Welcome to the NSU News Update - providing information on events happening on campus or involving NSU students, staff and faculty.
To submit a news item, send it via email to NSUNews@northern.edu by 5 p.m. Thursday of the week before the announcement should run.
COVID-19 News
Through the S.D. Department of Health, Northern has secured BinaxNOW/Quidel over the counter COVID tests. These test kits are free to NSU faculty, staff and students. Students can pick up their kits at Student Affairs (Avera Student Center 222). Faculty and staff should check with their direct supervisors. Complimentary COVID testing for all South Dakotans are still available through Vault Health’s website as well. These are available for both symptomatic/asymptomatic and vaccinated/unvaccinated individuals. For additional COVID-19 information, visit northern.edu/coronavirus, covid.sd.gov or cdc.gov.
Spring Break Sale
The NSU Wolf Shoppe is having a Spring Break Sale, March 7-11. Choose a card…scratch it off, reveal a discount - 15, 20, 25, 30 percent off clothing or giftware!
Prayers for Ukraine
The NSU International Student Organization and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship are hosting Prayers for Ukraine at 6:30 p.m. today, Monday, March 7, in the NSU Avera Student Center Centennial Room. All are welcome to attend the event, which is a prayer gathering to show support and love for Ukraine.
Midterm Refresh! Roadmap to Finishing the Semester Strong
Classes not going the way you expected? Need to make the most of the rest of the semester? The NSU Student Success Center invites students to this interactive workshop to learn about ways to help finish the semester strong! Students will come away with practical and applicable strategies to create a gameplan for the rest of the semester. Topics will include planning and organization, time management, study skills, utilizing campus resources, and self-care. This workshop will take place today, Monday, March 7, from noon to 12:45 p.m. in TC 162 (Student Success Conference Room). Please feel free to bring your lunch or a snack during this event! For questions about this workshop or if you would like to set up your own individual academic coaching appointment, please contact the Student Achievement Specialist at brandon.pokarney@northern.edu.
Enrollment Forum Feedback
Thank you for those who participated in last week’s Enrollment Forums with President Schnoor and Justin Fraase. If you have any feedback or ideas, please share using this online form.
Student Focus Groups
The Williams Library is looking for student feedback:
- Who: Undergraduate and graduate students.
- What: Library Focus Groups
- When: Tuesday, March 8, at 3 p.m. or 4 p.m.
- Where: Library Room 117
The library will be offering munchies and coffee along with a chance to win one of two $25 Amazon gift cards! Interested? Email reference@northern.edu; use subject line, “Focus Group”; and indicate which session you want to attend!
National History Day
Northern will host the National History Day regional competition 8 a.m.-noon March 9. Judging will take place in the Avera Student Center, Missouri River Room and Williams Library. This year’s theme is “Debate and Diplomacy in History.” Nationwide, more than a half million kids participate in National History Day every year. Winners at the regional competition are invited to go to the state competition, and winners of the state competition advance to the national competition. For more information, contact Ric.Dias@northern.edu or Dave.Grettler@northern.edu.
Benefits Sessions
To provide you with as much information as possible about your benefit options for FY23 (Including health, flexible benefits and tax-advantaged savings accounts), a number of educational sessions, both virtual and in-person, will be available over the next few months. A list of dates and times is now available on the BHR website. NSU will have the following informational sessions in the Krikac Auditorium:
- March 9, 9-10 a.m. (Open Enrollment Session)
- March 9, 10:30-11:30 a.m. (Open Enrollment Session)
- March 9, noon-1 p.m. (Q&A Session)
Go online to register to attend one of the sessions. When selecting from in-person events, you will have the option to register for either an Open Enrollment presentation, a more relaxed benefits Q&A session, or both. Sessions are staggered throughout the month at different times of the day and locations throughout the state to provide you with the flexibility to get you the information you need to make the best decisions possible for you and your family.
March 9: Snackchat – Building Resiliency with Michael Skyles
Join CETL host, Michael Skyles, on Wednesday, March 9, at 4 p.m. in MJ 201 for a conversation on how faculty and staff can help students build resiliency. Light snacks will be provided. If you are unable to join in person, please join via Zoom. Add this event to your calendar.
Juried Student Show Reception
The reception for the 2022 Juried Student Show, located in the Avera Student Center Gallery, will take place 6-7 p.m. Thursday, March 10. Every year art students are encouraged to submit artwork to be considered for selection by a guest juror. This year's juror is Amy Fill, practicing artist and Gallery Director at the University of South Dakota. The reception is free and open to the public. The Juried Student Show will be on display until April 11, 2022.
Altered Book Exhibition Reception
The reception for Altered Book Exhibition will take place 6-7 p.m. Thursday, March 10, in the Beulah Williams Library. This exhibition displays the altered book project completed by students in the ART 371-Mixed Media course. The Altered Book Exhibition will be on display until April, 18, 2022.
