1 2026 Gypsy Days / Homecoming Edition
2 NORTHERN MAGAZINE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM Dr. Alan D. LaFave President Dr. Erin Fouberg Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Lorelle A. Davies Vice President of Finance and Administration Debbi Bumpous, Ph.D. Vice President of Technology/CIO Sean Blackburn Dean of Students Nate Davis Athletic Director Eric Kline Enrollment Management Officer Chad Hatzenbuhler Director of Communications and Marketing Zach Flakus President and CEO, NSU Foundation Northern Magazine is published annually by the Northern State University Foundation in partnership with Northern State University, 1200 S. Jay St., Aberdeen, SD 57401, for Northern alumni and friends. 3 Letter from the President 4 A Homecoming 40 Years in the Making 7 Harry Jasinski Legacy Celebrated at School of Business Open House 8 NSU Foundation Announces 2026 Distinguished Alumni 12 NSU Athletics Celebrates 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees 15 Gypsy Days / Homecoming Events CONTACT US Contact the Foundation to subscribe, give a gift or change your address. NSU Foundation 620 15th Ave. SE, Aberdeen, SD 57401 nsualumni@northern.edu 605-626-2550 Stay connected with Northern on social media for the latest news, events and stories from campus. Contents
Letter from the President Dear Northern State University Community, There is no better time to be a Wolf than right now. As we welcome our newest students to campus this fall, I am reminded of my own first days at Northern — the excitement of meeting fellow students from across the state, the faculty who challenged and inspired me, and the sense that I had found something truly special. That feeling has never left me, and I see it in the faces of every new student who walks through our doors. This fall, we celebrate 125 years of that experience. Our story began in 1901, and the determination of those who built Northern from the ground up remains the foundation on which we stand today. One hundred and twenty-five years later, Northern’s best chapters are still being written. Homecoming has always been about coming back. This year, it carries even more meaning. The week of Sept. 21 brings alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends of Northern together to celebrate Gypsy Days and mark our 125th anniversary. On Sept. 25, I will have the distinct honor of being invested as Northern’s 19th president — the first Northern alumnus to hold the office — during a ceremony I hope you will join us for. The week culminates with the Gypsy Day parade and Homecoming football game against the University of Mary from Bismarck, ND, on Sept. 26. Returning to the institution that shaped my life — this time as your president — is an honor I do not take lightly. I felt at home here as a student in 1980, and I feel it still today. Welcome home. Dr. Alan D. LaFave, President 3
4 NORTHERN MAGAZINE ’ ’ A Homecoming 40 Years in the Making Dr. Alan LaFave’s Journey From Student to President Every Northern State University alum remembers certain moments: their first day on campus, the professors who challenged them, the friendships that lasted long after graduation. Northern s President Dr. Alan LaFave shares those memories. Before he led the university, he was one of its students. Before he stood at the podium, he sat in the classroom. Before he charted Northern s future, he was discovering his own.
5 ” ” ” ’ ’ — ” On Sept. 25, the campus community will celebrate the investiture of its 19th president Dr. Alan LaFave, the first Northern alumnus to hold the office without an “interim preceding it, and his story reflects the lasting impact of the Northern experience. For LaFave, the path to Northern began long before he ever set foot on campus. As a senior at Sully Buttes High School, LaFave participated in a band clinic led by Northern Director of Bands Lonn Sweet. Sweet’s visit left a lasting impression. “I remember him coming in and just exuding professionalism to the highest degree, and he was so energetic and engaging on the podium,” LaFave said. Inspired by what he saw and heard, LaFave chose Northern, a decision that would shape the course of his life and career. On campus, LaFave found himself surrounded by fellow students who shared his passion for music and commitment to excellence. “I remember being really, really excited to be working with a large group of people, peers, colleagues, fellow students who had similar goals and who were all committed to working hard,” he said. “The excitement of meeting a broad array of folks from around the state and around the country who all wanted to be a part of something special. As a music student, LaFave immersed himself in every opportunity Northern had to offer. He remembers performing George Frideric Handel’s Messiah under the direction of Dr. John Berggren, experiences that brought together students, community members and orchestral musicians from Minneapolis. Dr. Alan LaFave works with students on the stage in Krikac Auditorium in this 2016 file photo. His Northern experience spans decades and roles from student to professor, department chair, dean, provost and, today, president of the university. Having gone through those roles, LaFave said, has given him a lens to be able to understand the challenges and pressures students, faculty and administrators face. “It helps me make informed decisions because, when I’m faced with a difficult decision, and I think most good administrators and most empathetic administrators will resonate with this, you have to look at it through the lens of where they are and try to take all those things into account when making a decision. “It just made this as near a professional experience as you can imagine,” LaFave said. He remembers standout concerts, performing in musicals like Guys and Dolls and Calamity Jane and the anticipation of preparing for a senior recital. Throughout those experiences, LaFave credits faculty members such as Sweet, Berggren and clarinet professor James Gai for helping shape his musical development and future. “They were all very, very important,” LaFave said. “All of the faculty were just engaged, wanted to see the students be successful, and it just created a culture of home away from home and certainly a culture of support. That sense of belonging would become one of the defining themes of LaFave s Northern experience — and one that would continue to influence him as he later returned to campus as a faculty member and academic leader. As his responsibilities grew, LaFave carried with him lessons learned from some of his earliest role models. Sweet showed him how to teach, communicate and be organized. His father Lonnie LaFave demonstrated the importance of excellent service to not only his customers, but also his community. His mother Irene “Soogie” LaFave embodied the importance of having a positive attitude, even when faced with challenges. Looking back, LaFave can trace many of his leadership principles to the mentors and role models who shaped his life. As he prepares to lead the university into its next chapter, those values continue to inform his vision for Northern s future.
6 NORTHERN MAGAZINE ’ ’ ” ” ” ” Higher education is in one of its most exciting periods, he said. At Northern, he sees a university positioned for growth, innovation and impact. He points to the transformation of campus facilities made possible through the generosity of donors, as well as the momentum building across all four of Northern s academic units — the College of Arts and Sciences, the Millicent Atkins School of Education, the School of Business and the School of Fine Arts — each expanding programs and responding to the evolving needs of students, employers and communities. All university presidents want to see their institutions succeed, LaFave said, but there is an added incentive of wanting his alma mater to advance as well. “It’s an added responsibility because in many ways it’s sort of like going home and taking over the family business,” he said. “It’s something you’ve been connected with your whole life. There s a deep personal commitment and connection to the institution that’s really hard to define unless you’ve been there and unless you’ve had those shared lived experiences. That connection links back to the same qualities that first drew LaFave to campus as a student: a culture of support, a commitment to excellence and a community of people working together to build something special. “It’s hard to define, but it’s an atmosphere of care. It’s an atmosphere of community. It’s an atmosphere of everyone working together to help advance the institution, the programs, our students, their success,” he said. “And it’s an atmosphere where students feel at home. I felt that as a student back in 1980, and I still feel it today. “I remember my first official day (as president) on campus. I remember walking to the office thinking how grateful I was for this amazing opportunity,” he said. “I tell myself that every single day and realize along with that comes a huge responsibility to make sure that we really take this institution forward in a positive way. “I’m really excited for the future of Northern,” he said, “and I’m glad I get to be here at this time. Dr. LaFave Investiture Set for Sept. 25 Northern State University will celebrate the investiture of Dr. Alan D. LaFave as the 19th president of Northern at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, in the Johnson Fine Arts Center. A reception will follow the ceremony. A proud Northern alumnus, LaFave was named the university’s 19th president following the interim presidency of Dr. Laurie Nichols. The campus community, alumni and friends of Northern are invited to attend.
Harry Jasinski Legacy Celebrated at School of Business Open House When Northern State University alumni return to campus for Homecoming this fall, they’ll have the opportunity to celebrate both the future and the history of business education at Northern. The School of Business will host an open house in the Business and Health Innovation Center from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25. The event will give alumni, community members and friends of the university a chance to experience the facility firsthand while recognizing one of the school’s most influential leaders, Dr. Harry Jasinski. For Dr. Kristi Bockorny, Dacotah Bank Dean of the School of Business, the building represents far more than a new physical space — it represents a place designed specifically for connection, collaboration and student success. “The Business and Health Innovation Center is the home of the School of Business and represents a place of belonging for our students,” Bockorny said. “The classrooms, faculty offices and huddle rooms for studying and socializing all represent opportunities for learning and growth. When alumni come into the building, I hope they feel a sense of ownership because they helped create the School of Business and Northern into what it is today.” The building also serves as a hub for entrepreneurship through the Northern Innovation and Startup Center, where aspiring entrepreneurs and community members can access workshops, events and resources that support innovation and economic growth throughout the region. The dedication honoring Jasinski reflects how far the school has come. Jasinski joined Northern’s faculty in 1958, returned in 1966 to lead the newly independent business program and became the School of Business’s first dean, serving until his retirement in 1992. Under his leadership, enrollment tripled, faculty expanded and Northern’s business programs became among the best equipped in South Dakota. He also established a business advisory board in 1968 — a concept ahead of its time that remains a hallmark of successful business education today. Beyond the classroom, Jasinski became one of the most recognizable voices in Northern athletics, his public-address announcements at Wolves football and basketball games a beloved part of the game-day experience for generations of fans. Nearly 60 years later, the School of Business continues to build on the foundation Jasinski helped create. 7
8 NORTHERN MAGAZINE NSU Foundation Announces 2026 Distinguished Alumni Graduate of the Last Decade DANIEL GALLAGHER ‘18 Daniel Gallagher has quickly established himself as one of South Dakota’s most respected young educators, earning recognition at the local, state and national levels for his commitment to students, educational excellence and servant leadership. A 2018 graduate of Northern State University with bachelor’s degrees in elementary education and history, Gallagher is currently a middle school science teacher and head boys basketball coach at Aberdeen Roncalli, his alma mater. He is also pursuing a Master of Education in Leadership and Administration at Northern and will assume new responsibilities as dean of middle school and activities director at Roncalli beginning next school year. Gallagher’s path to education began with a desire to coach. Entering Northern in 2014, he envisioned a future as a history teacher and football coach, believing coaching would provide the greatest opportunity to impact young people. It was through his experiences in Northern’s School of Education, however, that he discovered the profound influence teachers have on students’ lives. “The faculty and staff of the School of Education completely transformed my way of thinking,” Gallagher said during Northern’s 2025 rededication of the H.P. Gerber Building. “Teaching and coaching really aren’t that far off. Every day as a teacher or coach, I have the opportunity to impact lives for the better.” That philosophy has become the foundation of Gallagher’s career. Since returning to Roncalli, he has taught a variety of subjects, including math, social studies, English language arts and science, consistently stepping into roles where he is needed most. Known for his enthusiasm, high expectations and strong relationships with students, Gallagher creates engaging learning experiences through hands-on, project-based activities that encourage curiosity and critical thinking. His students have built catapults, designed models of the digestive system, made ice cream to study thermal energy transfer and constructed roller coasters to explore principles of physics. Gallagher’s commitment to student success extends well beyond the classroom. As head boys basketball coach and assistant football coach, he emphasizes character, accountability and service. He established study tables for students needing academic support and regularly writes handwritten notes to encourage personal growth. His teams participate in numerous community service projects, including volunteering at youth camps and leagues, cleaning gymnasiums after games and spending time with residents at Mother Joseph Manor during the holiday season. His impact has not gone unnoticed. In 2023, Gallagher was named Aberdeen Roncalli Teacher of the Year. The following year, he received one of education’s highest honors, the Milken Educator Award, often referred to as the “Oscars of Teaching.” He was surprised with the award during a schoolwide assembly in February 2025, becoming one of approximately 40 educators nationwide selected that year and one of more than 3,000 recipients throughout the award’s nearly 40-year history. “Dan Gallagher is a living example of what excellence in teaching looks like,” said South Dakota Secretary of Education Dr. Joseph Graves during the award presentation. “He has a reputation as a teacher who inspires students to put forth their best efforts in all they do. He sets the bar high, and his students rise to meet his expectations.” Education, remembers Gallagher as one of her first students when she Gallagher credits much of his success to the educators and mentors who invested in him throughout his life. Their guidance helped shape a philosophy that continues to drive his work today: empowering students to make a difference in the lives of others while striving to become the best versions of themselves. Dr. Anna Schwan, dean of Northern’s Millicent Atkins School of joined the university faculty.
