a publication for alumni, family, and friends

Brandon Vetter
Student Contributor

Last summer, Dakota Wesleyan University expanded to include buildings along South Duff Street, on the eastern edge of the campus. Three new facilities add more classroom, research, residential and meeting space to the existing campus. The newly annexed buildings include the Visual Art Center, the Dakota House and the Psi Cottage.

Visual Art Center
The Visual Art Center, located in the former Middle Border Museum building, houses the art studio classes including drawing, painting, ceramics and photography. In addition, some computer classes are taught using the expanded multimedia lab.

"The building is a very attractive space," said Kristin Shauck, assistant professor of art. "The students love the new space for its aesthetic appeal and its great potential to be among the very best art departments in the region."

In addition to regular classes, community organizations such as the Mitchell Parks and Recreation Department and the Middle Border Museum and Oscar Howe Art Center offer periodic courses in various art-related subjects at the Visual Art Center.

A letter of agreement with the Middle Border Museum and Oscar Howe Art Center allows the university to use the space. "The agreement allows DWU to maintain operational control of the 6,000-square-foot building," said Peter Correa, vice president for finance and administration.

Dakota House
The Dakota House, located at 1201 S. Duff St., is a residential space for senior male students and provides much-needed activity space for campus groups. The residents serve as the organizers for campus groups wishing to use the shared first-floor space.

A campus group that uses the shared space frequently is the Student Ministry Council. Every Sunday evening, students meet for an event called Koinonia (a Greek word meaning community). Different students cook each week and the campus is invited to a free, homemade meal.

Austine Kiragu, Nairobi, Kenya, a current resident of the Dakota House, enjoys living in his own room and using the full-size kitchen for cooking his meals. Other residents for spring 2003 include Eric Walth, Mandan, N.D., and Brandon Vetter, Bismarck, N.D.

Psi Cottage
Next door to the Dakota House is the Psi Cottage at 1209 S. Duff St. The building is used by the psychology department for research studies and as a meeting space for the Psychology Club and Psi Chi, the psychology honor society.

"The rooms are similar in size to those in Graham Hall," said Anne Kelly, assistant professor of psychology. "The environment is easy to control as well, which is important in some research studies. The rooms are a good size for research and the students enjoy the relaxed feel of the new space."

"Both the Dakota House and the Psi Cottage were purchased using funds designated for strategically positioned land next to campus. In addition, the purchases had to meet a current need," Correa said.

All three buildings added necessary space for different programs on a growing campus and are used on a daily basis. "All of these initiatives are proving to be wins in their own ways," Correa said.

Dakota Wesleyan University
1200 W. University Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301
800-333-8506