ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University, Presentation College, Aberdeen Central and Roncalli High Schools will honor graduating service members and veterans at the American Legion Cording Ceremony.

The ceremony, hosted by NSU Military Veteran Affairs, will take place on May 3 from 6-7 p.m. in the lobby of Northern’s Jewett Regional Science Education Center.

At the event, the Aberdeen American Legion Post will present a red, white and blue cord to graduates to honor and celebrate their dedicated service to the United States and Aberdeen citizens. The students will then wear the cords at their own graduation ceremony.

The ceremony will honor past, present and future service members from Northern, Presentation College and local high schools. They are:

NSU students:
•    Todd Bitz
•    Crystal Cook
•    Abby Kwasniewski
•    Abbigail Patton

PC students:
•    Stephanie Cartharn
•    Giulia Occhino Stutz
•    Nicole Strongheart
•    Darlene Vue
•    Kevin Wright

Central High School students:
•    Jack Artz
•    Tayden Brownson
•    Ethan Fergal
•    Joelle Glover
•    Dustin Hermansen
•    Eh Tha Shee
•    Madalynn Witte

Roncalli High School students:
•    Jacob Bellefeuille
•    Tyler Berndt
•    Garrett Griffin

The Cording Ceremony is open to family, friends and the Aberdeen community. The Jewett Science Center is located at the corner of 12th Avenue Southeast and South State Street on the Northern campus.

The event will also be livestreamed at the following links: NSU YouTube; and NSU Facebook.

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.