ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State University President Dr. Alan LaFave has announced the retirement of Susan Bostian, associate vice president for human resources, effective Sept. 25, 2026. Bostian joined Northern in June 2006 and has provided 20 years of dedicated service to the university.
Bostian came to Northern after 17 years as human resources director at the Aberdeen American News. A 1989 graduate of Northern State University with a degree in accounting, she has spent her career building expertise in all aspects of human resources — from recruitment and retention to employee…
ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State University and Epicosity have earned a Telly Award for the "Experience Northern" video campaign in the Branded Content category, adding national recognition to a project that earlier this year received a Gold ADDY Award from the American Advertising Federation-South Dakota.
The Telly Awards annually recognize the best work in video and television across all screens, receiving more than 13,000 entries globally from six continents and all 50 states. Winners represent some of the most respected advertising agencies, television stations, production companies…
ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State University's Department of Music has awarded scholarships from the Loren E. Lomis Music Scholarship fund for the 2026-27 academic year to three students: Kathryn Steger of Aberdeen, Emalea Nelson of Pierre and Vincent Strenge of Wyndmere, N.D.
Established in accordance with the Last Will and Testament of Loren E. Lomis, the scholarship supports full-time outstanding music majors with involvement in music ensembles as a secondary priority. Northern State University is grateful for the continued generosity of the Loren Lomis Trust Under Will, which leaves a…
Most nursing students spend their days juggling lectures, labs and clinical experiences. Northern State University student Katie Witte does all of that while training with Team USA Weightlifting and competing against the best athletes in the Americas.
The Aberdeen native recently earned the bronze medal in the 86-kilogram division at the 2026 Senior Pan American Championships in Panama City, Panama, all while continuing the rigorous coursework required in Northern's nursing program.
Making her senior international debut, Witte lifted 106 kilograms (233 pounds) in the snatch and 133…
ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State University and Avera have expanded their longstanding partnership to strengthen nursing education through the creation of NSU's Department of Nursing and the establishment of the Avera Simulation Center.
Located within Northern's newly completed Business and Health Innovation Center, the Avera Simulation Center is a state-of-the-art nursing education facility designed to provide students with hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for careers in healthcare. The partnership builds on years of collaboration between Avera and Northern State University…
ABERDEEN, S.D. — The outstanding educators who teach in Northern State University's Rising Scholars program are helping high school students experience college-level learning before they graduate, and one of those instructors recently received one of the state's highest honors for history education.
Ryan Decker, a history teacher at Tea Area High School and Rising Scholars instructor, was named the 2026 Board of Education Standards William Beadle History Teacher of the Year, recognizing his commitment to engaging students and fostering critical thinking in the classroom.
Decker also…
ABERDEEN, S.D. — For many students, an English degree begins with a love of reading and writing.
At Northern State University, it often becomes much more than that — a pathway to graduate and professional programs, meaningful careers and a deeper understanding of how communication can create change.
Recent graduates Jacob Angerhofer and Stella Meier are living examples of where an English degree can lead.
Angerhofer, who graduated in May 2026, is headed to the University of Kansas this fall to pursue a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology while serving as a graduate assistant…
For most people, completing a 107-mile ultramarathon would be enough of an accomplishment for one weekend.
For Northern State University nursing student Jackson Harrison, it was just the beginning of the week.
Harrison recently completed the Black Hills 100, covering 107 miles with more than 16,000 feet of elevation gain in 31 hours. A day later, he was back on campus for a required nursing skills validation.
"I got back and penguin walked into the validation," Harrison said with a laugh. "Let's just get it done."
That determination has become a defining characteristic of…
NSU Now Casting Students to Appear in National Episode
ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State University will be featured in The College Tour, an Amazon Prime Video series that showcases universities through the authentic perspectives of their students. Filming is scheduled for the week of Aug. 31 through Sept. 4 on the NSU campus in Aberdeen.
The College Tour was created by Alex Boylan, a former winner of The Amazing Race, and is produced by some of Hollywood's most recognized producers. The series was inspired by Boylan's niece's journey to find the right college and gives prospective…
ABERDEEN, S.D. — The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Northern State University is scheduled for an on-site accreditation evaluation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) on Sept. 23-25, 2026.
CCNE welcomes written third-party comments concerning the program's qualifications for accreditation. Comments must be received by Sept. 2, 2026, written in English and directed to CCNE at thirdpartycomments@ccneaccreditation.org.
For more information, contact Dr. Lyncee Monson, associate dean of nursing, at lyncee.monson@northern.edu or 605-626-7776.