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Recognition for greatness OUTANDABOUT
President Abbott to be inducted SD Hall of Fame
The Volante asked students what they thought of Abbott’s induction. “He supports everything so much here at USD. No matter what it is whether it’s athletics, anything... That’s great in a president.”
Clay Conover
Taylor Frederick, sophomore
Clay.Conover@coyotes.usd.edu
In a corner office of Slagle Hall, USD President James Abbott tends to the university’s business, which he’s been doing for more than 20 years. Abbott, along with nine other people, will be inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame for his contributions to education in the state. The inductees were announced in May and will be formally inducted during a ceremony in Chamberlain, SD on Sept. 9. Much like the way he supports campus, students support his induction into the South Dakota Hall of Fame. “He supports everything so much here at USD,” said sophomore Taylor Frederick. “No matter what it is, whether it’s athletics, anything. He’s supporting everything. That’s great in a president.” Senior Jake Carroll said Abbott’s induction is well-deserved. “In about the 20 years he’s been here, the campus has exploded as far as size and options,” Carroll said. “We have new buildings going up and just a bunch of different options that we didn’t even have maybe 10 years ago.” During his tenure, Abbott has completed and still plans to improve infrastructure, while USD has grown in student population and moved from Division II to Division I. The Muenster University Center, the Al Neuharth Media Center, the
“He’s so cute and full of USD spirit and energy. He’s like the nicest man I’ve probably met.” Megan Bonar, sophomore
File photo I The Volante
University of South Dakota President James Abbott walks with provost and vice president for academic affairs Jim Moran Oct. 17, 2016. Sanford Coyote Sports Center and the Wellness Center are all among the long list of buildings built under Abbott’s leadership. The university has also grown its marketing department and established a Center for Diversity & Community. Abbott was born in Sioux City, IA, but spent most of his life in South Dakota. He’s the only president who is an alumnus, having received both his bachelors and juris doctorate from USD. He spent some time practicing law and as a business man before becom-
ing a politician. In 1991, Abbott was elected to the South Dakota State Legislature, where he represented Yankton County until 1993. During the next several years, he attempted a political career from 1994 to 2002, but was ultimately defeated in each race. He ran for lieutenant governor of South Dakota on the democratic ticket with Jim Beddow and lost to Republicans Bill Janklow and Carole Hillard in 1994. Abbott was the Democratic nominee for US House of Representatives in 1996 but was defeated by Rick Weiland.
“I think he’s actually a really good president. He’s always on campus. He always comes around and tries to interact with people.” Jake Carroll, senior He also ran for governor in 2002 while he was president of USD, but lost to Mike Rounds. Abbott became president of USD in 1996 after a conversation in a restaurant. “My wife Colette and I were having dinner in downtown Vermillion,” he said. “We met some friends from Sioux Falls. I was aware that the president had resigned but I hadn’t given it much thought, and our then student body president, Brendan Johnson, walked by, said, ‘Hello,’ and said, ‘You ought to apply for this job, it might be
the right time for somebody like you.’ So, I did.” During Abbott’s presidency, USD has had an evolving commitment to inclusiveness. The university has increased its number of diversity-related student groups and number of non-white students. “I think that diversity and inclusion are much more on people’s minds (than when I started here),” he said. “I am pleased with the student groups we have that make See ABBOTT, Page A2
SGA president, vice president look forward to new semester Lauren Soulek
Lauren.Soulek@coyotes.usd.edu
Photo illustration I The Volante
Contactless wristbands may be used for on-campus purchases or for access to residential buildings.
Contactless ID bands now available to students, faculty Volante staff
volante@coyotes.usd.edu
First made available earlier this month, new contactless wristbands allow wearers to get into buildings or purchase on-campus dining items with ease. More than 150 wristbands have been sold since Aug. 14, said Hana Russell, senior secretary of the Coyote card office. They cost $20 each. “Wristbands are optional and are designed to supplement existing
IDs, not replace them,” Russell said in an email. In any situation where students need to be visually identified, like by a UPD officer or at the Testing Center, they’ll still need to present their ID card, she added. Made from hypo-allergenic silicone, the wristbands are “waterproof, flexible and comfortable,” Russell said. Similar to IDs, lost wristbands can be locked online or by calling the Coyote Card office.
The Student Government Association executive team is preparing for the last semester of their term. SGA President Teagan McNary and Vice President Josh Anderson said they’re happy to be back and are ready to get things going. They’re looking forward to their senate dynamic as a whole. “We have a very diverse group of people on our senate in terms of all things, especially ideas,” McNary said. Senators have already been discussing different ideas for bills they want to bring forward. For example, Anderson said one senator had the idea to establish a veteran’s memorial on campus. “I think that’s always a really good sign when you have senators that are eager right off the bat with ideas,” McNary said. “I think that we’re going to have a really good term.” McNary said one thing she hopes to change in the upcoming semester is the perception students have of SGA. “It’s not always noticeable things that we’re doing,” Anderson said. “We’re really looking forward to bringing back a positive outlet for students for what we do. We’re really here to benefit them.” Anderson said the team’s focus thus far has been getting everything scheduled and planned. After that’s complete, they’ll work more on their three-pillar platform. Plans for their first pillar, to
File photo I The Volante
SGA president Teagan McNary and vice president Josh Anderson look to build upon involvement, improvement and inclusiveness. increase student involvement, will center around a new program for first-year students. “We knew right off the bat that we wouldn’t be able to plan it for this year, just because we wanted to involve so many different partnerships,” McNary said.
Anderson said they want to model the first-year program off of a 60-day challenge that other universities have implemented. The program would allow first-year students to have one-on-one experiences with different student organizations. See SGA, Page A2