Pictured: Gov. Kristi Noem sits at her desk with, from left: Legislator Al Novstrup; NSU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Michael Wanous; Heather Forney, SDBOR; NSU Foundation CEO Zach Flakus; Taylor Hanson, ADC; Robert Fouberg, Dacotah Bank; Katie Vetsch, ADC; Mike Bockorny, ADC; NSU School of Business Dean Dr. Doug Ohmer; NSU President Dr. Neal Schnoor; legislator Lana Greenfield; legislator Carl Perry; NSU President of Finance and Administration Veronica Paulson; Nathan Lukkes, SDBOR; lobbyist Julie Johnson; legislator Brock Greenfield; legislator Bryan Breitling; and NSU Vice President of Enrollment, Communications and Marketing Justin Fraase.
ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University’s Lincoln Hall Project has received full legislative approval, with the South Dakota House passing Senate Bill 44 on March 3.
The bill and project will replace Lincoln and Briscoe halls with a state-of-the art facility housing the Northern School of Business and an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center. New nursing classrooms and an expanded simulation lab will increase annual cohort capacity for South Dakota State University’s Accelerated Nursing program, delivered on NSU’s campus for nearly a decade.
Gov. Kristi Noem voiced support for the project in her December budget address and funding through the state’s federal American Rescue Plan Act. Now that the governor has signed the bill, final federal approval is needed for Northern to begin the project.
“Northern is grateful for the support of our legislators and governor, and the hard work of countless individuals to move this important campus facility forward,” said Dr. Neal Schnoor, NSU president. “It will create optimal learning environments for business and nursing students, feature modern integrated social learning spaces, and drive future-oriented collaborations with the community to enhance regional economic development.”
Northern is already partnering with the Aberdeen Development Corporation and the Center for Rural Innovation on an initiative aiming to create new digital jobs and tech startups in the Aberdeen area.
The facility is also expected to house Northern’s Admissions Office, and it will create a welcoming front door to campus for students, families and visitors.
If authorized, the NSU Business and Innovation Center would tentatively open in fall 2024.
About Northern State University
Northern State University is a student-centered institution that provides an outstanding educational experience, preparing students through the liberal arts and professional education for their future endeavors. A regional university, Northern offers rigorous academics; diverse civic, social and cultural opportunities; and a commitment to building an inclusive environment for all points of view. Northern also offers a broad-based athletics program, sponsoring 15 NCAA Division II intercollegiate varsity sports that compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NSIC). The university strives to enrich the community through partnerships such as its Educational Impact Campaign, which opened a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired; new athletic and recreation fields; and an on-campus regional sports complex. With the $55 million campaign, NSU has been the recipient of more than $150 million in privately funded building projects and scholarships within a decade. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions.