Summer is just around the corner. Those are pleasant words to hear, but we all know the reality of what awaits us during the next 4-6 weeks. With much conversation currently ongoing regarding potential flooding conditions in Valley City and throughout the region, I thought this a good time to provide an update on VCSU's readiness.First, we all realize there are many unknowns during the next month that will determine if we have a significant flood: How much additional snow will we have? Will we receive early spring rains? How quickly will our snow melt? These and other issues are all factors that will go a long way in determining this spring's flood. Last year, this community successfully faced the historic levels of the Sheyenne River. No doubt, there were many sleepless nights, difficult circumstances, long days, and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. However, we also know as a community that we will succeed again if faced with similar conditions in 2010.The students at VCSU were a major force in last spring's flood fight – volunteering thousands of hours at Sandbag Central, building sandbag levees throughout the community, and volunteering in many other ways. When our students were asked to help, they responded in force time and again. We have been in contact with City and County officials already this Spring, and are preparing for the weeks ahead. Our students will be there again in 2010 if and when called upon. Simply put, we have great students at VCSU, and any university in the nation would love to have the character and quality of students such as those here at VCSU. Of course, I am only writing about this campus, but we know the same is true of our local high school students and other students as well as all citizens across our region. When called upon, people of this region heed the call!A major improvement made during the past year at VCSU was the re-location of our Information Technology Data Center. The Center was moved from the first floor (ground level) of the Rhoades Science Center up to the second floor. This move ensures uninterrupted service of IT services for students, faculty, and staff should any situation such as last year be encountered again. In 2009, VCSU was forced to hurriedly dismantle our IT services and re-build them in a temporary location at the Regional Technology Center. The RTC was a fantastic location, but this move disrupted service for several days, required significant personnel time and labor, and had some major costs. All of that can be avoided in future flood situations thanks to the improvements made in Summer 2009.VCSU has invested in new technologies and implemented their availability to our faculty for teaching students. These technologies assist in utilizing new modes for teaching and delivering curriculum to students at VCSU, and can also be of great assistance should a closure of the physical campus ever be necessary again. Technology was invaluable in Spring 2009 as we completed the final weeks of the semester at a distance. In the past year we have strengthened these capabilities and our faculty have further trained to enhance their skills with these exciting technologies.Another improvement was made in the VCSU Library. Because a large portion of the collection housed in the lower level of Allen Memorial Library needed to be re-located to a higher level last year, decisions were made to replace many physical items with electronic access to the same information. Although items still remain on the lower level of the library, the number has been reduced. Again, these changes will serve us well for future flood possibilities.We will collectively keep our fingers crossed during the next few weeks, but it is very reassuring to know we have faced these circumstances in the past and succeeded. The changes made at VCSU during the past year will serve us well should we face another flood in 2010.

Valley City State University is in the midst of a campus master planning process to analyze our current physical campus situation and assess future needs. The planning process, being conducted at VCSU by JLG Architects, is mandated by the State Board of Higher Education, and serves to prepare campuses throughout the North Dakota University System for the 2011 Legislative Session. This is a comprehensive review to analyze all phases of the campus physical infrastructure. We are looking at academic buildings, athletic facilities, student residence halls, Vangstad Auditorium, landscaping, energy usage, etc. The plan will also provide an updated condition assessment evaluating the mechanical, structural, and environmental aspects of the buildings. It truly is a comprehensive review and will serve the campus well as we make decisions and prioritize our resources in the years ahead to best serve the students, faculty, and staff at VCSU.The Master Plan process began last fall with architects visiting all the departments and programs throughout campus. This gave architects an opportunity to interview employees about the current space and structures within which they operate, and explore opportunities for how these areas might be maximized to best serve the needs of our current and future students. Just as we prepare a strategic plan for the university related to enrollment, academic, and mission-related goals, so too must we conduct similar planning for our physical infrastructure.Anyone who has ever set foot on the VCSU campus knows we are fortunate to have an array of beautiful and historically significant buildings. Many of these buildings were built at the turn of the last century or at least during the first half of the 20th Century. They are buildings with beautiful architecture that were well-built, have been well-maintained, and have served this campus and thousands of students for many decades. However, with older buildings also come significant challenges with deferred maintenance, efficiency standards, accessibility, life safety, and the usual wear-and-tear that can accompany an older building. No doubt, we have wonderful buildings on this campus that we will continue to maintain and utilize for future generations.As a University, we also understand today's reality. The newest building at VCSU is the Rhoades Science Center, and it is nearly 40 years old. Aside from a major interior renovation in Kolstoe Residence Hall a few years ago and smaller renovations in McFarland Hall and Graichen Gym, there have been no new building projects and no major renovations to campus buildings in nearly four decades. I believe we have the dubious distinction of having the "oldest, newest" building of all North Dakota college campuses. These facts eventually take their toll on our ability to attract and retain new students. For today's college student, amenities such as renovated classrooms, modern laboratories, and updated residence halls have a real impact on their decisions for where to seek post-secondary education. We simply need to push for the necessary upgrades on our campus to remain competitive with other colleges and universities in our region that have taken similar strides. This campus master planning process will help VCSU identify the priorities to successfully continue educating our students, and provide the tools necessary to plan for the future. We will share our findings later this spring with the State Board of Higher Education, and further convey our needs during the 2011 Legislative Session.

Last week, presidents of the public four-year universities in North Dakota met with the Legislature's Interim Higher Education Committee in Bismarck. We had a very productive discussion during two days on a variety of issues related to higher education in North Dakota. My thanks to the members of this Legislative Committee for the vibrant dialogue and productive interaction – legislators on the committee asked many good questions, and their interest and concern for the future of higher education in North Dakota is appreciated.Among the items discussed during the meetings, the issue of tuition waivers (discounts) has received considerable follow-up attention in the media. This article outlines how tuition waivers are used at Valley City State University, and defines what a tuition waiver is and the function it serves.A tuition waiver is a reduction in the published rate of tuition for a student at VCSU. A few important points: 1) A tuition waiver is not defined as a "free ride." When used for a non-resident, it is generally a PARTIAL waiver/discount on their higher rate of tuition, NOT a full waiver. 2) Tuition waivers are not used exclusively for non-resident or international students; North Dakota students also receive waivers. 3) Waivers are only applied to tuition; recipients still pay full expenses for room, board, books, fees, etc.There are several categories of waivers used at VCSU (and all ND colleges and universities). Some waivers are mandated by state law, others are mandated by State Board of Higher Education policy, and others are used at the discretion of the individual university. At VCSU, the various categories include waivers for: members of the National Guard; those with POW/MIA/Vets Dependent status; employees/staff; international students; senior citizens; cultural diversity; and institutional waivers.Here is an example of how a tuition waiver might work. If John Doe from Miami, FL is interested in VCSU, his tuition would be 1,434.80 in 2009-10 (based on 15 credits/semester). If John earned a 23 on his ACT exam, he would be eligible for an institutional waiver of ,500 through VCSU's Student Talent and Academic Recognition (STARS) program, bringing his tuition to ,934.80. John might also qualify for a ,400 cultural diversity waiver, reducing his final tuition to ,534.80. Tuition at VCSU in 2009-10 for a North Dakota resident taking 15 credits/semester is ,282.80. Therefore, John from Miami is charged a tuition that is ,252, or 29%, MORE than the North Dakota resident. Of course, in addition John would still also pay the full expenses for the residence halls, meal plan, mandatory fees, etc.When all waivers and tuition rates are computed at VCSU, 87 non-resident students received some form of waiver in 2008-09, and they paid an average of 11% more than the resident tuition rate. Bear in mind, there are also resident students receiving various waivers reducing the average rate North Dakotans pay even below the published in-state tuition rate.Partial tuition waivers have long been used to recruit and retain talented students to VCSU (and have been used strategically at thousands of other colleges and universities throughout the US). In addition to enhancing the overall academic, classroom, and college life experience at VCSU, these non-resident students also live in the residence halls, utilize food services, purchase books at the bookstore, pay other fees, etc. These additional students help generate a critical mass and spread fixed costs over a larger base keeping the costs of some operations lower for ND resident students.Of course, these students also add much to the economic and cultural environment within Valley City and the state. These are students who may not otherwise attend VCSU without these incentives. They are important to the overall vitality of the VCSU community, they add much to our city, they become our graduates and alumni, they enrich classroom discussions, they join student clubs and organizations, they compete in our athletic programs, they work and shop in our local businesses, and in many cases they stay in North Dakota upon graduation and add to the strength of our state. As we move ahead, VCSU is excited to serve all of our students and strategically recruit the best and brightest from our region and beyond.