Distinguished Alumni KELLY (MATTHAEI) WEAVER ‘87 For nearly three decades, Kelly Weaver has been helping entrepreneurs transform ideas into successful businesses, strengthening communities across northeastern South Dakota through economic development, education and mentorship. A 1987 graduate of Northern State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration, emphasizing finance and management and an economics minor, Weaver has built a career dedicated to empowering others and creating opportunities for growth. As regional director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Weaver serves a 13-county region in northeastern South Dakota, providing guidance and expertise to entrepreneurs at every stage of the business lifecycle. Since joining the SBDC in 1998, she has worked with more than 3,000 individuals exploring business ownership, launching startups, purchasing existing businesses, expanding operations or planning for succession. Through one-on-one consulting, financial planning assistance and business development support, Weaver has helped facilitate over 300 startups, business purchases and expansions that contributed more than $119 million in investment. In addition, she has participated in nearly 300 training sessions, most as the lead instructor, reaching more than 6,000 aspiring and established business owners. Weaver’s passion for entrepreneurship extends beyond individual consulting. She plays a pivotal role in cultivating the next generation of business leaders through the BIG Idea Competition, a business idea competition for high school students. Since helping launch the program in 2007, she has served as its coordinator, guiding its growth from a regional competition with 101 entries from 10 schools to a nationally recognized event attracting hundreds of participants annually. The competition, hosted at Northern State University and supported by community volunteers and sponsors, encourages students to think creatively, identify opportunities and explore entrepreneurship as a viable career path. More than 6,000 students have participated in the program since its inception. “He’s not only an extremely successful teacher at Aberdeen Roncalli, but he’s also dearly loved,” Schwan said. “We could not be prouder. Our hearts nearly burst when he was named a highly esteemed Milken Educator.” Beyond the classroom, Gallagher has emerged as a leader and advocate for education throughout the state. He served as a keynote speaker for Northern’s rededication of the H.P. Gerber Building and the university’s Learning Expo for students exploring careers in education. He has presented at the South Dakota High School Football Coaches Association Coaching Clinic and helped organize the South Dakota Milken Network, bringing together Milken Educators across the state to support current and future teachers. His contributions have earned additional recognition, including being named one of Aberdeen’s Top 4 Under 40 honorees in 2026 and being featured on the cover of the Diocese of Sioux Falls’ Bishop’s Bulletin magazine. Despite the accolades, Gallagher remains focused on what matters most: helping students discover their potential. He often speaks about the importance of relationships, service and helping young people recognize their value and ability to make a difference. “We were empowered every day in every class, on every project and in every passing conversation,” Gallagher said of his experience at Northern. “The staff here recognized the true importance of education, and that is to make sure every student understands that they matter and they have the opportunity to be successful in whatever it is that they choose to do.” Through his dedication to students, commitment to educational excellence and passion for serving others, Gallagher exemplifies the impact Northern graduates can have on their communities. As he continues to take on new leadership roles, his influence will undoubtedly extend far beyond the classroom, inspiring the next generation of learners, leaders and educators. 9
10 NORTHERN MAGAZINE For Weaver, BIG Idea is about more than developing business plans. It is about helping young people recognize that they can make a meaningful impact in their own communities. Too often, young people in rural communities grow up believing success means leaving for a larger city, Weaver said. Success can start right where you are, and BIG Idea challenges the participants to look at their own communities, recognize opportunities and imagine ways to make a difference. Her commitment to entrepreneurship and economic development is rooted in a career that began shortly after graduating from Northern. After earning her degree, Weaver joined the Northeast Council of Governments (NECOG), where she worked in regional planning and economic development. When NECOG became home to the Small Business Development Center in 1998, her focus shifted toward directly assisting entrepreneurs, a role she has embraced ever since. Throughout her career, Weaver continues to expand her professional expertise. She holds certifications as an Economic Development Finance Professional, Housing Development Finance Professional, QuickBooks Pro Advisor and Certified Facilitator. She also completed Profit Mastery University training, further strengthening her ability to help business owners navigate financial decision-making and growth strategies. Her leadership and service have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce’s ABBY Award for Professional Service, ABBY Award for Customer Service and the Woman of Spirit Award. She serves on advisory boards throughout the area, including the Northern Innovation and Startup Center board, helping strengthen entrepreneurship education and business development opportunities throughout the region. A longtime advocate for workforce development, Weaver has been actively involved with the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce since 1998. She has contributed articles to Chamber Progress for more than two decades and has served on the workforce and education committee, including time as committee chair. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Weaver is widely recognized for her extensive volunteer service and community involvement. She has been a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church’s choir and cantor ministry for more than 25 years and has dedicated countless hours to organizations that enrich life in South Dakota. Among those organizations is the Aberdeen Drift Busters Snowmobile Club, where she has been an active member since 1986. Over the years, she has served as secretary, vice president and president while volunteering for safety education programs, conventions, fundraising events and community activities. Her leadership within organized snowmobiling has expanded to the state level through the South Dakota Snowmobile Association, where she served as president from 2023 to 2025. She also continues to represent South Dakota nationally through the American Council of Snowmobile Associations. Her dedication to the sport has earned significant recognition, including South Dakota Woman Snowmobiler of the Year, Snowmobile Family of the Year and induction into the Iron Dog Brigade, an honorary society recognizing individuals with decades of leadership and service within organized snowmobiling. Despite an impressive list of accomplishments, Weaver remains focused on the people she serves. Whether helping a first-time entrepreneur write a business plan, guiding a family through the purchase of a business or encouraging students to pursue innovative ideas, she believes success is built through relationships, support and community. Throughout her career, she has emphasized the importance of collaboration and mentorship, often noting that no entrepreneur succeeds alone. Her work reflects a deep belief in the power of connected communities and the importance of helping others realize their potential. Weaver and her husband, Jim, live in Aberdeen. They enjoy spending time with daughter Lauren Bittner, son-in-law Nick, and grandchildren, Lennon and Gavin. Weaver said she has enjoyed watching the growth and changes at Northern over the years. She especially enjoys the times she can engage with students on campus. She regularly makes presentations to business students in class about entrepreneurship and serves as a judge for the student business pitch competition each fall. She has hired and mentored dozens of Northern students through internships during her time with the Small Business Development Center. Her career has been defined by a commitment to helping others succeed, whether through supporting entrepreneurs, mentoring future business leaders or strengthening community organizations. Through her leadership, service and unwavering dedication to economic development, she has left a lasting mark on northeastern South Dakota and exemplifies the impact Northern State University graduates can have on their communities.
Distinguished Alumni DAVID VOLK ‘69 David Volk has spent a lifetime serving his country, his state and his community through military service, public leadership, volunteerism and storytelling. A 1969 graduate of Northern State University, Volk has built an extraordinary legacy that spans decades of service and achievement, making a lasting impact on South Dakota and beyond. Born and raised in Mitchell, South Dakota, Volk graduated from Northern and was immediately drafted into the U.S. Army. He served two years in the military, including a year in Vietnam as a combat photographer with the 101st Airborne Division. During his service, he documented the realities of war while serving alongside fellow soldiers in challenging and often dangerous conditions. For his dedication and service, Volk received the Army Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star. Following his military service, Volk returned home and embarked on a remarkable career in public service. In 1972, at just 25 years old, he ran for South Dakota State Treasurer and won, becoming the youngest person in state history elected to a statewide office at the time. Voters would return him to the position four more times, entrusting him with the responsibility for managing the state’s finances for nearly two decades. During his tenure as state treasurer, Volk helped establish the National Association of State Treasurers and was elected its first president, demonstrating leadership that extended well beyond South Dakota’s borders. His work helped strengthen collaboration among state financial officers across the nation and elevated South Dakota’s role in shaping public finance policy. In 1994, Volk was appointed secretary of the South Dakota Department of Commerce and Regulation by Governor Bill Janklow. He served in that cabinet-level position until 