Beta Alpha Psi Hosts Winter Car Safety Prep Event to Support Student Safety
“We wanted to empower students with quick, practical support that truly matters during the winter season,” said Emma Groninger, assistant director of recruiting in the Beacom School of Business. “What began as a simple idea turned into a meaningful resource that helps students feel prepared and reminds them that our business school community is always here for them.”
The event drew approximately 100 students and was supported by 34 Beta Alpha Psi members, along with campus and community partners.
Over two months, students coordinated with multiple partners—including the University Police Department, Hy-Vee, Walmart and the Vermillion Fire Department—to secure materials, donations and logistical support. USD’s Marketing Communications and University Relations helped the group order and prepare supplies for the event.
The initiative was inspired by personal experiences and a deep commitment to student safety. Event organizers shared that club member Alyssa Goble, accounting major at USD, was in a car accident two years ago and wished she had essential safety tools at the time. Additionally, Derek Franken, an accounting major at USD, noted that his family friend passed away last winter after being stranded without access to heat. These experiences motivated the organization to develop a proactive event designed to help prevent similar tragedies.
Providing Practical Winter Safety Support
Students who attended received a variety of free services, including:
- Tire pressure checks
- Windshield wiper fluid refills
- Engine oil checks
- A water bottle
- A winter car safety kit
The services also addressed some of the most common issues seen during colder months—especially tire pressure concerns. Club members shared that tire pressure is often not adjusted for winter temperatures, and many students are unaware that wiper fluid must be rated for lower temperatures to avoid freezing on the windshield.
Winter Safety Kits for Emergencies
Each student received a custom winter safety bag containing:
- Window breaker/seatbelt cutter
- Ice scraper
- Candles and matches
- Winter driving tips
- Tire pressure gauge
- Granola bar
These items were intentionally selected to support students, should they become stranded in severe winter weather, by providing warmth, visibility, emergency escape tools and basic necessities until help arrives.
Strengthening the USD Community
Beta Alpha Psi members emphasized that the goal of the event was to help students feel supported and safe during the long South Dakota winter, which typically brings strong winds, snow and freezing temperatures from November through March. Many USD students are either new to winter driving or away from home for the first time, making resources like these especially valuable.
Students who attended expressed appreciation for the event and the care shown by the club. Beta Alpha Psi hopes to continue offering similar community-focused initiatives in the future.
You May Also Like
USD Receives Rare Butler Family Photograph Collection; Exhibition Opens Nov. 24
The University of South Dakota’s Archives & Special Collections has received a significant gift from Rex Butler of Cornelius, North Carolina.
USD Introduces the 30 Under 30 Class of 2025
The University of South Dakota Foundation & Alumni Association recently announced the 2025 class of 30 Under 30 recipients.
USD Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Program Earns Prestigious ABET Accreditation
The University of South Dakota’s bachelor’s degree program in biomedical engineering, in the College of Arts & Sciences, has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, a nonprofit, ISO 9001-certified quality assurance organization.
