The Popinator

OK University Center readers, what do you think, should we add the Popinator to the building?  Check out this story HERE and let us know what you think.

Those of us in the officer were just talking about it and can foresee popcorn eating contests popping up left and right in the bookstore.

2 Weeks Down

Well, it is the end of the 2nd week of classes and it appears that everyone has survived unscathed.  As a quick recap, the following events have occurred over the last two and a half weeks:

• New Student Orientation
• New Faculty Orientation
• Fall Welcome Back for faculty and staff
• Welcome week, featuring treats for students every day of the week
• 1st Student Newsletter was published
• 1st Annual Fall Job Fair

I has been a crazy busy last couple of weeks, but we at the UCRC hope it has been enjoyable and helpful for all of the students we are serving!

A few announcements to share:

• The "Name the Newsletter" contest is still going on.  If you are a UCRC student and have a great idea for what the newsletter should be named, please submit it to Susie Leahy no later than 5 pm on September 14th.  The submitter with the winning name will receive a gift card to the bookstore.
• Keep checking the UCRC events calendar as new activities and opportunities are always being added.
• If you are interested in starting a student organization of any kind, now is the time to act.  UCRC is supporting and encouraging the growth of student organizations, whether they are academic groups or special interest groups.  Contact us at 605-718-4142 for more information.

That's it for now, enjoy the weekend everyone!

Class of 2016

As we are gearing up to start a new semester and welcome all of the students back to the University Center, Beloit College has announced their new mindset list for the Class of 2016.  A brief bit of background information first about the mindset list.  This list was first published in 1998, for the Class of 2002.  It all began as a way to let people know the frame of mind that incoming traditional aged students had, also to help professors know that their references may be outdated.  To read this year's list, click HERE. 

In other University Center news, New Student Orientation will be held tomorrow, August 22nd.  For our veteran and military students, there will be a short session at 4:30 pm in room 112.  For all other students, the main session will begin at 5:00 pm in room 112.  Orientation is open to all new and returning students if they wish to attend.  The following sessions will be offered at orientation:

• Veterans' Center and Benefits (4:30 pm for all veteran and military students, new or returning)
• Overview of the Center and services available
• Academic Success Planning
• Study Skills 2 Career Skills
• Balancing Home-School-Personal Life
• Computer/Technology Support
• Financial Aid
• Open sessions with BHSU, SDSU, and USD representatives
• Student ID Cards
• Bookstore will be open until 7:30 pm (if you want to buy your books, please bring a printed copy of your schedule with you, otherwise you may print it in our computer labs)

There is still time to get registered for fall classes, but you need to hurry.  Classes begin at 4 pm on Monday, August 27th! 

Olympic Gold Medalist Heading to College?

For those of you who followed the Olympics closely, you are familiar with 17 year old swimming champion Missy Franklin.  She will be a senior in high school this fall and is currently debating whether or not to become a professional or go to college.

In an article on the Huffington Post, she talks about her decision and how difficult it is proving to be.  Check it out yourself HERE.  Once you've read the article, come back and let us know your thoughts on her decision.  Personally, I believe she is showing a great level of maturity in how seriously she is taking this huge decision.

Holidays for August 8th

This post is of no use other than sheer entertainment value and to share a couple pieces of trivia with you.  The first holiday revolves around food, it is "Sneak Some Zucchini onto Your Neighbor's Porch Day."  Now I don't know about the rest of you, but we have one zucchini plant in our garden and it is producing WAY more zucchini squash than we know what to do with.  I plan on leaving several on front porches around my neighborhood tonight.

The second holiday celebrated on August 8th is International/National Cat Day.  For those of you that have purring balls of fur in your life, celebrate them today.  For those of you that don't, consider adopting a homeless cat...they just want to be loved!  Check out National Cat Day's Facebook Page.

What would you like to hear about?

If I had my way, this blog would just consist of ramblings of whatever comes to my mind that day, however...the purpose of this blog is to talk about the University Center Rapid City and the services it offers to our students.  So with that in mind, what do you want to know and read about?  Please comment and let me know what information you want.

Until I get some comments, I will embark on a profile of the programs and degrees offered at the University Center.  I will be starting that series on Monday, giving all our readers something to look forward to.  In an effort not to show favoritism to one school over another, I will be going in reverse alphabetical order.  That means the schedule will be as follows:

• Monday:  University of South Dakota
• Tuesday:  South Dakota State University
• Wednesday:  Northern State University
• Thursday:  Dakota State University
• Friday:  Black Hills State University

Happy Friday!

The University Center is a hopping place today!  We have two groups visiting this morning on top of the classes that are going on, not to mention a New Student Registration Day for Black Hills State University students this afternoon.  While I wait for my next appointment to arrive, I figured I would jot off a quick note to wish all our readers "Happy Friday!"

As one of the editor of this blog, I occasionally surf through the statistics on how many people are reading this, how they found us and what country they are from.  I was happy and pleased to see readers from several different European countries!  So for all of you, WELCOME!  If you have any questions about the University Center, Rapid City or the Black Hills; please do not hesitate to contact us.

Anyone have any wild weekend plans?  I know I will spend it driving back and forth across the state, again, but it is all for a good cause.  First though, my Corvette loving husband will be taking me to Spearfish tonight to stare at all the 'Vettes parked on Main Street for the annual Corvette Rally.

From all of us at the University Center, have a great weekend!  Try to stay cool and safe with the heat and wildfires happening out there.