Forward Together: Building on Excellence

Greetings from Valley City State University!

Homecoming is always a special time to welcome alumni back to campus, invite the community to participate in many events, and engage the students, faculty and staff in fun and memorable activities.

The week of September 23-28 is filled with exciting activities and events for our students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the Valley City community. Beginning with the 37th annual Bill Osmon Fun Run on Monday at Lokken Stadium, continuing with a parade down Central Avenue and a Viking football game, and concluding with a student and alumni dance at the Eagles Club on Saturday night, a plethora of activities are available for all.

An exciting and unique addition to this year’s homecoming festivities is the inauguration celebration culminating with the inauguration ceremony on Friday at 10 a.m. in W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse. This ceremony, open to the community, will include VCSU students, faculty, and staff, as well as colleagues from other NDUS institutions, the chair of the State Board of Higher Education and the NDUS chancellor, and many delegates from across the region and nation. Delegates from as far away as Arizona, Michigan and Missouri will be participating in the ceremony.

I look forward to showcasing our university and community to all those joining us for the festivities. I sincerely hope that members of the Valley City community will join us in celebrating the university and our outstanding partners in higher education.

I am truly honored and humbled to have been selected as the 14th president of Valley City State University and have sincerely enjoyed these past nine months in the office. While I was appointed president on September 27, 2018 (exactly a year from the inauguration date!), I formally began my duties on December 17, 2018. During this time, we have accomplished many great things together, and I anticipate even more forward momentum and success in the days, months and years ahead.

In addition to the ceremony itself on Friday morning, I especially want to invite you to the inaugural recital on Thursday, September 26, at 7 pm and the Transit Authority Concert on Friday, September 27, at 8 p.m. Both of these events are free and open to the public.

If you are able to come to the recital, you will enjoy hearing Dr. Robert Spring, professor of clarinet at Arizona State University (and my former teacher) perform…and even a performance or two from me! Other special guests on the recital will include VCSU music faculty, alumni and friends.

Transit Authority, recognized as the premier Chicago tribute band, will be playing a two-hour show of Chicago’s greatest hits. I can assure you that it will be a tremendous show with appeal to audience members of all ages!

Two of the special characteristics I admire at VCSU are the tremendous “family feel” we enjoy on campus and the outstanding town-and gown-relationship we share with the local community. I hope you will be able to join us for homecoming and inauguration events, and I look forward to seeing you and visiting with you.

Go Vikings!