STUDENT AFFAIRS 20 ANNUAL REPORT May 2024 Graduates Hermansen and Arndt demonstrate the impact engagement and service have on the undergraduate experience. Celebrating Outstanding Seniors Alexandria “Alex” Arndt, from Blue Springs, Missouri, graduated May 2024 in Honoribus, majoring in criminal justice with minors in legal studies, business, entrepreneurship, and sociology. Her engagement on campus was wide-reaching and rewarding. Alex has demonstrated what it means to lead by example and excel in every facet of university life. Alex graduated with a 4.0 cumulative GPA, consistently earning a spot on the Dean’s and President’s List for seven semesters. Alex is one of the 2024 Myles Brand Award Recipients and has been selected for the Honors Law Opportunity Program, which grants her automatic admission into USD Law. Alex’s contributions on the field as a catcher for our women’s softball team have been monumental. Alex has not only led the team in home runs, triples, and walks but also set a high standard in academic and extracurricular achievement among her teammates. Alex’s impact can be felt throughout Northern and the Aberdeen community. Her extensive volunteer work demonstrates a deep commitment to community service including serving as a TRIO SSS peer mentor, president of Speech and Debate, a Student Government Association College of Arts and Sciences senator, and an active representative on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Alex has earned many awards, including Northern State University’s NSIC Kelly Award, the 2023 Gold NPDA Debate Speaker at the National Off-Broadway Swing Tournament, and the 2022 Sloane Prize for Undergraduate Research Award. Alex embodies the spirit of Northern State University: a commitment to excellence, leadership, and service. As she prepares to take the next step in her journey at USD Law School, we have no doubt that she will continue to inspire, lead, and excel. Jordan A. Hermansen is very grateful for the friendships she has made through her campus engagement, especially in Residence Life. Jordan is from Aberdeen, S.D., and graduated in May with a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology, summa cum laude. Her additional degrees include a minor in psychology and a certificate in allied health. At Northern, Jordan competed on the cross country and track teams as well as being president of the Pre-Health Club, a peer tutor in the sciences and writing, and was a Resident Assistant (RA) in Wolves Memorial. This year, she became a Senior Resident Assistant (SRA) in the same building. She would recommend to all students to live on campus at least for their first year, even if they are from the area, because the independence and connections made among peers are valuable to success. Other experiences and volunteering opportunities Jordan participated in during her time at Northern include supporting the education of 3- to 8-year-olds at the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (SDSBVI), aiding at Spurs and Special Olympics, and working at Aspire, which assists adults with disabilities. She said that “This experience solidified my desire to go into therapy and advocate for accessibility and inclusion.” Jordan will be graduating a year early and then heading down to the University of South Dakota (USD) in Vermillion to pursue her doctorate in occupational therapy. Her ultimate career goal is at the intersection of working with children and human biology as a pediatric occupational therapist. Jordan cannot wait to wake up every day and be a part of children reaching their goals.
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