Volume 9 issue 6
may 2022
university of sioux falls student media
THE VESSEL MAGAZINE
CONTENTS 3 Editors 4 Writers 5 Summer Session Sunshine 6-7 A New Season of Life 8-9 A Lovely Little Community 10-13 Graduate Spotlights 14-15 Found and Lost 16-17 Senior Spotlights 18 From the Ground Up 19 Spring Football
Cover Image Courtesy of Xavier Blackwell
editors
Kelsey Sutton
Mercede Odegaard a note from the editors:
As the seniors prepare to leave, we are flooded with a variety of emotions. We are sad at the loss of their presence, but overjoyed at the thought of new careers, new challenges, and a new incoming class. The Class of 2022 is resilient and has proven that they have grit. We cannot wait to see what the future holds. Congratulations Class of 2022!
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writers Josh Werre
Tyler Blackburn
Kat Steffen
Andrew Taylor
Danielle Hoopaugh
Kiara James
Terrell Conner
Cale Engelkes
Delton Pease
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Summer Session Sunshine By: andrew taylor
Summer break is the perfect time to kick back, relax, and catch some rays. It is also an opportunity to make a little extra cash or earn some college credit. Home is a welcome reprieve for many students, but for those wishing to stay on campus, the application process is simple, and the chill environment offered by the University of Sioux Falls summer session is an experience any student would enjoy. There are many reasons a student may desire to remain on campus. Summer housing is open to incoming and current students who meet one of three requirements. They must be taking a summer class/internship, working in Sioux Falls (including on campus), or training for athletics. According to Andrew Porteous, Director of Housing & Student Life, the most common reasons are athletics and work. The application process is a simple Microsoft form linked in an email sent by Student Life. The deadline to apply was May 2nd in order for the student housing team to send out assignments before summer begins. Even so, Porteous said that the University displays leniency to students in need, and though they prefer applications before the deadline, they are unlikely to turn away eligible students. Housing for summer 2022 is on the second and third floor of North Hall. While housing was previously in the Collier-Baker Apartments, the increasing number of summer boarders has required a greater number of rooms than in the past. A single room costs $225 per week, and a double room costs $150 per week. Students working on campus receive a $25 discount on housing. Summer jobs include working in the library, the bookstore, admissions, student life, and a few departments, such as nursing. One of the largest jobs is the events team which resets classrooms and moves resident hall furniture. While the dining hall and Cooper’s Cafe are closed, there are communal kitchens in the resident hall. There are certain resources on campus available to students during the summer session. Many of the buildings are open, and there are even opportunities for intramural activities and movie nights. The Summer Session is a quiet time where students can work on athletic training, earning money, and academics. Whether staying on campus or returning home, every student should have a great break and get out into the sunshine.
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a new season of life By: Delton Pease
As many students prepare to start their lives outside of college and enter the workforce or graduate school, we look back on some of our experiences here at the University of Sioux Falls and ahead at those to come. Giulia Marcon, is a member the University of Sioux Falls’ graduating class of 2022. During her time at USF, Guilia was a member of the Cougars Swim Team and led the team as a captain. Her valient efforts have helped the Cougars to obtain many victories. Guilia came to the U.S. and to USF from Brazil as an interMarcon smiling in her USF Swimming Sweatshirt
national student to pursue her education and to swim at the collegiate level.
When asked to share one word that describes how she feels about graduating, Giulia said “excitement” was the first word to enter her mind. Though leaving USF will be bittersweet, Guila is grateful for the opportunities that she received during her time here as not only a student, but also as a collegiate athlete. Guilia expressed that she will forever be thankful for the oppotunity to have an influence on her teammates as team captain and for the influence they had on her both in and out of the pool.
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Photos courtesy of
Giulia Marcon
Giulia is graduating with an impressive collection of four degrees in Psychology, Sociology, Social Science, and Criminal Justice. After graduation, she will embark on a month-long journey through Italy. Giulia was recently accepted to the prestigious 800 year old University of Padova in Italy and she plans to stay in Italy after her trip. With one chapter coming to an end, a new season of life will begin while she is pursuing an education and career in clinical psychology.
