NEWS

ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Aberdeen University-Civic Symphony invites the community to the middle concert of its 2025-26 season at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 in the Johnson Fine Arts Center Jewett Theater at Northern State University. A pre-concert conversation is also scheduled from 6:45 to 7:15 p.m. in the Johnson Fine Arts Center Berggren Recital Hall.

Christopher Stanichar, director of the Aberdeen University-Civic Symphony, will lead the orchestra. The concert, titled Level Up: An Epic Video Games Pops Concert, will transport the audience into the worlds of…

ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Aberdeen Development Corporation (ADC) and the Northern Innovation & Startup Center are excited to announce the opening of applications for the 2026 Aberdeen Business Pitch Competition. Entrepreneurs and startup businesses from across the region are invited to compete for a $10,000 cash prize while advancing their entrepreneurial ambitions.

Applications will be accepted March 1, 2026 through April 30, 2026. Finalists will be announced by June 1, 2026, with the final competition event scheduled for June 19, 2026.

“The…

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University will welcome No. 1 New York Times-bestselling author, award-winning educator, founder and philanthropist Sharon McMahon as the keynote speaker for the Larry and Julie Poeppel Family Common Read Lecture at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026, in the Harvey and Cynthia Jewett Theater in the Johnson Fine Arts Center. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Sharon McMahon is a longtime government and law teacher who provides daily insights on current events, political…

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University students have formed a new organization, Collegiate South Dakota Farmers Union, to provide hands-on opportunities to engage in agricultural policy, leadership development and community advocacy.

The club was founded by student Patrick E. Olson, with Dr. Aaron Scholl serving as the organization’s advisor.

As an affiliate of both the state and national Farmers Union, the Collegiate South Dakota Farmers Union offers members opportunities to participate in conferences, explore careers in agriculture and build…

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University will begin its Spring 2026 Noon Forum series Wednesday, Feb. 11, in the Williams Library Round Room.

The first forum, “The Myth of Racism,” will be led by Ken Blanchard, professor emeritus of political science. Blanchard will discuss how abstract concepts such as race and racism are used in the social sciences and why he believes those concepts can be misleading when used as political weapons. He will argue that racism does not exist because race does not exist, describing race as a continuum rather than a category. He…

ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Northern State University Symphonic Band will team up with the Aberdeen Central High School Symphonic Band to present “Symphonic Colors” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, in the Jewett Theater at the Johnson Fine Arts Center.

The concert will feature performances by the Northern State University Symphonic Band, directed by Terry Beckler, with works by James Hosay, Percy Aldridge Grainger and Jocelyn Hagen. The program will also include performances by the Aberdeen Central High School Symphonic Band, directed by Jeremy Schutter, with works by…

ABERDEEN, S.D. – A new bison-focused video produced by McQuillen Creative in conjunction with Northern State University and the Dacotah Prairie Museum is highlighting Northern’s faculty expertise and community partnership tied to the opening of the museum’s Rosemarie & Dean L. Buntrock Gallery.

The video features interviews with Northern State University biology faculty members Dr. Jodie Ramsay, Dr. Eric Pulis, and Dr. Samantha St. Clair, who share insight on bison and the prairie ecosystem while helping tell the story behind the exhibit experience…

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University’s Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems has been renamed to a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems.

The degree’s new title reflects how the field and Northern State University’s curriculum have evolved. Information systems work today extends beyond managing systems and includes creating, innovating and leading with technology.

Students in the program develop skills in data analytics, cybersecurity principles, database concepts and coding. The program is designed to prepare graduates to…

ABERDEEN, S.D. – High school innovators from South Dakota and across the country were recognized through the 2025 BIG Idea Competition, with winners announced during an awards ceremony held Dec. 18 at Northern State University. 

The competition was split into two finalist tracks. Out-of-state finalists presented on Dec. 9, while South Dakota finalists presented Dec. 18. In total, nearly $55,000 in cash and scholarships was awarded. 

South Dakota winners

• 1st place: Dakota…