Hotline // May 6, 2026

President's Column: Commencement is a Life Milestone

By Dr. Allen Burgad, VCSU Interim President

Valley City State University has much to be proud of from the 2025–2026 academic year. Our students, faculty, and staff have achieved many accolades, honors, and accomplishments over the past nine months. One of the greatest achievements is earning a post-secondary degree, an accomplishment that opens doors to careers, purpose, and lifelong opportunities.

We will celebrate this milestone with our students at VCSU’s 134^th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 16, at 10 a.m. in the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse. On Friday, May 15, we will also recognize graduating seniors at the Senior Awards Ceremony in the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts.

We strongly encourage all VCSU graduates, families, faculty, and staff to attend the spring commencement ceremony. It is a milestone that cannot be duplicated. I often share that I chose not to attend my own graduation ceremony, and I still regret it to this day. It is a special opportunity to celebrate with those who supported you along the way, an experience that only happens once in a lifetime.

This year, we are proud to recognize 234 graduates, including 39 graduate students and 195 undergraduate students. This represents the largest graduating class in VCSU history. More than 180 graduates plan to participate in the ceremony, and we invite our campus and community to join us in celebrating this important milestone.

Leading up to commencement, we have and will continue to recognize our students through several year-end events which include:

• SOAR Banquet (May 4) – highlighting undergraduate research and creativity at VCSU
• Scholar Symposium (May 5) – showcasing student research, academic projects, artistry and creative work on campus
• Viking Pathway Celebration (May 7) – supporting growth in academics, employment, independent living, and wellness
• Viking Athletic Awards Night (May 11) – celebrating our student-athletes and their accomplishments
• The Forge Open Mic Night (May 12) – spotlighting the literary talent and artistry of VCSU students
• Senior Awards Ceremony (May 15) – recognizing honor students and various academic department awards for graduating seniors

I also want to congratulate our spring athletic teams for strong showings at their postseason competitions this past week. We are proud of their accomplishments this year. A special shoutout to VCSU Baseball, which recorded a big victory against the No. 2-ranked team in the nation, Bellevue University, during the Frontier Conference Tournament.

As I reflect on the academic year, I am reminded that being student-focused and learning-centered begins with people. Commencement is more than a ceremony; it is a celebration of perseverance, growth, and the many individuals who support our students along the way.

We look forward to celebrating this milestone together.

One VCSU Retirement

At this time, we have one VCSU retirement to celebrate. Please join me in congratulating our Director for Health & Wellness, Betty Tykwinski. For the past 15 years, Betty has served our campus with care, compassion, and a steady presence, supporting the health and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff. Her impact has been felt by so many, and she will be truly missed. We wish Betty all the best in a well-deserved, enjoyable, and relaxing retirement.

VCSU’s Edinger and Kiecker Honored by Student Senate

Photo: Members of Student Senate present Erin Edinger (center) with her Student Advocate Award.

Valley City State University Student Senate has announced its Student Advocate and Teacher of the Year awards, spotlighting the accomplishments of Erin Edinger and Lindsey Kiecker.

Edinger, VCSU Director for Residence Life, was voted the 2025-26 Student Advocate of the Year. Students spoke about her supportiveness and the empowerment she brings to students across campus, highlighting her ability to create a welcoming environment where they feel safe, respected, challenged and encouraged to share ideas. Students describe Erin as friendly, kind and approachable, and Student Senate is grateful for her endless hard work and dedication to the campus and the students.

Kiecker, assistant professor in the Department of Science, was voted the 2025-26 Teacher of the Year. Students describe Kiecker as an amazing and dedicated professor who goes above and beyond in and out of the classroom. They highlighted her ability to get to know students as people, how she takes the extra time to prepare them, and her willingness to explains concepts in greater depth when needed. She is a welcoming face at VCSU, and Student Senate is thankful for her dedication to the students and campus.

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

Photo: Members of Student Senate honor Lindsey Kiecker (center) as the Teacher of the Year.

Deaver Wins Trap Title at ND Collegiate Championship

Valley City State University freshman Gretchen Deaver won an individual title in American Trap during the 2026 Spring ND State Collegiate Shooting Sports Championship held April 25 in Jamestown.

