Credit Hour

Gene Thin Elk, former director of Native Student Services (NSS) and longtime employee of the University of South Dakota, discusses the past, present and future of the university on this week’s Credit Hour podcast.Thin Elk spent over three decades at the university in a variety of roles such as a volunteer sweat lodge provider, adjunct professor and Native cultural advisor for students, faculty and staff. He served as NSS director – his final position at USD – for 15 years.“As I turn around and look back from the higher hill, I see the tremendous amount of progress that has been made here at the university, all the way from race relations to opportunities to resources. I think equity is coming into balance, and recognition of our uniqueness without compromise has come to the university, so I think these things are very vital,” said Thin Elk.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today we interview Mark Sweeney professor of sustainability at the University of South Dakota. He explains the dangers of sediment issues in the Missouri river and the problems it causes with downstream bodies of water. Sweeney does a great job explaining the science and a few solutions before it’s too late. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Anna Bahnson, a 4th year medical student at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine visited with the USD podcast Credit Hour about her research into identifying skin cancer symptoms.Bahnson was a 2018 recipient of the Excellence in Public Health Award presented by the U.S. Public Health Service. She was recognized for research and education project about skin cancer risks associated with working in agriculture, and the importance of educating cosmetologists to identify skin cancer symptoms on their clients. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gene Policinski, president of the Newseum Institute in Washington D.C. and the executive director of the First Amendment Center of the Freedom Forum Institute, spoke with the University of South Dakota podcast Credit Hour for a wide-ranging discussion on the First Amendment and state of the media.“If I had to take away one thing from my career, it’s the sort of wonderment that there are so many good people in the process,” Policinski said.Gene discusses how free speech impacts protests, the impact of technology on media and his favorite Al Neuharth story. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The University of South Dakota podcast Credit Hour interviewed Marty Baron, executive editor of the Washington Post and the 2017 winner of the Al Neuharth Award for Excellence in the Media.“I think that fundamental to our mission as journalists is to give people the information they need and deserve to know as citizens of this country,” Baron said.An acclaimed investigative journalist, Baron’s role uncovering the Boston Catholic sexual abuse scandal was highlighted in the Oscar award-winning movie Spotlight. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

University of South Dakota distinguished alumnus, Gov. Dennis Daugaard, reflected on his life and career during an interview on the USD podcast Credit Hour.The wide ranging discussion covered a variety of topics including his childhood experiences attending a one-room country schoolhouse, driving a bus during law school in Chicago, his path to public service and what advice he’d offer the next Governor.“I know for sure I’ve had just a great life,” said Daugaard “And I know for sure I am a very lucky man.” See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

University of South Dakota associate professor of biomedical sciences Lee Baugh, Ph.D., discusses his research on the genetic predispositions involved with post-traumatic stress disorder in the second of a two part series on PTSD on the USD podcast Credit Hour.Baugh earned his Ph.D. in brain and cognitive sciences in 2010 from the University of Manitoba. He also directs the Human Functional Imaging Core at USD.“PTSD is a condition that we’ve known about for essentially hundreds of years ever since people have been exposed to trauma. What’s really changed about it is the way it’s framed,” Lee said. “During the days when railway travel was very common, you’d hear it referred to as 'railroad spine' because traveling the railways was so dangerous. In World War I, it was known as 'shell shock.' At its heart, it’s really a magnified response to fear stimuli that shouldn’t be there.” See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Lindsey Jorgensen’s cutting-edge research on blast-exposed veterans isn’t just professional, but personal. Her husband, who served in Afghanistan, reported hearing loss after returning from combat. Traditional hearing tests suggested his hearing was normal. Jorgensen knew there was more to the story.Tune in to part one of a two-part podcast series on how USD researchers are studying Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and how it affects the brain. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Lamont Sellers, Vice President for Diversity at the University of South Dakota, spoke about USD’s efforts to empower its students, staff and faculty through a concept called inclusive excellence on this week’s episode of the university podcast Credit Hour.“One of the aspects of inclusive excellence that I really enjoy is that it moves it from being the singular focus of an individual or office to really becoming the responsibility of everyone on campus to be pay attention to these things,” said Sellers.Enjoy this weeks episode of Credit Hour. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

University of South Dakota head women's basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit is this week's featured guest on the university-sponsored podcast Credit Hour.Plitzuweit was named the 2018 Summit League Coach of the Year after guiding the Coyote women's basketball team to an undefeated regular season in the Summit League. The Coyotes reached the quarterfinal round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament this year. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week's episode of Credit Hour discusses Native American representation and art with recent MFA graduate Keith BraveHeart. Keith, an Oglala Lakota multimedia artist from Kyle, South Dakota, has exhibited paintings across the United States. He won this year's prestigious Stilwell Award - the highest student art recognition at USD. Listen in as we learn more about Keith's personal journey to becoming an artist and upholding the legacy of Oscar Howe. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today we interview Angela Landeen, an instructor in the School of Health Sciences. We discuss current challenges facing global health. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today we interview David Earnest, chair of the Department of Political Science, about the United States' trade relationship with China. Earnest holds a master's and doctorate degree from George Washington University and has written extensively on topics related to globalization. His most recent book is titled “Massively Parallel Globalization: Explorations in Self-Organization and World Politics." From tariffs to trade wars, we hope you enjoy the conversation as Earnest gives us an overview on the international economy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the inaugural episode of Credit Hour, we sat down with outgoing University of South Dakota President James W. Abbott. We discussed his reflections from a two-decade career with USD and what the future holds for the youth of the campus. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome to Credit Hour, a weekly, thought-provoking conversation with the brightest minds from the University of South Dakota. They get the credit – we ask the questions. This is Credit Hour. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.