ABERDEEN, S.D. ¨C The Northern Innovation and Startup Center, in collaboration with the Aberdeen Development Corporation, has announced Kevin Ervin Kelley and James Villarrubia as keynote speakers for the 2025 Technology & Entrepreneurship Summit.

The summit will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the Johnson Fine Arts Center on the campus of Northern State University. The event brings together entrepreneurs, industry professionals, students and community members to explore the evolving landscape of technology and business.

ABERDEEN, S.D. ¨C?Northern State University is proud to announce that Josh VanLaecken, instructor of accounting in the School of Business, has earned his Doctor of Business Administration in Accounting from West Virginia University.

VanLaecken said the decision to pursue a terminal degree was a natural progression as he transitioned from industry to academia.

¡°I pursued the doctorate to ask better questions and begin to answer them,¡± he said.

VanLaecken noted that the experience has allowed him to engage more deeply with the content he teaches¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D. ¨C Northern State University is continuing its full tuition and book scholarship for students pursuing a two-year associate degree in Early Childhood Education. The program is designed to grow South Dakota¡¯s childcare workforce and respond to urgent statewide needs.

Dr. Nicole Schutter, chair of Teacher Education in the Millicent Atkins School of Education, emphasized the broader impact of the associate degree and the scholarship. ¡°Early childhood educators shape a child¡¯s first learning experiences, build curiosity, and foster confidence that¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D.?¨C Two Northern State University business faculty members are co-authors of a newly published study examining the impact of workplace gratitude on employees in the banking and financial services industry.

The article, ¡°Workplace Gratitude¡¯s Impact on Banking and Financial Services Employees¡¯ Psychological Capital, Intention to Stay and Satisfaction With Life,¡± appears in the latest edition of the Journal of Applied Business and Economics. The study was conducted by Dr. Kristi Bockorny, Dacotah Bank Dean of the NSU School of Business, and Dr. Aaron¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D.?¨C?Northern State University is proud to recognize the outstanding academic achievements of students for the spring 2025 semester. The university is pleased to announce the students who have earned a place on the President¡¯s List, Dean¡¯s List and Academic Recognition List.

The President¡¯s List honors full-time undergraduate students who have achieved a perfect 4.00 GPA for the semester. This distinction reflects a commitment to academic excellence and dedication to their studies.

The Dean¡¯s List recognizes full-time undergraduate students¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D. ¨C Northern State University is proud to announce Chad Harlander as the 2025 Gypsy Day Parade Grand Marshal.

A 1994 graduate of Northern State University with a Bachelor of Science in Community Services, Harlander has dedicated his career to supporting youth and families across Minnesota, South Dakota and beyond. He is the founder of the REACH Program, which serves students facing adversity and provides support to help them succeed academically, emotionally and socially. Since its inception in the Hutchinson School District, the REACH Program¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D.?¨C Excitement is building as the Aberdeen Business Pitch Competition today announced the five finalists selected to present their innovative business ideas at the upcoming 2025 event. This competition is hosted by the Northern Innovation and Startup Center and the Aberdeen Development Corporation. This year¡¯s competition saw a remarkable turnout, with 32 applications submitted from entrepreneurs across Aberdeen and the wider region.

The high caliber of submissions presented a challenging task for the Round 1 judges. After careful deliberation, five¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D. ¨C Get ready to journey through the ages as Northern State University announces that registration for the 2025 Gypsy Day Parade is officially open! This year's much-anticipated homecoming theme, "Wolves Through Time," invites participants to showcase their creativity and school spirit. The parade will cap off the 2025 Gypsy Days Homecoming Week, set for September 15-21.

Parade entries are encouraged to draw inspiration from historical eras, futuristic visions, or pivotal moments in Northern's own history. Participants can sign up their floats¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D.?¨C South Dakota¡¯s public universities are coming together for the inaugural 605 Day: Funding Futures with Scholarships, a statewide campaign held annually on June 5, celebrating South Dakota pride while raising critical support for student scholarships.

This collaborative initiative highlights the shared commitment of South Dakota¡¯s public higher education institutions to make college more accessible and affordable. The campaign leverages the symbolic date ¡ª 6/05, representing the state's area code ¡ª to unite alumni, donors, and supporters across¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D.?¨C Northern State University is proud to share that alumna Sierra Sweeney has been awarded the highly competitive Canada Graduate Scholarships ¨C Master¡¯s (CGS M) award. Valued at $27,000 CAD, the scholarship will support Sweeney¡¯s graduate studies and research in Canada through funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

A standout student in Northern¡¯s Human Performance program, Sweeney was also a member of the university¡¯s Honors Program and competed as a student-athlete on the track and field team.

The CGS M program¡­