Latest news with #DWU
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Dakota Wesleyan University to present honorary doctorate Sunday
May 8—MITCHELL — Dakota Wesleyan University will confer an honorary Doctor of Science degree at its commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 11. Dr. Robert McWhirter will receive the degree to be presented by DWU President Dan Kittle. McWhirter has shown a decades-long commitment to Dakota Wesleyan. Serving as DWU's team physician from 1985 to 2013, he volunteered his time and expertise, overseeing the health and success of countless student-athletes. Throughout his career, McWhirter has been one of the most impactful supporters of sports medicine and the Dakota Wesleyan athletic training program to serve the university. He played a vital role in the program's accreditation process and mentored many students who have gone on to distinguished careers in a variety of medical fields. He served twelve years on the DWU Board of Trustees from 1991 to 2003, according to a press release from the school In addition, Dr. McWhirter has provided significant financial support to DWU. His 39 years of consecutive financial support highlights his unwavering generosity, including funding the Athletic Training Senior Scholarships and the Robert McWhirter Endowed Scholarship for Athletic Training, the McWhirter Field at Cadwell Park where the DWU softball team plays, and numerous upgrades of athletic training equipment at Joe Quintal Field and beyond. McWhirter operated the Mitchell Orthopedic Clinic from 1985 until his retirement in 2013. For his many contributions to athletic training and athlete health, he was inducted into the Dakota Wesleyan University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Mitchell High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016. He also received the Community Service Award from the South Dakota State Medical Association in 2012. This award is presented each year to "a physician who demonstrates outstanding work in community affairs." A past employee and friend said about Dr. Mac, "I cannot fully express my gratitude for Dr. McWhirter's impact on my own career in athletic training and education. His guidance has been instrumental in shaping my professional journey. The Dakota Wesleyan University motto, 'Sacrifice or Service' is exemplified in Dr. McWhirter's life. Through his tireless dedication to improving the lives of those around him and his enduring contributions to the Mitchell community, he has created a legacy that will benefit future generations." McWhirter will be honored during the DWU commencement ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. The event is free and open to the public and can be live streamed at
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Dr. Robert McWhirter to be recognized by DWU with honorary doctorate
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways May 7—MITCHELL — Dakota Wesleyan University will confer an honorary Doctor of Science degree at its commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 11. Dr. Robert McWhirter will receive the degree to be presented by DWU President Dan Kittle. McWhirter will be honored during the DWU commencement ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. The event is free and open to the public and can be livestreamed on the DWU website . The university is recognizing McWhirter for showing "a decades-long commitment to Dakota Wesleyan." Serving as DWU's team physician from 1985 to 2013, he volunteered his time and expertise, overseeing the health and success of countless student-athletes. Throughout his career, McWhirter has been one of the most impactful supporters of sports medicine and the Dakota Wesleyan athletic training program to serve the university. He played a vital role in the program's accreditation process and mentored many students who have gone on to distinguished careers in a variety of medical fields. He served 12 years on the DWU Board of Trustees from 1991 to 2003. In addition, Dr. McWhirter has provided significant financial support to DWU. His 39 years of consecutive financial support highlights his unwavering generosity, including funding the Athletic Training Senior Scholarships and the Robert McWhirter Endowed Scholarship for Athletic Training, the McWhirter Field at Cadwell Park where the DWU softball team plays, and numerous upgrades of athletic training equipment at Joe Quintal Field and beyond. McWhirter operated the Mitchell Orthopedic Clinic from 1985 until his retirement in 2013. For his many contributions to athletic training and athlete health, he was inducted into the DWU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Mitchell High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016. He also received the Community Service Award from the South Dakota State Medical Association in 2012. A past employee and friend said about "Dr. Mac," "I cannot fully express my gratitude for Dr. McWhirter's impact on my own career in athletic training and education. His guidance has been instrumental in shaping my professional journey. The Dakota Wesleyan University motto, 'Sacrifice or Service' is exemplified in Dr. McWhirter's life. Through his tireless dedication to improving the lives of those around him and his enduring contributions to the Mitchell community, he has created a legacy that will benefit future generations."
