Ashley Spieker

Hometown: Willow Lake, SD

Year: Senior

Majors: English and Sociology

Things I do outside of NSU:

I love scrapbooking, photography, gardening, spending time with my family, shopping, site-seeing, and watching baseball and basketball.

What has been my best experience at NSU?

My best experience at NSU is hard to pinpoint because there are truly so many of them! I guess my best experience kind of groups them all together when I say that, truly, my best experience is my own personal growth since I've been at NSU. I've become so much more involved than I ever thought I would! My collective NSU life is my best experience, and it continues!

What advice would you give a new student about life at NSU?

Get Involved!! This is always my answer to this question because it's so true! There is something for everyone at Northern, whether it's music, plays, Intramural sports, science clubs, yoga, service groups, dance, whatever your flava! Just get involved!

If I could trade places with any NSU staff member it would be:

Probably Jenny Vaughn in University Relations.

Matt Scott

Hometown: Spiritwood, ND

Year: Senior

Major: History

Things I do outside of NSU:

Playing guitar, running and working out, political stuff, doing stuff outside, fishing, and hunting.

What has been your best experience at NSU?

My best experience at NSU would be being involved with Student Association and representing Northern in Pierre.

What advice would you give a new student about life in college?

College is different than high school, so be yourself. You don't have to impress anyone and people will accept you for who you are.

If I could trade places with any NSU staff or faculty member it would be:

Rhonda Haglund because she is the nicest, most genuine person on campus. Not to mention she makes great treats!

Hollie O'Toole

Hometown: Appleton, WI

Year: Sophomore

Major: Medical Technology

Things I do outside of NSU:

Work at Wells Fargo, hang out with my friends and my boyfriend.

What do you love most about Northern State?

I love that you can walk around the entire campus in roughly five minutes.

What is one thing you wish you knew before starting school at NSU?

That knowing nobody when I first came here would turn out just fine!

If I could trade places with any NSU staff or faculty member it would be:

Stacy from Java City! She knows everyone and I would love to make coffee all day. Coffee is a life saver!

Che Zhao

Hometown: Beijing, China

Year: Junior

Major: General Business

Things I do outside of NSU:

Traveling, seeing movies, and listening to music

Campus Activities:

CAB, NSU Lions Club, International Club, Chinese Student Association (CSA)

What do you love most about Northern State?

The faculties and professors are extremely kind.

What has been you best experience at NSU?

CAB members had a debate on whether we should hold the Eclipse band on campus or off!

Favorite Aberdeen hangout:

The Odde Ice Center

Julbert Lubin

Hometown: Orlando, FL

Year: Senior

Major: Business Management

Things I do outside of NSU:

Lift weights, workout, hang out with my friends, play fantasy sports online, and I'm a Facebook and Myspace junky!

Campus Activities:

Intramural sports, business club, Black Student Union (BSU)

What do you love most about Northern State?

The close relationships and the small campus atmosphere where Everyone Knows Your Name!

What are some things you wish you knew before starting school at NSU?

Stay away from un-serious students; they will drag you down. There are so many resources on campus, USE THEM! Time management is very important. Don't get addicted to Facebook or Myspace because they take up too much of your time.

What advice would you give to a new student?

No procrastinating! Your life will get stressful!

Jill Gauffin

Hometown: Mora, MN

Year: Sophomore

Major: Physical Education/Teaching

Things I do outside of NSU:

Work, watch Disney movies and TV shows on DVD

What has been your best experience at NSU?

Figuring out that almost no one dresses up for class! Wearing pj's and sweats all the time is the best!

What is one thing you wish you knew before starting school at NSU?

What to bring/what not to bring, storage space!

If I could trade places with any NSU faculty/staff member it would be:

President Schloss!

Krista Rabenberg

Hometown: Mobridge, SD

Year: Junior

Major: Elementary Education

Things I do outside of NSU:

Scrapbooking, bike riding, swimming, running, playing basketball, and hanging out with my friends.

Campus Activities:

NSU Women's Basketball and Orientation!

What is one thing you wish you knew before starting at NSU?

I wish I would have known how friendly the professors are! I had a different vision about professors, but now I am on a personal level with most of them.

What advice would you give a new student about life in college?

Don't be afraid to ask questions because college can be overwhelming at times.

If I could trade places with any NSU staff or faculty member it would be:

My geography teacher Dr. Erin Fouberg because I would love to know and view the world the way she does.

