Williams named Chief Diversity Officer
University Marketing and Communications
April 24, 2019
Kas Williams, current interim director for the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Access, has been named the chief diversity officer at South Dakota State University. Williams’ announcement comes following a national search. “Kas is a perfect fit to provide the vision and direction for...
African Night dispels stereotypes through dance and drama
Wren Murphy, Diversity and Inclusion Reporter
April 15, 2019
No other international night has the responsibility of representing an entire continent of 54 diverse countries, but African Night does through dance, poetry, trivia and other performances from all over the continent. The African Students Association held its annual African Night on Sunday, April...
Faculty groups create “Moment of Brotherhood” for men of color
Wren Murphy, Diversity and Inclusion Reporter
March 29, 2019
Los Hombres Latinos and the Brothers’ Circle hosted their first-ever “Moment of Brotherhood” meeting to connect young men of color to friends, allies and mentors in the Campanile Room Thursday. The event aimed to help men of color overcome incidents of discrimination through brotherhood and...
Summit on Diversity and Inclusion connects students to tools to have conversations
Wren Murphy, Diversity and Inclusion Reporter
March 17, 2019
New perspectives were shared among student leaders at the seventh annual Student Summit on Diversity and Inclusion on March 16 the Volstorff Ballroom and later the Student Union Market. The summit moved when the power went out on campus. Florencio Aranda III, the program adviser for Latino students...
Origin of immortal cells brought to light through campus viewing
Wren Murphy, Diversity and Inclusion Reporter
March 13, 2019
Filed under News
A young African American woman named Henrietta Lacks went to a hospital in August 1951 and died a few months later. Now, her immortal cells are used in laboratories all around the world, including one here at South Dakota State. The Black Student Alliance, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Femin...
Student campaign promotes diversity
Marissa Carff, Sponsored Content Manager
February 26, 2019
Filed under News
Improving campus for all students should be a top priority for everyone, and Jacks Want You is a campaign to do so through promoting diversity and inclusion. In recent years SDSU's international student population has decreased drastically. SDSU Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)...
Lessons of love learned through India Night 2019
Wren Murphy, Diversity and Inclusion Reporter
February 25, 2019
India Night 2019 taught students and community members about love through dance and food. The 29th Annual India Night had performances by students, local families and even Dakota State University student that brought to life the feelings associated with the bond of marriage, the theme for the night. ...
India Night to share authentic Indian culture and cusine
Marissa Carff, Sponsored Content Manager
February 20, 2019
This story was sponsored by the Indian Student Association. Explore the culture of India without getting on an airplane. India Night hosted by the Indian Student Association gives attendees a glimpse into the beautiful culture and variety of India through a variety of performances and authentic Indi...
Speaker shares story of struggle and stereotypes
Wren Murphy, Diversity and Inclusion Reporter
February 19, 2019
Filed under News
Michael Taylor, the deputy states attorney for Brookings County, hasn't been to a Denny's since 1992. Taylor explained why in his presentation on struggles and stereotypes he faces as an African American lawyer and gave tips to aspiring law students on Feb. 19. Taylor has been practicing as an...
LGBTQ allies gather for night of ‘love and togetherness’
Wren Murphy, Diversity and Inclusion Reporter
February 14, 2019
This Valentine’s Day, members of the LGBTQ faculty group celebrated, as Kas Williams puts it, “love and togetherness” by talking about issues facing LGBTQ students, faculty and staff. Williams, the interim director of the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Access joined members of 10...
Stepping into Black History Month with Step Show
Wren Murphy, Diversity and Inclusion Reporter
February 4, 2019
February is Black History Month, a time to honor African American people and culture. To welcome Black History Month, the Black Student Alliance held SDSU’s 16th annual Step Show. Step is an African-American style of dance. “It’s a way to showcase our culture through rhythmical stepping,” said BSA P...
Martin Luther King Jr. Week Celebrations Sparks Discussion
Wren Murphy, Diversity Reporter
January 29, 2019
Filed under News
A speaker for Martin Luther King Jr. Week posed the question: would King have supported the Black Lives Matter movement. According to Chike Akua, an author and a professor of educational leadership at Clark Atlanta University, King would have. Akua gave a presentation called “Martin Luther ...
50 years ago: Students participate in ‘Whip to White’
May 16, 2019
May 6, 2019
May 3, 2019
South Dakota State remembers Kalin Henn
April 30, 2019
April 28, 2019