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A Lovely LittleBy:Community Danielle Hoopaugh In the Mears Library Gallery, you may have found a fine art show filled with wondrous abstract pieces by former faculty member Nancy Olive and alumni Emily Larson. The
show came about after Emily and her fellow graduates found themselves returning to Nancy’s place every few months to eat and toss around creative ideas. This became
her little community and helped inspire her creativity. The style of the paintings was directly inspired by Nancy’s mentor Joanne Emmers, whose watered-down acrylic creates flowing paintings with great depth. The process is a time-consuming one,
as the canvas is entirely wet before the watered acrylic is applied, then it must com-
pletely dry before the next layers are added. While the idea of speeding up the drying may be tempting to others, both artists explain that waiting is an important part of the process, and they trust Joanne and her technique.
While many of the paintings were sold on opening night, there are a few that were
already spoken for, including Lampyridae, which Nancy describes as, “... splashy, colorful, and spontaneous looking.” She explained that she is trying to push her own art
in that direction, so it serves as great inspiration. Emily’s favorite is Multiscapes which is in the process of being turned into screen prints made by Nancy herself. While
they are both proud of the show, they did open up and admit there were times in the creation that they felt some regret. “This technique gives no forgiveness…” admitted Nancy. If a layer was too dark, it was there to stay. And Emily explained she felt that some pieces may have been overworked and she preferred how they were a few
layers ago. But with those feelings comes a chance to inspire a new idea and take the piece in a whole other direction. Even if a piece does not turn out anything like
Story Continued
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previously imagined does not make it bad. Sometimes walking away from a piece for a while helps as well, as Emily did with her first piece, Lampyridae. The Artists shared some advice for anyone wishing to test out this painting style. Nancy cannot stress enough how important patience is. Waiting for each layer to dry takes time, even when she spends all day working on a piece she may only get three layers done. Because of this, Emily advises setting aside plenty of time. Not only that, but let yourself be able to step back from the painting to decide how to continue, or if need be, restart. “It’s a very stop and start heavy process.” And while it may sound cliche, she goes on to explain that it’s one of those times where you need to let the piece speak to you and tell you where it wants to go. Both Nancy and Emily plan to keep creating in this style with Emily also diving back into gesture drawing and pastels. She plans on using some of the color studies she’s learned with this painting style to help with the drawing process and see where that takes her.
Photos courtesy of Danielle Hoopaugh
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graduate spotlights By: Kat Steffen Commencement is a synonym for Graduation Ceremony which also means beginning or to start. Graduation often feels scary or like it is the end and it is a big change but in reality, graduation is the beginning of the next chapter. Three seniors shared their emotions and thoughts about their years spent at the University of Sioux Falls and what lies ahead for them in their futures. Senior Greta Smith Q: What are your plans for after graduation? A: After graduation, I am focusing on downsizing all of my things and moving. I will spend the summer decompressing, traveling, and searching for a job to begin in the fall. Q: What is your favorite memory or tradition from your time here at USF? A: I have many wonderful memories from USF, I think some of my favorites will always be time spent with the theatre department and in shows, being in madrigals, and helping to lead a worship team Q: What emotions do you experience when you think about graduation? A: Graduation is a frightening milestone. I am simultaneously excited for all the possibilities of the future and scared of its nearness.
Greta Smith
Q: What are you looking forward to most in your future? A: As an artist, I am looking forward to creating beautiful things all my life. I don’t quite know what this will look like yet, but I do know that I will be worshiping Jesus for my whole life, and that excites me.
