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 Design Team will present four strategic goals with supporting objectives that have been developed from the ground up.

"Your presence and participation are essential to developing a visionary yet inclusive roadmap for Northern's next five years," said Interim President Dr. Laurie Nichols. "This plan belongs to our entire community, and we want to hear from everyone who has a stake in Northern's future."

Incoming President Dr. LaFave plans to attend the town hall to learn more about the progress made in these early months of planning and to add his ideas about the future of Northern.

During the interactive town hall, participants will rotate through four stations to learn about each strategic goal and provide feedback on the university's direction and implementation strategies. A fifth station will allow attendees to review and comment on Northern's revised mission statement.

The event 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.