Northern_Today_Spring_2021

NORTHERN TODAY 10 SPRING 2021 HAT MI SS I ON was fulfilled: The Harvey C. Jewett IV Regional Science Education Center opened in fall 2019, the first new academic building constructed on the Northern campus in 40 years, which involved the Great Plains Education Foundation. “It’s the only academic building that exists on the six campuses that neither the state nor the students have put one cent in,” Jewett said. “It’s the only one.” It’s also one project out of several new and restored facilities on the NSU campus in recent years. Northern has also constructed three new residence halls, two of which involved the Great Plains Education Foundation, of which Jewett is a board member. The NSU Educational Impact Campaign also involves the Athletic and Recreation Fields project, a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the Regional Sports Complex. Jewett has been instrumental in the forward momentum on the NSU campus, and his commitment to Northern stems from a love of his hometown. Jewett’s family first came to the community in 1881. “I love Aberdeen; I think it’s a wonderful place to live, with a good business community,” he said. “Northern is a central part of that business community of Aberdeen.” Jewett also has a strong commitment to higher education. “It is the secret to success in life. It’s the secret to success in this state, and the secret ultimately to a contented life,” he said. “The more education you have, the more choices you have. The better you do in school, the more choices you have. Choices equal contentment.” Committed to Northern, Education Jewett’s commitment to Northern helps provide those choices for the people of Aberdeen and all of northeast South Dakota. “We have a modern education, delivered well by excellent faculty,” Jewett said. “Students get jobs, and 70 percent stay in the state of South Dakota to work.” Jewett’s commitment to Aberdeen helps move NSU forward Harvey Jewett left the South Dakota Board of Regents with a mission: The creation of a new science academic building for Northern State University. Jewett’s passion for education led him to service on the South Dakota Board of Regents. He was asked by close friend and former Gov. Bill Janklow, serving 20 years total on the board, including 10 years as president. He also served 20 years on the College of St. Benedict Board of Trustees in St. Joseph, Minnesota. During his time, the BOR accomplished $1.3 billion in capital improvements in the six Regental Universities. But only $40 million of that came from the state of South Dakota, and very little went to Jewett’s hometown university. So, on his last day with the Regents, he asked for $10 million to construct a science facility on the NSU campus. When the BOR decided to allocate those funds to a project at another university instead, Jewett’s mission to secure a science center for Northern was born. Proud of Privately Funded Projects Now, he’s extremely proud of the Jewett Regional Science Education Center, which was funded entirely by private donations. Likewise, Great Plains East, Great Plains West, and the Athletic and Recreation Fields project are 100 percent funded by alumni and other private donors. Once complete, the Regional Sports Complex will be as well. “Not a penny of state money. Not a penny of Regents money. Not a penny of student money,” Jewett said. “That’s something Aberdeen and Northern ought to be very proud of.” News | NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSI TY T