Join the Orientation Team!
Orientation Leaders help us to bring the incoming class to Northern. They also partner with the First Year Seminar classes to serve as a peer leaders to students in their first semester. We have three different positions open for Orientation Leaders. We always look to have the best of our student leaders to welcome our incoming class. Full descriptions of the role and responsibilities and the application can be found at this link. Applications are due March 19.
Spring Jazz Concert
The NSU Music Department will present the “Winging it with Jazz” Spring Jazz Concert at 7:30 p.m. March 10 in the Johnson Fine Arts Center Jewett Theater. The concert will feature the 2 O’Clock Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dr. Grant Manhart, and the 1 O’Clock Jazz Ensemble, directed by James McKinney. Music will be performed by NSU students and guest artists, featuring music made famous by Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, Chuck Mangione and others. Tickets for the event will cost $10 at door or $5 for senior citizens. NSU students are admitted free. For more information, contact the NSU School of Fine Arts at 605-626-2497.
Undergraduate Competitive Research Grant
Northern State University is now accepting applications for the 2022 Undergraduate Competitive Research Grant. Students can receive up to $2,500 toward their independent research project for the academic year. To increase research engagement across campus, our new format now creates an option for multiple awardees. Students from all majors and disciplines are encouraged to apply. Applicants must design a formal research project under the mentorship of a faculty member. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. Friday, March 11. For details on how to apply, please download the “Request for Proposal” by visiting myNSU -> Academics -> Undergraduate Research. For questions, please contact our undergraduate research coordinator at andrew.russell@northern.edu.
Northern Edge Award
Do you need funding for a research project, exhibit or academic performance? The Northern Edge Award is available to fund both undergraduate and graduate research projects at NSU. It is especially intended to aid student projects in under-represented disciplines and/or projects that may not be eligible/competitive for other funding opportunities on campus (i.e., student travel grants, or the Competitive Research Grant). Faculty-mentored projects may receive up to $1,000 that can be used for traditional research expenses or discipline-specific costs such as travel for performances/exhibits. The application deadline is March 11 at 5 p.m. For more information on how students can apply for this award, please visit this link. For questions, contact NSU’s Undergraduate Research Coordinator: andrew.russell@northern.edu.
Skyfactor Campus Climate Survey
The Skyfactor Campus Climate Survey will be administered at Northern through March 16, 2022. All benefits-eligible employees and degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students will receive an invitation in their e-mail to participate in this voluntary survey. Employees should watch for an e-mail from Brenda Mammenga and complete your survey by March 16. All responses are anonymous and cannot be identified. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
The Skyfactor Campus Climate Survey was first administered at Northern in spring 2020. The 2022 survey will allow us to gather additional data on our campus climate and to track changes over time. The insights gained from this climate survey will be utilized by the President’s Campus Culture and Climate Taskforce to provide actionable recommendations to the Executive Team to enhance campus culture and climate for all. We need your help promoting this survey to students and your colleagues. A representative sample will paint a more accurate picture of our campus climate and allow for impactful recommendations.
Spring 2022 Noon Forums
Noon Forums continue throughout the semester at noon most Wednesdays in the Williams Library Rotunda. Noon Forums are free and open to the public. Upcoming topics are as follows:
- March 23: Forum at 2 p.m. by guest artist Oda Hjertine Voltersvik
- March 30: “Five Essential Women’s History Month Films,” Dr. Kristi Brownfield
- April 6: “How to Run and Why,” Logan Manhart, Brian Bengs and others
- April 13: “Do Comics Rot Your Brain? Using Sequential Art in the Classroom,” Dr. Kane Anderson
- April 20: “Five Essential Songs and Mantras,” Dr. Pam Monaghan-Geernaert and others
- April 27: “The Last Lecture I’d Ever Give,” Dr. Andrew Russell
For more information, contact Dr. Art Marmorstein at 605-626-2608 or art.marmorstein@northern.edu.
March 24: Faculty Rights with Nathan Lukkes
NSU News: CETL will host special guest speaker Nathan Lukkes, South Dakota Board of Regents General Counsel, who will discuss faculty rights within academic freedom, recording and freedom in learning. This event will take place Thursday, March 24, at 3 p.m. in MJ 201 or via this zoom link. Add this event to your calendar.
