ntfall2017

NORTHERN TODAY 7 FALL 2017 NORTHERN NEWS ALSO TRENDING UPWARD is Northern’s headcount—the fall 2017 number is 3,611, an increase from 3,587 in fall 2016, according to figures released this fall from the South Dakota Board of Regents. That includes an undergraduate headcount of 3,162 students, an increase over 3,075 in fall 2016. The number of full-time equivalent students, both undergraduate and graduate, remained relatively unchanged, with 1,931 in 2017 and 1,953 in 2016.it’ s a part of our Northern Way culture,” Reed said. “Moving forward, as part of our strategic recruitment plan, we’ll remain focused on overall student headcount, but we want to see more students here on campus and around Aberdeen.” NSU PRESIDENT Dr. Timothy Downs said the university is thrilled with the generous gift. “This commitment to Northern and our students is overwhelming and provides resources that will impact multiple generations of students and our community,” Downs said. Sanford Health’s gift will help advance educational and research opportunities for the university and entire region. Construction is slated to begin in spring 2018 on the NSU Regional Science Education Center. On Nov. 6, the project’s building committee approved the final design and price of the facility, which will be funded entirely by private donations. In addition, the gift includes a $500,000 Sanford Health scholarship endowment for Northern students and a $200,000 Sanford Health faculty development endowment. “The NSU Foundation is very excited about this gift, especially given that there will be two endowments that benefit students and faculty,” said NSU Foundation President and CEO Todd Jordre. Along with the endowed Sanford Health student scholarships, the donation includes more than $200,000 a year in additional scholarships. These are expected to benefit students in a wide array of disciplines, including students preparing for advanced studies and careers in health care. Sanford Health presently assists Northern students and alumni with employment opportunities and summer research experiences. “Sanford Health is proud to invest in the communities we serve,” said Ashley Erickson, executive director of Sanford Aberdeen. “Sanford Health and Northern State have a strong history of supporting each other, and we are excited to continue that partnership.” Northern and Sanford both hope the partnership helps develop student loyalty to and appreciation for Aberdeen and the surrounding area – with the goal of keeping students in the region after graduation. “This gift from Sanford further affirms our mutual commitment to the development of students, with the intent of assisting students to identify and prepare themselves for careers,” Downs said. “This gift confirms that Sanford Health is one of our primary stakeholders and partners in the success and future of our students.” As part of the ongoing partnership, Sanford Health will be the exclusive sports medicine provider for Northern State University athletics through the 2034-2035 academic year. #beNORTHERN ‘Hunchback’ actor dedicates performance to late brother “I’m dedicating my performance as Quasimodo to my brother Chris who passed away almost exactly a year ago - ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ was his favorite show. It’s such an honor to be performing a role that I myself wasn’t even certain that I was ready to fill with such a great cast and crew of people. This show is so much more than just a musical theater piece. It’s a story that will resonate with such a wide variety of people on so many different levels, so getting it right is of the utmost importance to me. Northern has given me the opportunity to have such a great level of freedom in my studies and in everything I do here. The students and faculty of NSU have become a second family to me who inspire me to do what I do on a daily basis. It also helps to have an encouraging girlfriend and family to support me on top of that! I’ve learned the value of working hard to achieve my own personal goals and I think Northern is the perfect place to watch my own hard work pay off!” – John Cassens See more #beNorthern features visit facebook.com/ northernstateu NSU retention rate climbs to 77 percent Student retention continues to increase at Northern State University, with the university’s freshmen to sophomore retention rate climbing to 77 percent this fall. Sanford Health donates $5 million to Northern State University Sanford Health has pledged $5 million to Northern State University’s Regional Science Education Center to support educational activities and create new student scholarships and permanent endowments.