VCSU has actively worked on a variety of new initiatives during the past several years to further solidify our leadership in the area of STEM Education. The STEM fields, consisting of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, are critical to the development of our nation and vital to the success of future generations of educators and learners. The focus of an effective STEM Education program is the cohesive integration of all four disciplines into one comprehensive teaching and learning paradigm. During the past few decades, the United States has begun to slip in our leadership position in these important areas. As a University with a long and proud history of delivering world-class teacher education, VCSU can and will play an important role in restoring our nation's leadership in these disciplines.In 2005, the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine (collectively known as the National Academies) published a document at the request of Congress titled, Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future. In his testimony before Congress regarding the Rising Above report, retired CEO of Lockheed Martin, Norman Augustine, commented, "It is the unanimous view of our committee that America today faces a serious and intensifying challenge with regard to its future competitiveness and standard of living. Further, we appear to be on a losing path. We are here today hoping both to elevate the nation's awareness of this developing situation and to propose constructive solutions." One of the solutions they proposed was to increase the talent pool of K-12 teachers in math, science, and technology. This includes strengthening the skills of current teachers and recruiting new teachers into these fields. Given the teacher education expertise and current array of STEM Education initiatives, VCSU is perfectly positioned to help our region and nation address these important challenges.The 2010 fiscal year federal omnibus spending bill recently signed by President Obama included an appropriation of 50,000 for VCSU to expand our efforts in STEM Education. This is in addition to a 81,000 congressionally-directed grant VCSU received as part of the 2009 fiscal year spending bill approved earlier this year. VCSU appreciates the support of Senator Dorgan, Representative Pomeroy, and Senator Conrad for their efforts in helping to secure this new federal funding supporting our efforts during the next few years. Additionally, during the 2009 Legislative Session, the North Dakota Legislature approved a new program further supporting STEM Education throughout North Dakota. These new funding sources will help VCSU continue to advance our efforts in STEM Education. VCSU professor Dr. Don Mugan is leading the initiatives in these areas, and as director of our efforts continues doing a tremendous job making these goals a reality.There are several examples of recent positive developments in STEM with which VCSU is involved. This includes VCSU's collaboration with the National Center for Technological Literacy (the NCTL is an initiative of the Museum of Science, Boston) to implement standards-based engineering and technology curriculum into K-12 education, and improve the technological literacy of future educators. VCSU is the NCTL's lead partner in an initiative titled, "Closing the Technology and Engineering Teaching Gap." The principal of the new West Fargo Middle School STEM Center for sixth and seventh graders is Tabatha Joyce, an alum of VCSU's elementary education program. Governor Hoeven officially declared November 24 as STEM Day in North Dakota during an announcement at the STEM Center last month. VCSU recently hosted a statewide workshop by LEGO Education North America. Participants learned new ideas for teaching and inspiring youngsters to learn about science, technology, engineering, and math through LEGOS.Through our ongoing efforts, VCSU will continue building upon its leadership in these important endeavors so inextricably linked to the success of our society's future.

