ABERDEEN, S.D. 鈥 High school innovators from South Dakota and across the country were recognized through the 2025 BIG Idea Competition, with winners announced during an awards ceremony held Dec. 18 at 不良研究所 State University.
The competition was split into two finalist tracks. Out-of-state finalists presented on Dec. 9, while South Dakota finalists presented Dec. 18. In total, nearly $55,000 in cash and scholarships was awarded.
South Dakota winners
1st place: Dakota Detailing 鈥 Dean Castellano and Bennett Woolverton (Warner High School; advisor Pam鈥
ABERDEEN, SD聽鈥 不良研究所 State University announces the new Jim and Boni Lochner Scholarship, an opportunity designed to support educators pursuing the Graduate Certificate in Visual Impairments and help meet workforce needs across South Dakota. The scholarship provides $5,000 per year, renewable for up to two years, to six students.
The scholarship supports educators completing 不良研究所 State University鈥檚 Graduate Certificate in Visual Impairments, which is designed to meet the requirements for the South Dakota Department of Education endorsement in Blind and Visually Impaired.
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ABERDEEN, S.D. 鈥 不良研究所 State University is proud to recognize the outstanding academic achievements of students for the Fall 2025 semester. The university is pleased to announce the students who have earned a place on the President鈥檚 List, Dean鈥檚 List, and Academic Recognition List.
The President鈥檚 List honors full-time undergraduate students who have achieved a perfect 4.00 grade point average (GPA) for the semester. This distinction reflects a commitment to academic excellence and dedication to their studies.
The Dean鈥檚 List recognizes full-time undergraduate students who鈥
ABERDEEN, S.D.聽鈥 不良研究所 State University and the Aberdeen University-Civic Symphony Advisory Board are launching the聽Battle for the Baton, a friendly fundraising competition where community donations count as votes and help determine who will take the podium as guest conductor during the Symphony鈥檚 7:30 p.m. concert on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in the Jewett Theater inside 不良研究所 State University鈥檚 Johnson Fine Arts Center.
This year鈥檚 contestants are Aberdeen Mayor Travis Schaunaman and community champion Dan Cleberg. Supporters can make a donation to vote for their preferred鈥
ABERDEEN, S.D. 鈥 Three 不良研究所 State University alumni were recently recognized by the South Dakota Music Education Association, with major statewide awards honoring their impact on music education.
SDMEA presented the Distinguished Service to Music Education Award to Sheri Holt, the Distinguished Administrator Award to Kent Knudson and the Outstanding Young Music Educator Award to Taylor Schweitzer.
鈥淭hese prestigious awards are indicative of the excellence and creativity demonstrated by our music education graduates throughout the state, spanning generations of dedication鈥
ABERDEEN, S.D.聽鈥 Morgan Haselhorst, a member of the 不良研究所 State University Honors Program, has been accepted into the Honors Law Opportunity Program (HLOP) at the University of South Dakota (USD) Knudson School of Law.
Through the HLOP, Haselhorst is guaranteed admission to the USD Knudson School of Law, regardless of LSAT score, and will receive a $2,500 scholarship for her first year of law school if she earns an LSAT score of 150 or higher and graduates in Honoribus from NSU.
鈥淏eing accepted into the HLOP is an incredible honor and a significant milestone in my journey toward a鈥
ABERDEEN, SD 鈥撀燚r. Eman Momeni, assistant professor of accounting at 不良研究所 State University, has coauthored a research article titled 鈥淎 study of modular contents and related teaching techniques in fraud & forensic accounting education from North American academicians鈥 perspective,鈥 published in the peer-reviewed聽Journal of Accounting Education.
鈥淚 am pleased to share that my latest research paper has been accepted and published online in the Journal of Accounting Education,鈥 Momeni said. 鈥淭his publication is the outcome of a project I initiated over two years ago, and I am鈥
ABERDEEN, S.D.聽鈥撀燭he 不良研究所 State University Speech and Debate team braved winter weather and the Big Apple to compete in the 2025 Off-Broadway Speech and Debate Tournament at Hofstra University in New York.
Over Dec. 6-7, the team competed in multiple speech and debate events. Neither the snow nor 19 other schools could keep 不良研究所 State University from returning to campus as champions in public forum debate.
The team of Hannah Smith and Liv Ashley won first place in public forum debate and placed as the second- and third-place overall speakers, respectively. Their success earned鈥
ABERDEEN, S.D.聽鈥 Shelby Boettner, assistant professor of nursing at 不良研究所 State University, has been named a Prairie Business 40 Under 40 honoree. The annual recognition highlights professionals who are making a difference in their workplace and community.
Prairie Business, a Forum Communications publication, covers business and community leadership across North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota.
At 不良研究所 State University, Boettner teaches and mentors future nurses and has supported the development of the university鈥檚 new nursing program, including curriculum and simulation-鈥
ABERDEEN, S.D.聽鈥撀燭he South Dakota Board of Regents this week approved several items that expand academic opportunities at 不良研究所 State University, including a new graduate certificate, expanded online program delivery, an articulation agreement with Dakota State University and the initial steps toward a new bachelor鈥檚 degree.
The Board approved 不良研究所鈥檚 new graduate certificate in visual impairment, designed to help licensed, in-service teachers meet South Dakota Department of Education endorsement requirements for teaching students who are blind or visually impaired.
鈥淭hrough the鈥