Hotline // April 23, 2025

VCSU Opera Ensemble Performs Sunday, April 27

Three VCSU students students on stage singing during a previous opera ensemble concert.

The Valley City State University Opera Ensemble is pleased to announce its spring concert, scheduled for Sunday, April 27, at 3 p.m. The performance takes place at the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts.

Under the direction of Dr. Stephen Cunningham, the Opera Ensemble will present a selection of pieces from renowned opera and musical theater productions, including The Pajama Game, Firebringer, The Producers, The Marriage of Figaro, Candide and more.

The concert is free and open to the public. We invite all community members to join the VCSU Opera Ensemble for an afternoon of musical performances.

3 VCSU Students Compete at DECA Nationals

VCSU students Sarah Monilaws, Jalynn Anderson, and Matt Belgarde, and professor Wesley Wright are pictured at the Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference in San Francisco.

Three Valley City State University students qualified for and competed at the Collegiate DECA national competition earlier this month in California.

Senior Jalynn Anderson, sophomore Matt Belgarde and junior Sarah Monilaws all represented VCSU in competitive events at the Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference, held April 5-8 in San Francisco.

Anderson and Belgarde both medaled (Top 10) for top exam in the Restaurant and Food Service category at the national event. The students also took part in professional development and networking opportunities as part of the conference.

The trio qualified for nationals with Top 3 performances at the North Dakota state competition in February. Anderson placed 1^st and Belgarde took 2^nd at state in the Restaurant and Food Services category. Monilaws placed 2^nd at state in Hotel and Lodging, and she was also voted North Dakota DECA Vice President.

The 2026 national event will be held in Louisville, Ky. For more information about VCSU DECA, contact club advisor Wesley Wright at wesley.wright.1@vcsu.edu.

Student Senate Announces Yearly Awards

Brittany Nathan is presented a bouquet of flowers by 3 members of Student Senate

Photo: Brittany Nathan, left, is presented flowers by members of Student Senate.

Valley City State University Student Senate has presented its Student Advocate of the Year and Teacher of the Year awards, highlighting the accomplishments of Brittany Nathan and Dr. Nicholas Galt.

Brittany Nathan is the assistant director for resident life and was named the Student Senate Student Advocate of the Year. Students highlighted Nathan’s constant willingness to help in any situation and described her as friendly, approachable and easy to talk to. Nathan’s enthusiasm for assisting with activities stood out to the students, and she is known as a strong advocate for incoming freshmen. In her nomination, students praised her dedication to the campus community.

Dr. Nicholas Galt is an associate professor of science and was named the Student Senate Teacher of the Year. Through his passion for teaching and involvement, Dr. Galt consistently serves as a mentor, educator and leader both in and out of the classroom. Students noted his strong campus involvement, including coaching the Shooting Sports Team, advising the Trap and Pre-Professional Club, and attendance at numerous events. He even joins student trips, such as the Texas fishing trip, to stay connected and engaged with VCSU students.

The Student Advocate and Teacher of the Year awards are selected by VCSU Student Senate after receiving nominations from students.

Dr. Nicholas Galt is recognized by members of Student Senate as the Teacher of the Year.

Photo: Dr. Nicholas Galt is recognized by members of Student Senate as the Teacher of the Year.

Employee Recognition Dinner set for May 15

The President’s Office is excited to announce that the Employee Recognition Dinner will be held Thursday, May 15 at the VCSU Cafeteria in the Student Center. The social will begin at 5:30 p.m. with dinner to follow at 6 p.m.

Recognitions for the 2024-2025 academic year will include retirements, years of service, Difference Maker, Staff Employee of the Quarter, degree and professional certification completion, tenure and promotion, Student Advocate, Teacher of the Year, and faculty excellence.

Those who will be recognized have been or will be contacted by the President’s Office and offered two free tickets to the dinner. All other employees can get one free ticket. Additional tickets may be purchased for $26 a person. Tickets can be picked up at the President’s Office, Business Office or Student Center Info Desk before April 30.

Juried Student Art Exhibit opens April 21

A piece titled "Serve" by Courtney Fiebiger, shows oranges and apples arranged neatly on a plate and table Photo: Serve, by Courtney Fiebiger, won 1st place in the 2024 VCSU Juried Student Art Exhibit.

The VCSU Robinson Center for the Arts Gallery presents the annual Juried Student Art Exhibit, featuring a diverse range of artwork created by VCSU students this academic year.

The exhibit opens to the public on April 21 and continues through May 17. It can be viewed during regular gallery hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday throughout Friday. The gallery is also open to the public on Saturday, May 17 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Awards will be juried by Cole Carpenter, the Director of Education and Exhibition at Jamestown Art Center, and announced at a reception in the CFA Lobby on Friday, May 2, from 5:30 to 7 pm.

