The Lynx Way
BV alum wins Professional Excellence Award
Dakota Wesleyan University has announced Ian McClanahan as one of two winners of the Professional Excellence Awards for the spring term. McClanahan was lauded for his commitment to the university flexibility and contributions to the university’s mission.
McClanahan, winner for the staff award, is the sports information director and 2016 graduate of DWU. McClanahan took over as the director of sports information in spring 2018 after earning his Master of Arts degree in educational policy and administration from Dakota Wesleyan. Before being named the head of the DWU Sports Information Department, McClanahan also worked as the graduate assistant.
The 2012 Brandon Valley High School graduate is described in his nomination as someone who works tirelessly to promote DWU athletics and the university’s image.
“Many people don’t realize the hours that come along with being a SID,” reads the nomination, commenting on extremely long hours spent at work, even on weekends. “Even when we aren’t hosting home events, Ian produces press releases following games and updates our social media platforms in live time. He maintains a high level of professionalism and our mission and values are very apparent in his work.”
Wiese graduates BHSU
Stacey Wiese, of Brandon, is one of nearly 400 graduates recognized during the 177th Black Hills State University Commencement Ceremony on May 4 at the Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center on the BHSU campus. Fifty-three master’s degrees, 311 bachelor’s degrees, and 33 associate’s degrees were awarded.
Wiese was awarded a Master of Science degree in curriculum and instruction.
BVHS represented in winter season academic achievement team awards
With the completion of all the SDHSAA winter fine arts and athletic activities, the SDHSAA announces that 546 teams have received the “Academic Achievement Team Awards” for the 2018-19 winter season. All varsity fine arts groups and athletic teams that achieve a combined grade point average of 3.0 or higher are eligible to receive the SDHSAA Academic Achievement Team Award.
Brandon Valley High School has representation in nine programs: All-State Band, Wrestling Cheerleaders, One-Act Play, Band Solo-Ensemble Group, Girls Basketball Team, Girls Basketball Cheerleaders, Boys Basketball Team, Boys Basketball Cheerleaders, Orchestra Solo-Ensemble Group and Vocal Solo-Ensemble Group.
Initiated in the 1996-97 school year, the SDHSAA Academic Achievement Team Award recognizes varsity athletic teams and fine arts groups for their academic excellence.
Local DWU students recognized for scholastic achievement
Dakota Wesleyan University students, which included two students from Brandon, were honored recently at the 2018-19 Honors Banquet held on campus.
Mikael Smith was one of two DWU nursing students to be awarded the Methodist Hospital Endowed Scholarship. Smith, a junior, also garnered recognition for Honors in Scholarship, which requires the student to have an accumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above for all work at DSU and elsewhere. Juniors must have successfully completed two semesters. She also was honored with the Scholar-Athlete Award.
Kaylee Hamann was recognized as an Education Learning Through Service Scholar. The elementary, secondary and special education majors in the Learning Through Service independent honors practicum within the education department have demonstrated superior ability in the university classroom and exceptional teaching skill during field experiences.
