NEWS

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…

ABERDEEN, S.D. — Nearly 200 student-athletes and coaches from Northern State University teamed up with United Way of Northeastern South Dakota for the annual Day of Champions, completing service projects across Aberdeen and surrounding communities.

The Day of Champions, which began in 2002 as a collaborative service initiative between Northern and the United Way, has grown into a cornerstone of community engagement. Since its inception, more than 3,400 NSU student-athletes have completed more than 292 projects, contributing more than 22,200 volunteer hours, an…

ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State University marked a significant milestone Thursday, April 30, with the official ribbon cutting of its new Business and Health Innovation Center, a facility designed to prepare students for in-demand careers and strengthen workforce and economic development across the region.

During the ceremony, university President Dr. Alan LaFave reflected on the transformation of campus facilities over the past decade, highlighting new residence halls, renovated and newly constructed academic buildings, and expanded athletic facilities.…

ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State University is proud to share that three members of the NSU community were selected to participate in the 23rd annual SculptureWalk Sioux Falls, one of the largest annual public sculpture exhibitions in the world.

Assistant professor of art and gallery director Tim Rickett and graduating senior Daria Poor, who is earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio art with a 2D emphasis in 2026, were both selected for the exhibition. NSU alumnus Darwin Wolf, a 1983 Northern State University graduate, also has a piece on display.

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ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State University is pleased to announce that Dr. Lorelle A. Davies has been named vice president for finance and administration. Davies will assume the role on Monday, June 8, 2026.

Davies currently serves as vice president of administration and finance and chief financial officer at Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell, Mont., where she leads comprehensive financial management, campus operations and institutional modernization initiatives. Prior to that role, she served as chief financial officer at Columbia Gorge Community…

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University will honor the achievements of more than 300 students during its spring commencement ceremony Saturday, May 9.

In addition to awarding the associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, the ceremony will include recognition of retiring faculty, faculty awards and the conferral of an honorary degree to Jim Thares, who will also serve as this year’s commencement speaker.

The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. and take place in Wachs Arena at the Barnett Center. For those unable to attend in person, the…

ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State University recognized outstanding student leaders, organizations and campus partners at the 39th annual Wolfy Student Engagement Awards, an evening dedicated to celebrating the individuals and groups who make Northern a vibrant and supportive campus community.

"The Wolfys celebrate the ways our students go above and beyond to make Northern's community an engaged and vibrant place to be," said Alison Kuch, director of New Student and Engagement Programs. "Our students already accomplish so much in the classroom, so seeing them…

ABERDEEN, S.D. — The Northern State University Athletic Department and United Way of Northeastern South Dakota are teaming up for the 24th Annual Day of Champions on Saturday, May 2.

The Day of Champions began in 2002 as a collaborative service initiative between Northern and the United Way. Since then, more than 3,400 NSU student-athletes have completed over 292 community projects, totaling more than 22,200 volunteer hours — a value of approximately $394,316 in donated labor.

This year, nearly 200 Wolves student-athletes, coaches and community leaders…

ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State University is proud to announce that Becky Pribyl, director of financial aid, has earned the designation of Certified Financial Aid Administrator, known as the FAAC credential. The national certification recognizes Pribyl's expertise and commitment to the highest standards of federal student aid administration.

To earn the FAAC designation, Pribyl underwent a rigorous evaluation by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. The process included demonstrating significant industry experience, passing a…

ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State University partnered with the Huron Community Campus in Huron, S.D., to offer a hands-on workshop on ChatGPT and artificial intelligence tools to community members on April 8 and 15, drawing 43 participants from a wide range of career fields including education, law enforcement, banking and healthcare.

The workshop was led by Dr. Amanda Garrison, assistant professor of marketing at Northern State University, and was offered face-to-face on the Huron campus. Participants also gained access to the Practical ChatGPT Prompts and Study…