[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5340]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING BLACK HILLS STATE UNIVERSITY

 Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I recognize Black Hills State 
University as they celebrate their 125th anniversary.
  Throughout the past 125 years, Black Hills State University, BHSU, 
has served the State of South Dakota by providing a quality educational 
experience. BHSU's commitment to education began in 1883 when the 
school was founded as the Dakota Territorial Normal School. With only 
40 students and a 2-year budget of $2,000, BHSU began its journey in 
becoming a premier educational institution in South Dakota.
  The school underwent a name change in 1941 and became the Black Hills 
Teacher's College. In the early 1940s, the rise of World War II 
resulted in a nationwide decline in university enrollment. In response, 
BHSU chipped in and hosted the training operations for Air Corp Cadets 
for the Manpower Commission to assist the war effort. After the war, 
the school rebounded and enrollment increased rapidly with the help of 
the G.I. Bill of Rights and BHSU's addition of graduate courses to its 
university catalogue.
  Black Hills State University received its present name in 1964, and 
since, has continued to thrive in the South Dakota educational 
community. Now with three different colleges, an excellent academic 
environment, and many athletic opportunities, I am confident that BHSU 
will continue to serve the Spearfish community and the State of South 
Dakota for the next 125 years.
  It gives me great pleasure to rise with the students, faculty, and 
alumni of Black Hills State University on this milestone anniversary 
and wish them continued success in the years to come.

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