Treasure the Tradition is 2009 Dakota Days theme at USD
The schedule of events begins on Monday, Oct. 5 with activities at the Muenster University Center, including “Coyote Idol,” at 8:30 p.m. in the ball room. Coronation of the Dakota Days King and Queen in the MUC ball room at 7 p.m. highlights events on Tuesday, Oct. 6. Following coronation, there will be a pep rally on campus at 7:30 p.m. on the lawn between Slagle Hall and Old Main.
Additional activities scheduled for the week include presentation of the Al Neuharth Award for Excellence in Media to Katie Couric, anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening News, on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. in the DakotaDome; dedication of the new School of Business building at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9; and the All-Alumni Reunion and Awards Banquet at 6 p.m. at the Muenster University Center.
The 95th annual Dakota Days Parade on Main Street is at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10. Following the parade, the DakotaDome will host Coyote Tailgate Nation at noon prior to USD’s football game vs. the University of California-Davis at 2 p.m.
2009 Coronation candidates
Queen: Emily Bolon of Olympia, Wash. Emily, daughter of Tom and Sheri Bolon, is an elementary education major. She is sponsored by Student Ambassadors; Alex Braegelmann of Watertown, Minn. Alex, daughter of Joe and Vicki Braegelmann, is a criminal justice and psychology major. She is sponsored by Pi Beta Phi; Tracy Elsen of Hecla, S.D. Traci, the daughter of Owen and Janet Elsen, is a mathematics education major. Her sponsoring organization is Dance Marathon; Anne Grady of Le Mars, Iowa. Anne, the daughter of Tim and Linda Grady, is a chemistry and history major. She is sponsored by the USD Student Government Association; Sarah Lovre of Sioux Falls, S.D. Lovre is the daughter of Mark and Janet Lovre. She is majoring in English and political science, and her sponsoring organization is Kappa Alpha Theta; Sarah Skattum of Rapid City, S.D. Skattum, daughter of Craig Skattum and Bonni Boschee, is a Spanish and pre-nursing major. Her sponsor is Alpha Phi; and Jodi Sutton of Watertown, S.D. Jodi, daughter of Jim and Jolene Sutton, is a nursing and psychology major. Her sponsoring organization is Dakotans.
King: Blake Alberts of Rapid City, S.D. Blake, son of Ka and Diane Alberts, is a chemistry and biology major. His sponsoring organization is Student Government Association; Kevin Haiar from Sioux Falls, S.D. Kevin, son of Mike and Mary Haiar, is a biology major. His sponsor is Sigma Alpha Epsilon; Matt Leedom of Sioux Falls, S.D. Matt, son of Joe and Mary Leedom, is a psychology major. His sponsor is Phi Kappa Theta; Will Mortenson of Fort Pierre, S.D. Will, son of Curt and Kim Mortenson, is a political science major. He is sponsored by Strollers; Robb Nielsen from Battle Creek, Iowa. Robb is the son of Wayne and Diana Nielsen. Majoring in communication studies, Robb’s sponsoring organization is Student Ambassadors; Casey Pratt of Castlewood, S.D. Casey, son of Mitch and Tina Pratt, is a business management major. His sponsor is Students in Free Enterprise; and Patrick Siegling of Redfield, S.D. Patrick, the son of Rod and Robbi Siegling, is a health services administration major. He is sponsored by the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Committee members for Dakota Days 2009 include Audrey Flatguard, President; Frank DePaula, Business Manager; Seth Parson, Dignitary Chair; Levi Froke, Campus Entries Chair; Aleisia Gomez, Community Entries Chair; Kenda Praseuth, Promotions Chair; Chelsey Brown, Publicity Chair; Rachel Miller, Marching Band Chair; Becca Packard, Special Daily Events Chair; Katie Nielsen, Coronation Chair; Justina Fieldsend, graduate assistant; Beth Overmoe, graduate assistant; and Holly Mueller, adviser.
For more information and a complete schedule of activities, including daily entertainment and additional sporting events during the week, please visit www.usd.edu/campus-life/dakota-days.