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nd e i r F h t i Fun w
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Senior Kristin Kotas Q: What are your plans for after graduation? A: After graduation, I will be working in the USF Student Life office as a full-time Resident Director and Coordinator of Housing & Operations, and beginning the MBA program in the fall. Q: What is a favorite memory or tradition from your time at USF? A: One of my favorite memories at USF would be the Hawaii trip this past interim! The whole trip was a blast from whale watching, to hiking, to the luau, all in great company. The food there is so good! Q: What emotions do you experience when you think about graduation? A: I am sad to be graduating, but I am happy to know that I get to stay at USF in a new role and that we have a great group of student leaders for next year who will represent the school well and accomplish great things for students and campus. Q: What are you looking forward to most in your future? A: In the future, I’m most looking forward to seeing how far I can go with the resources and network I have found at USF!
Kristin Kotas
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Senior Mercede Odegaard Q: What are your plans for after graduation? A: After graduation, I am heading to Vermillion, SD to attend graduate school at the University of South Dakota. I will be pursuing my masters degree while also working as a graduate assistant in the athletic communications office on campus. Q: What is your favorite memory or tradition from USF? A: I have so many amazing memories from my four years at USF, so it’s hard to choose just one. The first thing that comes to my mind is honestly just spending time with my best friends. Some of my favorite times were just hanging out in my dorm room and watching movies with my roommate. Q: What emotions do you experience when you think about graduation? A: I am a very emotional person, so I am feeling all the emotions right now. I am excited for the future, but also sad to be leaving a place that has become my comfort zone over the last few years. I’m happy for my friends that are pursuing their dreams, but I’m not loving that we won’t be living together anymore. Overall, I would say graduation is a very bittersweet thing. Q: What are you looking forward to most in your future? A: I’m looking forward to trying new things in the future. When I first started at USF in 2018, everything was so new and scary, but quickly became comfortable and fun. While it’s hard to leave that behind, it’s exciting to jump into something new and (hopefully) create even more amazing memories.
Mercede Odegaard 12
Senior Abbie Kraft Q: What are your plans for after graduation? A: I will be teaching 3rd grade at Storm Lake Elementary School! Q: What is a favorite memory or tradition from your time at USF?
Abbie Kraft
A: My favorite tradition is Culture for Service Day. A day set aside to practice our servant hearts, its truly an amazing experience. My favorite memory would have to be winning Grocery Bag Bingo and my prize was a huge Cheesecake! AND Being part of the team that established the Campus Cupboard on our campus!
Q: What emotions do you experience when you think about graduation? A: My emotions are mixed, I am excited to graduate and go into the career I have been so passionate about forever. I am sad to be leaving a place where I have met some amazing people that I am blessed to call my friends. Right now, it doesn’t feel real that I am graduating, I feel like I just got to USF. Q: What are you looking forward to most in your future? A: I am looking forward to seeing how God will work through me in this next stage of life. He has provided so much these first 21 years of life, I am excited to see how He will continue to provide.
It can be frightening to say goodbye to friends as they graduate and move away but there is an overall excitement that comes with seeing talented intelligent individuals succeed. Goodbye USF class of 2022!
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(Found & Lost) By: josh werre
Carly Wohlers is a senior Communication Studies & Theatre and Media Studies major from Morris, Minnesota. Last March she collaborated with the Coo Cinema Club to produce her original short film, “Found and Lost”. The film not only acted as Wohler’s culminating senior theatre project, but it also gave her the opportunity to do what she loves– filmmaking. Q. Why did you decide to make a short film for your senior project? A. It has always been my dream to act in film. I love stage acting, but I’ve always wanted to do film… and I just thought it would be a different thing to do for my senior project because most people do plays. Q. What is the movie about? A. It is about a girl who finds a journal at a thrift store… she falls in love with the guy who wrote it, and she goes on a journey trying to find him. Q. Where did the idea for the story come from? A. I was asking my mom and sister for ideas because I couldn’t figure out anything, so I was hoping they would give me an idea and then something else would spark. I had mentioned something about journaling because I really like to journal. I thought maybe a film about a girl who journals or something. My mom gave me this idea about a girl falling in love with a guy who wrote a journal, and then I kind of just took that and wrote the script.