Norwegian Pianist Concert
The School of Fine Arts, in partnership with the Edvard Grieg Society of the Dakotas, is pleased to welcome Norwegian pianist Oda Hjertine Voltersvik for the Midwestern portion of her U.S. concert tour. Voltersvik will present a solo concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 24, in the NSU Johnson Fine Arts Center Harvey and Cynthia Jewett Theater. The event is free and open to the public. She will also take part in a question and answer forum at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, in the Beulah Williams Library Round Room. Hailed as “(…) an extraordinary Scandinavian artist!” by Per Brevig of Musicians Club New York, Voltersvik has performed at numerous venues such as Carnegie Hall and Scandinavia House (NYC); Wigmore Hall and St Martin-in-the-Fields (London); “Palermo Classica” International Festival; the Norwegian Opera House; and (since 2014) the Edvard Grieg Museum. She holds a Master in Performance degree from the Royal College of Music London and an Artist Diploma from Trinity Laban Conservatoire. For more information, contact marla.fogderud@northern.edu or visit dakotasgriegsociety.org.
Online Learning Consortium
CETL is excited to oversee the OLC RFP, which provides funding for two Online Teaching Certificate programs conducted by the Online Learning Consortium (OLC). Deadline to apply is April 8, 2022. Please read the full details in the OLC RFP. Contact Danette, danette.long@northern.edu, with any questions.
Kevin Kelly Recording is on D2L
For those who were unable to make it in-person or asynchronously to the Kevin Kelly event on Wednesday, Feb. 23, the event recording is now on D2L in the Faculty Sandbox under the content module.
3D Modeling
Learn the basics of 3D modeling and how it applies to 3D printing at the Basic 3D Modeling TinkerCad Workshop, at 4 p.m. March 24 in Beulah Williams Library. Everyone that attends the workshop will be able to create a free print for themselves. The event is free to NSU students, staff and faculty. For more information, contact Lynn Klundt at Lynn.Klundt@northern.edu.
Inaugural Softball Game
March 29 marks the inaugural game for the NSU Softball Team at Koehler Hall of Fame Field. The Wolves will be facing off against the Dragons of MSU Moorhead at noon and 2 p.m. There will be a student tailgate before the first game starting at 10:30 a.m. with food and inflatables along with multiple prizes to be given out throughout the games, including an Apple watch and Apple airpods. What’s more fun than food, fun and softball? We hope to see you there!
Northern Lights Launch Party
The annual Northern Lights launch party is set for March 30, 2022, at 6 p.m. in the Lincoln Art Gallery (LH 115). Print issues will be available for purchase (cash or check accepted) at the launch party and afterward by contacting current President Madi Filber via email at madi.filber@wolves.northern.edu, who can also answer any questions via email. All students, faculty, staff and community members are welcome!
GiveNDay is Coming! April 6-7, 2022
The Northern State Foundation is excited to host our second annual day of giving, GiveNDay, on April 6, 2022! This 24-hour challenge is designed to inspire all supporters of Northern to come together as we work to provide funding across the university. Last year was a huge success as our community raised $193,000 from over 1,200 donors. Also known as #OneDayOnePack, this year’s goal is to receive support from 1,800 donors in 24 hours.
If you would like your campus-sponsored organization represented, please contact Aimee at the Foundation by March 1, 2022. You can email Aimee at aimee.burmester@northern.edu.
We need your help! We are looking for students, faculty or alumni to represent their school, department, organization or team as Ambassadors. As Ambassadors, you have the opportunity to share your love of NSU with your family and friends via social media, and potentially earn rewards while doing it! Interested? Reach out to the Foundation at nsualumni@northern.edu.
ACCA Concert
The Aberdeen Community Concert Association will present The Diamonds: Let’s Rock Broadway, at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 9, 2022, in the NSU Johnson Fine Arts Center. Students can attend the concert free with their student ID! Tickets for the general public are available at Interior Design Concepts, 21 N. Main St., Aberdeen, or online at the ACCA website.
Research, Scholarship and Creativity Forum
The annual NSU Research, Scholarship and Creativity Forum is scheduled for Wednesday, April 20, in the Beulah Williams Library. All students participating in scholarly activity are invited to participate. Submissions of abstracts are due April 1. For more information about presenting your scholarly activity and submitting abstracts, visit this webpage or email Dr. Andrew Russell.
American Indian Circle Program
NSU is dedicated to the recognition of tribal traditions and ceremonies that complement the holistic well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native students. The American Indian Circle Program would like to invite the NSU campus community to participate in our monthly Smudge the first Tuesday of every month from 12:15 to 12:30 p.m. This is a time where we come together and have cultural education time to talk about what smudging is, the importance it symbolizes in Indigenous culture and a time of reflection. For the spring 2022 semester, we will smudge in the courtyard outside MJ 112, which is the new Circle Program student space under the Student Success Center. Everyone is welcome!
WAVE Podcast Giveaway
The WAVE Podcast is hosting a giveaway on their Instagram page! You could win $50 in local business gift cards and student motivation essentials. In order to enter, visit @thewavepodcastnsu on Instagram and follow the instructions on their post! You can also listen to Episode 5.5 - The Unmotivated Mini on all streaming platforms by visiting linktr.ee/nsuthewave.
Attention Spring Graduates