviation positions. In 1977 he began a 25-year career with Mini Mart Inc. During that time Mini Mart grew from 25 to 120 stores. He retired as regional vice-president from Mini Mart in July 2002. Lemm’s love of the outdoors has not diminished. He and his wife, Cathy, reside on a ranch outside Story, Wyo. He has been involved with the sports of rodeo for 40 years and continues to be an avid hunter and fisherman.

Receiving the Alumni Association’s 2002 Excellence in Education Award is Robert H. Phillips of Lead. Phillips earned his education degree from Black Hills State Teachers College in 1961. He later returned to BH and earned his master’s degree in education in 1972. After three years teaching in Liberia for the Peace Corps and one year teaching in Minnesota, Phillips returned to the Black Hills where he served the Lead-Deadwood School District for 27 years. During that time, Phillips worked in a variety of positions including teaching, coaching, administration, and sports officiating. He often returned to BHSU to officiate at the annual alumni/varsity football games. Phillips has been involved in many community organizations, serving as president of the Lead Kiwanis Club for two terms and Lt. Governor of the Kiwanis’ Minnesota/Dakotas District. In 1990 Phillips received the Claire E. Faust Award for his work with the Circle K Club at BHSU. After working in the private sector for six years, he is once again involved in education as a substitute teacher.

While attending BH, Special Service Award recipient Lanny Swisher played football and baseball and even wrestled his junior year. He married Dnyee Schatz in December 1972 and graduated one year later with an art degree and a history minor. For the next 6 years Swisher lived in North Dakota and managed the family cow-calf and quarter horse operation there while also working the family farm near Groton. In 1989 Swisher, his wife, and two children moved back to Spearfish. For the last 12 years Swisher has volunteered his time at the BHSU equipment room in the Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center. Swisher is such a fixture at the Young Center that Tony Silva, athletic trainer for BHSU, thought he was a paid staff person for years before finding out that all of Swisher’s hard work was done on a volunteer basis. Everyone who wrote to nominate Swisher said it was more than his help in the equipment room that made him such a valued member for the Young Center staff. They all mentioned the contribution he makes to the lives of everyone who spends time around him through the various BHSU sports' programs.