Northern State University | Aberdeen, South Dakota | SPRING 2014 CONTENTS DESIGNED AND PRODUCED BY NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY RELATIONS FOR THE NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION WRITTEN by Elissa Dickey Nathan Geffre Darla Scarlett EDITOR Greg Smith DESIGN Jennifer Vaughn Staging A FOUNDATION Revolution PRESIDENT AND CEO Anthony Rohr Todd Jordre as Jean Valjean in Wolves Sports NSU’s production of Update ADDRESS FOR MAGAZINE Les Misérables Senior Alison Kusler INQUIRIES: page 6 page 13 University Relations Northern State University 1200 South Jay St. JOHNSON FINE ARts CENTER Aberdeen, S.D. 57401 EXPANSION BEGINS Construction is set to begin on the Johnson Fine Arts ABOUT NORTHERN Center project ................................................................................page 4 State UNIVERSITY ..................................................................page 4 Northern State University is a premier FACULTY NEWS residential, liberal arts institution stAGING A REVOLUTION characterized by outstanding Couple creates costumes, set for NSU Theater’s production of instruction, extraordinary community ‘Les Misèrables’ ..............................................................................page 6 relations and unparalleled co-curricular opportunities. In August 2014, NSU Q&A: DR. SARA SCHMIdt A Tribute to Coach Don Meyer was again named by U.S. News and Dr. Sara Schmidt, assistant professor of accounting, is in her page 10 World Report as one of the best sixth year of teaching at Northern. ........................................page 8 undergraduate public schools in the Midwest. For more information about WOLVES SPORts UPDATE The Northern State winter sports season was a big success NSU, visit our website at northern.edu. for the Wolves.............................................................................page 9 SENIOR CABINET A TRIBUTE TO COACH DON MEYER Dr. James M. Smith, President Beloved Northern State University coach Don Meyer, one of Dr. Thomas Hawley, the nation’s most successful basketball coaches of all time, Provost and Vice President died the morning of May 18 ....................................................page 10 of Academic Affairs stUDENts TO WAtch Ms. Debbi Bumpous, Ethan Brown, Katelyn Kippes, Lu Liu, Mike Newman Chief Information Officer, and Mark Sperry .......................................................................page 14 NET Services GREENHOUSE TO ENHANCE RESEARCH, Mr. Greg Smith, TEACHING AT NSU Director, University Relations A greenhouse planned for the Northern State University campus will significantly benefit NSU. ............................... page 16 Mr. Todd Jordre, Foundation President and CEO NSU RENOVATION HELPS ART DEPARTMENT GAIN AccREDITATION Mr. Joshua Moon, The Northern State University art department earned full Athletic Director, University Athletics accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD .................................................................. page 16 Ms. Veronica Paulson, Vice President for Finance and TONEMAH DELIVERS NORTHERN stATE Administration COMMENCEMENT ADDREss Dr. Darryl Tonemah remembers his graduation from Northern Mr. Calvin Phillips State University 25 years ago ................................................ page 17 Vice President of Student Affairs ALUMNI NEWS SETTING THE stage 2014 Gypsy Day Alumni Awards ......................................... page 18 FOR LES MISÉrables Behind the scenes crew Contact US Class Notes | Celebrations | In Memoriam.....................page 19 TWITTER NorthernStateU FACEBOOK northernstateu from top to bottom, left to right: Shelby Bauer, Tommy Bader; Kate Jarland, Christopher EMAIL [email protected] ON THE COVER Rinkenberger, Sasha Seekins, Kimberly Schilling, Joshua Frachiseur and Tina Hanagan; Joshua Hinkemeyer, SUBSCRIBE | GIVE A GIFT Dominic Meyers; Delayna LaBelle, Kirk Bender, Sam Johnson, Lyndsey Messmer, Davonte Robertson, CHANGE YOUR ADDREss Jessica Massa; Kristina Walden, Ryan Puffer, Tyson Meyer, Eric Derington LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT WELCOME TO YET ANOTHER EDITION OF NORTHERN TODAY! The past few months have been extremely exciting here on campus, and I truly believe that we have captured that level of excitement in this latest issue. FIRst, LET ME SAY that right now building masterful – their singing rivaled off-Broadway construction and remodeling is the top subject casts and other like touring companies, and here on campus. The Johnson Fine Arts Center their acting was also absolutely superb. will soon undergo massive remodeling. The Virtually all in attendance were just blown 40-year-old structure will increase in size, away by the overall quality of this collegiate add new functionality, become more