Alumni
Recently have a baby? As a congratulations from the NSU Alumni Association, we want to send you a free “Wolf Pup Onesie!” Share the exciting news of your growing Wolves family by submitting a photo of your Future Wolf to be included in our Northern Today Magazine! Please note: All onesies are size 6 month and all submissions must include the Wolf Pup Onesie.
NSU Alumni Association
The Alumni Association aims to develop a spirit of loyalty and fraternity among Northern's alumni to encourage their active support of Northern's programs, including student recruitment, student relations and projects and public relations. The association also harnesses personal talent, experience, and knowledge to lead community action and act as a catalyst within the NSU Foundation and South Dakota University system, focusing directly on the realization of key objectives set before both institutions.
Association Members
- Kim Bowman '08
- Shelby Braun '19
- Holly DesCamps '10
- Haley Grandpre '19
- Alex Grieben '08
- Brent Hanson '05
- Lindsey Huber '08
- Davin Johnson '09
- Jamie Lewno '09
- Vicki McComsey '07
- Tyler Oliver '08
- Kami Spieker '14
Association Officers
Chair
Brent Hanson '05
Chair Elect
Carlos Camacho '10
NSU Foundation President
Zach Flakus '93
Director of Alumni Services
Kayley Royer '14
Director of Development
Lauren Bittner '12
Past Chair
Vicki McComsey '07
Featured Alumni
Tanner White
Tanner White, 2015 NSU Alum and former football student-athlete, has been appointed as CEO of the future Altru Hospital in Devils Lake, ND.
Learn More
Dakotah Lindwurm
Lindwurm, '18 NSU alum, qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics which will be held in Paris. At Northern, Lindwurm competed on the Cross Country and Indoor/Outdoor Track and Field teams, where she was a five-time DII National Qualifier.
Learn More
Dr. Nathan Payant
Dr. Nathan Payant, a distinguished conductor, educator, and alumnus of Northern State University. Dr. Payant's dedication to music education has been exemplified through his teaching roles at Colorado State University, where he currently serves as a full-time instructor, and his directorship of Laudamus Chamber Chorale and the music program at First United Methodist Church in Fort Collins. Payant led a performance at the legendary Carnegie Hall in New York City in April 2024.
Learn More
Nate Breske
Nate Breske, 00' alum, and his athletic training staff were awarded the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2023 ESPYS for their life-saving care for the Bills safety, Damar Hamlin. The award is given to a group or an individual with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that echoes the legacy of the former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger, Pat Tillman.
Learn More
Ms. Millicent M. Atkins
Millicent Atkins was a teacher, farmer and businesswoman, obtaining her teaching degree from NSU in 1940. Ms. Atkins generously donated a $15 million estate gift to NSU to benefit the NSU School of Education. In 2015, the school was renamed the Millicent Atkins School of Education to honor her legacy.
Dr. Jami Peterson
Hailing from the city of Bowdle, S.D., Dr. Jami Peterson graduated cum laude with a B.S. in biology from NSU in 1997. Dr. Peterson is board certified in internal medicine and provides patient care at the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Washington Navy Yard, and United States Naval Academy.
Ryan Rivett
Steeped in a history of hospitality, Ryan Rivett graduated with a B.S. degree in management from NSU in 2006. Since then, he's laid a foundation - developing one of the fastest-growing extended-stay hotel brands, My Place Hotels, right here in Aberdeen alongside grandfather, hospitality industry icon, and NSU alum Ron Rivett.
Dr. Connie M. Westhoff
Dr. Connie M. Westhoff, SBB, Ph.D., graduated from NSU with a B.S. degree in medical laboratory science. Northern nurtured her interest in scientific discovery and was the foundation of her successful research career.
Leaders of the Pack
2024
Distinguished Alumni & Hall of Fame
2024
Distinguished Alumni
Hall of Fame Inductees
View the latest issue of Northern Magazine, or browse the full archive.
Northern Magazine is published annually by Northern State University for alumni and friends.