Construction is set to begin on the Johnson Fine Arts Center project, rejuvenating this cultural hub for the university, community and region. Offices began moving out of JFAC after spring semester ended in anticipation of the project. The instrumental department and choral rehearsal hall moved to Jerde dining hall, said Dr. Alan LaFave, dean of the School of Fine Arts. The theater department moved its activities downtown to the Aberdeen Community Theatre, but will maintain offices on campus, LaFave said. The expansion project, which has an anticipated completion date of August 2015, is needed to accommodate explosive growth in NSU fine arts departments. Work will include: a renovated main theater; black box theater; expanded practice rooms; art gallery; faculty teaching studios; expanded lobby and foyer space; classroom expansion; bright and creative lighting; and a box office and covered patron drop-off zone. The Johnson Fine Arts Center, which opened its doors in 1972, hosts thousands of students, parents and visitors each year. Events include NSU theater productions and concerts; world-renowned performers; community recitals; Boys State; and All-State Band. The NSU Foundation continues to raise money for the project, and several naming opportunities for the main theater are still available and range from $100 to $500,000, said Todd Jordre, president and CEO of the NSU Foundation. northern news Johnson Fine Arts Center expansion begins To support the project, visit www.northern.edu, click on “alumni and giving” and then click “Give Now.” The cultural landscape at Northern State University is about to change. Brent Aldridge, head volleyball coach, was named South Dakota Sportswriters Association collegiate women’s coach of the year for 2013. Aldridge, who also was named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference coach of the year in November, led the Wolves to an ap- pearance in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Central Regional Tournament for the second time in program history. Aldridge also led Northern to its first appearance in the American Volleyball Coaches Association top 25 poll. Dr. Alyssa Anderson has been named co-editor of the CHIRONOMUS Newsletter on Chironomidae Research. An editorial by Anderson, assistant professor of biology at NSU, was published this fall in the CHIRONOMUS, a peer-reviewed scientific journal. In her editorial, “The Importance of Illustration,” Anderson explains why drawings are critical components of research and should continue to be used along with digital images. Kristi Bockorny, management/ marketing faculty member, has co-written a chapter to be published in a book, “Employee Engagement in Theory and Practice.” Bockorny is co-author of the chapter, Engagement in the Context of Positive Psychology, with Dr. Carolyn Youssef-Morgan, chair of business at Bellevue University. The chapter has a unique perspective on positivity and how it can be used to enhance employee engagement. Drs. Gayle Bortnem, Joel Filmore and Andria Moon were accepted to present at the National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference in Washington, D.C.; the Hawaii International Conference on Education in Honolulu; and the American Counseling Association Conference and Expo, also in Honolulu. Dr. Willard Broucek, dean of the School of Business, was a featured speaker at the Siouxland Lean Consortium’s inaugural conference on Jan. 15. Broucek discussed the application of lean principles to the design and delivery of a business course. The conference took place at Western Iowa Technical Community College in Sioux City, Iowa. northern today 4 spring 2014 facu lt y news
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