For Immediate Release 24 March 2000

Board of Regents Honors NSU Student Groups

ABERDEEN-The South Dakota Board of Regents, meeting today at the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, presented awards to two student organizations from Northern State University. President Harvey C. Jewett, IV, presented the awards on the Board's behalf. "The Regents honor outstanding student organizations because of the valuable services they provide their campus and community. We also believe in the important lessons in leadership and community pride they instill in their members," said Jewett.

NSU Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Tim Barnett presented the student organizations to the Board. "Student organizations enrich campus life at Northern in so many ways, but most importantly they encourage a student's individual growth through experiences that build on classroom work," said Barnett.

The award for academic excellence was presented to the NSU Music Educators National Conference (MENC) for their hard work on and off the Northern campus. The largest and most active chapter in South Dakota, Northern's MENC provides vital contact between students and professionals within the field of music education, music merchandising and professional music performance. Off campus work by MENC has included the development of education programs used in the Aberdeen elementary schools to help students understand how various musical instruments work. MENC also sponsored a song writing contest for music students in the Aberdeen school system and hosts the Region VI Small and Large Group Ensembles for high school students.

The award for organizational leadership was presented to the NSU Student Ambassadors for their dedication to promoting Northern State University and strengthening involvement, loyalty, and fellowship among students, alumni, faculty, staff and the community. Members have led or participated in a number of activities that have made a real difference on campus and in the larger NSU community. Off campus activities of Student Ambassadors included participation in the "Adopt-a-Highway" program, maintenance of a Salvation Army kettle during the holidays, stuffing envelopes and packing "winter kits" for underprivileged kids. The group also collected $500 for the "Walk America" project. One of their on-campus responsibilities is taking care of Thunder, NSU's mascot who appeared at volleyball, soccer, football, wrestling and basketball events, as well as some non-sporting events as requested.

Accepting the award for the NSU Music Educators conference were member Mary Biggs and Advisor Dr. John Lockwood. Accepting the award for NSU Student Ambassadors were members Mike Radke and Robert Jones and advisor Dr. Ric Dias.