New Locations, New Events, New Fun ~ Let's make some New memories!Valley City State University Alumni Association and Foundation office staff will be hosting a number of activities February 5 & 6, 2010 in SUNNY Arizona. Friday, February 5 No-host Luncheon @ 11:30 amDesert Palms Restaurant12425 W Bell Rd - Surprise, AZBurgers and Baskets with the classes from the 80's, 90's and 2000's @ 6:00 pmR.T. O'Sullivans6646 Superstition Springs - Mesa, AZSaturday, February 6Golf and LuncheonArizona Golf Resort425 S Power Rd - Mesa, AZGolf with President Shirley8:30 am Registration9:30 am Shot Gun Start - 5 (Includes green fees, sleeve of VCSU Golf Balls and Golf Cart)Alumni Social and Luncheon12:00 noon – Reunion Social1:00 pm – Luncheon - 5 per person (includes lunch, dessert, coffee & ice tea)2:00 pm – University Message from Dr. Steven ShirleyStart making plans now to attend! Bring a friend! These events are not restricted to just VCSU Alumni.For a complete list of deatils and registration information go to:

The Valley City State University campus has 12 garbage dumpsters placed throughout the campus that are emptied an average of thee times per dumpster per week. In total, this is the equivalence of approximately 36 dumpsters of garbage removed from the VCSU campus every single week. There is no question that VCSU has an obligation to make every effort possible to reduce the overall negative impact of garbage and waste it produces. It is exciting to report that as a campus we are now taking positive steps to minimize our impact in this area.In October 2008, I announced during the State of the University address that VCSU would be formulating an environmental task force to look more closely at campus issues impacting the environment. The task force has met several times during the past year and has been exploring what steps VCSU can take to be more environmentally responsible.One of the first and most obvious initiatives identified by the task force was the implementation of a new campus-wide recycling program. When the topic was first addressed over a year ago, there were no facilities or services available within Valley City to accept recyclable materials. Therefore, a comprehensive campus recycling program was simply not feasible last year. However, as you are aware, we are now fortunate as a community to have recycling services being provided by Valley Recycling. Thanks to City leaders for their efforts in prioritizing this issue, and thanks to Valley Recycling for bringing this important service to our region that will benefit us all.As of this week, interior recycling bins have now been placed throughout the campus in all of the buildings – including academic buildings, student residence halls, the student center, and athletic facilities. This provides an opportunity for our students, faculty, staff, and visitors to recycle on a daily basis. The implementation of a campus-wide recycling effort will reduce our weekly garbage and waste collections. Additionally, it sends a strong message to campus visitors and guests that this is an issue we take seriously and make a priority as a university.All of the materials collected throughout the campus buildings will then be transported to the central recycling collection site located in the parking lot on the west side of Foss Hall. The large recycling bins located in that parking lot are also available for public use. Additionally, the main Valley Recycling collection site is at 115 12th Ave. SE, so I would encourage anyone to use any of these various facilities for their own personal recycling efforts.VCSU consumes a tremendous amount of paper, magazines, newspapers, plastic, glass, aluminum, cardboard, and other recyclable materials every single day. It is our responsibility to be disposing of these materials in as environmentally-friendly a manner as possible. I am proud of VCSU as we help lead the charge forward in making positive developments in these efforts within our community.

During the Fall 2009 semester at VCSU, a group of dedicated faculty and staff members have been working on the development of a new campus strategic plan. The plan, titled VCSU 2015, will be a five-year strategic plan to guide Valley City State University into the first half of the next decade. As VCSU moves forward and makes decisions related to strategic initiatives, funding allocations, campus priorities, and new academic opportunities to pursue, this planning document will serve as a blueprint in effectively making those decisions.The committee was selected earlier this fall and has been meeting nearly every week for the past three months to complete this major task. The committee is broad-based and includes representation from all areas across the campus. My thanks to this dedicated group for the countless hours of thoughtful effort they have put into this process so important to the future of VCSU. The co-chairs of the Committee are Vice-Presidents Margaret Dahlberg and Glen Schmalz. The other individuals who are actively serving on the committee (along with the area they represent in parenthesis) include: Terry Corwin (Graduate Program), Kerry Gregoryk (Business and Information Technology), Pat Horner (Plant Services), Dennis McCulloch (Athletics), Loree Morehouse (Foundation and Alumni), Heather Kvilvang (Education), Doug Anderson (Marketing & Communications), Joe Tykwinski (Information Technology), Sara Hagen (Fine Arts), Anthony Dutton (Communication Arts and Social Sciences), Don Hoff (Math, Science, Health, and Physical Education), Amanda Dekrey (student representative), and Rhonda Fairfield (administrative support).The 2009-10 academic year is a critical time for VCSU to conduct this important strategic planning process. In 2011, VCSU will be visited by the Higher Learning Commission (our regional accrediting agency). The Commission will be on-campus to review VCSU as part of its ten-year accreditation process. This accreditation represents a key benchmark for any institution of higher education. Certainly, having an up-to-date and recently completed strategic plan will send an important signal to the Commission that we are prepared for the future and are purposeful in our decision-making efforts. Moreover, the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education has recently completed a new strategic plan. VCSU's future strategic activities will be enhanced by having campus plans and a timeframe aligned with those of the State Board of Higher Education. Additionally, in serving as a five-year strategic plan, this document will bring VCSU up to its 125th Birthday in the year 2015.We hope to complete this plan in early 2010 and formally release it as a final document in the Spring 2010 semester. In the meantime, if you have any thoughts, questions, or ideas you would like to share related to this effort, please do not hesitate to contact me or one of the committee members.I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season!