Photos courtesy of Josh Werre
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Q. What was your favorite part of the production process? A. Just seeing everyone’s creativity come together… It was my film but everyone else put in so much work too, and the collaboration between everyone– I love seeing that. Q. What was the biggest challenge? A. I think writing it. It was hard. I never wrote anything like that. That was hard to figure out. Q. Where can people go to watch the movie? A. The screening is on Friday, May 13 at 9:15 P.M. in Big Z. I’m not actually sure what we’re going to do with it afterwards. I hope to put it on YouTube so then I’ll have it whenever, and then if anybody else wants to see it I can send them the link. Q. Do you want to work on movies after graduation? A. That would be the goal. Either acting in them or doing cinematography or background stuff. This summer I actually have an internship with a marketing company but they do films for marketing to small businesses and stuff, and so I’ll be helping with the cinematography on that.
Carly & members of the Coo Cinema Club pose for a photo inside one of the filming locations
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Senior Spotlights By: kiara james As basketball at USF comes to a close, I’ve realized how amazing my short experience has been. As a transfer, the embrace and welcoming aspect of this school and team has been amazing, and the community has surprised me in the best way possible. The relationships that I’ve developed with girls in this group have touched me deeper than I ever thought possible on a team, and there’s no other way I would want to end my career. It means the world to me to have worn the USF jersey with the women that I did, and to play for a university that stands for more than academics and athletics, putting faith at the forefront of lives which has been so important to me. – Anna Brecht, Senior Guard, Women’s Basketball
Playing 5 years of college basketball is mentally, physically, and emotionally hard. I have had so many ups and downs throughout my collegiate year. Though, it took my 5th and final year of basketball to realize that this sport does not define me. The University of Sioux Falls showed me that; I am a teammate, I am a friend, I am a student, I love to win, everyone does. I hate losing. but when I look at this last season, my mind goes to my memories with my teammates. Whether that was team meals, bus rides, inside jokes, or supporting the men’s team. Although, the weight of a student athlete is difficult. Though as I reflect on my time here, I realize playing time, accolades, wins and losses are not defining moments of my career. I will take the wonderful relationships and memories that were made in this special community. Thank you to everyone that welcomed me with open arms. I am going to miss it dearly. –Danielle Schaub, Senior Point Guard, Women’s Basketball
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Looking back on my time here at USF, I have no regrets. As a junior I entered to the transfer portal and committed to The University of Sioux Falls. The staff as well as my teammates were a big support in this process in making USF feel like home. As a newcomer, it was a big change. Though I made sure to live in the moment and cherish any bumps in the road because they are what makes the game of basketball so special. Enjoy every second, because trust me when I say this, your 4 years will be gone before you know it! -Marko Coudreau, Senior Forward, Men’s Basketball
A key point to The University of Sioux Falls Men’s Basketball program is culture. Playing for USF gave me the chance to grow not only as a player but as an individual as well. The support from various teams and coaches assisted in my confidence and performance as a player. Advice for upcoming players, “Trust the coaches’ visions and connect with your teammates. Because chemistry is the key to be successful.” -Matt Cartwright, Senior Guard, Men’s Basketball
I’m so grateful for the experience I have had playing softball here at USF. From the very first day I stepped on campus I had a second family in my team. Being a student-athlete can be difficult too, though. Softball is a game that contains a lot of failure, so I have been forced to learn from my mistakes again and again. I know this has made me grow as a player as well as a person. I have loved my time here at USF, and I am extremely sad to have it come to an end. I would tell upcoming players to be intentional with everything you do. Don’t just go through the motions because four years goes by much faster than you think. In my four years, I have improved my game, learned countless life lessons, and gained friends for life. -Kylan Straight, Right Fielder, Softball
Photos courtesy of Kiara James
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from the ground up By: Tyler Blackburn
