Northern State University
The Institution
Northern State University was established by the South Dakota Legislature in 1901 in response to the need for an institution of higher education to serve northern South Dakota. Over time, the mission of Northern State University has changed and expanded to fit the needs of the region and the state. Originally known as a teacher’s college, Northern State University is now a multi-purpose institution. Current enrollment is approximately 3,000 students.
The education of teachers remains an important aspect of the university’s statewide mission, as the diverse and highly respected teaching programs at Northern State University demonstrate. Today’s Northern State University offers an outstanding liberal arts and science core. Excellent programs in business, education and fine arts complement the arts and sciences. Graduates of these programs can choose from a variety of career options, including employment in business, industry, government, education and the arts. Northern State University remains committed to offering a strong liberal arts component in its programs.
While most of the student body comes from South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota, about 35 other states and 10 foreign countries are also represented.
The Campus
Northern State University claims one of the most beautiful campuses in the Midwest. Trees shade its 57 acres and during the spring, summer and fall, flowers bloom along walkways that are closed to all but pedestrian traffic. The most historic of its 29 buildings border a park-like center known as The Green. Every point on campus is within easy walking distance of downtown Aberdeen.
THE BEULAH WILLIAMS LIBRARY is one of the finest undergraduate libraries in the state of South Dakota. Its mission is to provide quality resources to enhance student learning and to enrich the NSU community. The facility is home to a variety of individual and group study spaces, a computer lab, a smart classroom, and a DDN room. Williams Library also houses the Reading Clinic, the campus music collection and listening room, and NSU Archives and Special Collections. Print holdings include over 175,000 books and 35,000 federal and state documents. The Library subscribes to over 100 online databases which enable access to over 35,000 journal titles. Included in these databases are scholarly journal articles, current and historical newspaper articles, images, e-books, music, and statistics. Access to the online catalog and electronic collections is provided to students and faculty 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Library’s web site.
THE JOHNSON FINE ARTS CENTER includes a 1,000-seat theater, the Berggren Recital Hall, a lecture auditorium, band and choir rehearsal halls, theatrical scene shop, dressing and costume rooms, plus instrumental and drama faculty offices. The building also serves the campus as a major classroom facility.
THE STUDENT CENTER is the center of social life on campus. It houses the Wolves Den dining facility, Einstein’s, bookstore, post office, admissions, student affairs offices, an art gallery, student government offices, meeting rooms and lounges. Students also gather at Thunder’s Lair for dances and entertainment that includes comedians, singers and musicians.
THE JOSEPH H. BARNETT PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND CONVOCATION CENTER is one of the premiere arenas in the Midwest and one of the highest foot traffic buildings in the State of South Dakota and the entire Upper Midwest. The multi-purpose facility hosts events from Northern State University, South Dakota High School Activities Association, Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), and various community functions. Northern State men’s and women’s basketball have consistently lead the nation in attendance for NCAA Division II. The Barnett Center features an 8,000-seat arena, classrooms, six-lane Olympic swimming pool, 160-meter track, tennis, volleyball, and handball/racquetball/squash courts. In 2012, a 26,411 square-foot expansion project was completed that includes new basketball locker rooms, basketball coaching offices, a new wrestling room and a 10,000 square-foot strength and conditioning center which is open to all Northern students, faculty and staff.
THE CLARK SWISHER ATHLETIC COMPLEX is a community-based outdoor athletic facility. Located two miles east of the main campus, the complex has an all-weather lighted turf field for football, soccer, track and field. The stadium seats 6,000 spectators for Wolves games.
THE ENROLLMENT SERVICES OFFICES are located in Dacotah Hall and houses financial aid, academic records and registration services. The Office is conveniently located on 12th Avenue Southeast with visitor parking provided near the entrance.
THE NSU CENTER FOR STATEWIDE E-LEARNING was established by the South Dakota legislature in March 2001 to serve all levels of South Dakota’s educational system through Digital Dakota Network, Internet and videoconferencing technologies. The center serves K-12 schools, undergraduate students and graduate students through distance education and interactive instructional technologies.
THE NSU TECHNOLOGY CENTER is one of the most attractive and best equipped in the state. Located in center campus as a northern addition to the Mewaldt-Jensen Building, the Technology Center houses three general use computer labs, a video production studio and editing suite, a cyber lounge, two smart classrooms, a conference room with multimedia presentation capabilities, offices for NET Services staff and Arts and Sciences faculty, and the NSU Technical Support Center. The Technical Support Center provides free technical assistance to faculty, staff and students. A centrally located, lighted courtyard with perennial plantings, brick walkways, a fountain, and benches provides an open air sanctuary where people can socialize and hold special events. The entire Technology Center and courtyard have wireless Internet access.
THE NSU INTRAMURAL AND RECREATION CENTER located in the Dacotah Hall Gymnasium is a wellness center that is available to our students. The 3,600 square foot facility features a basketball court plus two levels of area designed for individual exercise activities. The first floor features a studio area where a variety of fitness classes are taught. The second level offers a large space with free weights and allows for movement type activities such as kickboxing. This facility also houses the central operations for campus Intramurals. Students have the opportunity to check out athletic equipment and utilize the gymnasium space for open recreation.
The Intramural & Recreation Center offers card access for entry to students, staff, and faculty that have completed a facility use waiver. The facility also features work-study staff available during peak times throughout the week.
CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS In 1997, the South Dakota Board of Regents designated Northern State University’s School of Business as a Center of Excellence in International Business, with the goal of creating a nationally recognized program in International Business. The Center has created an International Business major focusing not only on international business courses, but also on language and cultural training. The Center also provides both students and faculty the opportunity to have an international experience through exchange programs, conferences, and other international experiences. Northern’s Center of Excellence in International Business also sponsors an annual international business conference that is attended by faculty, students and business people from around the world. The Center provides today’s students with the scholarly and theoretical foundations to become tomorrow’s international business leaders.
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