Kirsten Palmer

Hometown: Huron, SD

Year: Junior

Major: Communication

Things I do outside of NSU:

Reading, listening to music, taking pictures, and hanging out with friends.

What has been your best experience at NSU?

My best experience has been Orientation because I've met so many wonderful people and learned a lot about NSU!

What is one thing you wish you knew before starting school at NSU?

I wish I knew how much work it was going to be, but you can learn to adjust.

What advice would you give to a new student?

Experience all you can in your first year to see what you like best and then get involved in what interests you!

Tara Bruns

Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD

Year: Junior

Major: Biology

Things I do outside of NSU:

Hang out with friends, play sports, be outdoors and camp in the summer.

Campus Activities:

NSU Softball, Science Club, FCA, SAAC

What is one thing you wish you knew before starting school at NSU?

I wish I would have known how much more time I would be devoting to studying. High school tests did not even compare to most classes at this level.

What advice would you give a new student about life in college, at NSU, or in Aberdeen?

Aberdeen is what you make it. Do not be afraid to get involved and be yourself. And be open-minded when meeting your roommate!

Jordann McLain

Hometown: Tulare, SD

Year: Sophomore

Major: Psychology

Things I do outside of NSU:

Hang out with friends, listen to music, watch movies, girl's night! ...and work, ugh!

What do you love most about Northern State?

Java City's Smoothies!

What has been your best experience at NSU?

Living in Jerde Hall! There is never a dull moment!

If I could trade places with any NSU staff or faculty member it would be:

Professor Jon Schaff-- He's a really fun guy! He makes Political Science very interesting and his battles with Dr. Dias never get old!

Xiao Liang

Hometown: Beijing, China

Year: Junior

Major: Economics

Things I do outside of NSU?

Roller-skating, singing, debating, and collecting stones and coins

What do you love most about Northern State?

Everyone is equal here. No matter where you come from, you can always join all kinds of activities as you like.

What advice would you give a new student about life in college, at NSU, or in Aberdeen?

Treat everyone as equal as you treat yourself. You have so many awesome people around you!

Favorite Aberdeen hangouts:

The Village Bowl, Pizza Ranch

Turquoise Eaglestaff

Hometown: Aberdeen, SD

Year: Sophomore

Major: Sociology

Things I do outside of NSU?

Have cookouts and enjoy the outdoors with my kids.

What do you love most about Northern State?

If you are a young parent like me, you are able to take your baby to class or events most of the time, so I love that family-oriented feeling!

What is one thing you wish you knew before starting at NSU?

I would have taken some college courses for free in high school!

What advice would you give a new student about life in college?

Study hard and don't throw away your education by partying too much. Being on Academic Probation is not something you need to experience.

Landon Lawson

Hometown: Mohall, ND

Year: Senior

Major: Social Studies Education

Things I do outside of NSU:

Watch movies, work, go to Taco Bell, and eat buffalo wings!

What has been your best experience at NSU?

Going to Hawaii with the marching band!

What is one thing you wish you would have known before starting school at NSU?

That "IDL-MJ" isn't an STD, just the name of a class and a building!

Favorite Aberdeen hangout:

Red Rooster, Minerva's, Target

Shanna Wilson

Hometown: Buffalo, SD

Year: Sophomore

Major: Psychology and Education

Things I do outside of NSU:

Play piano, sing, spend time with friends and family, watch movies, and workout.

What is one thing you wish you knew before starting school at NSU?

You really don't need as much stuff in your dorm room as you think; sometimes you need to wait until you really need something to get it.

What advice would you give a new student about life in college, at NSU, or in Aberdeen?

There are a ton of different personalities here so don't change! Be yourself and you'll do great!

If I could trade places with any NSU staff or faculty member it would be:

Dr. Dias just so I could follow his thought process and because he's so entertaining!

Amanda Button

Hometown: Brandon, SD

Year: Senior

Major: Elementary Education, Special Education Minor

Things I do outside of NSU:

Read, listen to music, be with my friends, and sleep!

What has been your best experience at NSU?

Being involved with CICS (Collegians in Christ's Service) has allowed me to make great relationships that will last a lifetime.

What is one thing you wish you knew before starting school at NSU?

How much advisors count in getting all the classes you need to fit into four years!

If I could trade places with any NSU faculty or staff member it would be:

Any of the grounds crew because they get to drive the gators and they have the keys to the tunnels under campus!

