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NSU Art Department Presents Second Round of Spring Senior Exhibitions Now Open Through May 8

Chad Hatzenbuhler — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:07:04 +0000

NSU Art Department Presents Second Round of Spring Senior Exhibitions Now Open Through May 8 Chad Hatzenbuhler Tue, 04/21/2026 - 08:07

ABERDEEN, S.D. — 91��Ƭ�� State University's Art Department and Art Galleries are currently presenting a second round of spring senior exhibitions, on view through Thursday, May 8, in the Johnson Fine Arts Center Gallery and Gallery X on the NSU campus in Aberdeen.

The exhibitions — April Olson's Multiplicity of Her, Diane Mamgue Tassa's Beneath Patterns and Rico Imus's Banyuhay — feature three graduating seniors whose work explores identity, transformation and cultural memory through a range of mediums and personal perspectives.

Banyuhay, a Filipino term for metamorphosis and change, centers on Rico Imus's exploration of transformation as a constant and necessary part of survival. Shaped by his early experiences growing up in an orphanage and finding stability in nature, particularly through observing insects, Imus translates personal growth into sculpture that resists a sense of completion. Working primarily with paper, he highlights its fragility and strength as a mirror for human resilience.

Multiplicity of Her explores the many forms of self that exist within each woman. April Olson works across photography, digital collage and projection, drawing influence from artists Frida Kahlo and Nadia Waheed. Her work reflects an internal struggle with identity and celebrates the beauty that comes from accepting and embracing every version of oneself.

Beneath Patterns investigates how visual patterns function as a language of identity, memory and cultural storytelling. Diane Mamgue Tassa draws inspiration from African textiles to explore how patterns move beyond decoration to become systems that shape how identity is seen, expressed and protected. Working through photography, digital layering and mixed media, her compositions merge the body with patterned environments and reflect the tension between visibility and concealment. Influenced by artists Bisa Butler and Thandiwe Muriu, Tassa's work emphasizes presence, dignity and visual harmony.

A public reception for all three exhibitions will take place Friday, May 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Johnson Fine Arts Center Galleries, located at 1200 S. Jay St., Aberdeen.

The galleries are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Art Department Coordinator Professor Epiphany Knedler at epiphany.knedler@91��Ƭ��.edu.

91��Ƭ�� State University Hosts Strategic Plan Town Hall April 28

Chad Hatzenbuhler — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:23:59 +0000

91��Ƭ�� State University Hosts Strategic Plan Town Hall April 28

Chad Hatzenbuhler Mon, 04/20/2026 - 08:23

ABERDEEN, S.D. — 91��Ƭ�� State University will host a strategic planning town hall on Tuesday, April 28, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Kessler's Champion Club in the Barnett Center. Light hors d'oeuvres will be served. Faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members are all welcome to attend.

The April 28 town hall builds on an earlier session held in December, where the Strategic Planning Design Team presented four strategic goals developed through campus and community listening sessions. The upcoming event will give attendees the opportunity to review the most recent draft of the plan before it is finalized.

"We are excited to present this draft of our new strategic plan to the campus and Aberdeen community on April 28," said Dr. Alan LaFave, president of 91��Ƭ�� State University. "We are grateful to all who have participated in the process through listening sessions, serving on the design team and/or implementation team as we continue to put the finishing touches on this plan that will serve as a foundation and road map for the future success of NSU."

The event is free and open to the public.

91��Ƭ�� State University Earns Two Honors at 2026 ABBY Awards; Four Faculty and Staff Complete Leadership Aberdeen

Chad Hatzenbuhler — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 19:00:15 +0000

91��Ƭ�� State University Earns Two Honors at 2026 ABBY Awards; Four Faculty and Staff Complete Leadership Aberdeen

Chad Hatzenbuhler Fri, 04/17/2026 - 14:00

ABERDEEN, S.D. — 91��Ƭ�� State University was recognized twice at the 2026 ABBY Awards, hosted by the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce, with assistant professor of accounting Josh VanLaecken named to the Top 4 Under 40 and the 91��Ƭ�� Innovation and Startup Center receiving the Cultivator of Progress Award. The evening also celebrated the graduation of the 2026 Leadership Aberdeen class, which included four NSU faculty and staff members.

The ABBY Awards — Aberdeen Business Awards — recognize outstanding businesses, organizations and community leaders for excellence across a range of categories each year. This year's ceremony combined the awards program with the Leadership Aberdeen graduation for a night celebrating leaders, champions and business excellence.