2002, helping guide economic development, business regulation and financial oversight during a period of growth and change for the state. Throughout his career, Volk has remained deeply committed to serving others. He was appointed by the Reagan Administration as chairman of the Vietnam Veterans Volunteer Program for South Dakota, where he helped establish outreach efforts for veterans struggling with the challenges of returning home from war. His dedication to veterans continues through his involvement with organizations including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans, where he is a life member. Volk’s commitment to community service is equally impressive. Through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, he spent 13 years mentoring his “little brother,” Drake. He also served for two decades on the South Dakota Advisory Committee to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and also served as chairman of the South Dakota Human Rights Commission and a member of the South Dakota Funeral Board. In addition to his accomplishments in government and community service, Volk has built a successful career as an author. Drawing from his experiences in Vietnam, he wrote Draftee: A High School Teacher Goes to War, a memoir chronicling his military service. He also authored My Grandpa’s War, a children’s book designed to help younger generations understand the experiences of those who served during wartime. Working alongside Mark Meierhenry, Volk co-authored a series of children’s books that combine education and adventure, including Mystery of the Round Rocks, Mystery of the Tree Rings, Mystery of the Maize and Mystery of the Black Hills. Two of the books earned national recognition, receiving Bronze and Silver Medals from the Independent Book Publishers Association. His most recent work, Fearless Felix, tells the story of a bomb-sniffing German shepherd and highlights the extraordinary contributions of service dogs throughout history. Whether serving his country overseas, leading at the highest levels of state government, mentoring young people, advocating for veterans or sharing stories through the written word, Volk has consistently demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of others. His career reflects the values of leadership, service and lifelong learning that Northern State University seeks to instill in its graduates. More than five decades after leaving Northern’s campus, Volk continues to make a difference in the lives of South Dakotans through his public service, volunteer efforts and educational work. His remarkable record of achievement and dedication stands as an example of how one individual’s commitment to service can leave a lasting impact on a state, a community and future generations. 11
NORTHERN MAGAZINE ’ 12 NSU Athletics Celebrates 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees KELSEY CHAMBERS ‘16 Kelsey Chambers graduated from Northern State University with a bachelor of science in special education in 2016, following a 4-year career on the volleyball team. She tallied 1,547 kills, 1,054 digs, 176 blocks, and 56 aces in her career, hitting .294. She is the school record holder with 1,547 career kills and 3,669 career attacks, and ranks top-5 in the record book in single match kills, single season kills, and career attack percentage. Chambers was the first AVCA All-American in program history following the 2013 campaign, honored on the third team. In addition, she was a 4-time NSIC All-Conference selection with three first team nods, 2-time AVCA All-American, D2CCA All-American, a CoSIDA/Daktronics All-Region pick, and 2-time AVCA All-Region honoree. Chambers closed out her career as the 2016 Hildred Wolfe Award winner. Northern State advanced to the NCAA Central Region Tournament in 2013 and tallied a record of 85-33 during her tenure. The Wolves hit a national leading mark of .320 in 2015 on the back of Chambers who hit .346, and ranked third in the country in kills per set (14.00). Kelsey resides in Luxembourg, working as a teacher at the International School of Luxembourg. She played ten years of professional and semi-professional volleyball in Germany and Luxembourg with proWin Volleys TV Holz, RSR Walfer, Volley Bartreng, and the Escher Volleyball Club. ROB LEWIS ‘95 Rob Lewis graduated from Northern State University with a bachelor of science in education in 1995, following a 4-year career on the wrestling team. He tallied over 100 career victories at NSU, one of only 12 Wolves wrestlers to do so in the programs history. Lewis is the career record holder with 80 wins by fall and recorded a pair of 30-win seasons in 1993 and 1994. He was a 3-time national qualifier in 1991, 1993, and 1994. He earned All-American accolades in 1993 as the runner-up and 1994, taking eighth. In addition, Lewis won the NSIC Championship in 1994. Rob resides in Redfield with his wife Dana and is the Superintendent for the Northwestern Area School District. In his career, Lewis was named the 2004 11B Assistant Coach of the Year in football and the 2010 Region High School Principal of the Year. His 2003 team at Elk Point Jefferson won the South Dakota Class B Wrestling Championship. He is a member of the Redfield Volunteer Fire Department, the Redfield Soccer Association Board, and served 22 years with the South Dakota National Guard. Rob and Dana have three children, Murphy, Jack, and Turner.
