NORTHERN TODAY 12 SPECIAL I SSUE | Summer 2021 “LEADERS REALIZED it had been a long time since there had been much investment into the campus,” Thares said. “If they were going to stay viable and be able to compete to attract students, they needed to up their game.” Thus, the Educational Impact Campaign was begun, and Thares and his wife, Tracy, co-chaired the Campaign Committee. Now, after raising more than $60 million, the campaign has become the largest in Northern’s history, and the final project is nearing completion. The Regional Sports Complex will open this fall with the first NSU Wolves football game of the season. “The kick-off that first game will be a great day to finalize what has been six years in the making,” Thares said. The Educational Impact Campaign also included the Athletic and Recreation Fields and Pavilion, and a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, a facility that was badly needed. The Regional Sports Complex is also an important addition to campus, as Northern was the only school in its conference that didn’t have a stadium on campus. “Not only is it important for recruiting athletes, but just students in general,” Thares said. Being able to attend games and walking to events in a safe, on-campus atmosphere is an important part of a campus collegiate experience. “Hopefully, the facilities that now are being finished will really help in the recruiting of all students to the Northern campus,” he said. Supporting NSU, Aberdeen When it came to supporting the campaign, the Thares family was thinking of both the campus and the community. “As much as our gift is to Northern, it’s giving back to the Aberdeen community,” Thares said. “Tracy and I are just a couple of kids from Ipswich that have been very fortunate in life. For us to be able to give back is rewarding.” It meant a lot to be able to give back to the community and region, he said. “And we believe Northern is the backbone of the Aberdeen community and northeast South Dakota.” They were able to raise their three daughters in Aberdeen – Sara Bonn, Jennifer Jurgens and Allison Thares – and they now have six grandchildren in the local school system. Sara Bonn went to NSU for a year, and her husband, Craig Bonn, is a Northern grad. “Giving back helps make our community better, and part of that’s Northern,” Thares said. Northern also has a huge impact on workforce development and the region’s economy. Thares’ company, Primrose Retirement Communities, employs about 25 Northern graduates, including several members of their leadership team. When the stadium opens this fall, the REVITAL IZATION OF CAMPUS | A SALUTE TO OUR DONORS Thares family supports Northern State, community and region Six years ago, Jim Thares was approached by Northern State University leaders about a campaign that would continue to build on the forward momentum occurring on campus. “Giving back helps make our community better, and part of that’s Northern.” JIM THARES
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzkyNTY=