WHAT IS THE NORTHERN IMPACT? IT DEPENDS ON WHO YOU ASK. HOWEVER, ONE THING IS CERTAIN: THE IMPACT THAT NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY HAS ON ALUMNUS – BOTH THOSE EMPLOYER. EVERY PERSON. EVERY OUR COMMUNITY IS WIDE-REACHING. IT TOUCHES EVERY STILL IN ABERDEEN AND THOSE WHO HAVE MOVED AWAY. IT TOUCHES OUR CITY. OUR REGION. OUR STATE. IT REACHES INTO THE PAST – TO THOSE WHO STILL HOLD HOLD STILL WHO THOSE TO – PAST THE INTO REACHES IT STATE. OUR REGION. OUR CITY. OUR TOUCHES IT AWAY. MOVED HAVE WHO THOSE AND ABERDEEN IN STILL NOVEMBER 2009 NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY APRIL 2010 Contents ON THE COVER: Amanda Madden, art major from Herreid, S.D. NSU SAXOPHONIST PLANS TO “I KNEW WHAT I NEEDED TO DO” 4 SPEND SUMMER PERFORMING AT THE 8 It’s the philosophy that drives NSU senior “HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH” Amanda Madden to excellence on the track, “When I left Chicago I still didn’t know in the classroom and in the studio. An art whether or not I had made it, major from Herreid, S.D., Amanda is a girl and a few days later, the happiest moment who knows what she wants and stops at nothing to get it. of my life came…” NSU BUSINESS STUDENTS EARN WELCOME COACHES 9 Wolves fans will see two new coaches on 5 FIRST PLACE RANKING IN the sidelines for two of the universities most BUSINESS STRATEGY GAME 4 8 9 visible sports. In December, Tom Dosch was “The Business Strategy Game” is the most named the Wolves new head football coach widely played computer simulation in the and in March, Paul Sather was named head strategic management market and is used in men’s basketball coach. business schools all across the world. COACH MEYER HONORED THEIR ALTERNATIVE 6 9 Coach Don Meyer was honored at the 6 The sun, the beach, the late nights and the NCAA Final Four in April as the recipient parties, are images that we associate with of the John Wooden Keys to Life Award. school breaks, but 55 members of the NSU community are changing the stereo-type by SCIENCE LABS choosing to spend their breaks volunteering 10 New science labs are up and running and to make our world a better place. students are reaping the benefits. 6 10 11 REDISCOVER ABERDEEN DESIGNED AND PRODUCED BY NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY, ADDRESS FOR MAGAZINE INQUIRIES: SENIOR CABINET UNIVERSITY RELATIONS‚ FOR THE NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY University Relations Dr. James M. Smith, President Northern State University FOUNDATION Dr. Thomas Hawley, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs 1200 South Jay Street WRITTEN BY Aberdeen, South Dakota 57401 Ms. Debbi Bumpous, Chief Information Officer, NET Services Richelle Braun [email protected] Ms. Brenda Dreyer, Director, University Relations Brenda Dreyer ABOUT NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY Mr. Don Erlenbusch, Vice President for Finance and Administration EDITOR Northern State University is a premier residential, liberal arts institution Mr. Todd Jordre, Foundation President and CEO Brenda Dreyer characterized by outstanding instruction, extraordinary community relations, DESIGN and unparalleled co-curricular opportunities. In August of 2009 NSU was Mr. John Meyer, University Counsel Jennifer Vaughn again named by U.S. News and World Report as one of the best undergraduate Ms. Rhoda Smith,Vice President of Student Affairs public institutions in the Midwest. For more information about NSU, visit FOUNDATION PRESIDENT AND CEO our Web site at www.northern.edu. Mr. Bob Olson, Athletic Director, University Athletics Todd Jordre 2 NORTHERN TODAY This focus on excellence is day-in and day-out. I hope you’ll have the chance to experience it as the Letter months move forward – our students, faculty, and staff are among the very best at what they do. FROM THE PRESIDENT CAPITAL CAMPAIGN A FOCUS ON EXCELLENCE UPDATE AS THE TITLE INDICATES, THE check was then doubled to make a $20,000 investment in the 27.2 MILLION FOCUS AT NSU on excellence is future lives of some really great students who will call Northern something that surrounds almost all “home” for next year and future years to come. I do as President. However, after In addition to traveling to see excellence come alive, I have had the doing a bit of traveling and observing opportunity to see it here in Aberdeen as well. Our International 21 MILLION our best and brightest, that focus is Business Advisory Board was just in town and we celebrated that 20 MILLION a little bit sharper as of late. I had visit with a reception at our home. Connie and I were most the distinct opportunity to introduce impressed with the dedication that these people have to the our Symphonic Band at the North success of our Center of Excellence for International Business. 15 MILLION PRESIDENT Dakota Music Educators Association Presidential Scholars have been selected during the course of the JAMES M. SMITH recently in Bismarck. The band was past few weeks and more than one hundred twenty Wolf PACT excellent – a standing ovation was students have been on campus for early Fall Semester enrollment. 10 MILLION received from a very large audience who know music and know These young men and women truly define the word excellence in it very well. To see our young men and women perform at that so many different ways! level was a real delight for me. And to have a member of our As I conclude, please know that while I’ve just selected a handful 5 MILLION Fine Arts faculty, Dr. Darci Bultema, sing with the Symphonic of events and people to highlight here there are hundreds of other Band was genuinely a special treat. Just after returning from references I would have mentioned if page space allowed. This Bismarck, I joined Don and Carmen Meyer for the Legends focus on excellence is day-in and day-out. Without the generosity TOTAL of the Hardwood Breakfast at the Final Four in Indianapolis. of our alumni and friends to the capital campaign, much of what CAMPAIGN Don received the John Wooden Keys to Life Award and was I have shared with you would not be possible. I hope you’ll have GOAL: well spoken at this event as he was at the ESPY Celebration last the chance to see for yourself our students, faculty, and staff are $27,250,000 Over summer. This time, however, Chick-fil-A presented NSU with among the very best at what they do. If you don’t believe me, just 5 years a check for $10,000 in honor of Don’s accomplishment. As you read a few pages into the magazine and you’ll see that excellence all might suspect, Don immediately asked that it be used by the is the essence of what we do here at Northern and your support NSU Foundation for scholarships. The entirity of this $10,000 makes it happen. WWW.NORTHERN.EDU 3 NORTHERN “When I left Chicago I still didn’t know whether or not I had made it, and a few days later, the happiest moment of my life came…” WE INVEST IN News NSU STUDENTS NSU SAXOPHONIST PLANS TO SPEND SUMMER PERFORMING AT THE FOR YOU. FOR US. FOR THOSE TO COME. “Happiest Place on Earth” Northern is a special If you had the chance why wouldn’t want to spend your summer at the place, one of those “Happiest Place on Earth” Northern State University junior Kelsey Pickford will get to do just special campuses that as a member of the 40th All-American College Band at Disneyland in California. in the U.S. where The 21-piece All-American College Band and dancing abilities. She didn’t disappoint another room where I was able to meet Ron learning and optimism and showed her versatility and talent by McCurdy who is the director of the band,” performs at the Disneyland Resort in come together to California for eleven weeks each summer. playing small excerpts on the alto sax, tenor said Kelsey. “When I left Chicago I still didn’t Her days will include clinics/rehearsal each sax, flute and clarinet. Though she has been know whether or not I had made it, and a few prepare for the future. morning and daily performances, one of selected to play tenor sax with the group, days later, the happiest moment of my life I support Northern’s which is on stage in a big band/jazz format Kelsey anticipates that she may get to flex her came when I got a call from Ron McCurdy fund because I know and the four remaining as a marching band instrumental talents and play some clarinet offering me a summer job.” each dollar will be show. and piccolo as well. A clarinetist since the fifth grade, Kelsey “Pickford is one of five saxophonists from came to NSU to major in music education optimized, and the across the country selected to be part of this with a woodwind emphasis. She is also the benefits to students recipient of many scholarships including band,” said Dr. Alan LaFave, Dean of the NSU are of clear value. School of Fine Arts. “This is a tremendous the Hatterscheidt Scholarship, Excellence honor and will be an amazing experience. We in Music Scholarship and the President’s are very excited for her achievement.” Meritorious Scholarship. She is active in An accomplished performer, Pickford sought Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Jazz Band, the advice of former All-American College Flute quartet, Saxophone quintet, Woodwind Band members, and NSU faculty, Grant Quintet, Clarinet Choir and Jazz combo. She Manhart and Fred Hemke. “They encouraged is also a member of MENC.