It was more than a decade ago when Donovin Sprague taught the first college course hosted by Crazy Horse Memorial.

Sprague, the director of education at Crazy Horse, began teaching American Indian Studies courses at Crazy Horse in fall 1996 for Black Hills State University.

Since then, one BHSU class has been offered each fall and spring semester at Indian University of North America at Crazy Horse Memorial.

Sprague chuckles when he recalls looking around his first classroom with a feeling of unfamiliarity.

"I knew something was missing … it was the blackboard," he said.

An adjunct professor for BHSU and Oglala Lakota College, Sprague said most of his students come from the Southern Hills area. For students, Crazy Horse is much more convenient than driving to Rapid City, he said.

Many students are employees at Crazy Horse who take advantage of the memorial's scholarship opportunities, he said.

"We average a higher percent ratio of Native American students than you would find on campus (BHSU)," Sprague said. "We have a lot of nontraditional students."

Sprague, who was born and raised on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, is a descendant of the Hump and Crazy Horse families. He is a respected historian and author of five books.

As a Native American educator, Sprague said it is gratifying to see so many Native Americans continuing their education beyond high school. More and more Natives are working as professionals, he said, which will be good for his people.

"Education is a real key, and economic development is the key for the reservations," he said.

Sprague's classroom is in the Crazy Horse orientation center is usually adequate for the 10 to 12 students who enroll each semester.

Next semester, Sprague will teach a three-credit course: South Dakota Indian Studies. The course is required for all teachers seeking certification in the state. Classes will be held once a week for three hours beginning Jan. 14 and ending in May.

For his students, Sprague is a one-man academic department. He's a recruiter, counselor, financial aid adviser and bookstore operator.

Over the past three years, Crazy Horse and Sprague have been involved in teaching an American history graduate-studies program. "Mountains In History" is a cooperative venture between BHSU, Technology and Innovation In Education, the Chiesman Foundation for Democracy, Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Students have the opportunity to earn a master's degree in education or history at the inspiring venues of Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse.

Contact Andrea Cook at 394-8423 or andrea.cook@rapidcityjournal.com

About the class

What: American Indian Studies course

When: Beginning in January

Where: Indian University of North America at Crazy Horse Memorial

Contact: Donovin Sprague at 673-4681.