Dakota State University students walking around campus

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Majors & Degrees

26 members inducted tp National Society of Leadership and Success

December 20, 2016

The Dakota State University Chapter of The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) recently held its ceremony for its fourth induction class, which included 26 DSU students.

Jeremy Brech (DSU ’04), founder and owner of DJ Jer Events & Lighting Design in Sioux Falls, provided the keynote speech for the Dec. 12 ceremony, telling the students that leadership begins with one person.

“One person can make a difference,” so he encouraged the inductees to “Do what makes you special, and don’t be afraid to be different.”

NSLS is one of the nation's largest leadership honor societies. Students are invited to become members based on academic standing. Candidacy is a nationally recognized achievement of honorable distinction.

Inducted members must complete a leadership program consisting of an orientation, a leadership training day, three speaker broadcasts, three success networking team meetings, and an induction ceremony where they received their Certificate of Leadership Training. 

Five students were also recognized for completing the additional steps to achieve the National Engaged Leader Award (NELA); Jennifer Christensen, Mason Gulbranson, Sarah Halldorson, Emily Ortmann, and Laura Schuck.

Membership is for a lifetime and provides access to benefits including scholarships and awards, exclusive on-campus events, employer recruitment through an online job bank, discounts on computers, textbooks, grad school prep courses, insurance, and much more.

With the addition of this induction class, the Dakota State University Society Chapter now consists of 163 students and several other members who are working towards their induction. Students are invited to join each semester. 

“I’m very proud of our members. The society has had a significant impact on our campus, inspiring our students to become better leaders, and helping them build a better future for themselves, the campus, and their respective communities,” said Mandy Parpart, chapter advisor.

Newly inducted members include: Erica Behrens, health information management, Flandreau, S.D.; Clarissa Blick, biology, Davenport, Iowa; Jennifer Christensen, general studies major from Madison, S.D.; Michael Cleveland, business management, Detroit, Mich.; Nicholas Crowley, computer graphics, Sioux Falls, S.D.; Riley Fitzpatrick, computer science, Mitchell, S.D.; Dani Forster, elementary/special education, Salem, S.D.; Briana Grage, elementary education, Brandon, S.D.; Mason Gulbrandson, computer science, Madison, S.D.; Sarah Halldorson, business management, Madison, Minn.; Taylor Liebing, elementary education/special education, Brookings, S.D.; Sid Moorhead, network security, Warroad, Minn.; Allison Neugebauer, animation, Mitchell, S.D.; Todd Norden, health information management, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Thomina Nelson, business management, Alexandria, S.D.; Emily Ortmann, math and computer science, from Sioux Falls, S.D.; Tyler Pokos, computer science, Sioux Falls, S.D.; Shelby Reed, elementary education, Bruce, S.D.; Matthew Rotschafer,  mathematics for information systems, Cannon Falls, Minn.; Kellen Salzman, network security, Sioux Falls, S.D.; Daniel Schmagel, network administration and security, Rapid City, S.D.; Laura Schuck, computer science and math, Worthington, Minn.; Shelbee Schultz, elementary/special education, Emery, S.D.; Ashley Stenger, elementary/special education, Flandreau, S.D.; Gary Utecht, computer game design, Volga, S.D.; William Yager, animation, Charlton, Mass.