student- performance. In our cover story, we have centered in its design, and offer an auditorium featured a pair of talented faculty members and that is capable of showcasing the depth and alums who helped make this production of Les breadth of talent we now have here at Northern. Mis a reality for our campus and community, As the remodeling begins for the JFAC, we also and you’ll see we’ve done so for very good are in the design and development phase for reason. construction of a state-of-the-art greenhouse Other stories found throughout the publication that will serve needs of science and science are important in their display of our forward education students at all levels of study. This movement as a campus. The work currently new greenhouse will allow Northern students being undertaken by our students, faculty and to investigate biotechnology in ways never staff never ceases to amaze me. I hope all of this possible before on this campus. And, the amazes you as well! sophisticated design of this building will add Of course, despite all the recent excitement to the massively impressive technological and momentum, this semester ended on a sad note for our campus community – indeed, for studios and learning labs on this campus. inventory of buildings, classrooms, offices, the entire community and beyond – with the Our art department, too, is in the midst of passing of our beloved Coach Don Meyer. Don exciting enhancements. The department was known as a phenomenal basketball coach, recently earned full accreditation from the but his excellence was evident off the basketball National Association of Schools of Art and court as well. He touched countless lives, leaving Design, and a major renovation project is under behind a legacy of leadership and compassion way in Dacotah Hall that is key to maintaining that will never be forgotten. In this issue, we’ve that accreditation. Although buildings are fascinating to design and tried to honor this influential and inspirational talk about, the essence of our work rests with man.I wish We you hope a wonderful you find itsummer, to be a fittingand I urge tribute. you the development of our students. The award- to keep an eye on the continuous improvements winning play, Les Misèrables, was performed to to our beautiful campus! sold out audiences in April. Our students were James M. Smith, President NORTHERN TODAY 3 SPRING 2014 NORTHERN NEWS FACULTY NEWS BRENT ALDRIDGE, head volleyball coach, was named South Dakota Sportswriters Association collegiate women’s coach of the year for 2013. Aldridge, who also was named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference coach of the year in November, led the Wolves to an ap- pearance in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Central Regional Tournament for the second time in program history. Aldridge also led the American Volleyball Coaches AssociationNorthern to topits first 25 poll. appearance in DR. ALYssA ANDERSON has been named co-editor of the CHIRONOMUS Newsletter on Chironomidae Research. An editorial by Anderson, assistant professor of biology at NSU, was published this fall in the CHIRONOMUS, a her editorial, “The Importance of Illustration,”peer-reviewed Anderson scientific explains journal. why In drawings are critical components of research and should continue to be used along with digital images. KRIstI BOCKORNY, management/ marketing faculty member, has Johnson Fine Arts Center co-written a chapter to be published in a book, “Employee Engagement expansion begins in Theory and Practice.” Bockorny is co-author of the chapter, The cultural landscape at Northern State Engagement in the Context of University is about to change. Positive Psychology, with Dr. Carolyn Youssef-Morgan, chair of business at Bellevue University. The chapter has a unique perspective on positivity CONstRUCTION IS SET to begin on theater; expanded practice rooms; and how it can be used to enhance the Johnson Fine Arts Center project, art gallery; faculty teaching studios; employee engagement. rejuvenating this cultural hub for the expanded lobby and foyer space; DRS. GAYLE BORTNEM, JOEL university, community and region. classroom expansion; bright and FILMORE AND ANDRIA MOON were accepted to present at the spring semester ended in anticipation covered patron drop-off zone. National Association for the ofOffices the project. began movingThe instrumental out of JFAC after Thecreative Johnson lighting; Fine and Arts a Center, box office which and Education of Young Children department and choral rehearsal hall opened its doors in 1972, hosts Conference in Washington, D.C.; the moved to Jerde dining hall, said Dr. thousands of students, parents and Hawaii International Conference Alan LaFave, dean of the School of visitors each year. Events include NSU on Education