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At 83 years old, Ronald Meland finally walked across the commencement stage at Northern State University — more than six decades after first attending the institution then known as Northern State Teachers College.

Meland received a Bachelor of Science in mathematics during Northern’s May 9, 2026 commencement ceremony, closing a chapter that began in the early 1960s when he left college to enlist in the U.S. Navy.

What began as a simple request from his daughter, Karleen McLain, for an honorary diploma or yearbook recognizing his time at Northern as a surprise Father’s…

ABERDEEN, S.D. — As the South Dakota Freedom Scholarship program celebrates 300 graduates statewide this spring, Northern State University is proud to share its own milestone — more than $1.4 million in scholarships has been disbursed to NSU students since the program launched in fall 2022.

Since its inception, 287 NSU students have received Freedom Scholarship funding. During the 2025-26 academic year alone, 99 students at Northern received funds through the program.

The South Dakota Freedom Scholarship is the largest public-private, need-based…

ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State University sophomore Maggie Kruger has become the first student in Northern's Filmmaking, Broadcasting and Interactive Media Production program to earn international film festival recognition, with her short documentary "The Story Behind the 3 Crosses" selected for the 3rd ½ Bernardsville Film Festival. Kruger is a student in Northern's Filmmaking, Broadcasting and Interactive Media Production program, known as the FBI emphasis, which is part of the Digital Media degree within the School of Fine Arts.

Kruger, a digital media major…

NSU Counseling Students Present Research at State Conference

ABERDEEN, S.D. — Six graduate students from Northern State University's counseling programs presented research at the 2026 South Dakota Counseling Association Conference, held April 23-25 in Rapid City.

Students from Northern's Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling programs shared research addressing timely issues in counseling and mental health practice, supported by faculty advisers Dr. Brown, Dr. Jia and Dr. Mathew. Presentation topics included non-…

ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State University's Business Club recently gave students a firsthand look at professional life beyond the classroom, organizing a trip to Fargo in April 2026 that included visits to WDAY News and Eide Bailly.

The trip, planned and coordinated entirely by Business Club students, focused on professional networking and career pathway exploration. Students secured funding, contacted businesses directly and made all travel arrangements — putting their business skills to work before they ever arrived.

"I'm very proud of the Business…

ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State University's TRIO Student Support Services program is proud to recognize its graduating students for their hard work, perseverance and commitment to academic success during the 2025-26 academic year.

TRIO Student Support Services is a federally funded program designed to support first-generation college students, students with financial need and students with disabilities as they work toward earning a college degree. Through academic advising, mentoring, financial literacy education, career exploration and personal support, the…

ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State University's TRIO Student Support Services program celebrated student achievement and success at its annual Recognition Night on Thursday, April 9, in Kessler's Champion Club at the Barnett Center.

The event honored TRIO Student Support Services scholars for their academic accomplishments, leadership, involvement and progress toward degree completion. Faculty, staff and campus partners were also recognized for their continued support of TRIO students and the program's mission.

"Recognition Night is one of our favorite…

ABERDEEN, S.D. — Eight Northern State University students showcased their creativity and collaborative skills at the second annual Design Jam, held April 10 at the USD Discovery District in Sioux Falls.

The one-day competition brought together students from Northern State University, the University of South Dakota, the University of Sioux Falls and Dakota State University. Participants were placed into interdisciplinary teams representing all four universities and challenged to conceptualize and produce a 20-second motion graphics piece within a limited…

ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State University recognized two faculty members with prestigious awards during the spring commencement ceremony Saturday, May 9, at the Barnett Center.

Dr. Darci Bultema, professor of music, received the NSU Foundation Faculty Excellence Award, which recognizes a faculty member known for excellence in teaching and learning, a sustained commitment to service and achievements in research and creativity within their discipline. Dr. Christian Pirlet, assistant professor of educational technology, received the NSU Outstanding Early Career…

ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State University associate professor of counseling and program coordinator Dr. Shalini Mathew has been honored with the Mary W. Lark Humanitarian Award from the South Dakota Counseling Association, recognizing her extraordinary service and commitment to the well-being of others.

Mathew was nominated for the award by her counseling graduate students, who cited her advocacy for student mental health, her accessibility as a mentor and her commitment to creating inclusive, trauma-informed learning environments. In addition to teaching and…