Without a doubt, over the past few months, the question I have received more than any other is, "What is the latest with the Bubble?" Clearly, the interest in this project speaks to the great importance of the Osmon Fieldhouse to our campus, community, and region. As you are likely aware, the gymnasium portion of the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse on the west side of the Valley City State University campus has been closed for the past six months. The Fieldhouse, commonly referred to as "The Bubble," is named for legendary VCSU Athletic Director, Bill Osmon. Osmon served as Director of Athletics at VCSU from 1948 to 1982. The Bubble was built in 1961 and formally named the W.E. Osmon Building for Physical Education in 1983.In May 2009, during routine campus maintenance and inspections, significant structural deficiencies were identified in several of The Bubble's corners and supporting beams. Much of the primary construction of the Bubble is comprised of glued, laminated (glulam) wood beam fibers. Over the course of the Bubble's nearly 50 years of existence, several of these glulam beams (especially those beams that have been exposed to the exterior elements) have suffered serious rotting and deterioration. In the interest of public safety and with the recommendation of several engineering experts, VCSU made the necessary decision to close the Fieldhouse Gym immediately when the problems were detected in May. In the ensuing six months during the summer and fall, we have been busy working with a variety of structural engineers, architects, materials scientists, geo engineers, and other experts to devise a plan providing a long-term repair for this magnificent facility. The first phase of the construction began a few weeks ago with repair work on the northwest and southeast corners. The current timeline is for these two corners to be re-built and completed by January 1, 2010. By all accounts, the timeline is currently on-schedule, and the renovations are progressing as anticipated. Our mild November weather has been a tremendous blessing in this effort. This timeline will allow the VCSU Men's and Women's Basketball teams to play their entire conference home schedule in the Bubble during January and February. When the seasons are finished, the second phase of renovation work will commence with the northeast and southwest corners being repaired in March and April. The non-conference schedule of games for our VCSU teams this fall has been played entirely at the Valley City High School Hi-Liner Activity Center (HAC). A big thanks to Al Cruchet, Superintendent Koppelman, and the staff at VCHS; the HAC has been a wonderful home for VCSU basketball during this difficult time, and we are so appreciative and thankful for the assistance of the VCHS staff. We have also used Valley City Parks and Recreation facilities for practices and individual workouts during the past few months. Our thanks to the Valley City Parks and Recreation board and their staff for the assistance and support they have provided.The Bubble also serves as the home of VCSU Volleyball, and our team moved back into Graichen Gym this fall and completed their entire season in that facility. My thanks to all of our student-athletes for the patience and understanding they have demonstrated the past six months in getting through this situation.The W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse has been an integral part of the Valley City State campus for nearly 50 years. It is a wonderful facility and serves marvelously as the home of VCSU Basketball and Volleyball. We look forward to getting through this difficult chapter emerging with a building that is better and stronger than before, and with a renovated Fieldhouse that will last for at least the next 50 years. I hope to see all of you at some basketball games in the Bubble in early 2010!