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dakota Wesleyan University seniors selected for Honors of Distinction Awards
May 4—MITCHELL — Four Dakota Wesleyan seniors were awarded the fourth annual Honors of Distinction awards, the university's highest honors, during the annual Honors Banquet Friday night, May 2. Established in 2022, the Wesleyan Honors of Distinction are awarded annually to four Dakota Wesleyan University seniors who have most notably embodied and exemplified the university's values of learning, leadership, faith and service. One senior receives Wesleyan Honors of Distinction in each category. To qualify for candidacy, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher (3.7 for the learning distinction), as required by each award's guidelines, and be ranked as senior status. Those eligible submit an application, and the finalists are selected by a Student Senate-appointed panel. The finalists are then interviewed by a committee of students, staff and faculty who choose the recipients. In the category of Honors of Distinction for Learning is Aletheia Underhile of Tripp, daughter of Andy Underhile and Nhora Underhile. Underhile is graduating with a History major. She was active on campus with Diversity Council, the McGovern Center for Leadership and Public Service and as a tutor for religion, government and history. She has had several national opportunities including the American Enterprise Institute's fall summit and summer honors program and was awarded a Hertog Foundation scholarship. Underhile is a trained debate chair and moderator for Braver Angels where she chaired a national debate at the 2024 convention in Wisconsin and has moderated debates at the USD School of Law. She has accepted a position with Braver Angels national debates team. In the category of Honors of Distinction for Leadership is Logan Serck of Hudson. He is the son of Phillip and Michelle Serck and is an Elementary Education major. Serck played football for DWU and served on the team leadership council all four years. He is also a member of Aspiring Educators. Serck worked with Hanson High School in Alexandria to help establish their first wrestling program which recently sent two qualifiers to the state tournament. He also works for his family's business, Serck Construction. Most recently, he completed his student teaching at Hanson Elementary School. After graduation Serck will be teaching at Alcester-Hudson middle school. In the category of Honors of Distinction for Faith, the recipient is Nathan Meyers of Brandon. He is a Nonprofit Business Administration major and is the son of Mitch and Amy Meyers. Meyers played baseball for the Tigers and served as team captain this past year. He is a 2024 Daktronics Scholar Athlete. He serves on the Student Ministry Council, is the Student Athlete Chaplain and has led Fellowship of Christian Athletes, helping to increase participation by 20 percent. Meyers will be pursuing a Masters degree at DWU in the fall while working at Fusion Church in Mitchell. In the category of Honors of Distinction for Service, the student selected is McKinnely Mull of Vernal, Utah. The Biochemistry major is the daughter of Diana Mull, Chris Schlosser, Jason Mull and Jennifer Mull. Mull is a standout softball player and captain of the softball team where she has been recognized as a Daktronics Scholar Athlete. She served on Student Senate for three years and is currently Senior Class President. She has been a resident assistant since 2023 and currently serves as senior resident assistant. Her campus involvement includes student ambassador, CHAOS, Lost and Found, and she is a tutor in math, chemistry and biology. Off campus she has been involved with Sanford Softball as a volunteer coach and periodically volunteers in the children's department at the University of Utah Hospital. She works as a medication aide at Countryside Living in Mitchell and works as a research assistant for Adult and Pediatric Neurology at the University of Utah. Mull plans to take a gap year and apply to medical schools. The following students were also candidates for Honors of Distinction: Wesleyan Honor of Distinction for Learning Peyton Bagley, Rapid City Khasidy Hodge, Missoula, Mont. Wesleyan Honor of Distinction for Leadership Abigail Brunsing, Wagner Isabella Gregg, Moreno Valley, Calif. Wesleyan Honor of Distinction for Faith Kaitlyn Christensen, Mitchell Keesha Letcher, Bridgewater Wesleyan Honor of Distinction for Service Anthony Acosta, Grand Island, Neb. Alyssa Crnic, Omaha, Neb.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
DWU promotes Sam Nicholson to Head Men's Basketball Coach
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)– Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU) announces the promotion of Sam Nicholson as the next Head Coach of the DWU Men's Basketball program. Nicholson becomes the 22nd head coach in program history, following two seasons as the team's assistant coach. DCI: April 1 officer-involved shooting justified A native of Blair, Nebraska, Nicholson joined the DWU staff in the summer of 2023, after gaining coaching experience throughout the region. Before DWU, he served as an assistant coach at non-conference rival Dakota State under veteran coach Gary Garner, contributing to recruiting, scouting, and player development. He also spent time at NCAA Division II Concordia University, St. Paul, as a graduate assistant. He began his coaching journey as a student assistant at the University of South Dakota (USD). During his four-year stint at USD, he was part of the staff during the Coyotes' 2017 Summit League Championship run. DWU Director of Athletics Ross Cimpl shared his excitement about Nicholson's promotion: 'I am so grateful to be able to fill this position with Coach Sam Nicholson. I am so excited for Sam and the DWU Men's Basketball program. Sam has earned this opportunity with his work ethic and his ability to build meaningful relationships with players and recruits. The future of DWU Men's Basketball is very bright. I look forward to watching Coach Nicholson and our program grow. We have very high expectations and goals, and I'm confident we have the right leader in place to achieve them.' Dakota Wesleyan Athletics will host a press conference on Wednesday, April 30, at 4 p.m. in the Sherman Center. The event is open to the public and will also be streamed, with details to come. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nicholson promoted to Dakota Wesleyan head coach
MITCHELL, S.D. (DWU) — Dakota Wesleyan University promotes Sam Nicholson to head men's basketball coach. Dakota Wesleyan University is proud to announce the promotion of Sam Nicholson as the next Head Coach of the DWU Men's Basketball program. Nicholson becomes the 22nd head coach in program history, following two impactful seasons as the team's Assistant Coach. Dakota Wesleyan Athletics will host a press conference on Wednesday, April 30, at 4:00 p.m. in the Sherman Center. The event is open to the public and all media members and will also be streamed, with details to come. Nicholson's elevation to head coach comes after a successful tenure as an assistant, where he played a pivotal role in developing talent and advancing the program. During his two seasons on staff, the Tigers made a National Tournament appearance and produced seven All-Conference selections, as well as one Freshman of the Year. A Look at Coach Nicholson's Journey: A native of Blair, Neb., Nicholson joined the DWU staff in the summer of 2023 after gaining coaching experience throughout the region. Before DWU, he served as an assistant coach at non-conference rival Dakota State under veteran coach Gary Garner, contributing to recruiting, scouting, and player development. He also spent time at NCAA Division II Concordia University, St. Paul as a graduate assistant, and began his coaching journey as a student assistant at the University of South Dakota. During his four-year stint at USD, he was part of the staff during the Coyotes' 2017 Summit League Championship run. Nicholson earned his bachelor's degree in Elementary and Special Education from the University of South Dakota in 2020, and later completed his Master's degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia-St. Paul in 2022. DWU Director of Athletics Ross Cimpl shared his excitement about Nicholson's promotion: 'I am so grateful to be able to fill this position with Coach Sam Nicholson. I am so excited for Sam and the DWU Men's Basketball program. Sam has earned this opportunity with his work ethic and his ability to build meaningful relationships with players and recruits. The future of DWU Men's Basketball is very bright. I look forward to watching Coach Nicholson and our program grow. We have very high expectations and goals, and I'm confident we have the right leader in place to achieve them.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
