ABERDEEN, S.D. – A local businessman and longtime supporter of Northern State University will be honored at this Saturday’s winter commencement ceremony.

Patrick Teal will receive an honorary degree at the ceremony, set for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, in the Johnson Fine Arts Center.

Teal attended Northern State College from 1973 to 1975. He worked while attending Northern, and soon chose to leave school to pursue his career. He started working part time for Tradehome Shoes in 1976.

Teal ascended quickly within the Tradehome company. He was promoted to store manager in 1978 in Devils Lake, N.D. In 1981 he was named district manager, while still managing the Devils Lake store. In 1984 he was promoted to regional supervisor and moved to St. Paul, Minn. In 1992 he became head buyer for the company.

Teal was named president in 1997, and was appointed CEO and chairman of the board in 1999. He moved the corporate office in 2001 to Cottage Grove, Minn., and developed a separate entity to handle the new warehouse and corporate offices. 

In 2014, Teal and his executives created an ESOP (employee stock ownership plan). The company is now owned by its employees.

Teal retired in 2018 and now serves on the Tradehome Shoe Stores Inc. board. He lives in Aberdeen with his wife, Cindy, and volunteers on NSU’s Business Advisory Board.

“Mr. Teal has been a tremendous advocate for Northern over the years,” said NSU President Dr. Tim Downs. “We’re thrilled to recognize his dedication to the university and to our students in such a special way.”

About Northern State University

Northern State University is a regional university that offers outstanding academics and exceptional extracurricular activities at an affordable price on a safe, welcoming campus. Northern State recently announced its Educational Impact Campaign, with a goal of raising $55 million for a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, new athletic and recreation fields, and an on-campus regional sports complex. Once the campaign is complete, NSU will be the recipient of more than $100 million in privately funded building projects and scholarships within a decade. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions.