NORTHERN TODAY 17 SPECIAL I SSUE | Summer 2021 MOST NOTABLY, in 2018, the city pledged $5 million toward the campaign, a collaborative effort between Northern and the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. That amount was then matched by two South Dakota governors – Dennis Daugaard and Kristi Noem each awarded $2.5 million from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development Future Fund. Mike Levsen, who was Aberdeen’s mayor at the time, said he supported the City Council’s substantial financial commitment and welcomed assistance from then-Gov. Daugaard. “NSU benefits this area as it educates our students, entertains us with sports and the arts, graduates quality people for local careers, enhances civic life with administrators and faculty participation, and generates a major economic boost to the area,” Levsen said. Aberdeen Mayor Travis Schaunaman said the campaign encourages growth and development in the community. “The new facilities are great new additions to the campus and they are visually stunning,” Schaunaman said. “Also, the new facilities will certainly bring in more students that provide a source for growth and new ideas. We hope each of them will become new longtime residents of Aberdeen.” Northern is an important asset for the community and region. “NSU has quality education available for young minds,” Schaunaman said. “Their graduates are learning amazing skills that are contributing to our community and region.” Schaunaman has a personal connection to Northern through his work, including assisting with video production and serving as guest speaker for the marketing department. “I really enjoy chatting with and meeting the students; they are full of bright ideas and an eagerness to learn,” Schaunaman said. “My mother is a Northern alum and my daughter is currently majoring in criminal justice at NSU. Also, my family and I enjoy basketball at the Wachs and can’t wait to enjoy football games this fall at the new Dacotah Bank Stadium.” Levsen has a personal connection to Northern as well, as he and his wife are both alums. “As NSU alumni, Stacy and I appreciate the efforts of all who are contributing to this campaign,” he said. REVITAL IZATION OF CAMPUS | A SALUTE TO OUR DONORS City of Aberdeen, big supporter of campaign The city of Aberdeen has been a huge supporter of the Northern State University Educational Impact Campaign since the campaign was first announced. “The new facilities are great new additions to the campus and they are visually stunning.” TRAVIS SCHAUNAMAN
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