NEWS

ABERDEEN, S.D.?— Most events celebrate big wins. FAIL Fest celebrates the moments we tripped, wiped out or completely missed the mark—and learned something brilliant because of it.?

Back for another year of laughter, honesty and moments that didn’t go as planned, this year’s FAIL Fest featured a panel of entrepreneurs who weren’t afraid to dig into the tough questions.

Julie Fischbach, owner of the Finery Marketplace and Finery on Main Event Venue, spent years finding her path, from corporate work to business owner and small business coach, each twist…

ABERDEEN, S.D.?– Eight Northern 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.?– Northern State University will host a holiday reception followed by a town hall meeting focused on the emerging strategic plan for Northern State University on Wednesday, December 3, in Kessler's Champion Club at the Barnett Center. Holiday treats will be served starting at 2:30 p.m., with the town hall meeting taking place from 3-5 p.m.

The town hall represents a critical milestone in Northern's collaborative planning process, which began earlier this year with listening sessions across campus and the Aberdeen community. The Strategic Planning…

ABERDEEN, S.D.?– Marla Fogderud, associate professor of music at Northern State University, was recently elected to a second term as president of the International Edvard Grieg Society (IGS) at the organization’s 2025 General Assembly in Bergen, Norway. The society promotes the research and performance of music by Norway’s most famous composer and oversees 22 national and regional Grieg societies worldwide. Fogderud is also the founder and president of the Edvard Grieg Society of the Dakotas.

At the biennial conference, held Nov. 5–7, Fogderud presented “How Can…

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University’s largest in-person fundraiser once again brought together alumni, donors, friends, and community members for an evening dedicated to celebrating and supporting the university.

Now in its 27th year, Northern Night has become one of NSU’s signature fundraising traditions. While final totals are still being tallied, this year’s event is expected to raise roughly $150,000 to support Northern’s current priorities—including scholarship support and overall foundation needs.

Although the dollars raised are…

ABERDEEN, S.D.?– The Northern State University Foundation, in collaboration with Northern State University and the Northern Innovation Startup Center, announced today that it will work with Microsoft to expand economic opportunity, job creation and innovation in northeastern South Dakota through the Microsoft TechSpark Initiative.

Lindsey Huber, instructor of management information systems at Northern State University, has been accepted as a fellow for the Microsoft TechSpark program. She will focus on bringing hands-on AI training to help people better…

ABERDEEN, S.D.?–?Northern State University invites the campus and Aberdeen community to welcome Dr. Alan LaFave at a public reception on Friday, Nov. 21, from 3–5 p.m. in Kessler's Champion Club in the Barnett Center.

The reception will provide an opportunity for faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members to meet Northern's incoming president and his wife, Kari LaFave. Nathan Lukkes, executive director and CEO of the South Dakota Board of Regents, will attend the reception and formally introduce President LaFave, who will offer brief remarks at 4 p.m…

ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Northern State University Art Department hosted the 2025 South Dakota Art Education Association + South Dakota College Art Association State Conference Oct. 9–11 on campus.

The event welcomed around 100 art professionals and educators from across the state. More than 30 lectures and workshops focused on art techniques, concepts and pedagogy.

The keynote presentation was given by Mural On The Wall (OTW), a community-based mural team from Vermillion, South Dakota. The group’s core members, Amber Hansen and Reyna Hernandez, have…

ABERDEEN, S.D.?– Kristen Brown, assistant professor of English at Northern State University, recently presented her research on the fiery poetics of Muscogee author Joy Harjo at the Western American Literature Conference in Oklahoma City.

Brown serves on the Executive Council for the international organization, which celebrated its fiftieth year. She also chairs their WLA and Charles Redd K-12 Teaching Award, which recognizes exceptional K-12 teaching plans related to the North American West. During the conference, she joined the Sustainability Committee, which…

ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University's Student Government Association has partnered with Aberdeen Ride Line to launch WolfLine, a pilot transportation program designed to help students access essential shopping destinations during the winter months.

The pilot program will run from late November 2025 through the end of March 2026, providing students who do not have access to a vehicle with safe, reliable transportation to local grocery stores and retailers during the colder months when walking or biking becomes difficult. The first WolfLine ride…