Two weeks ago, the Valley City State University football team participated in the first-ever Dacotah Bank DAC Bowl in the Fargodome. The Bowl featured the football programs from all eight of the universities in North and South Dakota that comprise the Dakota Athletic Conference. A big thanks from VCSU and our student-athletes to Dacotah Bank for their corporate sponsorship of this exciting new event. The DAC Bowl was a special opportunity for our student-athletes to play football in one of the premier indoor facilities in the upper Midwest. It was also a great opportunity for fans to see the players compete in a new setting – thanks to all the VCSU alumni, supporters, friends, and families who attended the game. Of course, it was also terrific to see VCSU get a big victory and conclude the 2009 season on a winning note!In watching the events of the day unfold at the Fargodome, I was reminded of all the positive attributes that make a university experience, and specifically on that day – college athletics, so special. The collective enthusiasm of all our players and coaches on the field coupled with the excitement created by the crowd is a feeling unlike any other. It is a unique blend of enthusiasm, energy, hopefulness, and camaraderie that is difficult to replicate in very many other parts of our society. We see this elsewhere across the college campus as well – within other athletic events, theatrical, musical, and artistic performances, student life experiences, and the general atmosphere exuded throughout the campus environment. All of these various situations embody fully the importance of "the university experience" of which we are all so proud at VCSU.In thinking further about the University Experience, this past Saturday, VCSU hosted its second Viking Visit Day of the fall semester. The Viking Visit Days are designed to give prospective new VCSU students (typically high school seniors) and their families an opportunity to tour campus, interact with faculty and staff, ask questions, and generally get an overall feel for the University. Thanks to everyone at VCSU who participate in these important events and provide a meaningful experience for our prospective new entering freshman class. In welcoming these students and their families, there are a couple of messages I always make a point to deliver. These messages include a focus on the long and proud history of VCSU, the quality and variety of options within our many academic programs, the role of technology in our curricular offerings, and the many opportunities for students to get involved and fully take advantage of the University Experience.Going forward, we will continue to seek new opportunities for all of our VCSU students ensuring as many unique and varied experiences as possible. These experiences are a wonderful complement to the hard work and effort our students put into the classroom, and ultimately help shape a college career by furthering their overall development and maturation.

North Dakota residents and VCSU Viking fans can now order personal Valley City State University license plates for their vehicles. The VCSU Foundation and the North Dakota Department of Transportation are pleased to provide an opportunity to show your Valley City State University Viking Pride every day as you drive your vehicle around the state and across the country. By supporting this "pride promotion," you also directly support Valley City State University and its V-500 Scholarship Programs.Facts about the program:1. To purchase the VCSU plate, the cost is 5. The State will return 5 of this fee to the University. After the initial purchase, you will be assessed an annual VCSU license plate fee of 5, plus your regular tag renewal fees on your normal anniversary registration statement. 2. Available to all North Dakota vehicles. Anyone who has a registered North Dakota vehicle can secure a plate. You do not need to be a VCSU alumnus or student. 3. There will be 5 alpha/numeric characters on the VCSU plate. You can secure a vanity plate for an additional 5 fee. 4. How do I order a VCSU license plate? Fill out the North Dakota Department of Motor Vehicle "Application for Organizational Plate" form along with a 5 payment to ND DOT. Forms are available in the VCSU Foundation Office (701) 845-7203.5. When will the VCSU plate be available?The North Dakota Department of Motor Vehicles will begin the production of the official VCSU license plate as soon as the minimum 50 plates are reserved. Every plate ordered gets us closer to the goal of 50!

