FALL 2024 HONORS HIGHLIGHTS NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY Honors Student Places First At National Honors Conference Nkemdilim Chibuko recently achieved a milestone, winning first place in the arts and humanities category at the National Collegiate Honors Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. Chibuko’s research project, titled “Dehumanizing Discourse: Rwanda’s Genocide-Inciting Propaganda,” earned top recognition, highlighting her powerful work and the strength of Northern’s Honors Program. Chibuko’s journey to this accomplishment wasn’t easy. Originally from Nigeria, she arrived at Northern feeling the weight of adjusting to a new country, culture, and community. "My first semester here, I struggled. I even thought about leaving the Honors Program multiple times," Chibuko shared. "But Dr. Kristi Bockorny encouraged me to stay, and her support really helped me find my footing." Reflecting on her experience at the Kansas City conference, Chibuko said, "Presenting my research and having judges recognize its relevance to current issues was deeply gratifying. I’m still in disbelief that I’m a national champion! I’m so grateful to everyone who supported me and saw potential in me when I didn’t see it myself." Pictured below are Dr. Kristi Bockorny and Nkemdilim Chibuko In This Issue: National Collegiate Honors Conference Alumni Spotlight New Honors Director Common Read Lecture Honors Events & Awards Honors Law Opportunity Program NSU HONORS PROGRAM
Honors At National Conference Honors students Simon Bickford, Summer Carlson, Dante Casanova, Nkemdilim Chibuko, Jacob Ebeling, Kendall Kelly, and Jessica Splichal represented Northern at the National Collegiate Honors Conference held in Kansas City in early November. The students each competed in the poster session where they showcased their research. They also had the opportunity to attend numerous workshops and keynote events including speakers Erin Gruwell, Kate Manne, and Jorgen Watne Frydnes. During the City as Text exploration activity, the students toured the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the American Jazz Museum while navigating the public transportation system of Kansas City. Pictured to the right is the group waiting in line at Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que. It was worth the wait! Common Read Lecture Internationally acclaimed author Ruta Sepetys returned to campus for NSU’s annual Larry and Julie Poeppel Family Common Read Lecture on September 25. Sepetys spoke about her historical fiction novel, I Must Betray You, which was awarded the Yoto Carnegie Shadowers’ Choice Medal. I Must Betray You is set in Romania in 1989, during the dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu, who uses isolation and fear to keep the citizens under control. When Cristian Florescu, a 17-year-old with dreams of becoming a writer, is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer, he’s left with two choices: betray everyone or undermine an evil dictator. NSU HONORS PROGRAM
Students Accepted to Honors Law Opportunity Program Northern State University students Abiah George and Kayla Waltman have been accepted into the Honors Law Opportunity Program (HLOP). Both students were approved by the NSU review committee and the University of South Dakota (USD) Knudson School of Law Committee. The program, a partnership between Northern State University and the University of South Dakota, helps increase the number of talented and committed lawyers in northeast South Dakota. Each year, up to five students in the Northern Honors Program are guaranteed admission into the USD Knudson School of Law through HLOP. "Growing up in America on a visa, being admitted to law school is more than just an opportunity to Pictured (L to R) are Abiah George and Kayla Waltman continue my education—it’s a chance to fight for the causes I care about and push for the reforms To qualify for HLOP, students must: in the criminal justice system I have always hoped • Be admitted to the Honors Program. to see," George said. "I am especially thankful for • Maintain a cumulative GPA of at my speech and debate background, which not only least 3.5 and achieve an ACT score honed my voice but also unlocked my potential to in the 80th percentile (26 or above turn vision into action." on the ACT or SAT equivalent). • Demonstrate strong academic "This is a step and an opportunity toward my goal performance and a personal of using my voice for others. I will never, ever take commitment to building South that for granted. I am so grateful to have been Dakota communities. chosen," shared Kayla Waltman. New Honors Director The Honors Program is under new leadership. Dr. Hannah Walters took over for Dr. Kristi Bockorny in January 2025. Dr. Bockorny is the new Dacotah Bank Dean of the School of Business. Dr. Dan Shannahan served as interim Director during the Spring 2024 semester. Welcome, Dr. Walters, and thank you to Dr. Bockorny and Dr. Shannahan for their dedication to the students and to making the PIctured (L to R): Dan Shannahan, Kristi Bockorny, Laurie Kreber, Hannah Walters Honors Program successful. NSU HONORS PROGRAM
Fall Events Freshman Orientation was held in August. New Honors students gathered with the Honors mentors and leaders to play fun games and have root beer floats to kick off the year. Mental Health Week was held in September. Students wrote encouraging messages on paper hearts that were displayed as a tree in the Avera Student Center. The Gypsy Day Parade was held in October. The theme was Wolves in Candy Land. The Honors Club float “Honors is Sweet” featured the characters and setting from the Candy Land board game. Honors students hosted a table at Northern’s Amazing Race event. Students played minute-to-win-it style games and tried to quickly assemble small puzzles. NSU HONORS PROGRAM
Fall Events Honors Mentors held a Mario Kart tournament in the Honors living-learning community in Great Plains East residence hall. Pictured is Honors student Brayden Cambier, runner-up The Honors club had its Thanksmas gathering at Dr. Bockorny’s home. The evening included a potluck of delicious Thanksgiving foods, making Christmas decorations, and a mug swap game. Students gathered to decorate holiday cookies for a fun mentor-led event. Other events included attending the Tubaween concert, study sessions, and hot cocoa in the Honors Lounge during finals week. NSU HONORS PROGRAM At the Light up the Green event in December, students made holiday cards that were delivered to a local nursing home facility. Honors students also volunteered their time to help with the coat check at Northern Night.