Deaver hit 94 out of 100 shots as she tied for the High Female award in American Trap singles. She went on to win the individual title in a shoot-off competition.

As a team, VCSU Shooting Sports placed 4^th out of 8 teams in the Team Trap competition. Deaver, Cali Steffan, Andy Nelson, Ty Awender and Jake Hennings were VCSU’s top five shooters on the day.

Taft, Monilaws and Wieland present at North Dakota Professional Communicators Conference

Juried Student Art Exhibit Open at VCSU

The Valley City State University Larry J. 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 is open from April 27 to May 16 and can be viewed during regular gallery hours at the VCSU Center for the Arts: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 16.

Awards will be juried by Jess Christy, Executive Director of the North Dakota Council on the Arts, and announced at a reception in the CFA Lobby, on Friday, May 1, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

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

Registration Open for IgniteND Conference June 2-3 at VCSU

Register for IgniteND Conference

Valley City State University and the AI Institute for Teaching and Learning are partnering with NDIT-EduTech to hold the 2026 IgniteND conference June 2-3 on the VCSU campus.

IgniteND is an exciting two-day conference designed primarily for K-12 teachers, education administrators and technology leaders. The conference offers practical strategies, professional credentials, and hands-on experiences to spark innovation in education and lifelong learning across North Dakota, with artificial intelligence (AI) as this year’s central focus.

Conference attendees will explore practical strategies and hands-on learning in artificial intelligence, computer science, cybersecurity, student data, and essential digital skills. Expert-led sessions, collaborative discussions, and statewide partnerships will equip educators to implement new ideas and technology practices in their classrooms, schools, and districts.

Attendees can also earn professional development credit hours, awarded through VCSU Distance and Continuing Education.

Early-bird registration is currently open for just $50 after a stipend supplied by the VCSU AI Institute for Teaching and Learning. Learn more and register at https://www.edutech.nd.gov/ignitend

IgniteND Featured Presentations

Keynote: “Facing the AI Challenge”

Dr. Mark Hagerott will deliver the keynote presentation – “Facing the AI Challenge” – where he explores how AI reshapes attention, creativity, and decision-making and what that means for the future of education. You’ll leave with clear questions to drive AI discussions in your classroom, practical strategies to integrate tools with students, and concrete insights into how learning is changing with these technologies.

“The Engagement Drop-off”

In “The Engagement Drop-off,” Dieumerci “DM” Christel shows how AI can help teachers discover what interests their students and create stronger classroom connections. You’ll get to see a live demo of an AI-powered classroom game and pick up practical ways to connect with students. Dieumerci grew up in North Dakota, where a teacher’s encouragement made a big difference in his life. Now, he creates tools to support educators everywhere.

Dr. Chuck Gardner

What would it take to bring hands-on cybersecurity training to every student in North Dakota?

Dr. Gardner’s keynote goes beyond theory. It introduces a proven, working model already delivering virtual labs, competitions, and real-world cybersecurity experiences to students, regardless of location. From infrastructure to access to funding, this session focuses on what it takes to make it happen.

Prairie Waters Hosting Outdoor Youth Summer Camps

Valley City State University’s Prairie Waters Education and Research Center is hosting three separate 2026 summer camps that provide opportunities for students to learn more about water ecosystems and have fun doing it.

Splashin’ Around at Prairie Waters, Fishin’ Around the Prairie Waters and STEM Explorers: Water Research Institute all provide different opportunities for students in grades 5-12 to interact with water ecosystems in a variety of fun activities.

Registration for the summer camps is currently open. Students are encouraged to register early as camps fill up fast. Learn more or complete online registration at vcsu.news/prairiewaters.

STEM Explorers: Water Research Institute | June 9 – 11, 2026

This camp runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day and is designed for students who have completed grades 9 – 12. Camp sessions will vary daily, and students can sign up for one, two or all three days. There is no cost to register and VCSU offers up to $75 in mileage reimbursement available to each participant.

