ABERDEEN, S.D. ¨C In 2023, Northern State University launched the state¡¯s only 2-year degree in early childhood education. Initially, the Department of Social Services partnered with Northern to provide full-tuition scholarships for five students. Now, DSS has increased the number of Early Childhood Education Scholarships to 10.

The Early Childhood Education Scholarships will provide full tuition, fees, and books for students who commit to working in a childcare field for two years after completing the program. The deadline to apply is April 1, and awardees will be¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D. ¨C Dr. Lyncee Monson has been hired as Associate Dean of Nursing to launch and direct the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program at Northern State University.

¡°Dr. Monson is a welcomed addition to the College of Arts and Sciences. She brings a wealth of knowledge as a practitioner in the area as well as an educator at both a private and a public university,¡± said Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Alyssa Kiesow.

Northern recently received approval from the South Dakota Board of Regents to start the bachelor¡¯s degree program, in¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D. ¨C Northern State University¡¯s Chief Enrollment Management Officer Marcus Garstecki was named president of Barton Community College in Great Bend, Kansas.

¡°Dr. Garstecki has provided outstanding leadership and helped advance Northern. He will be an excellent president at Barton Community College,¡± said President Dr. Neal Schnoor. ¡°We are excited that he will remain on staff until June to help ensure a smooth transition for his successor.¡±

Garstecki started with Northern in early 2023. He will start his new role in July, following the retirement of¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D. ¨C The Northern State University Department of Music recently concluded its 2024 Friends of the Arts/Young Artist Competition. Almost 20 talented high school juniors and seniors from South Dakota and North Dakota submitted video recordings for the virtual competition.

The competition offered cash awards totaling $3,750, including $500 for first-place winners of each category, $250 for second-place winners, and $150 for third-place winners. Top music scholarships will also be available for those students who choose to attend Northern State University¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D. ¨C Northern State University¡¯s spring 2024 Noon Forums will begin Wednesday, Jan. 24 at noon in the Beulah Williams Library Round Room. The sessions are free and open to the public.

The first forum will feature the Northern Innovation and Startup Center. Bea Smith, director of the Northern Innovation and Startup Center, and Hannah Walters, interim associate dean of business and associate professor of marketing will discuss how to turn ¡°dreams into ventures,¡± and ways the Startup Center can help. Learn more about the Startup Center, which opened in¡­

Aberdeen, S.D. ¡ª Northern State University is proud to announce the following students earned President¡¯s List and Dean¡¯s List honors during the fall 2023 semester. The President's List includes full-time students who earned a 4.00 GPA for the semester and the Dean's List includes students who earned a 3.50 to 3.99 GPA for the semester. Congratulations on your great accomplishments!

President¡¯s List (4.0 GPA)

Faith Acevedo (Valley Stream, N.Y.)
Stephen Achen (Frederick, S.D.)
Jazmine Ackerman (Aberdeen, S.D.)
Tyler Althoff (Watertown, S.¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D. ¨C Northern State University bands will present a ¡°Concert of Women Composers¡± at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, in the Johnson Fine Arts Center Jewett Theater.

The concert will feature performances by the Symphonic Band, directed by Dr. Audrey Miller, featuring works by Julie Giroux, Erika Svanoe, Jennifer Jolley, and Carol Brittin Chambers. The concert will also feature the NSU Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Grant Manhart.

All tickets are general admission and will be available at the door. Cost is $10 for adults, and $5 for senior citizens and¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D. ¨C Northern State University student Kara Sinar has been accepted to law school through the Honors Law Opportunity Program (HLOP). Sinar will graduate in May 2024 with a major in English and a double minor in theatre and philosophy. Originally from Casper, Wyoming, Sinar has been an Aberdeen resident for over a decade.

The program is a collaboration between Northern and the University of South Dakota, with the intent to help grow the number of committed, talented lawyers in northeast South Dakota. 
HLOP guarantees admission for up to five¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D. ¨C The Northern Innovation and Startup Center will present two programs designed to empower those looking to bring their business ideas to life. The Center, established in late 2022, is committed to fostering innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship.

The Idea Workshop is scheduled from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 11 at Northern Valley Communications (NVC) hyflex conference room. The Idea Workshop is a collaborative, hands-on event tailored to inspire and guide individuals on their entrepreneurial journey. Led by Northern School of Business professors¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D. ¨C Any student seeking federal financial assistance will need to fill out the FAFSA. The 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form was revamped to expand eligibility for federal student aid and streamline the user experience.

The new FAFSA form soft launched Dec. 31. Currently, the form is not available all the time, as it continues to be updated.

Although frustrating, all students are encouraged to fill out the FAFSA as soon as they are able, in order to secure federal¡­