Finals week frenzy hits NSU
With the last day of finals, Friday, Dec. 22, hanging over their heads, students all over the campus of Northern State University are scrambling to get all of their last papers and reports done. (Full Story)

NSU takes fourth in national mediation contest
Six students put South Dakota on the map when they placed fourth in a mediation contest behind big name schools like Drake University, University of Wisconsin-Platteville and Mid-Tennessee State University. (Full Story)

Bush finally becomes 43rd President
After 35 days of court cases and recounts and indecision, George W. Bush became the new President-elect. (Full Story)

NSU named one of "201 best colleges"
Northern State University President Hilpert received a publication today that lists Northern State University as one of the “Best 201 Colleges (in the nation) for the Real World." The book that lists the selected colleges and universities, subtitled “Get In. Get Out. Get a Job,” reports that “for the majority of today’s students, college is less about developing a philosophy of life and more about developing a career. [The selected universities’] focus is on convenience, quality and cost.”
(Full Story)

Welcome new senators, get ready for SHED!
As the semester comes to a close the Student Association is looking to the New Year with a few new faces. In addition to new faces we are aware that there are many exciting events for us to look forward to in the next semester and one of the first ones to put on our calendars is SHED days in Pierre. And finally, with the holidays coming up fast we would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a very safe, Happy New Year! (Full Story)

National organization issues report on higher education
If the South Dakota system of higher education had to take this report card home to mom and dad, they could probably count on doing some extra chores for a week or two. (Full Story)

End of the year financial and tax tips
The end of the year is fast approaching and it is time to get finances in order. Despite the fact students constantly complain about not having any money, it is always a good idea to start an individual retirement account (IRA) as soon as possible. (Full Story)

A time to heal...
...will be what I am going to talk about in a little bit, but right now it is time to gloat. We have a new president elect and they call him “W.” He didn’t invent anything, he hasn’t been vice president under a corrupt administration for eight years and he isn’t a Washington insider, but he is going to be our next Commander in Chief and that makes me feel real good. (Read Full Editorial)

The founding fathers would be proud
This is quite possibly the hardest column I’ve ever had to write. Yes, there have been times when I really have not had much to say about certain issues, but this one is so personal, so emotional, it is very difficult to put into words my strong feelings. (Read Full Editorial)

Magical furniture...or 777 words on a Tool
Hello boys and girls...today's article is going to be in the form of a fictional story. The story is really for me, but the fun in it for you will be deciding the Aesopian moral of my story. So, enjoy, and if I forget later, everyone have a wonderful break. (Read Full Editorial)

The Toilet Truth
Sometimes I become annoyed with myself because I am so easily annoyed. But only two things really, really bother me. One of my biggest pet peeves is people buying vowels on “Wheel of Fortune.” (Spin the wheel and make some money!) My biggest pet peeve is people talking during movies. (Read Full Column)

It's all my parents' fault
I feel sorry for Al Gore. He ostensibly lost the presidential election. Not only that, but he lost to Mr. Frat Boy himself. (Read Full Column)

Women defeat conference foes
After starting out the season losing four straight games, the Wolves have bounced back in a big way winning five in a row and starting out their conference season with a 2-0 record. (Full Story)

Wolf of the Week: Johannsen
The Northern State University woman’s basketball team is on the rise. Playing as a team and coming up with big plays at the right time has helped the Wolves win. At the head of the pack is senior forward Memory Johannsen, Tolstoy. (Full Story)

Mens basketball loses two heartbreakers in conference
The Northern State University’s men’s basketball team hosted Wayne State University from Nebraska on Dec. 8. Despite their overcoming a 12-point deficit at half-time and outscoring them 46-40 in the second half, the Wolves lost 80-74. (Full Story)

Unbreakable: From two points of view

NSU & Aberdeen community entertained by holiday concerts
Every year the Northern State University Department of Music presents their Holiday concert at the Johnson Fine Arts Center. This year the concert was on Sunday, Dec. 10, at 3:00 p.m. and featured the Symphonic and University/Community bands. (Full Story)

Profile of the Fine Arts: Trevor Mischke
He plays violin but mostly viola, likes everything from Mozart to rock-n-roll and is a double major in music and speech. Trevor Mischke, a junior from Watertown, said it was very difficult to decide what to major in after high school. (Full Story)

A fluffy farewell from Ms. Critic
I have always wanted to write humorously and cleverly to appeal to the campus crowd who are in dire need of humor during finals week and Christmas and nasty weather forecasts. But alas, I do not have the pizazz and idioticy to write in such a nonsensical manner, unlike some that claim to be idiots. (Full Story)