I love Dakota State!

My grandma asked me the other day why I loved Dakota State. It is such a loaded question it took me a minute to answer it. I know that I will probably have multiple posts on just this subject, but I'll tell you a few reasons now. I love Dakota State because of the people. You can be in a huge lecture class of 80 some people and know half of the class or you can be in a lab of 25 and know the whole class. The professors know you by name and remember you year from year. They care!
I'm originally from a small town in Iowa and my whole family just assumed that I would go to school in Iowa. Iowa has the University of Iowa - the Big 10 school and Iowa State University - the Big 12 school. Both schools have a lot going for them. They have outstanding athletics, offer more majors, and have way more students. I have cousins that have gone there and think I'm crazy because I went to school in South Dakota. But, I can say that I'm not crazy because all I have to do is walk down campus and know that.
I know my university's president. I know him by his first name, although I don't think I would ever just call him Doug. I'm involved with an organization on campus that allows me to know major faculty members on campus. I've been to the president's house more than once. How many of my other cousins can say that? Granted, they have way more students on the University of Iowa and Iowa State University's campus...but that's not the point. Do they even know who there president is or is it just some person who gets interviewed time to time?

This is a picture of Ernest and Pauline Teagarden and Dr. Knowlton. They are alum of Dakota State. It is such a great picture. They came to campus to celebrate homecoming this year. This was actually taken at our annual brick ceremony. I can honestly say this is the reason why I love Dakota State. I love it because of the history of the school. I love it because of the excitement that lights up in the alums' eyes when they talk about the school. I love it because of the experiences I get to do because of this school. And I love it because it's my school. There is only one Dakota State and I'm going to be extremely proud when I can finally say that I graduated from that school!