At 7 p.m. this evening in the Surbeck Ballroom, we will induct the first class of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) at South Dakota Mines. NSLS is the largest leadership honor society and collegiate leadership development program with 1.5 million individual members and more than 700 participating colleges nationwide. We’re proud of the success of our initial class of inductees and we know they have bright futures as leaders in science and engineering.
This Saturday evening, we will celebrate our annual Diwali Festival on campus. I hope everyone has a chance to come out and join this wonderful event which includes food, fireworks, and a presentation by the India Club. The event is the culmination of International Education Week recognition at Mines. Scientists and engineers who graduate from Mines have a worldwide impact and are often hired by businesses that expect them to thrive in the global marketplace. The effort to understand and work alongside people from all backgrounds and identities is critical for leadership success in STEM.
Please also mark your calendars for Thursday, Dec. 2, when we will host campus forums covering the new Opportunity for All Center. Two forums will be held, one from 11 a.m.-noon and one from 3-4 p.m. You can join in person in the King Center Christensen Hall of Fame or virtually via Zoom. More information and a Zoom link will be available as the date approaches.
We are doing a good job keeping our COVID numbers in check on campus, and I appreciate everyone’s willingness to follow the best practices that are proven to reduce the spread. The South Dakota Department of Health is now reporting that cases of the flu are on the rise on college campuses nationwide. Students who want to receive a free flu vaccination can contact Student Health Services. More information on flu vaccinations for state employees is here.
