Acts of Excellence in the Northern Hills

Three Northern Hills People and establishments have been inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame this year for their outstanding acts of excellence.

The South Dakota Hall of Fame was established in 1974 to recognize the achievements of individuals and businesses in the area, which contribute to the overall “Culture of Excellence” throughout the state. The organization held its induction ceremony Monday at the Joy Center at Black Hills State University. This year’s honorees include Black Hills State University, the Elliot family, and Alexandra “Peedee’’ Doyle.

Black Hills State University was honored this year for its efforts in environmental stewardship. The school offers an online master’s degree program in sustainability, was designated a bicycle friendly university, has committed to the sustainable cultivating of native species of plants which attract South Dakota pollinators, and has developed a comprehensive master plan for conservation and sustainability, which will carry the university into 2030.

“We really made environmental awareness a priority on campus,” said Eva Chase, sustainability coordinator at BHSU. “It’s exciting that South Dakota Hall of Fame acknowledges that sustainability is something to be awarded … that it deserves to be recognized is exciting.”

Several buildings on campus have also been equipped with solar panels to decrease non-sustainable energy usage.

“(We have) two buildings that (use) right around 20% sustainable (energy) right now,” said Cory Johnson, energy manager at BHSU. “And we’re just starting a new project with four of our buildings that will get going … so with all the buildings done we’ll be just under one meg (of usage).”

The university has also added an electric car to its fleet for travel between Spearfish and Rapid City.