Crazy Horse university opens third summer session

Most of the 30 students are from South Dakota, with others coming from Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Virginia and Wyoming. Represented tribes include the Blackfeet Nation, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux, Northern Arapaho, Oglala Sioux Tribe, Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Yakama Nation and Yankton Sioux Tribe. Seven of the students are non-Natives.

The dormitory and classrooms are headquartered at the Student Living and Learning Center on Memorial grounds. Nationally-accredited algebra, English and Native American Studies courses run June 9 through August 8.

Endowment gifts privately fund the university’s operation, maintaining the Memorial’s goal to not use government money. The unique academic partnership involves University of South Dakota staff recruiting and educating the students, with Memorial personnel supervising students during their paid internships.

Between the classes and summer jobs, students earn up to 12 college credits toward their academic degrees earned at other schools.