VCSU Honors Graduates at 2025 Winter Commencement

VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – Valley City State University honored more than 120 graduates at its 2025 Winter Commencement Exercises, held Friday morning at Vangstad Auditorium.

Fifteen students were recognized for completion of master’s degrees and 106 students for undergraduate degrees.

A recording of the ceremony is available at www.youtube.com/vcsuvikings. Photos from the ceremony are available online at VCSU’s Flickr Page.

“You have experienced much growth and change at VCSU,” President Alan LaFave said when addressing the graduates. “But this truly is just the beginning. While the accomplishments you are recognized for today are significant, perhaps the most important aspect of today is what happens next. No matter what the next step on your path may be, you can all be proud to proclaim you are a graduate of the VCSU class of 2025.”

Macy Fridgen, a graduate from Bismarck, N.D., delivered the undergraduate address. Fridgen transferred to VCSU as a sophomore in 2023 and was an active leader of the VCSU volleyball team while earning a degree in business administration. She graduated with highest honors on Friday.

“At VCSU, I learned how I can make an impact, be a leader and make this place a home,” said Fridgen. “Here at VCSU, we didn’t come solely for a piece of paper or just to say that we went to college. We came here to find something that is far more valuable. We came for the people who help us build our educational experience. You all play a part in building that VCSU experience.”

View the full list of graduates.

Dr. Nicholas Galt, assistant professor in the Department of Science, delivered the faculty reflection, and Jerry Rostad delivered remarks on behalf of State Board of Higher Education member Curtis Biller.

VCSU has now conferred 28,193 undergraduate degrees and 673 master’s degree in its proud history dating back to 1890.