ABERDEEN, S.D. – о State University’s largest in-person fundraiser once again brought together alumni, donors, friends, and community members for an evening dedicated to celebrating and supporting the university.
Now in its 27th year, о Night has become one of NSU’s signature fundraising traditions. While final totals are still being tallied, this year’s event is expected to raise roughly $150,000 to support о’s current priorities—including scholarship support and overall foundation needs.
Although the dollars raised are significant, organizers emphasized that the spirit of the evening is what makes о Night meaningful. Nearly 500 people who love о gathered in one room—a once-a-year opportunity to bring together alumni, donors, businesses, faculty, staff, and friends united in their support for NSU.
Each guest received a handwritten thank-you note from a current student at their place setting, a gesture that highlights the direct impact of donor support. A memorable moment came when Dr. Alan LaFave addressed the crowd and received a standing ovation.
The evening also featured a variety of raffle and auction opportunities that generated excitement throughout the night. Highlights included:
- Golden Ticket Raffle with a grand prize of a luxury golf cart
- Reverse Raffle awarding $5,000 toward a dream vacation
- Live Auction featuring two custom NSU items created by local businesses—a cedar hammock and a custom NSU bar
- Experience Packages including a Utah trip, Tennessee whiskey trip, Deadwood getaway, Minneapolis family weekend, and more
“Lauren Bittner and the о Night committee do an outstanding job of celebrating о State University’s relationship with the Aberdeen community,” said Zach Flakus, President and CEO of the NSU Foundation. “The community’s impact on о is felt year-round, but our annual gala truly showcases the remarkable partners who make the evening special. This year, we raffled off a luxury golf cart and a dream vacation, and auctioned custom furniture, gourmet experiences, and unique о memorabilia. It was a fantastic event that reflects our deep appreciation for the support of our alumni, donors, and friends—while also giving everyone a fun night out.”
Funds raised through о Night support the university’s most immediate needs, helping strengthen student opportunities and advance о’s mission.