VanLaecken, an assistant professor of accounting in 91��Ƭ�� State University's School of Business, was selected for the Top 4 Under 40 program, which honors young leaders between the ages of 25 and 39 who are making a positive impact in Aberdeen and Brown County through their careers, civic engagement or philanthropic efforts. Prior to entering academia, VanLaecken built a career in both public and private accounting, serving clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to locally owned small businesses. He also serves on nonprofit boards and committees in the community.

The 91��Ƭ�� Innovation and Startup Center received the Cultivator of Progress Award, which recognizes a business or organization that actively drives positive change and innovation within the agribusiness, manufacturing or technology sectors. The center works with innovators, nonprofits and rural communities to launch tech startups and create digital jobs in northeastern South Dakota, embracing a fail-forward mentality and building pathways to help aspiring entrepreneurs turn their concepts into companies.

Four NSU faculty and staff members were among the 2026 Leadership Aberdeen graduates: Audrey Miller, Dr. Lyncee Monson, Nicole Schutter and Shelby Serrano. Established in 1987, Leadership Aberdeen is an immersive leadership development program that runs from January through April, equipping participants with the skills, insights and connections needed to lead with purpose in their workplace and community.

Princeton Scholar Robert George to Speak at 91��Ƭ�� State University on "America 250"

Chad Hatzenbuhler — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 21:47:33 +0000

Princeton Scholar Robert George to Speak at 91��Ƭ�� State University on "America 250"

Chad Hatzenbuhler Wed, 04/15/2026 - 16:47

ABERDEEN, S.D. — The 91��Ƭ�� State University Center for Public History and Civic Engagement will host Princeton University professor Robert P. George for a public lecture on Monday, April 27, at 7 p.m. in the Johnson Fine Arts Center Room 181, known as the Blue Room, on the 91��Ƭ�� State University campus in Aberdeen.

George, the McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton, will speak on "America 250," reflecting on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. One of the most prominent public intellectuals in the country, George has advised at the highest levels of American government, serving as chairman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, a member of the President's Council on Bioethics and a presidential appointee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

A graduate of Swarthmore College, George holds law and theology degrees from Harvard University and doctoral degrees from Oxford University. He is a former judicial fellow at the Supreme Court of the United States, where he received the Justice Tom C. Clark Award, and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the American Academy of Sciences and Letters. He holds 23 honorary degrees and has delivered honorific lectures at Harvard, Yale, Oxford and Cornell universities.

"Robert George is one of the most respected public intellectuals of our time. It is an honor to have him on our campus. I encourage everyone to attend what is sure to be a compelling and informative talk about the meaning of America," said Dr. Jon Schaff, professor of government and director of the Center for Public History and Civic Engagement at 91��Ƭ�� State University.

The event is sponsored by Sim Civics, a U.S. Department of Education program. The 91��Ƭ�� State University Center for Public History and Civic Engagement is organizing the event in conjunction with the Black Hills State University Center for Civic Engagement. The event is free and open to the public.

NSU Annual Spring Plant Sale Set for April 21

Chad Hatzenbuhler — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:40:56 +0000

NSU Annual Spring Plant Sale Set for April 21

Chad Hatzenbuhler Fri, 04/10/2026 - 09:40

ABERDEEN, SD — Spring is in the air at 91��Ƭ�� State University, and the annual plant sale is back. NSU will host its spring plant sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, in MeWaldt-Jensen Room 144B, the classroom adjacent to the MeWaldt-Jensen greenhouse.

The sale is open to the public and offers a great opportunity to pick up plants for the season while supporting NSU's greenhouse program. Proceeds go directly toward plants and supplies that keep the greenhouses running throughout the year.

Whether you are an experienced gardener or just looking to add a little green to your home, the NSU plant sale is a fun and affordable way to welcome the season. Cash or check only will be accepted.

For more information, contact Dr. Jodie Ramsay at jodie.ramsay@91��Ƭ��.edu.

91��Ƭ�� State University Selected for National Student Success Initiative

Chad Hatzenbuhler — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 17:42:27 +0000

91��Ƭ�� State University Selected for National Student Success Initiative

Chad Hatzenbuhler Tue, 03/31/2026 - 12:42

ABERDEEN, S.D. — 91��Ƭ�� State University has been selected as one of 10 institutions through the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) to participate in the Gardner Institute's Sensemaking and Strategic Prioritization process. 91��Ƭ��'s participation in the initiative is made possible through the generous support of the Gates Foundation.

