ABERDEEN, S.D. – Zach Flakus has been named the new President and CEO of the Northern State University Foundation.

Flakus, a Northern alum and longtime NSU administrator, will start in his new position leading the Foundation in mid-June.

Most recently, Flakus worked as General Manager of Jackrabbit Sport Properties (South Dakota State University) for Learfield/IMG College, in Brookings. Prior to that, he served as NSU Deputy Director of Athletics, as well as Director of Athletic Development/Associate Athletic Director and… more

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University has named Drs. Kristi Bockorny and Anna Schwan winners of this year’s Outstanding Faculty Awards.

Bockorny, associate professor of management and director of the NSU Honors Program, is the 2021 Foundation Faculty Excellence Award winner. Schwan, assistant professor of education, is the 2021 Outstanding Early Career Faculty Award winner.

The Foundation Faculty Excellence Award recognizes faculty for excellence in teaching and learning, a sustained commitment to faculty service, and achievements in research and… more

ABERDEEN, S.D. – With spring semester coming to an end, the South Dakota Board of Regents has announced a first step toward normal operations for Northern State University and the five other regental institutions.

Starting Monday, May 10, NSU and the other BOR universities will become “mask optional” environments. Social distancing restrictions will also be lifted.

“Our system has continuously responded to changing circumstances caused by the pandemic,” said Brian L. Maher, the regents’ executive director and CEO, in a… more

ABERDEEN, S.D. – On Saturday, May 8, 227 students will graduate from Northern State University at its 2021 spring commencement.

The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. in the NSU Barnett Center. Delivering the commencement address will be 2021 Distinguished Alumnus Joe Senger, vice chairman of Dacotah Bank, who graduated from Northern in 1972.

Each participating graduate will receive four tickets for family and friends to attend. Masks will be required per S.D. Board of Regents policy, and attendees will be… more

 ABERDEEN, S.D. – On Friday night, April 30, the Northern State University Jazz Ensembles will perform a “Jazz Swing Concert” in the Johnson Fine Arts Center’s Jewett Theater. 

This concert, which begins at 7:30 p.m., is in place of the 15-year tradition of ending the semester with a swing dance at the Ward Hotel, Shrine Ballroom, former American Legion or Dakota Events Center, due to COVID-19 restrictions. The… more

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University has awarded grant funding to three undergraduate research projects.

Megan Dockter and Therese Haberman received a Northern Edge Award for their project, "Clarinet Trio Recording Project and Performances Around South Dakota." Dockter, a music education (instrumental) major from Watertown, and Haberman, from Bottineau, N.D., are applying to perform at the South Dakota Music Education Association conference. The Northern Edge Award is a new undergraduate scholarship geared toward students in under-represented disciplines or… more

ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Northern State University Foundation will hold on-campus interviews for the finalists for the position of President and CEO.

Robert J. Machovsky will visit the NSU campus on May 3, and Zach Flakus will visit Northern’s campus on May 4.

Machovsky is currently Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Gifts at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville. His previous work experience includes serving as Manager of Annual Giving at Northeast Missouri State, Manager of Annual Giving at Missouri University… more

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University Prevention Services is a new part of campus whose goal is to support the health and well-being of NSU campus community. 

Created in March 2021 as part of the Student Affairs Strategic Action Plan, Prevention Services works to monitor, measure and improve prevention approaches to increase safety and reduce risks for members of the NSU campus community.  

“Whether working with students individually or providing… more

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University faculty member Dr. Hannah Walters has been named Vice President of Marketing for the Marketing Management Association.

Walters was voted unanimously into the role, which starts her on the officer’s track for the national academic organization. Her term will run through the end of the MMA 2022 Spring Conference, when she will move to President Elect.

Walters is assistant professor of marketing at Northern. She received her bachelor’s degree from Dakota Wesleyan University, her master’s from the University of South… more

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University President Timothy M. Downs has announced his resignation to pursue a new opportunity in higher education.

In his five years on the Aberdeen campus, Downs presided over positive changes on campus and within the Aberdeen community, including freshman class growth in four of the past five years, a freshman to sophomore retention rate above 73 percent, and major academic and sports facility enhancements. New facilities were funded by donations that amounted to more than $110 million.

Facilities include:

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