ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ

Dennis Demmert worked hard to expand and connect curricula and courses at ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ that pertained to ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ Native people and culture. He began this work just after the  ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ Native Settlement Act  passed and people were hungry for information. He always felt strongly that ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ Native Students have a place at this institution.

Dennis wanted to take one day a year to thank individuals who help make ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ a positive place for ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ Native students. He started to recognize other faculty and administration who understood the value of having courses about ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ Native peoples and who helped facilitate this evolution of ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ Native programs at ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ. During the 1994 Native Summit at ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ, Dennis Demmert recommended that something be done to recognize individuals whose actions have proved their support. Later, the name of the award was changed from RSS Appreciation and Recognition Award to the Dennis Demmert Appreciation and Recognition Award in honor of the many years of service that Dennis has given for the betterment of the ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ Native community.