ABERDEEN, S.D.?¨C Northern State University¡¯s first-year student retention has climbed to 77%, well above the national average for public universities of 72%.

Britt Lorenz, executive director of Student Success indicated retention is influenced by a number of factors. ¡°From personalized academic resources to scholarship offerings, students at NSU are well-supported. The Northern experience is marked with numerous opportunities to engage with faculty, peers, and the entire campus community, helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.¡±

¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D.?¨C Northern State University has released the results of this year¡¯s Concerto-Aria Competition. The event highlighted the hard work and talent of students who performed a variety of impressive pieces.

The winners are:

Emily Palmer (soprano), Class of 2025, Langford, SD
Antonio Vivaldi: ¡°Sposa son disprezzata¡± from Bajazet
Student of Dr. Darci Bultema

Angel Olivo Porcayo (tuba), Class of 2027, Huron, SD
Bruce Broughton: Sonata (Concerto) for Tuba
Student of Dr. Travis Netzer

Honorable mentions were awarded to Jaron¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D.?¨C Northern State University¡¯s Nkemdilim Chibuko recently achieved a milestone, winning first place in the arts and humanities category at the National Collegiate Honors Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. Chibuko¡¯s research project, titled ¡°Dehumanizing Discourse: Rwanda¡¯s Genocide-Inciting Propaganda,¡± earned top recognition, highlighting her powerful work and the strength of Northern¡¯s Honors Program.

Chibuko¡¯s journey to this accomplishment wasn¡¯t easy. Originally from Nigeria, she arrived at Northern feeling the weight of adjusting to a new¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D. ¨C Dr. Marla Fogderud, associate professor of music, and guest pianist Oda Hjertine Voltersvik will perform a concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, in the Harvey and Cynthia Jewett Theater at Northern State University. The program highlights piano and vocal works by Nordic women composers, including Elfrida Andr¨¦e, Laura Netzel, Agathe Backer Gr?ndahl, Inger Bang Lund, Anne-Marie ?rbeck, and Pauline Hall. This all-ages event is free and open to the public.

Originally from Bergen, Norway, Voltersvik last appeared at Northern as a soloist with¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D.?¨C Northern State University, in partnership with Avera, is taking a bold step forward in healthcare education with the development of an advanced simulation center.

This simulation center will be a core part of Northern¡¯s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. The simulation center will be housed within the new Business and Health Innovation Center, currently under construction with a December 2025 expected completion date. The center includes six simulation suites and an eight-bed skills lab, both equipped with tools like realistic patient¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D.?¡ª The Northern State University Foundation is partnering with Ben¡¯s Brewing Co., to support Northern State University scholarships.?

The craft brewery, based in Yankton, SD, debuted ¡°Howler¡± at NSU athletic events last weekend. Sales of Howler on campus will directly support NSU scholarships, with a portion specifically benefiting the College of Arts and Sciences. 

¡°Howler is a new, light, drinkable beer that celebrates the Wolfpack spirit,¡± said NSU Foundation President Zach Flakus. ¡°It is designed to appeal to a wide range of NSU¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D. ¨C?Northern State University sophomore Jorja Whempner recently finished an eye-opening internship with the South Dakota Senate during the legislative session. Her journey toward public service began back in high school, when she joined the PAGE program¡ªa unique opportunity that lets juniors and seniors work with representatives and senators in Pierre. That experience left a big impression on her, and Jorja knew she wanted to stay connected to government work.

In her freshman year at Northern, Jorja decided to apply for the Senate internship. She wasn¡¯¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D.?¨C Northern State University bands will present ¡°Music from Around the World¡± at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, in the Johnson Fine Arts Center¡¯s Jewett Theater.

The concert will feature performances by the Symphonic Band, directed by Dr. Audrey Miller, and the Concert Band, directed by Dr. Travis Netzer. The Symphonic Band will perform works by Percy Grainger, Yukiko Nishimura, John Barnes Chance, Eduard Tamm, and Nubia Jaime Donjuan. The Concert Band will perform works by Aaron Copland, Jaime Texidor, Frank H. Losey, Anton¨ªn Dvo?¨¢k, and Dmitri¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D. ¨C The Aberdeen University-Civic Symphony invites the public to a concert blending French and American influences at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 9 at Northern State University¡¯s Johnson Fine Arts Center Jewett Theater.

Christopher Stanichar, director of the AUCS and NSU associate professor of music, will lead the orchestra. The concert, titled ¡°An American in Paris,¡± features an enchanting mix of French composers inspired by American jazz, as well as American composers influenced by French music. The program includes iconic works such as Maurice Ravel¡¯s¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D. ¨C Northern State University's Speech and Debate team recently competed at the Schnoor Swing Tournament at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Representing Northern with determination, team members Haylee Bohnet, Savannah Shrake, and Abiah George earned a series of impressive results.

Abiah George reached the semifinals in IPDA debate and was recognized as the tournament¡¯s top debate speaker. She also secured second place in Extemporaneous Speaking and third in Persuasive Speaking. In Dramatic Interpretation, Haylee Bohnet brought home a strong¡­