04 Broadcaster Press December 13, 2011 www.broadcasteronline.com Keller: ‘It’s a wonderful purpose - to help students make that transition’ By Travis Gulbrandson travis.gulbrandson@plaintalk.net When Michael Keller graduated from the University of South Dakota Law School in 1974, he had no idea he would be working for the university nearly 30 years later. “I worked in corporate America from ’74 to 2002,” said Keller, who has served as dean of the Beacom School of Business since 2002. “I came back for Dakota Days and (university president) Jim Abbott cornered me, and said he was looking for a business school dean and wondered if I was interested,” Keller said. “He encouraged me to throw my hat in the ring.” A native of Webster, Keller had recently sold a company in Chicago when he had his encounter with Spotlight On Abbott. Prior to this, he had not entertained the idea of returning to South Dakota. “My initial reaction was surprise, and I said something like, ‘That doesn’t make any sense. I’ve never done anything like that before,’” Keller said. But, the more he thought about it, the more it seemed like a good idea. He called Abbott back a few weeks later. “The rest is history, I guess,” Keller said. As dean of the business school, his job duties include selecting faculty, making policies, trying to recruit students and fundraising, as well as teaching the occasional course. Until its completion in 2009, a large component of his job included working on the business school’s new building. Keller said his interaction with the students is the most rewarding part of what he does. “They come in from high school pretty raw and uncertain about what they want to do and how they’re going to get there, and by the time they get out some of them have developed some pretty good ideas,” he said. “It’s fun watching them mature and grow and head out on their own, which is of course the whole purpose here. “It’s a wonderful purpose – to help students make that transition,” he said. When he’s not working, Keller likes playing golf, fishing, watching sports on TV and spending time with his four grandkids. He and his wife Paula – a fellow USD grad and an Snow can’t stop Tour of Homes By Travis Gulbrandson travis.gulbrandson@plaintalk.net Despite the slick, snowy roads Saturday afternoon and evening, the annual Clay County Historical Society Christmas Tour of Homes was a success. “It worked out real well,” said historical society president Gloria Barnes. “Even though it was snowy, it was a beautiful night.” The event began in the afternoon, with tourgoers visiting each of the four homes, followed by a reception at the Austin Whittemore House, where the historical society is housed. Barnes’ Forest Avenue home was one of those featured on the tour. “We had a lot of people come through our house,” she said. “Everybody took their shoes off when they came in, so I can’t say there was any mess. Everybody thanked us for opening up our home.” The other three tour homes belonged to Linda Kogel, and Alan and Sarah Wittmuss, both of which are located on south University Road, and the Rev. Robert and Pauline Grossmann, www.broadcasteronline.com www.broadcasteronline.com www.broadcasteronline.com www.broadcasteronline.com www.broadcasteronline.com www.broadcasteronline.com www.broadcasteronline.com www.broadcasteronline.com www.broadcasteronline.com active community volunteer – have three grown children and live in Vermillion. Although the campus looks much different from when Keller attended USD, other elements have stayed very much the same, he said. “I think the culture and the attitudes are the same,” he said. “I think the kids are a lot like us from back in the day.” Brown to lead USD Foundation The University of South Dakota Foundation announced today that Steve Brown will serve as President and CEO effective Jan. 9, 2012. A fundraising executive with more than 20 years of experience, Brown replaces former USD Foundation President and CEO Bryan Benchoff, now at Ohio University. As vice president for development at the Indiana State University Foundation in Terre Haute, Ind., he has extensive campaign experience and served as the architect for Indiana State University’s first comprehensive campaign. Brown, a native of central Indiana, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Indiana State University. He worked in development for Junior Achievement, Wabash College and Franklin College before returning to his alma mater in 2005. Patricia Curry: 605-661-2860 Andy Curry: 605-261-1202 Archie Dunham: 605-366-4625 Also see us at Siouxlandhomes.com Virtual Tours www.dunhamcompany.com Elk Point, SD 1704 Arnold Palmer Lane – $219,900 PRICE REDUCED The theme of this year’s Tour of Homes sponsored by the Clay County Historical Society, on Saturday, Dec. 3 was “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas,” and that’s just what the planners received when it began snowing heavily just before the tour was to begin. That didn’t keep people from participating, however, or from enjoying something to eat at a reception afterwards at the Austin Whittemore House. (Photo by David Lias) whose home is on Madison Street. “Everybody had a different type of home, so it was really nice to do,” Barnes said. The event is held each year to raise funds for the historical society, as well as to encourage them to visit the Austin Whittemore House. Barnes said it provides a good opportunity “to remind people that the historical society is at the Austin Whittemore House, for people to come and visit it. We showcase that.” Historical society members Judy Sullivan, Luanne Oulette, Cleo Erickson and Ann Check Us Out! Visit us on the Web! MICHAEL KELLER The South Dakota Nurses Association would like to thank the following local businesses who supported our State Convention by donating auction items Davis Pharmacy Sanford Clinic & Hospital Sanford Medical Supply Olson Medical Clinic Walmart Hy-VeeY ankton & Vermillion Stores USD Barnes & Noble Heine Seed Severson also worked on the tour and took part in the reception. 4 BR, 3 bath ranch. Open concept, living room w/firepl, slider to patio. Kitchen appliances stay. Master w/ roomy walk-in closet, large mst bath w/double sinks. Main fl laundry. L level finish: huge family rm, 2 BR w/ egress, full bath. 3 stall heated garage w/epoxy finish floor. 3rd stall set for tandem 4th stall, pad poured. 1806 Jack Nicklaus – $209,900 PRICE REDUCED 402 E. Rose Street – $83,000 2-bedroom, 1-bath, many updates in kitchen and bath. Oversized attached garage w/work bench. Kitchen appliances and stacked washer and dryer included. 209 S. Walnut Street – $89,900 2 bed, 1 bath. Many updates; kitchen appliances, washer/dryer stay. Clean dry basement for storage. Single car attached new over sized 2 stall on alley. Main floor laundry in large utlity room. 5 BR, 3 baths, master with bath, slider from dining to cedar bi-level deck, fenced yard. Heated and cooled garage. 1804 Jack Nicklaus – $208,000 2 BR, 3 baths, multi-level home, slider from lofted living room to cedar deck, master w/bath & huge walk-in closet. Lower level family room. Triple car garage. Extra storage, extra clean. 10% DISCOUNT COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES/ RESIDENTAL LOTS IN ELK POINT NOTICE TO CLAY COUNTY RESIDENTS DETRIMENTAL USE OF RIGHTS-OF-WAY ALONG COUNTY HIGHWAYS IS ILLEGAL Instances have come to the attention of the Clay County Highway Department of violations of South Dakota Codified Law 31-32-3.1, entitled INTENTIONAL DUMPING ON HIGHWAY RIGHT-OF-WAY PROHIBITED. This statute applies to all public highways, all County Highways, and Township Roads. The piling of snow on County Highways, or within the Right-of-Way thereof, causes a serious hazard to the traveling public and constitutes a Class 1 misdemeanor. These piles of snow can cause serious injuries or fatalities if struck by a vehicle. They also cost the County funds to remove or push back. Because the piles of snow can become very solid, and at times contain debris, serious damage to County snow removal equipment can occur. The County can recover the cost of equipment damage from the individual responsible for the snow piles, SDCL 31-32-9. In addition, the person performing this misdemeanor also may be legally liable in the event of a vehicle accident. Please remove or flatten any piles you may have placed on public highways, as well as refrain from piling snow in the future. A15138 CLAY COUNTY COMMISSION CLAY COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT