ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University’s largest in-person fundraiser once again brought together alumni, donors, friends, and community members for an evening dedicated to celebrating and supporting the university.

Now in its 27th year, Northern Night has become one of NSU’s signature fundraising traditions. While final totals are still being tallied, this year’s event is expected to raise roughly $150,000 to support Northern’s current priorities—including scholarship support and overall foundation needs.

Although the dollars raised are significant, organizers emphasized that the spirit of the evening is what makes Northern Night meaningful. Nearly 500 people who love Northern gathered in one room—a once-a-year opportunity to bring together alumni, donors, businesses, faculty, staff, and friends united in their support for NSU.

Each guest received a handwritten thank-you note from a current student at their place setting, a gesture that highlights the direct impact of donor support. A memorable moment came when Dr. Alan LaFave addressed the crowd and received a standing ovation.

The evening also featured a variety of raffle and auction opportunities that generated excitement throughout the night. Highlights included:

• Golden Ticket Raffle with a grand prize of a luxury golf cart
• Reverse Raffle awarding $5,000 toward a dream vacation
• Live Auction featuring two custom NSU items created by local businesses—a cedar hammock and a custom NSU bar
• Experience Packages including a Utah trip, Tennessee whiskey trip, Deadwood getaway, Minneapolis family weekend, and more

“Lauren Bittner and the Northern Night committee do an outstanding job of celebrating Northern State University’s relationship with the Aberdeen community,” said Zach Flakus, President and CEO of the NSU Foundation. “The community’s impact on Northern is felt year-round, but our annual gala truly showcases the remarkable partners who make the evening special. This year, we raffled off a luxury golf cart and a dream vacation, and auctioned custom furniture, gourmet experiences, and unique Northern memorabilia. It was a fantastic event that reflects our deep appreciation for the support of our alumni, donors, and friends—while also giving everyone a fun night out.”

Funds raised through Northern Night support the university’s most immediate needs, helping strengthen student opportunities and advance Northern’s mission.