Northern State University graduate returning to lead school

National presidential search settles on person who knows NSU well

A Northern State University graduate will return to Aberdeen to lead the school he once attended.

The South Dakota Board of Regents has named Alan LaFave as the school’s next president. He will begin the role in January.

LaFave returns to the university after serving seven years as president of Valley City State University in North Dakota, where he led efforts in enrollment growth, campus improvements and strategic partnerships. Before that, he spent nearly 30 years at NSU in roles ranging from instructor and professor of music to dean of the School of Fine Arts and eventually provost and vice president for academic affairs.