ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University invites the campus and Aberdeen community to welcome Dr. Alan LaFave at a public reception on Friday, Nov. 21, from 3–5 p.m. in Kessler's Champion Club in the Barnett Center.

The reception will provide an opportunity for faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members to meet Northern's incoming president and his wife, Kari LaFave. Nathan Lukkes, executive director and CEO of the South Dakota Board of Regents, will attend the reception and formally introduce President LaFave, who will offer brief remarks at 4 p.m.

Appetizers and beverages will be served throughout the event.

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. LaFave home to Northern," said Dr. Laurie Nichols, interim president. "This reception is an excellent opportunity for our campus and community to personally welcome Dr. LaFave and Kari back to Aberdeen. We look forward to this exciting new chapter in Northern's history."

Dr. LaFave will assume the presidency in January. He returns to Northern after serving seven years as president of Valley City State University in North Dakota. His appointment marks a homecoming, as Dr. LaFave spent nearly three decades at Northern, advancing from music instructor to provost and vice president for academic affairs.

The reception is open to the public.

For more information, contact Chad Hatzenbuhler, director of communications and marketing, at chad.hatzenbuhler@northern.edu or 605-626-2046.