Spearfish, SD (Ongoing)
BHSU is in the midst of a facelift, both on campus and in the public eye. A recent rebrand and an ongoing campus master plan demonstrate the University’s willingness to evolve to meet the changing needs and interests of students and staff.
Evolution has been the story all along for BHSU. Opened in 1883 as the Dakota Territorial Normal School – a teacher training institution – the school has undergone three name changes with significant swings in academic offerings in its history. Today, it offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including arts, sciences, education, business, and more.
What’s never changed is the campus’ proximity to and view of the scenic Black Hills. The campus sits on the very northern edge of the Black Hills National Forest, offering easy access to trailheads, Spearfish Creek, and historic downtown. This range of attractions helps to make the University a popular choice for nature lovers in the region.
Despite the abundant beauty of the area, the University has lately been seeking help with enrollment, retention, and recruitment – hence the rebrand and master plan. Other priorities for this plan were to modernize aging facilities and systems, sustainably beautify outdoor spaces, improve wayfinding, and strengthen relationships on campus.
Though still ongoing, our plan proposes a wide berth of building and grounds improvements for the next 10+ years, including a new residence hall, wellness center, and athletic facility, plus improvements to parking, campus entrances, and the existing football stadium, among others. Done right, the plan should aid in the University’s recruitment and retention efforts and help BHSU better compete with state colleges east of the Missouri and west of the South Dakota state line.
