Black Hills State University President Steve Elliott presented the annual State of the University Address to faculty and staff Wednesday in Meier Hall.
The event began with the recognition of 25 BHSU staff and faculty members for their longevity, with service ranging from 10 to 35 years. Collectively, the honorees represented more than 425 years of service to BHSU and the South Dakota Board of Regents.
Steve Meeker, vice president for university advancement, announced this year’s recipients of the annual employee awards:
- Presidential Outstanding Employee: Janette Hettick, director of the Student Success Center
- Presidential Rising Star (Non-Faculty): April Yenglin, athletics business manager
- Presidential Rising Star (Faculty): Kyle Kopplin, assistant professor of economics
- Presidential Outstanding Student Employee: Leyton Schnell, senior summer peer mentor
- President Team Excellence Award: Network & Computer Services, including Fred Nelson, Ryan Delzer, Sydney Guericke, Gus Karinen, Joel Lapka, Christopher McCowan, Jesse Shelbourn, Garrett Stevens, Casey Thrasher, and Richard Woodworth
Also recognized was the university’s first graduating class of its leadership program, “Yellow Jacket Leaders.” Graduates included Cynthia Anderson, Laurel Boss, Kristin Carmichael, Delzer, Maegan Detlefs, Shauna Junek, Ashley Kirchner, Sandra Kringen, Faye LaDuke-Pelster, Dawn Miller, Jarrett Moore, Justin Nauta, Ashley Pfeiffer, Joe Rainboth, and Stevens.
President Elliott’s address provided a comprehensive campus update, highlighting positive trends in student headcount and retention. He outlined new academic programs, including the Agribusiness/Ranch Management specialization and the expanded MBA program, which now offers hybrid courses available online and at the Spearfish and Rapid City locations.
Facility improvements were also discussed, including upgrades to campus drainage and the renovation of Woodburn Theatre, which is expected to reopen later this fall.
The continuation of BHSU’s integrative marketing campaign was addressed by Becca Walters, senior director of marketing and communications, who provided updates on current initiatives and the launch of the university’s new website.
President Elliott concluded his remarks with a message of gratitude to BHSU faculty and staff, “I would just like to thank you all for everything that you do. Everywhere I go, I constantly remind people about what a great place Black Hills State University is. I’m continually amazed by our faculty, staff, and students.”
Image of the 2025 BHSU Employee Award recipients. (From left) Gus Karinen, Jesse Shelbourn, Sydney Guericke, Garrett Stevens, Ryan Delzer, Fred Nelson, Janette Hettick, April Yenglin, Leyton Schnell, and Kyle Kopplin.