Eric Saathoff

Hometown: Watertown, SD

Year: Super Senior

Major: BSEd Social Sciences

Things I do outside of NSU:

Movies, music, anything outdoors

Campus Activities:

CAB, Intramurals, Student Senate

What has been your best experience at NSU?

Being awarded the "Outstanding Student Leader Award" last year in a pool of highly qualified and deserving individuals.

What advice would you give to incoming students?

If you put 100% in you will get 100% in return. Find the things you enjoy doing and run with them, it will make your years at NSU 10 times more enjoyable.

If I could trade places with any NSU staff or faculty it would be: Jerilyn and Cindy (the student development secretaries) even if Jerilyn does call me Scott occasionally. :-)

Kayla Schneider

Hometown: Aberdeen, SD

Year: Super Senior

Major: Business Management and Marketing

Things I do outside of NSU:

Long walks on the beach, aka Wylie Park, glow bowling on the weekends, frisbie golfing when it's superly nice outside, eating ice cream at Little Dipper in the mall, and of course, late night trips to Wal-Mart in my pajamas!

What do you love about Northern State?

Free laundry in the residence halls!! Woohoo for not having to find quarters! And of course, stir fry days in the Den!

What is one thing you wish you knew before starting school at NSU?

Never underestimate the power of anti-bacterial stuff! Also, just because you do not have homework doesn't mean you shouldn't be studying. Final thought: your freshman fifteen can catch up to you really quickly!

Favorite Aberdeen hangouts:

Marlins restaurant, because not only is it open 24/7, but the food is amazing and reasonably priced! The Red Rooster coffee house because they have amazing coffee and atmosphere! Guadalajara's, of course, because they have delicioso Mexican food and the best chips and salsa!

Melodi Boke

Hometown: Faulkton, SD

Year: Sophomore

Major: Elementary Education

Things I do outside of NSU:

I love to sing, listen to music, go on roadtrips, and hang out with friends and family.

What do you love most about Northern State?

I love the friendliness of it. Everyone is willing to meet new people and have fun and the teachers are pretty cool!

What has been your best experience at NSU?

My Alternative Spring Break trip to Bay St. Louis Mississippi!

If I could trade places with any NSU staff or faculty member it would be:

Coach Don Meyer! I would be able to hang out with the basketball boys and boss them around!

Janessa Hayenga

Hometown: Oakes, ND

Year: Junior

Major: Elementary/Special Education

Things I do outside of NSU:

Read, go for walks, hang out with Molly [Westling], be with my family, watch movies, and travel.

What do you love most about Northern State?

I love that people know my name! I also love the connection that students have with professors. I can speak openly with them and am not afraid or intimidated.

What has been your best experience at NSU?

My best experience at Northern has been the day-to-day life: hanging out with friends, going to CAB events and basketball games, attending CICS, and volunteering at Lions Club events. Those day-to-day activities make life at Northern memorable.

Favorite Aberdeen hangouts:

The movie theater (Carmike Cinema), McDonald's, Brown County Speedway, Wal-Mart, Big Fellas

Ryan Hilgemann

Hometown: Aberdeen, SD

Year: Junior

Major: Elementary Education

Things I do outside of NSU:

Work at Dairy Queen and ref soccer

What has been your best experience at NSU?

When the Men's Basketball team made it to the Sweet Sixteen!

What is one thing you wish you knew before starting school at NSU?

Not to be scared! Just be yourself. It is easy to get involved.

If I could trade places with any NSU staff or faculty member it would be:

Steve Smiley because he has a job where he knows everyone; and he's smart!

Favorite Aberdeen hangouts:

Wylie Park, Target, Wal-Mart

Molly Westling

Hometown: Alcester, SD

Year: Senior

Major: Sociology

Things I do outside of NSU:

Volunteering, photography, and watching the Golden Girls!

What do you love most about Northern State?

The smell from the Jerde Hall laundry vent; it always smells like Bounce! I also like the friendly squirrels, beautiful campus, and secret passageway to Lincoln Hall!

What is one thing you wish you knew before starting school at NSU?

It's not "nerdy" to be organized; it actually helps...a LOT! Oh, and don't mix red and white laundry together!

What advice would you give a new student about life in college, at NSU, or in Aberdeen?

Learn how to read one-way signs! I still get confused!

If you could trade places with any NSU staff or faculty member it would be:

Donna the Aramark lunch lady because she's always so happy and has a great attitude every day. She works very hard to make sure our Gatorade is cold and the cookies are wrapped!