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ABERDEEN, S.D. – Eight 91��Ƭ�� State University students took to the podium Tuesday evening, turning big ideas into bold pitches during the university’s annual Idea Pitch Competition. 

By the end of the night—with a packed room of students, community members and business partners looking on—Madi Jones claimed first place with her business concept, CR8 Soda. Elana Bishop earned second place for her proposal, Liora: Infrared Light Bed Studios. And Blake Clay, Cade Trenhaile and Maggie Kruger earned third with their business idea Behind the Pack. 

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ABERDEEN, S.D. – Five students and student groups will compete for cash prizes as they pitch their business ideas Shark Tank-style at 91��Ƭ�� State University’s annual Idea Pitch Competition, taking place Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. in the Johnson Fine Arts Center Black Box Theater.

The event, which is free and open to the public, showcases innovative ideas from 91��Ƭ�� students and provides an opportunity for the audience to help select the winners of the People’s Choice Award, worth $150.

The finalists and their ideas are:

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ABERDEEN, S.D. – The 91��Ƭ�� State University School of Business has received a grant from the Aberdeen Area Community Foundation (AACF) to support “Growing the Future: A Student Symposium on Agribusiness,” which will be held Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

The grant was awarded through the AACF’s Aberdeen Energy-Agriculture Sub-Fund, created with funding from Advanced BioEnergy following the sale of its Aberdeen ethanol plant several years ago. The company established the charitable sub-fund to support agriculture in the Aberdeen area.

Dr. Dan Shannahan…

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Dr. Eman Momeni, assistant professor of accounting at 91��Ƭ�� State University, was recently invited to present at the 2025 Fraud and Forensic Accounting Conference, hosted by the Louisiana State University Department of Accounting.

Momeni presented his research, “Corporate Reporting Fraud and Descriptive Decision Theories,” which explores the behavioral, psychological, and cultural factors behind fraudulent financial reporting. His invitation came as recognition of his scholarly publication and his service as an Editorial…

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Dr. Eman Momeni, assistant professor of accounting at 91��Ƭ�� State University, recently had his work published in the Afro-Asian Journal of Finance & Accounting.

His article, “The impact of an emerging market’s microstructure legislations on market efficiency: evidence from Iran,” looks at how new trading rules on the Tehran Stock Exchange influenced both pricing efficiency and investor behavior. The research focused on four key areas — tick size, lot size, minimum order value, and base volume — and compared market data…

ABERDEEN, S.D. — Samantha Wipf was named the winner of the Aberdeen Idea Pitch Competition, hosted by the 91��Ƭ�� Innovation and Startup Center and Aberdeen Development Corporation.

With more than 30 business pitches submitted and five finalists presenting at the competition finals, Wipf's business, Optimal Performance, stood out for its innovative approach to physical therapy. She will receive a $10,000 cash prize, sponsored by the Aberdeen Development Corporation.

"It feels awesome. I'm very appreciative," Wipf said after the announcement. "I feel…

ABERDEEN, S.D. – 91��Ƭ�� State University is proud to announce that Josh VanLaecken, instructor of accounting in the School of Business, has earned his Doctor of Business Administration in Accounting from West Virginia University.

VanLaecken said the decision to pursue a terminal degree was a natural progression as he transitioned from industry to academia.

“I pursued the doctorate to ask better questions and begin to answer them,” he said.

VanLaecken noted that the experience has allowed him to engage more deeply with the content he teaches…

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Two 91��Ƭ�� State University business faculty members are co-authors of a newly published study examining the impact of workplace gratitude on employees in the banking and financial services industry.

The article, “Workplace Gratitude’s Impact on Banking and Financial Services Employees’ Psychological Capital, Intention to Stay and Satisfaction With Life,” appears in the latest edition of the Journal of Applied Business and Economics. The study was conducted by Dr. Kristi Bockorny, Dacotah Bank Dean of the NSU School of Business, and Dr. Aaron…

ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Aberdeen Development Corporation (ADC), teaming up with the 91��Ƭ�� Innovation and Startup Center, has released the dates for the much-anticipated 2025 Aberdeen Business Pitch Competition. Entrepreneurs from across the region will have the chance to compete for a $10,000 cash prize, generously sponsored by the ADC.

The competition will unfold over the following important dates:

April 30: Entry deadline
June 2: Announcement of finalists
June 30: �󾱲Բ���������…

ABERDEEN, S.D. – 91��Ƭ�� State University is proud to recognize two finalists from this year’s South Dakota Governor’s Giant Vision Competition. 

In the student division, 91��Ƭ�� senior Diana Haile placed third with Yuth, an early intervention platform aimed at providing mental health support for students. Her creativity and dedication earned her a $3,000 prize, along with recognition for addressing a critical need in education.

“It’s been a lot of hard work, but I am truly grateful for the opportunity and the invaluable learning experience this…