’ MIRANDA (RISTAU) OBANIANA ‘18 Miranda (Ristau) Obaniana graduated from Northern State University with a bachelor of science in honoribus in 2018, following a 4-year career on the womens basketball team. She appeared in 105 games, making 63 starts for the Wolves in her career. Obaniana tallied 1,461 points, shooting 54.7% from the floor and 75.4% from the foul line, 680 rebounds, 180 assists and 172 blocks in her career. She holds school records in single game blocked shots (10), single season points scored (635), single season field goals made (254), and sits top-5 in the NSU record book in single game points, single game field goal attempts, single game free throw attempts, single game rebounds, single season points per game, single season field goal attempts, single season free throws made, single season free throw attempts, single season blocked shots, career field goal percentage, career field goals made, and career blocked shots. Obaniana ranks seventh all-time in career points with 1,461 and 16th in career rebounds with 680. Obaniana was a 2-time NSIC All-Conference selection, NSIC/Sanford Health Basketball Tournament AllTournament team member, the 2018 NSIC Player of the Year, a D2CCA and WBCA All-American, NSIC Myles Brand Award winner, the 2018 CoSIDA Academic All-American® of the Year, the first in school history, and the 2018 Hildred Wolfe Award recipient. In addition, she earned the 2018 Butch Raymond Scholarship, the 2018 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, the NSIC Willis R. Kelly Award winner, and was the NSIC nominee for the 2018 NCAA Woman of the Year. The Wolves went 99-27 in her career, winning three NSIC North Division Championships, two NSIC Tournament titles, and the 2017-18 NSIC Championship. In addition, NSU qualified for the NCAA Central Region Tournament each season. Miranda and her husband Justin reside in Watertown, South Dakota. She works as a physical therapist at Sanford Canby Medical Center and is a volunteer assistant coach for the Florence-Henry girls basketball program. DREW (SMITH) REINOT ‘16 Drew (Smith) Reinot graduated from Northern State University with a bachelor of science in psychology in 2016, following a 4-year career on the volleyball team. The Des Moines native tallied 4,774 assists, 909 digs, 173 blocks, 79 kills, and 73 aces in her career. She ranked second in the country in 2014, averaging 12.74 assists per set, and sat as the NCAA Division II national leader in assists per set in 2015 averaging 13.13. She broke the school record for career assists as a senior with 4,774 and currently sits second all-time. In addition, she sits top-5 in the record book in single match assists and single season assists, recording over 1,000 assists in each of her four seasons with a career high 1,326 in 2015. Northern State closed out the 2015 season as the NCAA National Statistical Leader in attack percentage, hitting .320, in large part to the efforts of Reinot. The Wolves went 85-33 in her career, reaching the NCAA Tournament in 2013. Reinot was a 4-time NSIC All-Conference performer, earning NSIC Player of the Year honors in 2015. She was an AVCA All-Region honoree, an AVCA First Team All-American, and D2CCA All-American. Drew resides in Durham, North Carolina with her husband Hannes and their son Finn Arthur. She is a Perioperative Nurse at the Duke University Hospital. 13
14 NORTHERN MAGAZINE ’ DAVID SNELLING ‘01 David Snelling graduated from Northern State University with a bachelor of science in health and physical education in 2001, following a career with the football and track and field teams from 1997-2001. On the football field, Snelling was a 4-year starter for the Wolves. He led the team in the fall of 2000 with 66.0 tackles, including 3.0 tackles for a loss, as a cornerback where he was named the NSU Defensive Skill Player of the Year. In addition, he finished the year second on the team with two interceptions and nine pass break-ups and was named to the NSIC All-Conference First Team that season. Snelling was a member of the 1999 NSIC Championship team for the Wolves. On the track, Snelling was an 11-time NSIC All-Conference selection and a member of the 2001 NSIC Indoor Championship team for NSU. He won NSIC Championships in the indoor 800m in 1999 and outdoor 800m in 2000. He holds the school record in the 4x800m relay with Scott Gangle, Josh Lien, and