On Tuesday, Feb. 8, the North Dakota University System released the spring 2022 official census, providing an overview of enrollment for the spring 2022 semester. Dickinson State University’s (DSU) official census presented the institution with further good news after the strong fulltime enrollment bump it experienced in the fall 2021 semester.
On Monday, Aug. 16, during the annual State of the University address, Dickinson State University (DSU) President Steve Easton and his executive team spoke of the resiliency of DSU.
Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020-21 academic year was challenging yet, in many ways, successful for the University.
Dickinson State University’s (DSU) President Steve Easton, in conjunction with Dickinson High School (DHS) Principal Kevin Hoherz, was selected to receive the #InnovativeND Award for System Transformation for his efforts toward revolutionizing education in Southwest North Dakota. State Governor Doug Burgum presented the award to Easton and Hoherz during the fifth annual Governor’s Summit on Innovative Education held at the Bismarck Event Center Monday, June 7, 2021.
To try to lessen an ag teacher shortage throughout the region, Dickinson State University is partnering with North Dakota State University to train more potential ag teachers through an innovative master’s degree program.
Anticipated Graduation Semester & Year
Samantha Calkins (SC): Spring 2021
Kyle Heiser (KH): Spring 2021
Programs of Study
SC: Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science – Policy Option
KH: Associate in Science – Biology Option
Hometowns
SC: Glendive, Montana
KH: Dickinson, North Dakota
What are your plans after graduation?
SC: Once I graduate, I plan to continue working at my current job as a waitress and travel for a year or two. After that, I plan to begin looking for an entry level job related to environmental science and begin gaining experience.
KH: After I graduate with an associate’s degree from the Department of Natural Sciences at DSU, I plan on relocating to a different part of the United States to pursue opportunities in a developing fitness industry. I currently wish to continue my education to receive a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology.
Tell us about the capstone research project you are working on in the Department of Natural Sciences at DSU.
SC: Research Title: Public Perceptions of Soil
With the help of my advisors, Dr. Eric Brevik and Dr. Karen Hale Lewis, I chose to research how different demographics affect the perceptions humans have of soil. During some of the courses I’ve taken in the natural sciences department, I realized how important soil is to humans and how some people may lack that knowledge. I chose this research topic because I wanted to see if my hypothesis of this lacking knowledge was correct.
KH: A capstone research project isn’t a requirement for my degree.
What have you enjoyed most about studying in the Department of Natural Sciences?
SC: Since I was a little kid, science has always interested me, but when I first came to DSU, I was actually a business major for a year and quickly decided that wasn’t for me. Once I transferred to the natural sciences department, Dr. Eric Brevik became my advisor. He helped me figure out my interests and what degree would suit me the best in my future endeavors. Together, we decided I would get a degree in environmental science with the policy option, and once I figured out what degree I wanted to graduate with, learning became interesting again.
KH: My best experiences have involved the community in this department of DSU. All the students are incredibly friendly, and everyone helps motivate each other to be the best students they can be. All the professors are understanding, very intelligent, funny, and have a clear passion for what they are doing. I have not had any negative experiences with anyone in my time in this department.
A note from the professors:
Dr. Eric Brevik, professor of geology and soils: Sami is conducting research in an area that no one else has ever investigated. It is really exciting to have an undergraduate working on a project like this.
Dr. Corinne Brevik, professor of physics and co-chair of the Department of Natural Sciences: Kyle is very interested in the field of kinesiology, and it has been our great privilege to have him as a student as he began his undergraduate journey. He has completed many of our first- and second-year science classes, and I have no doubt that he will be very successful in the next phase of his education.
With a national shortage of qualified teachers, North Dakota State and Dickinson State universities collaborate on a solution.
“From the Hawks’ Nest” is a monthly column written by Dickinson State University President Steve Easton for The Dickinson Press.
In my first monthly column, I shared with you how Dickinson State University (DSU) improved the lives of many generations of my family in fulfilling its mission of providing high quality, accessible programs. Now, more than 100 years after the University’s inception in 1918, our staff and faculty continue to be innovative leaders in higher education, expanding access to education for students near and far.
Tuesday, Feb. 9, marked the fourth week official census for the Dickinson State University (DSU) campus community. The enrollment census report, released four weeks after the first day of the new semester, provides an overview of enrollment at Dickinson State University for the spring 2021 semester.
The number of full-time enrolled students increased 5% at 866 up from last spring’s total of 827. The full-time equivalency (FTE) of credit hours taken increased 3%, from 1,008.32 to 1,039.29.
Written by Steve Easton, president of Dickinson State University (DSU)
 | In a letter to John Hay, American Ambassador to the Court of St. James, London, on June 7, 1897, Theodore Roosevelt penned a phrase embracing the virtues of a strenuous life, where one dares mighty things in the face of adversity. The year 2020 was the beginning of a new decade. Thus, the year dawned with hope. Soon thereafter, this hope was challenged by a worldwide pandemic. As the year progressed, the word “unprecedented” was used commonly in the world as a whole and at DSU. |
But DSU is indeed a place where we dare mightily in the face of adversity. It has been heartwarming to see the hard work of all involved with DSU in response to the challenges of 2020. Thank you to all, from alumni and other supporters to students, who made 2020 memorable in positive ways. Those of us who love DSU have a lot to be proud of, as our “college on the hill” has had many accomplishments this year, despite the pandemic. I’d like to share a few of them.
Written by Kayden Heckaman, DSU Student Intern
