BHSU ALUMNI 2007 - 2010 AWARD RECIPIENTS

125 Accomplished Alumni

As part of the Quasquicentennial Celebration (125th Anniversary) at BHSU, 125 Accomplished Alumni were recognized during the 125 Accomplished Alumni Luncheon on Friday, September 19, 2008, in the Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center Gymnasium. The 125 Accomplished Alumni who have achieved prominence and distinction in their careers, were selected to represent the thousands of alumni since our founding in 1883.

To view 125 Accomplished Alumni click here

2009 Alumni Award Recipients

Four BHSU alumni were honored during the Alumni Awards Luncheon on Friday, September 18, 2009. Tom Wheaton (center), director of Alumni Relations at BHSU, presented awards to (left to right) Howard Owens, Special Service Award; Dr. Michael (Mick) Dana, Distinguished Alumnus Award; Carol Gee, Special Achievement Award; and Kathy Christensen, Excellence in Education Award.

Kathy Christensen, Class of ’73, who earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and her Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, has been teaching for 36 years; currently she is a fourth-grade teacher at East Elementary in Spearfish. One of Christensen’s primary goals as an educator is to create an atmosphere of warmth and safety in her classroom.

For over 30 years Christensen has been an active committee member of the K-12 science curriculum group and was instrumental in adopting and using the first hands-on science curriculum in Spearfish.

Christensen helped write a guide for the Spearfish Outdoor Learning Center, which is a three-acre area located along the bike path in the Spearfish city park that provides a place where students can explore, experiment, and discover more about themselves and their world.

Dr. Michael (Mick) Dana, Class of '69, received his bachelor's degree in science and education from BHSU, where he was a member of the baseball and basketball team. Following graduation he earned a Doctorate of Dental Surgery. He returned to Spearfish where he established his dental practice, Dana Dental Arts, and now continues to practice with several of his children.

Dana is a member of the American Dental Association, the South Dakota Dental Association, and the Black Hills District Dental Society where he served as secretary-treasurer for many years. He has been active in several local organizations including serving on the Board of Directors for the City Recreation Committee and serving on an Education Committee. Dana has also served on the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry Dean's Advisory Board.

Dana, his wife, and five of their children received their education at BHSU. He is excited to see the growth and development that continues to transform the University. Carol (Braxter) Gee, Class of '82, is currently the editor in the Organization and Management Area at the Goizueta Business School at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. She performs research in support of teaching, and the writing of business and management journal articles. Gee was recently awarded the 2009 UnSung Heroine Award in the staff category from the Center for Women at Emory University, for her long-time mentorship of alumni, students, and women at Emory, as well as women in the surrounding Atlanta area. She was also honored for her books and articles that empower women to realize their humanity and their own personal truth.

Carol Gee, Class of '82, has 27 years of experience in higher education, including teaching and administration. She was presented with the Award of Distinction at Emory University in 1996 and 2008. Her writing has been published in several magazines including: Goizueta Magazine, SisterPower, Swing Magazine, The Emory Report, and the national magazine, Romantic Homes. Books that Carol has published include: The Venus Chronicles, and Diary of a ‘Flygirl’ Wannabe (Life Lessons of a Cool Girl in Training).

Howard Owens, Class of '55, earned his degree from BHSU in education. One of his fondest memories is taking one of his first college courses from President Jonas. After graduation he spent some time in the United States Naval Air Corps as an electronic technician.

Owens formerly/once owned and operated Owens Interstate Sale, Inc., in Sturgis with this son. The company, now owned and operated by his grandson Chad Owens, specializes in wholesale/retail sales and service auto parts, home appliances, and electronics.

Owens enjoys serving his community. He has served as a leader in numerous organizations including: national and international director of his Jaycees; the Chamber of Commerce director; the Rotary International director, and the president and secretary/treasurer of the Barbershop Chorus. He is also a member of the Shriners, the Mt. Rushmore Society, Toastmasters, and chairman of the Lawrence County Republicans.

Owens was presented with the South Dakota College Federation - Friend of Education award (1986); was honored by the South Dakota Vocational Association with the Distinguished Service Award; and received the University of South Dakota - T. M. Risk award (1984). He has served on several educational boards including roles as the South Dakota Board of Regents vice president, secretary, academic affairs chair; BHSU Foundation Board of Directors; and the Northern Hills Training Center Advisory Council.

2010 Alumni Award Recipients

Black Hills State University honored four BHSU alumni during the annual Alumni Awards Luncheon on Friday, October 1, at 11:30 a.m. in the Jacket Legacy room of the David B. Miller Yellow Jacket Student Union. Those honored this year were, left to right: Ron Schuttler, Class of '85, Special Service Award; Dr. Tim Creal, Class of '78, Excellence in Education Award; Dr. Forrest Brady, Class of '72, Distinguished Alumnus Award; and Marla (Hershey) Barnard, Class of '81, Special Achievement Award.

Marla (Hershey) Barnard, Class of ’81, earned her bachelor’s degree in speech communications with a minor in business. While at BHSU, she was a member of the cheerleading squad and created the dance/cheer group - the Golden Sting. In addition, she was selected Miss Black Hills State and represented the University in the Miss South Dakota pageant.