"We are in the midst of another exciting academic year at Valley City State University," said Dr. Steve Shirley, president, as he began the 2009 State of the University Address.His comments began by reviewing several developments that have occurred since his first State of the University address one year ago. He mentioned the recent approval VCSU received that allows it to offer a fourth concentration in its online Master of Education degree: English Language Learners. Other accomplishments include physical upgrades to campus facilities, such as a new IT data center, and being named to the U.S.News "Best Colleges" list for the 12th year in a row. He described initiatives that use technology to expand the reach of academic programs and enhance the student experience for both on-campus students and for students learning from a distance. He said these developments have created "an excellent foundation." Dr. Shirley then described collaborative and partnership programs that help VCSU serve a wider base of students. These include new participation in the Dakota Nursing Program, delivery of elementary education programs to community colleges in Wyoming, and others.Regarding athletics, Dr. Shirley described initiatives to add new offerings for student athletes including new golf, track & field, and cross country teams. He also specially highlighted recognition the Viking women's basketball and softball teams received for outstanding grade point averages and academic excellence.Turning his attention to enrollment, Dr. Shirley reviewed the enrollment gains seen this year over last year, a 6.3% increase in headcount which led to the largest figure in nine years. He reminded the audience that much work is yet to be done before reaching the goal of welcoming 200 new freshmen in a single class, and restated his belief that it is everyone's responsibility to work towards that goal. "Regardless of whether you are a faculty member, staff member, current student, administrator, alumni, a community member, or a general friend of the university - you have a role to play in assisting Valley City State University recruit and retain students."Among other initiatives going forward, Dr. Shirley described gains in creating international opportunities for students, steps towards becoming a more environmentally responsible campus (including participation in city's new recycling initiatives), and the resumption of campus-wide discussions reviewing the role of technology at VCSU.In closing, Dr. Shirley restated a theme that was prominent in his recent inaugural address by saying, "We will Explore, we will Reach, and we will Achieve together. Our work is certainly not done, but we are well on our way, and the path is becoming more defined every day." The full text of Dr. Shirley's State of the University address is available by clicking here.

Two weeks ago, I had the good fortune to take a week of vacation and spend it in France. I traveled there, not only for a personal vacation, but more importantly to serve as best man in a friend's wedding. The wedding took place near Beaune, France in the Burgundy region, about 180 miles southeast of Paris. Before I go any further, please understand this column is not intended to be a travelogue of a French vacation. Rather, it is a personal account from my academic background to underscore the importance and possibilities created through international education. This opportunity to renew with old friends also reinforced first-hand for me that the world is indeed getting "smaller."Adrien (my friend who got married two weeks ago) and I became friends during graduate school, and we have remained very good friends ever since that time. He came to North Dakota from France seeking to complete some undergraduate courses and subsequently earn a Master's degree from the United States. His father, a generation earlier, had done the same thing and traveled from France settling in New York to earn his college degree. Like father, like son – they both yearned for the opportunity to participate in the American higher education system and then return to their native homeland of France.Adrien now works as a human resources director for General Electric and is headquartered in Paris. Some other friends who were at the wedding included: a French national who now works in Frankfurt, Germany for the European Central Bank (he also spent time in college in North Dakota); an Italian who works for Fiat in Switzerland and previously worked for Fiat subsidiary, Case New Holland, in the United States; and Adrien's sister who was educated in France and now works in a marketing capacity in Singapore. Collectively, each of these four individuals were raised in one country and subsequently either educated or work in another – a clear example of our changing world. Languages spoken during the wedding festivities included French, Italian, English, and I am sure several others.I share these personal accounts for the fact that they underscore the importance of international education. The expression that the "world is shrinking" is indeed true, and, as mentioned, last week reinforced the significance of this for me. The experiences I had during my education as well as the experiences I have had during my professional career have really shaped my philosophy and dedication toward the value of international education. Our students at VCSU will graduate and enter a work environment that is rapidly changing, shrinking, and flattening day-by-day thanks to advances in technology, communication, and increased competitiveness across the globe. At VCSU, we have been working on a number of initiatives during the past year to strengthen the opportunities available for students to be exposed to new cultures and new international experiences. These include efforts to expand study abroad opportunities for VCSU students, new activities for international students while at VCSU, and new opportunities to expose our faculty and staff to faculty from abroad – such as the Chinese group of faculty we hosted last summer. These efforts will remain high on our priority as we do our part ensuring VCSU's graduates are as prepared as possible to succeed in tomorrow's world.

Thanks to everyone who participated in VCSU Homecoming activities last week. Events included the Athletic Hall of Fame, Alumni Honors Breakfast, Parade, and a variety of other campus activities. It was an inspiring week as we honored a number of alumni for their service, accomplishments, and significant contributions they have made in their college and post-collegiate careers. Two weeks ago, VCSU announced its Fall 2009 student enrollment. The figures are generally positive and demonstrate growth in a variety of areas. Overall headcount at VCSU for Fall 2009 is 1,083 students, an increase of 6.3% over last fall's 1,019 student enrollment. This increase in students is especially heartening in the wake of last spring's closure of the physical campus during the flood. The increased enrollment shows that the extra efforts of faculty and staff during the summer paid significant dividends ensuring our retention and overall enrollment was not negatively impacted by Mother Nature. In looking at the past several years, we see 101 more students taking VCSU classes this year compared to the Fall 2007 headcount of 982. This represents a combined growth of 10.3% since 2007. The 1,083 students this fall is the largest institutional headcount posted at VCSU in nearly a decade. During each of the past nine years, our enrollment has fluctuated between 982-1,037 students. Therefore, the nearly 1,100 students this fall represent meaningful and important growth when compared to the trend over the past decade. The 1,083 headcount figure at VCSU includes both our undergraduate and graduate students. I am pleased to note that our graduate student numbers set a record enrollment for the fifth straight year. There are now 122 Master's students enrolled at VCSU (representing 11.3% of our overall student population). Another key figure is the number of students living in the residence halls. That figure dipped below 300 students last fall for the first time in four years. However, this year we have 303 students living on-campus in the residence halls, representing a 6.7% increase over Fall 2008.Pleased as we are with this fall's enrollment picture, the situation is not entirely ideal, and we are not wholly satisfied with the recent figures. An on-going challenge is our enrollment of new freshmen. We have 3.7% fewer freshmen at VCSU this fall compared to one year ago. Growth in other areas (including a 25% increase in transfer students coupled with additional graduate students and part-time students) has offset this slight decrease in new freshmen. New freshmen students must remain a critical part of VCSU's long-term growth strategies. Freshmen are the students who live on-campus, fill our classrooms, use the dining services and other student facilities, add to student life, enhance the community, support our local businesses, etc. Therefore, it is imperative that we continue focusing on this important segment. We have implemented a number of initiatives to attract new freshmen to VCSU. New academic programs, new marketing and recruiting initiatives, new intercollegiate athletic programs, and other activities are all intended to grow our freshmen student enrollment. We look forward to continuing these plans and implementing additional initiatives that will ultimately lead to more students at VCSU and fuel our continued enrollment growth.

Two weeks ago, Valley City State University hosted a week-long series of events to inaugurate me as the twelfth president of the University. The activities culminated on Friday, September 11 with the Inaugural Ceremony followed by a Scholarship Dinner fundraiser. A heartfelt and sincere thanks to everyone who attended the various activities throughout the week as well as all those who helped in coordinating the events making for such a special week in the life of the University.Thanks to the Inaugural Committee for planning an entertaining and informative week of activities. In particular, thanks to our tri-chairs of the Committee: Rhonda Fairfield, Kim Hesch, and Trudy Collins. As you may know, this Inauguration was originally scheduled for early April, but was postponed due to the flood-related conditions on campus and throughout the region. The Committee, led by our three chairs, did a fantastic job in ensuring a wonderful week of University events in September, despite the headaches and frustrations of essentially having to plan for everything twice. In coming off the flooded spring, it was also nice to host the events on campus and note the significant progress that has been made in recovering from the spring conditions. There were a number of friends and former colleagues in attendance from out-of-town for the Inauguration, and on many occasions they remarked on how lovely the campus looked and how pleasantly surprised they were considering some of the images they had seen from March and April. There is much work that remains, but we have truly come a long way in the recovery phase!A special thanks to everyone from the campus and community who contributed toward and attended the scholarship dinner on Friday night. Thanks to your attendance and generosity, a total of approximately ,000 was raised during that evening's fundraiser. These dollars have been transferred to the VCSU Foundation, and will go toward scholarship dollars to benefit future VCSU students. Thanks also to Sabir's for hosting a first-class event featuring outstanding food and working with the University to keep the event economical ensuring scholarship funds were maximized.As mentioned during the Inaugural Address, inaugurations are special times in the life of the University as they provide an opportunity to celebrate the past and look ahead to the exciting possibilities in the future. We will continue to grow upon the many accomplishments this University has already achieved. Having seen the dedicated faculty and staff and excellent students we have at VCSU during my first fifteen months here, coupled with the strong support and relationships throughout the region, I have no doubt that the future is a bright one. We talk often about these relationships as 'win-win,' and that was certainly reinforced during all of the inaugural activities.