ABERDEEN, S.D. ¡ª Samantha Wipf was named the winner of the Aberdeen Idea Pitch Competition, hosted by the Northern Innovation and Startup Center and Aberdeen Development Corporation.

With more than 30 business pitches submitted and five finalists presenting at the competition finals, Wipf's business, Optimal Performance, stood out for its innovative approach to physical therapy. She will receive a $10,000 cash prize, sponsored by the Aberdeen Development Corporation.

"It feels awesome. I'm very appreciative," Wipf said after the announcement. "I feel¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D. ¨C?Dr. Aaron Scholl, assistant professor of economics at Northern State University, has co-authored a journal article with recent Northern graduate Dante Casanova.

Their work, titled ¡°Beyond the Field: Analyzing the Relationship Between Division I Athletics and Postsecondary Enrollment,¡± appears in the May 2025 edition of the Economics and Business Journal: Inquiries and Perspectives.

The study looks at data from 2012 to 2021 to determine how NCAA Division I football success affects student enrollment. By combining football¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D.?¨C The Rising Scholars program at Northern State University has been granted re-accreditation by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP), the only national accrediting body for concurrent enrollment programs.

Following an extensive peer-review process, Northern¡¯s program was re-accredited through the 2031¨C32 academic year. The decision was made by the NACEP Accreditation Commission at its April 29, 2025, meeting. Northern State remains the only institution in South Dakota with a NACEP-accredited concurrent enrollment¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D. ¨C The Northern Innovation and Startup Center, in collaboration with the Aberdeen Development Corporation, has announced Kevin Ervin Kelley and James Villarrubia as keynote speakers for the 2025 Technology & Entrepreneurship Summit.

The summit will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the Johnson Fine Arts Center on the campus of Northern State University. The event brings together entrepreneurs, industry professionals, students and community members to explore the evolving landscape of technology and business.

ABERDEEN, S.D. ¨C?Northern State University is proud to announce that Josh VanLaecken, instructor of accounting in the School of Business, has earned his Doctor of Business Administration in Accounting from West Virginia University.

VanLaecken said the decision to pursue a terminal degree was a natural progression as he transitioned from industry to academia.

¡°I pursued the doctorate to ask better questions and begin to answer them,¡± he said.

VanLaecken noted that the experience has allowed him to engage more deeply with the content he teaches¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D. ¨C Northern State University is continuing its full tuition and book scholarship for students pursuing a two-year associate degree in Early Childhood Education. The program is designed to grow South Dakota¡¯s childcare workforce and respond to urgent statewide needs.

Dr. Nicole Schutter, chair of Teacher Education in the Millicent Atkins School of Education, emphasized the broader impact of the associate degree and the scholarship. ¡°Early childhood educators shape a child¡¯s first learning experiences, build curiosity, and foster confidence that¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D.?¨C Two Northern State University business faculty members are co-authors of a newly published study examining the impact of workplace gratitude on employees in the banking and financial services industry.

The article, ¡°Workplace Gratitude¡¯s Impact on Banking and Financial Services Employees¡¯ Psychological Capital, Intention to Stay and Satisfaction With Life,¡± appears in the latest edition of the Journal of Applied Business and Economics. The study was conducted by Dr. Kristi Bockorny, Dacotah Bank Dean of the NSU School of Business, and Dr. Aaron¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D. ¨C Northern State University is proud to recognize the outstanding academic achievements of students for the spring 2025 semester. The university is pleased to announce the students who have earned a place on the President¡¯s List, Dean¡¯s List and Academic Recognition List.

The President¡¯s List honors full-time undergraduate students who have achieved a perfect 4.00 GPA for the semester. This distinction reflects a commitment to academic excellence and dedication to their studies.

The Dean¡¯s List recognizes full-time¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D. ¨C Northern State University is proud to announce Chad Harlander as the 2025 Gypsy Day Parade Grand Marshal.

A 1994 graduate of Northern State University with a Bachelor of Science in Community Services, Harlander has dedicated his career to supporting youth and families across Minnesota, South Dakota and beyond. He is the founder of the REACH Program, which serves students facing adversity and provides support to help them succeed academically, emotionally and socially. Since its inception in the Hutchinson School District, the REACH Program¡­

ABERDEEN, S.D.?¨C Excitement is building as the Aberdeen Business Pitch Competition today announced the five finalists selected to present their innovative business ideas at the upcoming 2025 event. This competition is hosted by the Northern Innovation and Startup Center and the Aberdeen Development Corporation. This year¡¯s competition saw a remarkable turnout, with 32 applications submitted from entrepreneurs across Aberdeen and the wider region.

The high caliber of submissions presented a challenging task for the Round 1 judges. After careful deliberation, five¡­