ABERDEEN, S.D. – This semester, students in the Northern State University Business Leadership class have been working on projects that are making a difference in the community.
Four groups of students are working on service learning projects with the following local organizations: Boys and Girls Club of Aberdeen Area, Aberdeen Area Humane Society, Salvation Army and Aberdeen Family YMCA. The projects were made possible thanks to NSU Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Pedagogy Grants.
“The service learning projects have been an educational opportunity, allowing students to develop a project that benefits an organization and its stakeholders,” said Dr. Kristi Bockorny, associate professor of management. “Due to the CETL grant, the students have also gained experience in developing and managing a budget.”
Dr. Ben Harley, CETL Director, said the center is thrilled to see the grant money being used to facilitate this kind of service learning.
“These types of pedagogies demonstrate to students the ways in which the things they are learning in the classroom can impact their communities,” Harley said. “Also, by providing students with real audiences, these projects redefine what it means to do well on an assignment. This is exactly the kind of work we were hoping to promote through these grants.”
Student groups and their projects are as follows:
- Boys and Girls Club: Students Casey Solseng, Tori Collesso, Donald Jurek and Damion Williams volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club on Monday, April 5. They made a kite craft with 50 students and gave the kids a fun activity pack, with the goal of providing normalcy and fun for the kids.
- Humane Society: Students Andrew Buechler, Avery Terwilliger, Christina Beusch and Tanner Wiese hosted a “Bark” Sale on campus on April 7 and 9, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. each day. They sold baked goods, fruit and snacks, and also accepted donations. They hoped to raise awareness among students and staff and raise funds for the Humane Society.
- Salvation Army: Jack Meyers, Karissa Olson, Emily Reiten and Shariah Smith will host a Salvation Army food drive April 12-16 in the Avera Student Center. They hope to help feed local families in need and also raise awareness. They will be accepting any non-perishable food items, and random drawings will take place during the week.
- YMCA: Caleb Lefferdink, Karli Stubbe, Jaden Karst, Spencer Sarringar and Hudson Thompson-Pearman are hosting a Zumba evening with proceeds being donated to the YMCA. The event will take place at the Barnett Center either April 19 at 7:30 p.m. They hope to raise money for the YMCA and bring awareness to the YMCA’s employment opportunities. Cost to attend is $5, with a chance of winning a door prize.
About Northern State University
Northern State University is a student-centered institution that provides an outstanding educational experience, preparing students through the liberal arts and professional education for their future endeavors. A regional university, Northern offers rigorous academics; diverse civic, social and cultural opportunities; and a commitment to building an inclusive environment for all points of view. Northern also offers a broad-based athletics program, sponsoring 15 NCAA Division II intercollegiate varsity sports that compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NSIC). The university strives to enrich the community through partnerships such as its Educational Impact Campaign, which opened a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired; new athletic and recreation fields; and, soon, an on-campus regional sports complex. With the $55 million campaign, NSU has been the recipient of more than $120 million in privately funded building projects and scholarships within a decade. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions.
Pictured: Damion Williams and Casey Solseng helping children at the Boys and Girls Club.