We haven't finished our discussion of Part I of the Zinsser book, so I don't want to assign new readings just yet. Instead, I'd like you to do a couple of what Ric referred to (I think) as Old Grandpa Interviews.
Please find time this week to talk to at least two people who have been around NSU for ten years or more and who have some connection to the subject matter of the chapter you are going to write for the book. Ask them about highlights of their time here at NSU, what things they'd like to see addressed in an updated history of Northern, and what they think are the most significant changes (positive and negative) of the last 10-20 years.
Add comments below about what they told you. Did you get any additional ideas for what you want to include in your chapter?
I did an interview with my advisor, Rhonda Carda as well as one of the head librarians at NSU, Carolyn Blanchard.
ReplyDeleteIn my interview with Rhonda, she told me about a fine arts alumni who has recently started working for the NBA as a graphic designer. The Barnett center was built, additions to JFAC, MJ, the library, and the student center were completed too since her graduation in 1989. We have also had the highest attendance for the past consecutive 13 years at basketball games on campus. The Jewett Science Center is also a highlight that has been built recently. She mentioned a film studio being built in Dakota Hall for the fine arts with a green screen to make motion picture films. There has also been vandalism on campus this year in the art studio by middle schoolers and in the science center (although the science center vandalism may have been an accident). She also talked about the bowling alley on campus previously near the den, and the popularity and services from the student success center.
In my interview with Carolyn, she told me a lot. She started by explaining renovations done to the library since 1995-6. Due to the growth and success of the library and needs not being met by the ADA, changes were made. The student center used to be called the memorial union, and after renovations received its new name. There were 2 cafeterias across campus and a bowling alley in the memorial center. Seymour Hall was the first men's dormitory, but was turned into offices for the School of Arts and Sciences. MJ was also renovated to allow accessibility for offices and the Tech Center was built onto it. President George H. W. Bush visited campus and gave a speech to campaign for John Thune, and the NSU marching band participated in both the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and Inaugural Parade for Bush’s second term. She told me about the active summer school program when she first came to NSU: entertainment and an ice cream social took place during the term. The Science Center has been the first modernized building built on campus for a long time, and the new football field used to be where the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired was before it was relocated. The old hall they tore down provided NSU an opportunity to build not only a new football field, but a renovated school for the blind and visually impaired as well. There were track and field days and marching band practice in the field near the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, but after renovations, the new football field has provided good space for school activities. Modernization and integration with buildings on campus goes hand-in-hand when a new building is being constructed, as they want more present-day architecture, but they do not want a building to stick out like a sore thumb. Lincoln Hall is about to be torn down as well, and the School of Business will be moved to where it used to be. Lincoln Hall was also interestingly enough, named after one of the key people who helped in the founding of NSU.
The film studio in Dakota Hall and vandalism that has occurred are really interesting topics, and may even be applicable additions to my chapter. Major changes that have also occurred like the Jewett Science Center and the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired will also be useful when writing my chapter. I think mentioning the renovated South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired will help connect my chapter better to community, as it helped many people outside of Northern as well. The deconstruction of Lincoln Hall is also an interesting topic to look at, especially because it has recently sprung up.
For this, I interviewed April Henze and Lauren Pierce in the School of Education. I asked them questions regarding the PRAXIS Core Exam and whether or not they think that it will be phased out in the next 15-20 years, what interesting experiences they have had here at Northern, and some overall highlights they have had here as well. One question I asked Dr. Pierce and not April, was about scholarships and what kind of scholarship she would make if she could make one of her own. It was very interesting to hear what these two individuals had to say about the school they work for and are a part of.
ReplyDeleteFor my interviews, I met with Jerilyn Mielke the head Secretary for Student Affairs and Dr.Haller from the English department.
ReplyDeleteJerilyn has seen a lot of growth on campus especially when it comes to the different buildings on campus. Lindberg hall was torn down in 2017 and Jerde hall was removed in 2018. She also mentioned the three new halls on campus. Wolves Memorial suites was a name that was voted on while Great Plains East and West were named after donors. Jerilyn also mentioned the closing of the Confucius Institute in 2020. Opened in 2015, this was a partnership with the University of Jinan in China.
Dr. Haller also mentioned the new buildings on campus and while she does think they add to the university, she also misses the open spaces. She discussed how there used to be higher enrollment of international students at Northern. She’s sees a lack of diversity when it comes to the international students that are studying here at Northern. It is her belief that this lack of diversity hurts not only the school but also the state of South Dakota.
For my interviews I interviewed Professor Art and Professor Dias. We talked about which clubs the different Professors ran as well as which clubs were created and removed during the twenty years of Northern history. We talked about how the student union was remodeled and how that changed the clubs and that intramurals were eventually taken over by the sports administration. We talked about how leaders in clubs can make the clubs come to life but when the leader leaves the club usually dies shortly after unless a different leader with the same character comes in. A lot of interesting information was given and will be used when writing my paper.
ReplyDeleteI was only able to find one person who has been here for more than 10 years to interview. My current coach at Northern has been here for longer than 10 years because she has gone here and competed on the track team as well. She said a lot has changed since she was in school especially athletics. She said that athletics "have been constantly changing over the years with new rules as well as new NCAA legislation". When i asked her about my chapter on Covid. The main thing she wanted me to put on it was how the NCAA was able to keep many of the sports alive and how it affected young athletes who had to deal with both school as well as athletics during this pandemic.
ReplyDelete