President’s Column: A Week of Milestones and Memories

By Alan LaFave, President of VCSU

Greetings from Valley City State University!

It was a banner week for Valley City State University from September 22-27 as we celebrated record-breaking enrollment, major announcements and Homecoming all in the same week. While the week kept us busy, it was also a perfect reflection of the current momentum and energy pulsing through the VCSU campus. It’s a great time to be a Viking!

• Record-Breaking Enrollment
  VCSU set a new fall enrollment record for the third year in a row, with 1,827 students enrolled this semester. This continued growth shows that more students are choosing VCSU for its strong academic programs, supportive community, and affordable education. It’s a clear sign that the university’s efforts to recruit and retain students are paying off. In fact, our retention levels reached all-time highs this fall.
• New AI Institute Launches
  VCSU has officially launched the AI Institute for Teaching and Learning, a forward-thinking initiative designed to help faculty and students explore the use of artificial intelligence in education. A core priority of the AI Institute is equipping K-12 teachers with the knowledge and skills to use artificial intelligence responsibly and ethically in the classroom. The institute is a statewide collaboration of several North Dakota institutions led by VCSU.
• U.S. News Top Ranking in North Dakota
  In the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, VCSU was named the #1 public regional college in North Dakota and the #2 public regional college in the Midwest. This recognition reflects the university’s strong academic reputation, student success, and overall value. It’s a proud moment for the entire VCSU community and a testament to the hard work of faculty, staff, and students.
• McCarthy Hall Ribbon Cutting
  VCSU celebrated the grand reopening of McCarthy Hall, a key academic building that has undergone a major renovation to house the School of Education and the Department of Technology and STEM Education. The updated space now features modern classrooms, labs, and collaborative areas that will enhance the learning experience for students in education and other programs. The reopening marks a significant investment in the future of teaching and learning at VCSU.
• Homecoming Week
  While all those big news items were happening, we also celebrated Homecoming Week on campus. The energy and excitement of Homecoming Week is always contagious as the students engage in fun campus events and alumni come back to their alma mater. We recognized several standout alumni during ceremonies, inducting athletic alumni into the Viking Hall of Fame on Friday and bestowing Alumni awards on Saturday. Viking Volleyball and Football combined to go 3-0 in their Homecoming games, and our athletic band set the vibe with their performances during the football game and the annual Homecoming Parade.

A huge thank you to everyone—students, staff, alumni, faculty, community members, and volunteers—who helped make Homecoming Week such a success. Your involvement made it special.

Let’s keep the momentum going as we head into the rest of the year.

Go Vikings!