The competitive opportunity supports institutions in advancing student success through a structured, data-informed, collaborative process that strengthens retention, persistence and completion. The initiative includes a comprehensive Institutional Transformation Assessment, guided sensemaking conversations, and the development of a strategic roadmap aligned to institutional priorities.

91��Ƭ�� State University's selection comes at a pivotal moment, as the university advances a new strategic planning process focused on academic innovation, student success and coordinated campus-wide efforts to support every student.

"This opportunity comes at exactly the right time for 91��Ƭ��," said Dr. Erin Fouberg, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. "We are in the middle of shaping our next strategic plan and deepening our campus-wide commitment to student success. This work will help us align our efforts and ensure every student has access to the strong, proactive academic support they need to succeed."

Through the Gardner Institute partnership, 91��Ƭ�� will engage faculty, staff and campus leaders in a collaborative process to better understand the factors that influence student success and to identify priorities that most directly improve student persistence, retention and completion.

"My Gardner Institute colleagues and I are honored and excited to partner with 91��Ƭ�� State University and COPLAC in this important work," said Drew Koch, chief executive officer of the Gardner Institute. "Institutions make the greatest progress when they develop and implement a comprehensive plan for student success. This effort will help 91��Ƭ�� State University bring together strong existing work into a more coherent whole, informed by the Institutional Transformation Assessment and the collective wisdom and contextual knowledge of its faculty and staff."

Participation in the initiative also supports 91��Ƭ��'s preparation for its upcoming Higher Learning Commission reaffirmation of accreditation in 2027, reinforcing ongoing efforts to connect strategic planning, assessment and continuous improvement.

As a member of COPLAC, 91��Ƭ�� State University joins peer institutions across the country committed to the mission of public liberal arts education and to advancing student outcomes through innovation, collaboration and evidence-based practices.

NSU Nursing Student Earns Scholarship Honoring Northeastern South Dakota Legacy

Chad Hatzenbuhler — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:22:25 +0000

NSU Nursing Student Earns Scholarship Honoring Northeastern South Dakota Legacy

Chad Hatzenbuhler Tue, 03/31/2026 - 11:22

ABERDEEN, SD — 91��Ƭ�� State University nursing student Kailyn Poppen has been selected to receive the Carol and Bruce Anderson Family Memorial Nursing Scholarship, an award that carries a personal connection to the people and communities of northeastern South Dakota.

Poppen is a junior in NSU's new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and an Aberdeen native who plans to graduate in spring 2027. A member of the NSU women's soccer team, she has also earned the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship and the Wolf PACT Scholarship during her time at 91��Ƭ��.

The scholarship was created by Bruce Anderson of Britton, S.D., as a way to honor his late wife, Carol, who died in 2022. Anderson wanted to memorialize her in a meaningful way, and a nursing scholarship felt like the right fit. The award goes to South Dakota residents enrolled in an accredited pre-licensure registered nurse program. Preference is given first to residents of Britton, then to residents of Brown, Day, Edmunds, Faulk, Marshall, McPherson, Roberts or Spink county. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation from non-family members highlighting their leadership, compassion, community involvement and personal character.

"NSU has definitely pushed me to grow, but I've also felt supported the whole way — both in the classroom and on the field," said Poppen.

Poppen has her sights set on becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist, driven by a desire to make a real difference in patient care. Outside the classroom, she stays busy as a member of the soccer team and teaches ice skating lessons in the winter — a schedule that has sharpened her time management skills as much as her nursing studies.

"Kailyn exemplifies exactly the kind of student our new BSN program was built for — driven, compassionate and deeply connected to this region," said Dr. Lyncee Monson, associate dean of nursing at 91��Ƭ�� State University. "Seeing her recognized with this scholarship is a proud moment for our program and a testament to the strong future of nursing in northeastern South Dakota."

NSU's new BSN program, led by Associate Dean of Nursing Dr. Lyncee Monson, DNP RN CCRN CNE, gives students the academic foundation and real-world clinical experience they need to succeed as registered nurses. The university welcomed its first BSN cohort in fall 2025.

For more information about the Carol and Bruce Anderson Family Memorial Nursing Scholarship or to make a donation, visit sdcommunityfoundation.org.

