USD President's Report 2014

Hallowed Halls In August 2013, Living-Learning Communities (LLCs) — a concept in which first-year students attending USD belong to one of nine designated themed groups to foster academic and personal connections — went to full capacity. Members of LLCs participate in a preceptorial class with a faculty member who serves as their initial advisor, along with resident assistants and preceptorial assistants who organize fun get-togethers and activities to further promote the educational and social connections among students. The Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering hosted an inauguration ceremony in September 2013 to launch its new identity and school. At that time, Founding Dean Chell Roberts (pictured below right) launched his initiative to expand the program’s academic offerings, and develop new workspace within Loma Hall so that engineering students have the room and tools they need to do even more innovative work. The university’s study abroad programs for both undergraduate and graduate students, have been a nationally-ranked endeavor that prepares our students to be engaged, informed global citizens. Internationalization at USD was taken to the next level when the International Center announced in March 2014 that USD would be opening a permanent international studies center in Madrid, Spain, beginning in fall 2014. In May 2014, the university broke ground on the Beyster Institute for Nursing Research, Advanced Practice, and Simulation, part of the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science. The 30,000- square-foot, three-story building will be connected to the current school by a bridge and a plaza. The institute “ultimately will stand as a symbol that nursing is indeed a science, as well as an art, and that nursing research and practice save lives,” said USD Nursing Dean Sally Brosz Hardin.

2014 President’s Report