• June 9 – Water Quality Day: Students will travel to local lakes/streams to collect water samples and then bring them back to VCSU to test the water quality.
• June 10 – Macroinvertebrate Day: Students will travel to a local stream to collect aquatic insects and sample mussels.  Students will identify the macroinvertebrates at VCSU and learn about their use in assessing water quality.
• June 11 – Fish Day: Students will sample fish in a local stream.  They will learn about fish stomach contents and how to age fish at VCSU.

Registration link for STEM Explorers

Splashin’ Around at Prairie Waters | July 20 – 22, 2026

This camp is designed for kids entering 5th and 6th grades. Activities include:

• Wading in streams
• Find out what lives in our waters with a water hunt
• Learn about stream health and do water testing
• Other fun outdoor activities

There is a $95.00 registration fee that includes lunch, snacks, a t-shirt and transportation from VCSU – the bus leaves campus at 8 a.m. and returns at 5 p.m. each day. Financial assistance with the registration fee is available by contacting Ellen Fehr at prairie.waters@vcsu.edu.

Splashin’ Online Registration Link 

Fishin’ Around the Prairie Waters | July 27 – 29, 2026

This camp is designed for kids entering 7th and 8th grades. Activities include:

• Exploring fish habitats
• Canoeing the Sheyenne River
• Boat fishing
• Catching fish without fishing rods
• Other fun outdoor activities

There is a $95.00 registration fee that includes lunch, snacks, a t-shirt and transportation from VCSU – the bus leaves campus at 8 a.m. and returns at 5 p.m. each day. Financial assistance with the registration fee is available by contacting Ellen Fehr at prairie.waters@vcsu.edu.

Fishin’ Online Registration Link

Viking Sports Update

BASEBALL
The Valley City State baseball team wrapped up its 2026 season at the Frontier Conference Tournament in Dickinson. The Vikings placed second in the tournament after falling to Bellevue twice on Sunday. The Vikings reached the title game by upsetting the #2 ranked Bruins 9-7 on Friday. That ended Bellevue’s 33-game winning streak and set up the Vikings for the best finish at a conference tournament in 14 years. The Vikings had three player selected to the All-Tournament team: Connor Hoyt, Kaden Rozdeba, and Connor Martin. The 26 wins is the most for a Viking team since they won 27 in 2017. In the final NAIA ARC Regional Rankings, the Vikings finished #7 in the west region which was the highest mark for the Vikings this season. The Vikings had five All-Conference players, and Connor Hoyt was recognized as a Champion of Character by the conference.

SOFTBALL
The Viking softball team wrapped up its season at the Frontier Conference Tournament in Dickinson. The Vikings split the four games at the tournament and had their season come to an end with a loss to Bellevue in an elimination game on Saturday. The Vikings ended the season with a 27-26 record. After the tournament, the Vikings had two players seleted to the All-Tournament team: Kylee Banerd and Maddy Hazelton. The Vikings had three All-Conference players and Hadley Gerle was recognized as the Champion of Character. Jenna Decker also was named to the Gold Glove team.

TRACK AND FIELD
At the conference meet in Dickinson, the Vikings had another strong showing with two All-Conference performances two school records nearly fell. Jordan Mount and Frida Barrera both earned All-Conference status with their third-place finish in the Long Jump and the 1500 respectively. Mount nearly set two records during the meet. His preliminary time of 10.66 in the 100m was .05 seconds off the school mark and his time of 21.89 in the 200m was .01 seconds off the school record. Barrera will have a couple more opportunities to better her time in the 800 and 1500 as she closes in on National qualifying times.  

GOLF
The Golf team headed to the desert for its Frontier Conference Championships. The Vikings were in the Phoenix, Arizona area for the tournament. The Men had two in the top 20 and the women had one reach the top 20 at the end of the two-day, three-round tournament. Zach St. Aubin and Sydney Carlson were recognized as the Champions of Character from VCSU by the Conference.

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

May 12
5:30 p.m. The Forge Open Mic Night, Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts

May 14
5:30 p.m. Employee Recognition Dinner, The Reserve at Woodland

May 15
1 p.m. Senior Awards, Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts

May 16
10 a.m. VCSU Spring Commencement

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/