Northern State University Foundation

Meet Jared Opp, our next Leaders of the Pack recipient! Jared, a 2010 graduate of NSU, lives in Gregory, SD with his wife Katie ('06) and their children, Ian, Bria, and Mara. He considers his greatest achievement to be the ability to positively impact the communities he’s a part of. He and his wife are proud to live in rural South Dakota, where they’ve built a thriving music program in Gregory. They also continue to uphold a tradition of excellence as directors of the Rushmore Music Camp, influencing over 200 young musicians each summer. Jared’s advice to current NSU students is to engage actively in both your school and community, always putting in 110% effort into everything you do. Embrace every opportunity that comes your way and make the most of it. Stay optimistic, and above all, treat one another with kindness. Congrats, Jared! #LeadersofthePack

Meet Danielle Weisz, our next Leaders of the Pack recipient! Danielle, a 2014 NSU graduate, lives in Bismarck, ND, where she teaches 3rd grade at Bismarck Public Schools. She considers her greatest achievement finding a career she is truly passionate about—one that lets her empower the next generation through education while being a dedicated supporter who cheers them on every step of the way. Her advice for current students is to be brave and just do it! You never know where opportunities will take you! Congrats, Danielle! #LeadersofthePack #BeNorthern #northernstateu

Let's learn about our next Leaders of the Pack recipient! Meet Andrew Johnson ?? Andrew, a 2009 NSU graduate, currently lives in Arlington, SD, and serves as the PK-12 Principal at Oldham-Ramona-Rutland School District. His advice to current NSU students is simple: First, never be afraid to ask for help. College can be tough, and it's okay to struggle—asking for help shows strength, not weakness. Professors, advisors, and tutors are there to support you, so reach out when needed. Second, get involved. College is more than just classes—join clubs, participate in events, and volunteer to enrich your experience. Lastly, build lasting friendships and memories that will stay with you long after graduation. Enjoy every moment at NSU! Congrats, Andrew! #LeadersofthePack #BeNorthern #northernstateu

Meet our next Leaders of the Pack recipient, Lauren (Weaver) Bittner! Lauren, a 2012 graduate of NSU, now lives in Aberdeen, SD, where she serves as the Marketing & Development Coordinator at the Northern State University Foundation. Having worked with the NSU Foundation for most of her professional life, Lauren feels she never truly left NSU. Her advice for current and future Wolves: always believe in yourself and focus on the positive impact you can make. No act is too small, and no words are insignificant. During your time at Northern, and in life, this will serve you well. Outside of work, she focuses on her family—husband Nick and children Lennon and Gavin—and her podcast,?Just Say More. Congrats, Lauren! #LeadersofthePack #BeNorthern #northernstateu

Happy Tuesday! Our Leaders of the Pack feature for today is Menno Schukking! Menno, a 2015 NSU graduate, is the Transportation Planner for the City of Minneapolis. When asked for advice for current NSU students, he emphasizes that change is life's only constant, and learning to adapt will help you grow personally while shaping your community’s future. He encourages students to embrace mistakes as opportunities to build resilience. His advice: get involved in extracurriculars, study abroad, pursue internships, enjoy time with friends, and, most importantly, become a resilient changemaker! Congrats, Menno! #LeadersofthePack #BeNorthern #northernstateu

It's time to meet our first #LeadersofthePack recipient! Meet Krista (Mergens) Bau ?? Krista, the Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities/Title IX Coordinator at Northern State University, graduated from NSU in 2008. She lives in Aberdeen, SD with her husband, Cody, and their children, Zachary and Gabriella. Her advice to future Wolves is to take ownership of your college experience. Be proactive in finding opportunities to grow and develop, and don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed. Prioritize your well-being and enjoy the journey—college goes by fast, so cherish the experiences, celebrate the small wins, and make the most of every moment! Congrats, Krista! #LeadersofthePack #BeNorthern #northernstateu

The Northern State University Alumni Association is proud to present the third?#LeadersofthePack?Class! This year's recipients were selected based on the impact they've made in their career and personal lives. Stay tuned, we'll be celebrating each of these individuals right here on our social media channels over the next few weeks. Check back on Thursday to learn more about our first recipient. Congrats?Class of 2025!?#GoWolves?#BeNorthern?#northernstateu Top Row: Andrew Johnson - 2009, Danielle Weisz - 2014, Jared Jacobson - 2014, Connor Doran - 2022/2024, Jared Opp - 2010 Bottom Row: Lauren (Weaver) Bittner - 2012, Olaf Hanson - 2018, Krista (Mergens) Bau - 2008, Menno Schukking - 2015, Alexandra (Bock) Grieben - 2008

?? Huge congratulations to NSU alum, Theron Aych (1996), on being hired as the Wide Receiver Coach at Oklahoma State! ?? It's incredible to see an NSU alum making such strides in coaching after playing football at NSU. We can't wait to see all the great things you'll accomplish with the Cowboys!

??Huge congrats to our amazing alumni, Allison Schmitz (2013) and Kristen Gonsoir (1992), for winning the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching! ?? Their dedication and positive impact in education truly inspire us all. Check out the links below to learn more about their incredible achievements! ?? Allison's Profile ? https://lnkd.in/gwJXCZBS Kristen's Profile ? https://lnkd.in/gmMnaqSC?

On behalf of the Northern Night Committee and the NSU Foundation, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your incredible support of the 26th Annual Northern Night. We are thrilled to share that this year’s fundraiser was a remarkable success, raising thousands for NSU and our students. Your generosity made this possible! Thank you for your commitment to nurturing tomorrow's leaders. We look forward to seeing you next year on Friday, November 14th, 2025, for the 27th Annual Northern Night!