ABERDEEN, S.D. (Press Release) – Northern State University alumna and Aberdeen Public School District Superintendent Dr. Becky Guffin will deliver Northern’s 2019 spring commencement address.

The commencement ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 4, in the NSU Barnett Center.

Guffin is a 2019 Distinguished Alumna. She, along with three other Northern graduates, will be honored at the 2019 NSU Distinguished Alumni Banquet, set for 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 3, at Aberdeen’s Dakota Event Center. The other three alumni being honored are: David Berg, Bryan Mann-Entzel and Wendy Swanhorst.

Bios for all four distinguished alumni are below:

Dr. Becky Guffin

Dr. Becky Guffin received a bachelor’s in education in 1991 and a master’s in education in 1994, both from Northern. She earned her doctoral degrees in 2007 (Ed.S.) and 2008 (Ed.D.), both from the University of South Dakota.

Guffin is currently superintendent of the Aberdeen Public School District. Her awards and honors have included South Dakota Curriculum Director of the Year (2010-11), South Dakota Counselor’s Association Outstanding Administrator (2015) and Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce Woman of Spirit Award (2017).

Guffin is chair of the Sanford Health Network Board and Sanford Aberdeen Advisory Board. She is a member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary and also serves on the Chamber Workforce in Education Committee.

Guffin is an adjunct faculty member at Northern. She serves on the NSU Teacher Education Committee, developed ASD English as a Second Language Program, and facilitated the planning and construction of A-TEC CTE Center and Mike Miller Elementary. She was appointed by former Gov. Daugaard to the State Board of Education and Blue Ribbon Task Force, and was appointed by Chief Justice Gilbertson to the Court Improvement Program Committee.

Guffin and her husband, Dana, live in Aberdeen.

David Berg

David Berg received a B.S. in business from Northern State College in 1982 and an MBA from the University of South Dakota in 1984.

Berg is currently senior administrator of Mayo Clinic Health System. His awards, honors and memberships include: Mayo Clinic Bronze and Silver Quality Fellow; Graduate Certificate Hospital Administration University of Minnesota; Certificate Executive Education, ACHE; Outstanding Senior Man NSC; Outstanding Citizenship, NSC; Acclaim Award Honoree, American  Medical Group Association; American College of Medical Practice Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE); American College of Medical Practice Executives Fellow (FACMPE); American College of Healthcare Executives Board of Directors; and American College of Healthcare Executives Chair, Mentoring Committee.

Berg has published various peer-reviewed articles and has served on the South Central Human Relations Center Board of Directors. He’s been a member of the United Way of Steele County Board of Directors and has served as that organization’s president, Campaign Chair and Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. He’s also served on the Red Wing Chamber of Commerce Board, including as president; Mayo Health System Board of Directors; Imaging One Board of Directors; Rehab One Board of Directors; Kiwanis Club President; and Kiwanian of the Year.

Berg and his wife, Sharleen Ann (Kelly) Berg, also a 1982 Northern graduate, live in Owatonna, Minn. They have three children: Emily, Michael and Elizabeth; and three grandchildren: Daniel, Micah and Joseph.

Bryan Mann-Entzel

Bryan Mann-Entzel received his B.A. in art, advertising and design from Northern in 1999. He is currently creative director of Soulo Communications.

Mann-Entzel’s awards and honors include:

• 2001: Gold Award, Point of Purchase Awards – Nsync P.O.P
• 2010: Best Packaging Design – Oreo (graphic design magazine)
• 2015: Best Packaging Design – All Detergent (graphic design magazine)

Mann-Entzel has five years of leadership with Bethel Lutheran Mission Council in Minneapolis. He has worked on numerous brands, including Best Buy, Oreo, Ritz, Red Baron, All Detergent, Sharp Aquos, Juut/Aveda, Utepils Brewing, 3M, Nintendo, Geek Squad, Stearns Outdoor, Lego, Nestle and Silk.

Mann-Entzel and his husband, Cole, live in Minneapolis.

Wendy Swanhorst

Wendy Swanhorst received a bachelor’s degree in business in 1982 with an emphasis in accounting from Northern.

Swanhorst retired this January from Swanhorst & Company LLC CPA firm. Her awards, honors and memberships include American Institute of CPAs, Colorado Society of CPAs and Mt. Zion Lutheran Church. Swanhorst was inducted into the NSU Hall of Fame in 2000 (basketball).

Swanhorst lives in Denver.

For more information about the NSU Distinguished Alumni Banquet, please contact the NSU Foundation at 605-626-2550.