NEWS

ABERDEEN, S.D. – The South Dakota Board of Regents has officially begun the search for the next president of Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Northern is working in full support of the Board of Regents’ process as the search moves forward.

Serving approximately 3,500 students on its 75-acre campus, Northern is recognized for its quality instruction, community engagement, and diverse extracurricular opportunities. As a regional comprehensive university, Northern addresses workforce and educational needs across business, education,… more

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University student Patrick Olson has been selected to serve on the National Farmers Union Youth Advisory Council, a prestigious opportunity that took shape following his participation in the recent D.C. Leadership Summit.

Olson, an Aberdeen native majoring in accounting with a pre-law focus, was introduced to the South Dakota Farmers Union while attending the state fair.

“I saw them talk about their policies and was deeply interested in their cause,” he said. “It felt amazing to be selected for the Youth Advisory Council… more

ABERDEEN, S.D. – A Northern State University research team has had a study accepted for publication exploring how animals can help students adjust to the challenges of college life.

The study, titled “Adapting to Change: A Mixed Methods Approach to Understand How Colleges and Universities are Utilizing Animals to Help Students Transition into Higher Education,” was co-authored by Dr. Christopher Puglisi (former NSU faculty member), NSU faculty members Dr. Shalini Mathew, Dr. Nicole D. Schutter and Dr. Monte Meyerink, and NSU student Abiah… more

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Jason Knowles, Assistant Professor of Art at Northern State University, has received an award from the 2025 New Media Film Festival for his original short film Ever So Faintly I See. The film, Knowles’ first spiritually themed production, was created in collaboration with friends, colleagues, former students, and family members.

“I am very grateful to the 2025 New Media Film Festival for this award,” Knowles said. “Ever So Faintly I See was the first spiritually themed film I directed and produced, which would… more

Jakob Lund is the first University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law graduate to have participated in the Northern State University Honors Law Opportunity Program.

Lund left Kansas City, Missouri, his hometown, to attend Northern State University. The university, located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, partners with the law school through the program to provide five guaranteed admission spots to selected honors students upon completion of their undergraduate degree. The program is open to any NSU honors student regardless of their current field of study.

Throughout his… more

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University will welcome 111 of the state’s top young vocalists to campus for the 51st annual South Dakota High School Honor Choir performance, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 25, on stage at the Jewett Theater in the Johnson Fine Arts Center.

This marks the sixth time Northern has hosted the event since 2000—and the 12th time overall.

The 2025 choir will be conducted by Chris Maunu, a Northern State University alumnus and the Artistic Director of Pacific Youth Choir. Maunu, a four-time GRAMMY Museum Music Educator of the… more

ABERDEEN, S.D. — A dedicated student at Northern State University is shaping his future, thanks to the financial support provided by the South Dakota Freedom Scholarship.

Jaeden Shaving, who graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in History in 2024, has set his sights on a future of teaching, specifically sharing the rich history and language of the Lakota people as well as the importance of knowing one’s own history.

“You should know where you or your people or your society or whatever came from, and what laid the roots for the world we live in today,” he… more

ABERDEEN, S.D. — Samantha Wipf was named the winner of the Aberdeen Idea Pitch Competition, hosted by the Northern Innovation and Startup Center and Aberdeen Development Corporation.

With more than 30 business pitches submitted and five finalists presenting at the competition finals, Wipf's business, Optimal Performance, stood out for its innovative approach to physical therapy. She will receive a $10,000 cash prize, sponsored by the Aberdeen Development Corporation.

"It feels awesome. I'm very appreciative," Wipf said after the announcement. "I feel… more

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Dr. Aaron Scholl, assistant professor of economics at Northern State University, has co-authored a journal article with recent Northern graduate Dante Casanova.

Their work, titled “Beyond the Field: Analyzing the Relationship Between Division I Athletics and Postsecondary Enrollment,” appears in the May 2025 edition of the Economics and Business Journal: Inquiries and Perspectives.

The study looks at data from 2012 to 2021 to determine how NCAA Division I football success affects student enrollment. By combining football… more

ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Rising Scholars program at Northern State University has been granted re-accreditation by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP), the only national accrediting body for concurrent enrollment programs.

Following an extensive peer-review process, Northern’s program was re-accredited through the 2031–32 academic year. The decision was made by the NACEP Accreditation Commission at its April 29, 2025, meeting. Northern State remains the only institution in South Dakota with a NACEP-accredited concurrent enrollment… more