@USF_CW /usfcollegeweek USF College Week
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Virtual Choir Comes to Sioux Falls
COVER STORY
Sold-out Performance: Cougaret a Big Hit Introducing USF’s New Dean of Students
November 2014 Volume 2 Issue 3 | usfcollegeweek.com
WE KNOW WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE WHEN WE SEE IT. We also know that USF has a history of graduating successful financial professionals like Nathan Burns and Ryan Graber. Looking for an opportunity to show off your talent? E-mail Kylee at kylee.s.gant@nm.com.
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2 | usfcollegeweek.com 05-3046 Š 2014 Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI (NM) (life and disability insurance, annuities) and its subsidiaries. Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (securities), a subsidiary of NM, broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, and member of FINRA and SIPC. Samuel Thomas Theobald, District Agent(s) of NM. Managing Directors are not in legal partnership with each other, NM or its affiliates. Samuel Thomas Theobald, Registered Representative(s) of NMIS.
Virtual Choir Comes to South Dakota Story by Paige Petersen | Photo Courtesy of SD Virtual Choir
South Dakota Middle Schoolers Participating in the Virtual Choir
What do USF students, local businesses and South Dakota middle schoolers have in common? This year’s South Dakota virtual choir, of course. A virtual choir, in short, is the combination of separate YouTube videos submitted by people across any span of distance, singing the same song. “We take alto, soprano, tenor, and base and mix it together into one virtual choir,” said Electronic Media student, Zach Dresch. His father, Mike Dresch, was in charge of “ripping apart” and “mixing” the YouTube videos submitted by South Dakota middle school students. Nick Poppens, a USF professor, was the force behind creating these South Dakota virtual choirs and was first inspired to create them by composer, Eric Whitacre. Whitacre has composed and conducted five virtual choirs since its beginning in 2010. His videos have received over 15 million views on YouTube with his most recent choir containing over a million singers. Though the South Dakota virtual choir may not get quite as many views, Poppens still sees a lot of improvements from last year’s to this one.
“Just the overall quality,” said Poppens. “We have Mike Dresch at Cathouse Studios helping us with the audio portion of it so I was able to bring some of my Electronic Media students there and it was sort of a learning experience for them.” Mike Dresch mixed together 17 separate tracks of South Dakota middle schoolers in just a matter of two and a half hours. “I actually somewhat understand what he’s doing,” said son, Zach, “and that would have taken me, like, three months.” Poppens’ overall goal for this project was to simply create “something cool” that not very many people get the chance to participate and to provide another learning tool for his students. The South Dakota virtual choir will be making its debut before the South Dakota All State Orchestra on South Dakota Public Television.
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Cougaret Hosts 50’s Decade
Kroske Hall Residents Dancing to 60’s Decade
USF Football Team Boot Scootin’ Boogie
USF Alumni Sing Band Covers
Cougaret Hosts Dancing to 90’s Decade
Residents of Sullivan Hall Preforming to 70’s Decade
USF Cougaret Packs Fine Arts Center Story by Simon Floss | Photos by Christin VanderPol The University of Sioux Falls theatrical department started a new tradition on campus in the form of a yearly homecoming cabaret entitled, ‘Cougaret.’ The premise behind ‘Cougaret’ was designed as a homecoming celebration for the University, but with the idea of bringing in the community of Sioux Falls as well. 10 groups, comprised of USF students, staff, faculty, and alumni, were given three weeks to put together a 3-5 minute skit or performance representing a local Sioux Falls charity. A distinguished panel of judges would decide the winning group. A $1,000 check would be donated to the charity the winning group represented. “It was designed as a way to bring in the community of Sioux Falls. We have the charities represented and the different groups competing for those charities in order to open our doors and have other folks here to celebrate the larger community of Sioux Falls, as well as
USF Staff and Alumni Preforming as Cougarettes
the community at the University of Sioux Falls,” said Director of Theatrical Studies at USF, Joe Obermuller. Be Free 58, The New Colossus, The Banquet, St. Francis House, Theresa’s House, Community Outreach, New Haven Ministries, Kids Against Hunger, Compassion Child Care, and Center For Hope were the 10 charities represented, with The Banquet taking home the winning check. USF plans to continue this tradition for years to come, “It was a big success! I think everyone that was involved felt a lot of pride about it, and I’m already hearing groups talking about what they’re doing next year,” said Obermuller. Next homecoming, come by the University of Sioux Falls to experience some hilarious, joyous, and community-minded fun put on by USF students, staff, faculty, and alumni.
Cougaret Hosts Disco Dancing
Senior Spotlight Tavia Rutherford
Story by Simon Floss | Photos by Eric Carlson
Hometown: Bakersfield, CA Sport: Golf Highlight of Fall Season: Finished in the top 10 in all tournaments, placed first at Concordia’s fall invite tournament. Hopes for Spring Season: Qualify for regionals, have a shot at nationals. Major: Exercise Science/Psychology with concentration in counseling. Plans after USF: Grad school in sports psychology; hopes to obtain doctorate in sports psychology, looks to open her own practice, and eventually teach at the collegiate level. Favorite thing about USF: Being a part of the residence life team, spending time with friends, and growing as a person through the School’s culture. Cool Quote: “I’m left-handed and short, so that makes it really hard to find golf clubs.” Favorite Homemade Meal: Mom’s chicken fettuccine alfredo.
Photos of Tavia Rutherford golfing at Prairie Green Golf Course
6 | usfcollegeweek.com
A New Face
Meet Corey Ross, USF’s new Dean of Students. Story by Evan Gentry | Photos by Christin VanderPol
Although Casey Miele will be missed, his replacement has been well accepted amongst the students at USF.
Many students have enjoyed being able to spend time with Ross and getting to know him.
Corey Ross spent his life attending and working at Christian Liberal arts schools making him a perfect fit for USF. He went through a national search for the position and upon selection, he was more than willing to accept the position.
Although Ross loves the Sioux Falls area, he said “I haven’t been looking forward to the winters here.”
He said he has connected spiritually with many of his students since he has been here. Ross is hoping to make this campus more home like for everyone. Ross has been working for the school since the beginning of August and he has met the expectations left by Miele.
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The school, including the students will be looking forward to seeing Ross’ face around for an extended period of time.
7 | usfcollegeweek.com
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