A virtual exhibit will be available on the VCSU Art Department’s YouTube Channel.

2025 Scholar Symposium: Call for submissions

decorative The 2025 Valley City State University Scholar Symposium will be held in the main lobby of the Larry J. Robinson Center For the Arts on Tuesday, May 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The annual event allows undergraduate students to showcase their research, writing, and other creative projects developed over the past academic year. Last year’s event featured 65+ student-designed projects representing seven departments across campus, revealing the wide-range of scholarship VCSU students produced individually and collaboratively in more than 20 unique courses.

Student recipients of the SOAR (Student Opportunities for Academic Research) Award and of the EPSCOR (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) Award presented their advanced research projects, and faculty members from three different departments shared their discipline-specific research and creative scholarship from the past academic year.

Students are encouraged to participate in the Scholar Symposium, as presenters and/or attendees, as this event is designed to showcase and celebrate the individual and collaborative vibrant academic work of VCSU students and faculty across campus.

Contact event coordinator Emily D. Wicktor, associate professor for language and literature, at emily.wicktor@vcsu.edu for more information on the submission process.

Submission forms are due by April 24.

Meet Macy Fridgen

Photo of Macy Fridgen smiling at the camera posing behind a till

Name: Macy Fridgen
Hometown: Bismarck, N.D.
Major/Minor: Business Administration, Human Resource and Management Concentration
Graduation Year: 2025

Can you walk us through your typical workday? What does it look like? What do you do?

A typical day at Alley Beans begins with working as a barista during the first part of my shift. In the afternoons, I collaborate with the owners, complete assigned tasks, or focus on long-term projects.

What have you enjoyed most about your internship?

I have especially enjoyed learning from the owners, as they have provided valuable insights into every aspect of starting a business and the challenges that come with it. They are a wealth of knowledge, and I appreciate the opportunity to learn from their experiences.

What are your career goals, and how do you see this internship helping you achieve them?

I am still exploring my career path, but I am interested in finance and banking. This internship will give me valuable exposure to the business world and help me develop essential skills.

What advice do you have for someone looking for an internship?

My advice is to start early and choose something you genuinely enjoy. There are plenty of options available, so find one that will be interesting to you!

Viking sports update

Baseball
The Vikings took a 2-2 split over the weekend against Mayville State University including a sweep of the Comets on Senior Day, and followed up with a 7-2 win over Dakota Wesleyan for its home finale of the season. VCSU is now 19-27 on the season and 3-13 in conference play. The Vikings round out the regular season at Dickinson State for a 4-game series April 25-26.

Softball
VCSU took two games from the NSAA leader (RV) Dickinson State over the weekend to split the series 2-2. The Vikings are now 19-20 on the season and 8-8 in the North Star. VCSU hosts its home finale against Mayville State on Friday at 2/4 p.m. and then travels to Mayville to round out the regular season on Saturday at 1/3 p.m.

Golf
The Viking women placed fourth out of five teams at the DJGA College Shootout played April 22-23 at Riverwood Golf Course in Bismarck. VCSU was paced by a third place finish from Sydney Carlson who carded a 164. VCSU’s men finished in seventh place and were led by Owen Haase and Zach St. Aubin who tied for 17th place with a two-day 169.

Track & Field
VCSU Track & Field had an outstanding showing with four first place finishes at the Al Cassell Classic at the University of Jamestown on April 19. The Vikings then hosted its annual Viking Twilight meet where several athletes set new personal records. VCSU will travel to the Bison Open on Friday followed by the Bismarck Tune-Up next Wednesday.

UPCOMING EVENTS
April 25: Track & Field at Bison Open, 10 a.m. (Fargo)
April 25: Baseball at Dickinson State, 2/4:30 p.m. CT (Dickinson)
April 25: Softball vs. Mayville State, 2/4 p.m. (VCSU Softball Complex)
April 26: Baseball at Dickinson State, 1/3:30 p.m. (Dickinson)
April 26: Softball at Mayville State, 1/3 p.m. (Mayville)
April 28-29: Golf at NSAA Championships, 9 a.m. (Eagle, Neb.)
April 30: Track & Field at Bismarck Tune-Up (Bismarck)

What's happening at VCSU and around Valley City...

A backdrop featuring the HiLine bridge and a white chevron with the text Valley City Community

April 21 – May 17
VCSU Juried Student Art Exhibit, Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts Gallery

April 25
Viking Visit Day

April 29
11 a.m. General Student Recital, Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts

Find out what’s happening at VCSU: https://www.vcsu.edu/news-events/

Find out what’s happening in the community: https://www.valleycitycalendar.com/