The University of Sioux Falls is where students come to create. Across the campus, Cougars are putting together clubs, shooting videos to help promote the school, and even making podcasts. One class in particular created and maintained an entrepreneurial podcast they have titled “From the Ground Up”. On the show, students interviewed current and previous business owners to gain some insight into what it means to be a successful entrepreneur. The Entrepreneurial Team Projects class consisted of a small group of students that each played a particular role, or many when it came to creating each podcast episode. Some of the jobs included obtaining local sponsorships, writing the show script, show editing, and scheduling guests for each individual episode. For those who are interested in hosting the podcast, there are co-host positions as well. Taylor Mayfield, a current student at USF, was enrolled in the class at the beginning of the spring semester. He acted as the co-host as well as the audio/video editor, and described the class from a student’s perspective. “It is different from all other classes I have taken,” said Taylor. “I had the chance to meet several local entrepreneurs here in Sioux Falls and we all got a lot of hands-on experience in technology, communication, problem-solving, and teamwork.” Some of the entrepreneurs the class featured on their podcast were Corey Vasquez of Coast to Coast Sports and Fitness, former USF student Emma Uttis who founded The Playground, and even Paul TenHaken, the mayor of Sioux Falls. All of these successful individuals enjoyed the show and feel like the podcast is a great platform for them to share information and advice. These episodes and more can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. They can also be accessed on the designated website at thegroundupusf.wixsite.com/website. All of the hard work done to create each episode was overseen by Professor Shelly Gaddis who is an entrepreneur herself. “The podcast started as an experiential learning project for one of the entrepreneurship courses and has been extremely well received by the Sioux Falls Start-Up community,” said Professor Gaddis. “There appears to be a real need for a platform where entrepreneurs can share their experiences with others and give them a voice.” According to Professor Gaddis, the Entrepreneurial Studies program is currently being revised, so as of now the class will not be offered next semester. However, the professors at USF want to keep the podcast running in some form, and they encourage anyone who is interested to contact either Professor Gaddis at her email shell.gaddis@usiouxfall.edu or Professor Watley at his email bruce.watley@usiouxfalls.edu.
Hosts Caitlin Kellner and Taylor Mayfield interview entrepreneur and The PlayGround Sioux Falls owner, Emmie Uttis & ClickRain Owner and Mayor of Sioux Falls, Paul TenHaken.
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spring football
Team breaking it down before starting spring game.
by: Terrell Conner photos courtesy of Xavier Blackwell
As the Spring ball season comes to an end, it all sums up to the finale, the Spring game. The Cougars host an annual Spring game at Bob Young Stadium here in Sioux Falls, SD. Spring game 2022 was played on Saturday, April 30 and was a little different than past years because of the attending crowd. The Cougars were hosting a Junior Day for potential recruits and there were about 300 – 500 people in attendance. Following Junior Day, the Spring game started at 2 pm and most of the recruits plus their families stayed to watch the Coo play the game they love, even though it was a cold and rainy day.
As the cougars came on to the field they proceeded to warm up with stretches and did some drills as they were about to have an inner squad scrimmage. The way the scrimmage was setup is the offense and defense were scoring points against each other. The offense was using the normal scoring system that they use during games Sophomore Quarterback Adam Mullen waiting for play call with touchdowns and field goals, whereas the defense was awarded points with forcing a three and out, or a turnover against the offense. The game went on and there was a lot of back and forth going on between the play of both sides of the ball, but the defense played better and came out on top as they won the game 15-14. “I felt that we could have scored and won the game, but it is what it is,” says Senior Offensive lineman Jackson Wright. The Cougars felt the game was a success. “The crowd that we had seemed to enjoy the show that we put on even though it was cold and rainy,” said Senior Offensive lineman Brennan Moran. The Cougars are excited to see what the Fall of 2022 has in store for them as they go into the season prepared for anything thrown their way.
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Congratulations Graduates photos courtesy of usf marketing