Marla has had a successful career in public relations and human resources and has held management and senior-level executive positions at companies such as Duke Energy, Enron, Time Warner, and Comcast. She is currently senior vice president of Human Resources for Fiserv, a Fortune 500 company that delivers integrated solutions to help financial service institutions, insurers, health benefit administrators, and employers manage and profit from information.

During her career in public relations, she helped Duke Energy receive the Outstanding Corporate Citizen Award. While serving as vice president of Human Resources at Time Warner, she worked to help the company become awarded as one of the best places to work in Houston for two years in a row. One of the highlights of her career was throwing out the first pitch at a Houston Astros game.

Marla also has many years of involvement with non-profit organizations. She is serving as president for Child Advocates and Business Volunteers for the Arts. She is also a board member for the Volunteer Center, United Way, ESCAPE Family Resources, Society for the Performing Arts, and ChildBuilders. She is a graduate of Leadership Houston, which is a local organization recognizing and supporting Houston leaders. Marla also served on the BHSU Foundation Advisory Board from 1994 to 1997.

Marla recently established a scholarship for BHSU business/human resource students. Marla and her husband, Rick, reside in Houston, Texas with their son, Kyle, who is a junior in college.

Dr. Forrest Brady, Class of ’72, received his bachelor’s degree in history and math and went on to Creighton University Medical School where he graduated in 1977 as a medical doctor. He completed his family practice residency in Sioux Falls in 1980 and had a private family practice in Spearfish from 1980-86. He currently practices family medicine at the Regional Medical Clinic in Spearfish.

Forrest has served as a clinical faculty member at the University of South Dakota-Sanford School of Medicine since 1978. He has been certified by the American Board of Family Physicians since 1980 and was an instructor of Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) for 20 years and an experienced ACLS provider for two years. He has been an instructor of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRS) since 1990 and is currently a provider of Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Advanced Trauma Life Support, and Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

Forrest’s leadership appointments include: Spearfish Regional Hospital Peer Review chairman; Spearfish Regional Hospital vice chief of staff; Spearfish Regional Hospital Medical Executive Committee; and Regional Health Physicians Management Committee.

He has been involved in various organizations including: Boy Scouts of America Troop 17, the Spearfish Rifle and Pistol Club, the National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. He is a professional member of the American Medical Athletic Association.

Forrest enjoys numerous outdoor sports, cooking, dog training, gardening, and reading. He, and his wife, Sharon, have two children, Rachel and Dan.

Dr. Tim Creal, Class of ’78, earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics education from BHSU. He also has a master’s degree in educational administration and specialist and doctorate degrees in education.

Tim began his career in education as a high school mathematics teacher and coach in the Faith School District. His career then took him to Brookings, Ore. where he taught eighth-grade mathematics and coached football.

He returned to South Dakota and spent the next 10 years teaching and coaching in New Underwood before taking over as superintendent, elementary principal, and special education director in 1992.

Tim is currently the superintendent for the Custer School District where he directs federal programs and leads the curriculum and staff development for Custer schools. He uses the quote, “they don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care” as the focus for his educational beliefs. He says, “education is about relationships…relationships with students and with staff members. I view education as a way of life…not a job. When you treat it that way it is evident that your life is about others and not about you.”

Tim is also an adjunct professor for the South Dakota State University West River Graduate Center where he earned the Teacher of the Year Award in 2000, 2006, 2007, and in 2010. He was also awarded with the South Dakota Superintendent of the Year Award in 2000.

Tim has a growing list of professional accomplishments including: president of the South Dakota School Superintendent’s Association (1999); member of the American Association of School Administrators Systems Leadership Committee since 2003 and chair of the committee in 2006-2007; and involvement with the Gates Leadership Mentoring Project.

Tim and his wife, Darla, have one daughter, Leah. Tim and Darla reside in Custer.

Ron Schuttler, Class of ’85, received his bachelor’s degree in history and art from BHSU after first serving 22 years in the Navy. After graduating from Spearfish High School, he immediately enlisted in the Navy, training as a shipboard electrician. His service extended through the Vietnam War. Ron retired from the service in 1976 having attained the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer.

He moved back to Spearfish with his family and enrolled at BHSU as a non-traditional student under the GI bill. Shortly after earning his degree, Ron began working for the Black Hills Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He also directed the summer camp at Medicine Mountain Scout Ranch. In 2000, he retired to devote time to his volunteer activities.

Ron has volunteered with several organizations throughout his lifetime. He served on the BHSU Alumni Board of Directors for 23 years, acting as president in 1997 and 1998. Ron is an active member of the American Legion and is the commander of the Spearfish Veterans Honor Guard. He is active in the Knights of Columbus of St. Joseph Church in Spearfish. Ron is also involved with the crew members associations of the four ships on which he served, and belongs to the Great Northern Railway Historical Society.

Ron and his wife of 48 years, Eileen, reside in Spearfish. They have three sons, Jon, Bill, and David.