NEWS

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University has announced soprano Ember Geist and clarinetist Alexander Trujillo as winners of the 2025-26 Concerto-Aria Competition, following an evening of outstanding performances by student musicians. 

Geist, a member of the class of 2027 from Roscoe, South Dakota, is a student of Dr. Darci Bultema. She earned top honors with her performance of “Il bacio” by Luigi Adritti. 

Trujillo, a member of the class of 2028 from Rapid City, South Dakota, studies clarinet with Dr. Audrey Miller. He was recognized…

ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Northern State University Art Gallery is pleased to present “birdhaus,” a collaborative student exhibition now on view in Gallery X in the Johnson Fine Arts Center.

“birdhaus” focuses on bird species native to northeastern South Dakota. As a collaboration between sculpture and graphic design students, participants were paired together and challenged to create a birdhouse, an informational poster and a tangible item representative of a single bird species. The project was conceptualized by Assistant Professor of 3D Media and Art Galleries…

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Applications are now open for Northern State University’s Local Roots grant, an initiative supported by funds allocated by the South Dakota Board of Regents to strengthen research, commercialization and economic development across the state.

The funding helps Northern State University advance projects aligned with the South Dakota Science and Technology Plan 2030 while supporting priority areas identified by the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

“The Local Roots program aims to support small business and encourage…

ABERDEEN, S.D.– Dr. Erin Fouberg will serve as Northern State University's interim provost and vice president for academic affairs while the university conducts a national search.

Fouberg has served as associate vice president for academic affairs and director of graduate studies since 2019. She joined Northern State University in 2007 and previously served as honors program director for 10 years, in addition to various faculty positions. Before joining Northern, she was a faculty member at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia for six years.

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ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University Honors student Madison Park recently earned second place in the pedagogy and education category of the student poster competition at the National Collegiate Honors Council annual conference.

Park’s research project, “How Generations of Teacher Education Impact Special Education Inclusion,” explores how generational differences in teacher education, along with social, technological and policy changes, affect inclusive practices in special education.

“It was very exciting to present my research! It was a great…

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University will present its annual Winter Choral Concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at First Presbyterian Church, 318 S. Kline St.

The performance will feature the Northern State University Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Early Musick Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Timothy Woods.

The concert will open with the Concert Choir performing a South African piece that incorporates light choreography. The choir’s set will conclude with works from Mongolia and Scandinavia.

The Chamber Singers will follow…

ABERDEEN, S.D. — Most events celebrate big wins. FAIL Fest celebrates the moments we tripped, wiped out or completely missed the mark—and learned something brilliant because of it. 

Back for another year of laughter, honesty and moments that didn’t go as planned, this year’s FAIL Fest featured a panel of entrepreneurs who weren’t afraid to dig into the tough questions.

Julie Fischbach, owner of the Finery Marketplace and Finery on Main Event Venue, spent years finding her path, from corporate work to business owner and small business coach, each twist…

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Eight Northern State University students took to the podium Tuesday evening, turning big ideas into bold pitches during the university’s annual Idea Pitch Competition. 

By the end of the night—with a packed room of students, community members and business partners looking on—Madi Jones claimed first place with her business concept, CR8 Soda. Elana Bishop earned second place for her proposal, Liora: Infrared Light Bed Studios. And Blake Clay, Cade Trenhaile and Maggie Kruger earned third with their business idea Behind the Pack. 

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ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University will host a holiday reception followed by a town hall meeting focused on the emerging strategic plan for Northern State University on Wednesday, December 3, in Kessler's Champion Club at the Barnett Center. Holiday treats will be served starting at 2:30 p.m., with the town hall meeting taking place from 3-5 p.m.

The town hall represents a critical milestone in Northern's collaborative planning process, which began earlier this year with listening sessions across campus and the Aberdeen community. The Strategic Planning…

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Marla Fogderud, associate professor of music at Northern State University, was recently elected to a second term as president of the International Edvard Grieg Society (IGS) at the organization’s 2025 General Assembly in Bergen, Norway. The society promotes the research and performance of music by Norway’s most famous composer and oversees 22 national and regional Grieg societies worldwide. Fogderud is also the founder and president of the Edvard Grieg Society of the Dakotas.

At the biennial conference, held Nov. 5–7, Fogderud presented “How Can…