News & Events

Students from three universities came together to network at the South Dakota Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) Fall Leadership Conference.  The conference was held November 10 on the campus of Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota.  Participants from Presentation College (PC), Dakota State University, and Northern State University attended this exciting conference to enhance their business skills, expand their networks, and participate in a SD PBL community service project.

PC PBL members that attended the conference were Rodney Axson (Ohio), Ben Heather (Alaska), Ethan Leech (Wyoming), Sam Motzkus (Colorado), Zach Neiderman (Colorado), and Colton Schusted (Minnesota).  PC PBL members were active participants in the group community service project, which allowed them to tie blankets that were donated to area shelters.

During the conference, students heard from a panel discussion that consisted of business leaders from various industries, such as manufacturing, finance, banking, and healthcare.  Breakout sessions at the conference allowed students to learning more about disruptive technologies and a new credit rating system.  Following the conference, students met with Fallout Shelter Ministries (FSM) out of Watertown. FSM has operated as a non-profit since 2016.  It provides leadership and service to others locally, nationally, and around the world.  FSM teaches others how to tap into their strengths and lead by example through (the open door of) martial arts such as hapkido, taekwondo, self-defense, and response training.

About FBLA-PBL, Inc.

Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda, Inc., the premier student business organization, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) education association with a quarter million members and advisers in over 6,500 active middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. FBLA-PBL’s mission is to inspire and prepare students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences. The association is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C. For more information, visit fbla-pbl.org.

Division of Social Science and Humanities professor Brad Tennant recently participated in the 2021 Pi Gamma Mu Triennial International Convention.  In addition to chairing the poster sessions, Tennant gave a poster presentation titled “James Earle Fraser’s Images of the American West” and served as a facilitator for the Leadership Development Program.

Pi Gamma Mu is the oldest and preeminent interdisciplinary social science honor society and has been certified by the Association of College Honor Societies since 1953. Tennant is the faculty sponsor for Presentation College’s South Dakota Zeta Chapter, and since 2019, he has served on the Pi Gamma Mu board of trustees as Chancellor of the North/Northwestern Region. 

Presentation College student, Ian Kelly, was chosen as a finalist to compete at the Innovation Expo Student Business Idea Competition in Sioux Falls, held on October 7.  Innovation Expo is a conference that focuses on “where suits and shirts connect” entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators from across South Dakota to build the entrepreneurial ecosystem.  The event is organized by the South Dakota Enterprise Institute. 

The Innovation Expo Student Idea Competition is open to all higher education students in South Dakota.  Students who participate, must share information on the feasibility of the business product or service, the opportunity to create a business around the product / service, the market potential, and list barriers to entry.

Ian’s business idea consisted of creating edible organic sunscreen.  He came up with the idea by noting the convenience it would serve to individuals and families while out hiking, spending the day at the beach enjoying the sunshine, etc.  Ian noted that convenience was key to this business idea.  Ian received a cash prize for being chosen as a finalist in the competition. 

Ian is a senior athlete at Presentation College majoring in sport and event management.  He comes from Aurora, Colorado. 

ABERDEEN, SD – The Saint Bernard known as “Spirit” has been Presentation College’s mascot for the past eight years, and it’s time to hang up her barrel as she retires this coming December.

PC welcomed Spirit in 2013 as a puppy, and she has been on campus every day since. PC’s mascot spent most of her time lounging in the halls and greeting students, faculty, and staff at the school. She also attended Saints athletic events, making hundreds of appearances at PC athletic home games, running out onto the fields and courts, and greeting fans, young and old.

Her presence on campus has fulfilled more than a mascot role, in many ways, according to Presentation College President, Dr. Paula Langteau. “Spirit became the campus’ beloved pet,” she said. “Students and campus guests have sought her out and gained as much in affection from her as they provided to her. In short, it was a mutually beneficial relationship.”

When she wasn’t searching the halls for a scratch on the head or food, Spirit made her home with Stacy Bauer a former employee at Presentation College. That is where she will spend her days after retirement. “Spirit—and by extension, Stacy—has attended virtually every event on campus, which is quite an exhausting commitment,” said Langteau. “Spirit deserves her time to retire, relax, and hang her tongue out,” Langteau quipped.

No need to worry: Spirit is doing well in terms of health and will be bestowed the distinction of ‘Mascot Emerita,’ at halftime at the December 17th PC women’s basketball game (game starts at 3pm), a fitting tribute to honor her career. She will also be attending a midnight breakfast for a final hurrah with students during finals week this semester.

Spirit will continue her duties throughout the fall semester supporting the Saints and enjoying her last semester as PC’s mascot. Presentation College encourages fans to share their love for Spirit on social media using #PCSpirit.