91��Ƭ�� State University to Celebrate Opening of Business and Health Innovation Center

Chad Hatzenbuhler — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:32:53 +0000

91��Ƭ�� State University to Celebrate Opening of Business and Health Innovation Center

Chad Hatzenbuhler Mon, 03/30/2026 - 16:32

ABERDEEN, SD — 91��Ƭ�� State University invites the public to celebrate the opening of its new Business and Health Innovation Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house on Thursday, April 30, 2026. Doors open at 3:30 p.m., with the ribbon cutting ceremony taking place at 4 p.m. The event will conclude at 5 p.m.

The Business and Health Innovation Center is the new home for NSU's School of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences' new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Inside, the building features advanced collaborative classrooms, the Avera Nursing Simulation Center, and dedicated spaces designed to bridge classroom learning with real-world professional experience.

The building also houses the 91��Ƭ�� Innovation and Startup Center, a dedicated resource for entrepreneurship and regional economic development, supported by Dacotah Bank.

The facility was made possible in part through $29.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds and a $1.5 million state appropriation, reflecting a significant investment from federal and state partners in the region's workforce and economic future.

"This new facility significantly enhances student success by providing the latest in technology, simulation labs, creative innovation spaces and adaptable classroom environments that prepare our business and nursing students to move seamlessly and successfully into the workforce," said Dr. Alan LaFave, president of 91��Ƭ�� State University. "The large, welcoming foyer and student study spaces have already proven to be gathering places for campus events and meaningful student and faculty interaction."

The ribbon cutting and open house are free and open to the public. The Business and Health Innovation Center is located at the corner of 12th Avenue SE and South Washington Street on the 91��Ƭ�� State University campus in Aberdeen.

91��Ƭ�� State University Kicks Off GiveNDay 2026 April 1-2

Chad Hatzenbuhler — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 18:43:49 +0000

91��Ƭ�� State University Kicks Off GiveNDay 2026 April 1-2

Chad Hatzenbuhler Thu, 03/26/2026 - 13:43

ABERDEEN, S.D. — 91��Ƭ�� State University and the NSU Foundation are proud to announce GiveNDay 2026, an annual fundraising event dedicated to supporting Wolves students and strengthening the bonds between NSU and its community. The event will kick off at noon on Wednesday, April 1, and conclude at noon on Thursday, April 2.

GiveNDay brings together alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends of NSU for 24 hours of giving that makes a direct impact on the lives of Wolves students. Contributions support more than 40 initiatives, including scholarships, academic programs, athletics and special campus projects — all of which help shape the future of 91��Ƭ�� State University.

"GiveNDay is a unique opportunity to show your 'Pride in the Pack' by investing in students' futures, where you see the greatest need," said Zach Flakus of the NSU Foundation. "GiveNDay strengthens the connection between students, alumni, and our community. 91��Ƭ�� has great momentum with outstanding facilities, new academic programs and a personalized education for in-demand careers. GiveNDay plays a vital role by providing direct support to programs, student organizations, and departments. You will help students achieve their goals and graduate prepared for in-demand careers. We appreciate your consideration of GiveNDay 2026."

To celebrate the event, NSU invites campus and community members to participate in a "Maroon Out" on April 1 and 2. Show your support for Wolves students by wearing maroon and/or Wolves gear on GiveNDay.

For more information or to donate, visit givingday.91��Ƭ��.edu.

91��Ƭ�� State University to Host 43rd Annual 91��Ƭ�� South Dakota Science and Mathematics Fair

Desiree Kolb — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:21:07 +0000

91��Ƭ�� State University to Host 43rd Annual 91��Ƭ�� South Dakota Science and Mathematics Fair

Desiree Kolb Tue, 03/24/2026 - 16:21

ABERDEEN, S.D. – 91��Ƭ�� State University will host the 43rd Annual 91��Ƭ�� South Dakota Science and Mathematics Fair on Thursday, March 26, welcoming students in grades 6-12 from nine area schools for a day of competition and discovery.

The fair will be held in the Jewett Regional Science Education Center. Student projects will be open for public viewing from 1 to 7 p.m., and the event is free and open to the public.

Junior and senior high Science Bowl competitions, held in conjunction with the fair, will begin at 2 p.m. in the science building. Community members are invited to attend.

The science fair awards ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. in Room 181 of the Johnson Fine Arts Center.

For more information, contact Jodie Ramsay, Science Fair Director, at 605-626-3384 or jodie.ramsay@91��Ƭ��.edu.