On Sunday, Oct. 14, more than 75 Northern State University students and employees gave back to the Aberdeen community in support of NSU’s Fifth Annual Pack Gives Back event.
Following a speech from NSU President Dr. Timothy Downs on the importance of community leadership and involvement, students volunteered at different non-profit sites in the community.
NSU student Parker Fox said, “I choose to partake in the Pack Gives Back event, because I know how much support Northern gets from our community. This event gave us the ability to go out and give pack to local businesses that give us so much. It brought me together with people I probably would never have met and I had a blast doing it.”
Businesses and organizations visited include Aberdeen Community Theatre, Aberdeen Family YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, and Aberdeen Area Senior Center.
Students and staff were able to assist area businesses and organizations with a variety of chores and tasks. This year the event was more student-led, as students did a bulk of the organization for the event.
Student Hazel Ohm was a key planner and said, “I participated in the fifth annual Pack Gives Back because as a student athlete I see firsthand how much the community of Aberdeen cares about us! Doing this was a small act to show how much we, NSU, care about them, the community. I was so excited to see everyone who came out and helped and how our PE class worked together to make this such a successful event! Can’t wait to see it grow in the future!”
Students were reminded of the importance of making volunteering a life-long habit and that resonated well with NSU student Madeline Kovach, who said, “I chose to participate in Pack Gives Back for a lot of reasons. I have lived in a lot of college towns in my lifetime, but there’s really nothing like Aberdeen and their support of NSU. We all rely on our community to keep us funded, our students employed, and even our mouths fed (especially when it’s pizza). Giving back to the people that give us the support we need to thrive seemed like a no-brainer to me. Volunteering with my peers, who also see the value of our community, really made me realize that Northern is more than just a university. It’s a family and a place to call home.”
“The Pack Gives Back highlights that Northern students are servant leaders — humble, empathetic, and active in building the world they envision.”
– Megan Frewaldt, NSU Director of Student Involvement and Leadership
NSU Director of Student Involvement and Leadership, Megan Frewaldt, stated, “The sense of belonging and connection is what makes Northern so great. That was my experience as a student here, and upon returning as a staff member, I have been so joyed that the same remains true years later.”
Frewaldt continued, “The Pack Gives Back highlights that Northern students are servant leaders — humble, empathetic, and active in building the world they envision. It was such a great event for our students, staff, faculty, and President Downs to serve alongside one another to support the amazing organizations in our community. Everyone really embodied the Northern spirit.”
Following the event, students and staff who participated in the fifth annual Pack Gives Back event were invited to a free VIP tailgate at the new soccer field, where all involved were encouraged to attend the NSU Wolves soccer game and compete in a bags tournament.
Dr. Thomas Orr
NSU Assistant Professor of Health and Education
NSU Press Release
Group photo courtesy NSU Website; “Be Great” photo courtesy Dr.
The Exponent 