NSU HONORS PROGRAM Honors Program Alumni Spotlight MONTE MEYERINK - NSU CLASS OF 2016 I graduated from Northern with a bachelor’s degree in secondary mathematics education in 2016 and a master’s degree in educational studies in 2018. My time at Northern was filled with enriching experiences, from competing on the track and field team to participating in the Honors Program, where I balanced athletics, academics, and research. A defining moment of my undergraduate journey was completing my Honors thesis, which explored the impact of using dynamic geometry software in a high school mathematics classroom. This project sparked my passion for research and inspired me to pursue a Ph.D. in mathematics education. Today, I’ve come full circle as an assistant professor of mathematics education at Northern, where I have the privilege of teaching and mentoring the next generation of educators. “Ask questions and aim to learn something new in every class each day." MONTE MEYERINK My path to earning a Ph.D. was shaped by the challenges and rewards of undergraduate research and the unwavering support of Northern’s faculty. The research process was initially daunting, but it became a turning point in my academic journey. Conducting my Honors thesis not only introduced me to the field of education research but also gave me a new perspective on teaching mathematics as a scientific and research-based practice. Now, as an assistant professor, I’m thrilled to guide students through similar challenges, helping them build confidence in their abilities and encouraging them to embrace curiosity and growth. Currently, I live in Aberdeen with my wife, Kaitlyn, and our two daughters, Ivy and Wren, where I cherish spending time with my family and staying engaged in the Northern community. Reflecting on my experiences, I’m deeply grateful for the foundation that Northern and the Honors Program provided, and I enjoy giving back to the university that shaped me both personally and professionally. My advice to current students is to connect with your professors, ask questions, and aim to learn something new in every class each day. The Honors Program offers a unique opportunity to push boundaries, develop skills, and prepare for an exciting future—make the most of it!
Congrats! In Honoribus Grads Pictured (L to R) are: Alexis Wald, Jessica Splichal, Kendall Kelly, and Cameron Gauger Not pictured: Kennedy Johnson Ballot Breakdown Event Honors Club Secretary Evelynn Carlson hosted 2 events on campus focused on the ballot issues for the November general election. Idea Pitch Winners Honors students Abiah George and Kayleen Hermans won 2nd and 3rd place, respectively, at the competition for young entrepreneurs. Also pictured is Sam Tremelling who won 1st place. Homecoming Royalty Honors students Madison Park and Jacob Ebeling were crowned NSU’s Homecoming Queen and King. NSU HONORS PROGRAM
The 2024-25 Honors Executive Team Avery Kautz, President Morgan Sheldon, Vice President Evelynn Carlson, Secretary Nevaeh Meyer, Treasurer Chasity Lewis, Public Relations Thank you for your leadership! Have questions or ideas? Dr. Hannah Walters, Honors Director hannah.walters@northern.edu Laurie Kreber, Honors Coordinator laurie.kreber@northern.edu Want to donate to the Honors Program? Scan the QR code and choose NSU Honors. Editor: Laurie Kreber, Honors Coordinator with assistance from the NSU Communications and Marketing Department NSU HONORS PROGRAM
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