Mike Larson with a time of 7:48.34, and was the previous school record holder in the indoor 400m, indoor 600m, indoor 800m, and indoor 4x400m. The 4x800m relay crew of Gangle, Lien, Larson, and Snelling also holds the Barnett Center record in the event. Snelling closed out his Northern State career as the 2001 Clark Swisher Award winner. Post-graduation, Snelling spent 15 years as a wildland fire fighter working for the State of South Dakota and the elite crew, Tatanka Hotshots. Kretchman Coaching Award ARLIN LIKNESS ‘79 Arlin Likness graduated from Northern State University with a bachelor of science in social science and physical education with composite health in 1979 and is the 2026 Kretchman Coaching Award recipient. Likness has taught and coached in the State of South Dakota for 39 years, serving the communities of Beresford, Hamlin, and Yankton in the sports of football, basketball, track and field, and baseball. He is the fifth winningest head football coach in South Dakota High School history. Likness holds a head football coaching record of 261-101 in 38 years of work, with seven South Dakota State Championships and three runner-up finishes. In addition, he adds two state championships to his resume as an assistant. In total, Likness has coached in 13 state championship games, winning nine of them. As an assistant on staff with the boys and girls basketball programs at Hamlin and Yankton, Likness made 16 South Dakota State Tournament appearances, winning two championships. He was named the Assistant Coach of the Year in 1992, 1993, and 2001. Finally, his track and field programs won three state championships. Likness’s honors include the 2013 Royal Order of the Gyps Alumni of the Year, 2015 SD Sports Writer s Coach of the Year, SDHSCA Max Hawk Award, SDHSAA Distinguished Service Award, the Don Baker Award for Excellence in Coaching, seven South Dakota Football Region Coach of the Year Awards, five South Dakota Football Coach of the Year Awards, the ESD Conference Award of Merit, and a 2-time finalist for the National Power of Influence Award. He is a member of the South Dakota Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2010), South Dakota High School Coaches Hall of Fame (2017), Hamlin Hall of Fame (2024 & 2026), National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2025), Yankton Athletic Hall of Fame (2026).
15 ’ ’ - ’ - Homecoming NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY GYPSY DAYS MONDAY, SEPT. 21 – SUNDAY, SEPT. 27 THURSDAY, SEPT. 24 NSU Foundation Annual Meeting & Community Social 4 p.m. Social, 4:45 p.m. Annual Meeting Kessler s Champions Club - Barnett Center Royal Order of the Gyps 5:30 p.m. Lager s Inn, 20 Third Ave. SW, Aberdeen, SD Royalty Coronation 6 p.m. Johnson Fine Arts Center - Jewett Theater President’s Recital 7:30 p.m. Johnson Fine Arts Center - Jewett Theater FRIDAY, SEPT. 25 50-Year Club Brunch 9 a.m. Student Center Centennial Rooms *Invited: class of 1976 and classes previously inducted *RSVPs required to the NSU Foundation; no fee 50-Year Club Campus Tour 11 a.m. Meet at Student Center Sideliner Luncheon Noon Buffalo Wild Wings, 3401 Sixth Ave. SE, Aberdeen, SD President’s Investiture 1 p.m. Johnson Fine Arts Center Jewett Theater School of Business Dedication and Open House 4-6 p.m. Business and Health Innovation Center Hall of Fame & Distinguished Alumni Banquet 5 p.m. Kessler s Champions Club Barnett Center *Ticket required. Purchase through the NSU Foundation. Soccer vs. University of Minnesota Crookston 6 p.m. Athletic & Recreation Fields 1976 Football 50-Year Reunion 7 p.m. Kretchman Hall of Fame Room, Second Floor - Barnett Center Volleyball Alumni Reunion 7 p.m. Teal Lounge, Fourth Level, Dacotah Bank Stadium Wrestling Alumni Reunion 7 p.m. Team Room, Second Floor - Barnett Center SATURDAY, SEPT. 26 Steps for Shep 5K 7-7:30 a.m. Registration 8 a.m. Race and Walk Begins Barnett Center President’s Breakfast 7:30 a.m. NSU Foundation *By invitation only Gypsy Day Parade 9 a.m. Main Street, Aberdeen, SD Alumni & Friends Tailgate Noon West Parking Lot, Dacotah Bank Stadium Football vs. University of Mary 2:30 p.m. Dacotah Bank Stadium Volleyball vs. University of Mary 6 p.m. Wachs Arena - Barnett Center SUNDAY, SEPT. 27 Soccer vs. Minnesota State University Moorhead 1 p.m. Athletic & Recreation Fields
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