ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State University will honor the achievements of more than 300 students during its spring commencement ceremony Saturday, May 9, at 10 a.m. in Wachs Arena at the Barnett Center.

Jim Thares, founder and chief executive officer of Primrose Retirement Communities, will serve as this year's commencement speaker and will receive an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree during the ceremony.

Thares, a native of Ipswich, S.D., earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Moorhead State University in 1983 and is a certified public accountant. After five years in public accounting, he led a development group in 1988 that built and operated economy hotels across the country. In 1989 he founded Primrose Retirement Communities in Aberdeen, with the first facility opening in 1991.

Today, Primrose offers independent living villas and apartments, assisted living and memory care options across 41 communities in 17 states. The company has more than $1 billion in assets under management and employs more than 2,000 people. Thares remains the company's chief executive officer.

Throughout his career, Thares has demonstrated a deep commitment to community and public service. He has served on numerous boards including the Presentation College Board of Trustees, NSU Foundation, South Dakota Horsemen's Association, South Dakota Thoroughbred Association and the Catholic Community Foundation of Eastern South Dakota. In 2017, Gov. Dennis Daugaard appointed him to the South Dakota Board of Regents, which oversees the state's six public universities and two special schools.

"Jim Thares embodies the spirit of service and leadership that defines Northern State University," said Dr. Alan LaFave, president of Northern State University. "His entrepreneurial success, commitment to philanthropy and advocacy for higher education have made a lasting impact on Northern and on South Dakota. We are honored to recognize him at this year's commencement."

For those unable to attend in person, the ceremony will be livestreamed on the NSU Facebook page at facebook.com/northernstateu and broadcast locally on Midco channel 588 and NVC Channel 12. Live captioning will be provided on screen at the venue and online through Facebook and the graduation webpage.