Steve Elliott

This document pertains to the 180th commencement ceremony for the Class of 2020 at Black Hill State University, held in the morning. The ceremony included the presentation of colors by the BHSU ROTC Color Guard and remarks from Vice President for University Advancement Steve Meeker, who welcomed attendees and emphasized safety protocols, including mask usage. Dr. Greg Farley, Dean of the College of Business and Natural Sciences, led the ceremony. Addresses were given by President Lori Nichols, who acknowledged the challenging circumstances of the last two semesters due to the pandemic, and Dr. Holly Downing, the 2020 Distinguished Faculty Member, who retired last May and offered advice focused on embracing uncertainty, the importance of social contact and community engagement, and promoting civil discourse. Regent Joan Wink also delivered greetings.

Black Hills State University initiated a new five-year strategic plan, titled 'Climbing New Peaks', during the past year. This plan serves as a roadmap for the university's future direction.

The document pertains to the 131st (later corrected to 181st) Commencement Ceremony for the 9 AM session, including the College of Business & Natural Sciences. The ceremony involved the presentation of colors by the BHSU ROTC Color Guard and remarks from university leadership, including the Vice President for University Advancement and the President. A significant portion of the event recognized the Class of 1970 celebrating their 51st reunion and the presentation of an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service to alumnus Johnny D. Johnson, detailing his career achievements, particularly his leadership in developing CHS into the largest farmer-owned agricultural co-op in the U.S. Remarks to graduates emphasized perseverance through challenging times, the value of education, and key life lessons learned, such as the importance of continuous learning, positive attitude, hard work, communication skills, and life balance.

This document outlines Black Hills State University's Institutional Training Plan for the Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RECR). The plan ensures compliance with federal regulations from agencies like NSF and NIH by requiring RECR training for all faculty, students, postdoctoral researchers, and senior personnel involved in research. Key components include mandatory online modules through the CITI program covering various research ethics topics, and ongoing individualized training and oversight provided by Principal Investigators. The plan emphasizes the importance of integrity, ethical standards in peer review, protection of intellectual property, and respectful treatment of colleagues.

The meeting centered around the appointment of Dr. Tom Jackson Jr. as the 10th President of Black Hill State University. Key discussion points included Dr. Jackson's reasons for joining BH, his emphasis on the importance of faculty and community, and his vision for the university as an international honors institution focused on retention and student success. He also acknowledged the work of the outgoing president and shared a personal story about his grandmother's influence on his educational values.