Thursday, June 6, 2013

Looking Back -- Dakota Days 2012 Parade

The Gamma Alpha Chapter of Beta Theta Pi had two winning entries in the Dakota Days parade in 2012, snagging the First Place prize with this stunning float:

First Place Float

The Brothers had a great time building the float, preparing for the parade, and participating in all of the Dakota Days activities.

Some of the Betas working on the first place float entry!
And the Betas did not stop at just one float:

"Even our second float won second place in the parade!"
You can follow the progress and preparation for this year's Dakota Days as it approaches on the Gamma Alpha Facebook Page.

The Gamma Alpha Betas outside the Beta House for the beginning of Dakota Days 2012!

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Dakota Days -- a Long Standing Tradition



"The first South Dakota Day at the University was Friday, November 20, 1914. The native townsmen of Vermillion and the oldest members of the faculty alike agreed that its equal has never before been seen in the University...South Dakota Day is a unique feature in the history of the University. It is not too much to say then that the day has come to stay as one of the annual features of the School, and that each year will see it bettered and enlarged, until it will become a traditional day to University students and Alumni." 
 –The Coyote, 1916.

South Dakota's annual homecoming celebration, Dakota Days - or D days - attracts spirited alumni back to campus while allowing current students to display their creativity in planning and promoting the week-long festivities. The celebration dates back to 1914 when President Robert. L. Slagle encouraged an event to "promote campus spirit and harmony." The result was "South Dakota Day" (later shortened to "Dakota Day" and now the week-long celebration "Dakota Days") as students elected royalty, built floats, paraded through the streets of Vermillion and cheered on the University's football team - in much the same way they do today.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Pay Now for Dakota Days Dinner Reservations

You can pay immediately for your dinner reservations here. Reservations are not final until they are paid. If you would prefer to print a reservation form and mail it in with a check, click here.

For online reservations to the Dakota Days 2013 Beta Dinner, choose the quantity of Adult Dinner Tickets from the drop-down menu following "ADULT DINNER TICKETS" (up to six), then click "Add to Cart."

If you want to purchase Student Dinner Reservations as well (either for a specific student, or as a donation to the Chapter), choose the quantity of Student Dinner Tickets from the drop-down menu following "STUDENT DINNER TICKETS" (up to six) then click "Add to Cart."

If you require more than six of either type of ticket, you may add additional reservations of either type to the Cart by repeating the process.

If you require both Adult and Student Tickets, select the desired quantity of one, then click on "Continue Shopping" to return to this page and select the desired quantity of the other. Both types of tickets at the ordered quantity will appear in your Cart.

Once you have established the correct amount of reservations, you may stay on the PayPal page to continue to checkout, or if you have returned here, click "View Cart" to get to checkout and complete your purchase. Reservations are not final until they are paid.


ADULT DINNER TICKETS ($30 ea.)


STUDENT DINNER TICKETS ($15 ea.)