STUDENT AFFAIRS 20 ANNUAL REPORT DOUGLAS “DOUG” LEIDHOLT NAMED STUDENT AFFAIRS STAFF PARTNER OF THE YEAR Doug Leidholt has been selected as the 2025 Student Affairs Staff Partner of the Year in recognition of his outstanding service, unwavering dedication and behind-the-scenes impact on the daily lives of students and staff at Northern. Doug joined Northern in 2011 as an electrician and quickly made significant upgrades to campus infrastructure. In 2020, he was promoted to assistant director of facilities, where he now oversees heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing systems across campus. With the rapid expansion of campus facilities and technologies, Doug has embraced continuous learning—especially in the evolving world of HVAC systems—to ensure Northern remains a comfortable and functional environment for all. “Doug has been a key player in many Strategic Plan Key Results,” said dean of students Sean Blackburn. “He’s often the problem solver who finds the right product, the right approach or the right solution to help us achieve positive outcomes for students. His can-do attitude has been instrumental. Doug cares deeply about students and brings his best to campus every day.” Doug’s work is often invisible but always essential—ensuring lights turn on, outlets work, and buildings stay warm in winter and cool in summer. His commitment is truly 24/7, 365 days a year. A proud Northern alum, Doug graduated from Bowdle High School in 1990, where he was a standout athlete in basketball, football and track. He later earned his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management from NSU. Doug and his wife Lori, married since 1998, have four wonderful children. Doug’s dedication, humility and heart make him an invaluable member of the Northern community. We are proud to honor him with this well-deserved recognition. HENDRICKX NAMED STUDENT AFFAIRS FACULTY PARTNER OF THE YEAR Dr. Lori D. Hendrickx was selected by Student Affairs staff for her outstanding service to students and Northern State University. Lori is a professor in the nursing program at NSU, which will begin its first class in the fall of 2025. She taught nursing at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Montana State University and most recently at South Dakota State University, before joining the faculty at Northern State University in the spring of 2024. Over the past year she has worked with a team to design the new nursing program and develop the curriculum. Additionally, she has served as the first Faculty in Residence at NSU, living in the Great Plains West residence hall and serving NSU’s prenursing students. She has participated in move-in day where she greeted pre-nursing majors and their families, held oneon-one meetings with nursing students and provided evening review sessions for the Pathophysiology course this spring. Dr. Hendrickx also provided campuswide instruction for Narcan training to faculty and students. Her love of nursing has spanned 44 years in both practice and educational settings. In Dr. Hendrickx’s first year seminar, students were trained in oral health screening and fluoride application. She partnered with Aberdeen Head Start, Delta Dental and nurse practitioner Dr. Lea Niederbaumer, to provide fluoride applications to Aberdeen pre-school students. Grant funding for this project was obtained from the South Dakota Nurses’ Foundation. Marty Sabolo, director of residence life and dining services, said, “When our office entered into our first Faculty in Residence program with Dr. Hendrickx, we had no idea the level of commitment we were going to receive from her. She has been a great addition to our program. Her commitment to our students, not just nursing students, but all residents has been fantastic. They love having her around the building and interacting with them. We are so happy to have her as a partner and look forward to the continued relationship.” Dr. Hendrickx continues to practice nursing in the emergency department of a hospital in north-central Minnesota. She also enjoys spending time with her 5 grandchildren and significant other, hiking, swimming, kayaking and traveling.
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