VCSU graduation to begin at 10 a.m., Saturday May 13

Valley City, ND – Valley City State University (VCSU) will host spring commencement at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 13, 2023, at W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse. The in-person ceremony will also be live-streamed at www.youtube.com/vcsuvikings. The commencement program is also available online.

President Alan LaFave will preside over the commencement exercises. Chancellor Dr. Mark Hagerott will represent the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education. Graduating senior, Angeline Gannon, will deliver the undergraduate reflection, and the faculty reflection will be presented by Taylor Mounts assistant professor of business.

LaFave has served as president of VCSU since 2018. He previously served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D.

Angeline Gannon is originally from Bismarck, ND. She graduated in December with a Bachelor of Science in History Education with a concentration in government, and a minor in Political Science, and a Coaching Certificate. Gannon was student body president for two years, an active member of the History Club, NSLS, SAAC, L2L, new student orientation, and a Resident Assistant. She served as the COVID coordinator for residence life in 2021 and was a co-chair of Homecoming festivities that year as well. During her time at VCSU she also helped coordinate the Shatter the Silence to raise awareness about domestic violence. As an athlete, Gannon earned All-Conference honors during the 2020 Season, placing 7th in the NSAA. She was recognized with the VCSU Athletics Viking Impact Award in 2022, which honors a student-athlete who made a major impact on campus outside of athletics. In 2021 she was honored as a Viking Pilot. Gannon has been hired as a Social Studies teacher at Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau High School in Galesville, Wisconsin.

Taylor Mounts is an Assistant Professor of Business and the 2023 Teacher of the Year. Mounts is originally from Clovis, CA. She earned a Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing and a Master of Business Administration in Management and Ethics from Harding University in Searcy, AR. Mounts joined the Business Department at VCSU in 2021 where she teaches business and management courses. In nominations, students spoke about her passion for feedback within the classroom and her visibility around campus. Her willingness to alter her instructional style for the betterment of her students makes them feel cared for and ensures optimal understanding. The high-energy Mounts brings to her lectures, the consistent value she crafts into her assignments, and the deliberate pacing of her curriculum made students choose her as the 2023 Teacher of the Year.