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Hotline

Hotline // January 15, 2025

Jan 15, 2025

A newspaper backdrop with a white chevron and the words Hotline, The weekly newsletter of Valley City State University

This week’s Hotline includes the following articles:

Students named to Fall 2024 honor rolls

two female students standing side by side, looking at laptop and having conversationValley City State University has released it’s President’s Honor Roll, Dean’s Honor Roll and Honor Roll for the fall 2024 semester.

The President’s Honor Roll recognizes students who completed 12 semester hours or more of VCSU classes for which grade points are earned with a 4.0 grade point average.

Click here to view the President’s Honor Roll.

The Dean’s Honor Roll recognizes students who completed 12 semester hours or more of VCSU classes for which grade points are earned with a grade point average of at least 3.50.

Click here to view the Dean’s Honor Roll.

The Honor Roll recognizes students who completed 6 to 11 semester hours of Valley City State University classes for which grade points are earned with a grade point average of at least 3.50.

Click here to view the Honor Roll

Valley City State University is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, VCSU is one of 11 institutions in the North Dakota University System (NDUS).

VCSU named a STEM School of Excellence

2 people sit at a control center inside the VCSU planetarium

Valley City State University has been named a 2024-2025 STEM School of Excellence in recognition of a wide range of STEM-related initiatives the university leads or collaborates on.

The award was announced by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) STEM Center for Teaching and Learning, which annually recognizes schools for their commitment to providing a robust integrative STEM education experience.

“This award is a result of the hard work, dedication, and forward-thinking of individuals who collaborated and contributed to deliver high-quality STEM education at VCSU,” said Peder Gjovik, Chair of the Department of Technology and STEM Education. “It’s a great honor to receive this designation from the ITEEA, an organization that sets and maintains the standards for technology and engineering education.”

VCSU will officially receive the award in April at the ITEEA 2025 Conference in St. Louis, Missouri.

The ITEEA evaluated numerous VCSU STEM-related initiatives when awarding the School of Excellence honor, including the VCSU Planetarium – which is the only permanent planetarium in the state and regularly hosts free shows for area schools and community members to learn about astronomy and space.

The award also cited VCSU’s technology education degrees, the Great Plains STEM Education Center, and the INSTEM program. INSTEM (Indians into STEM) annually brings Native American students to campus for week-long STEM academies in the summer.

VCSU offers a Bachelor of Science in technology education and has STEM certificates for both elementary and secondary educators. Other STEM-related initiatives mentioned by the ITEEA include the annual Marketplace for Kids event on campus and a statewide engineering design challenge hosted by the VCSU Department of Technology.

“VCSU is honored to be selected as an ITEEA 2024-25 STEM School of Excellence,” said Larry Brooks, Vice President for Academic Affairs. “This is a testament of our commitment to numerous initiatives related to STEM education.”

VCSU hosts 3rd annual Marketplace for Kids Education Day

2 Junior high girls sit at a table and work with electricity experiments.

Valley City State University welcomed nearly 400 elementary and middle school students to campus for the third annual Marketplace for Kids Education Day on Thursday, Jan. 9.

Students had opportunities to take part in 27 different classes that featured projects, experiments and presentations from area professionals representing numerous careers and industries. Sessions ranged from “Fun with Chemistry” to “CAN You Build it?” and “Career Paths in Aviation.”

Marketplace for Kids is designed to promote entrepreneurship and career awareness among 3rd-8th graders. VCSU hosts one of the several education days put on across the state by the Marketplace for Kids organization.

“Valley City State University was pleased to host the third annual Marketplace for Kids Education Day,” said Larry Brooks, VCSU Vice President for Academic Affairs and one of the organizers for Thursday’s event. “This yearly event encourages area youth to explore careers, think creatively, solve problems, and fosters a spirit of entrepreneurship.”

Thursday’s event included more than 400 students, teachers and chaperones from six regional schools. A total of 20 different businesses or entities were represented in the 27 classes put on by presenters.

Total attendance included about 575 people, which included volunteers, speakers, presenters and students.

DnD Duo to perform Jan. 21

Emily Duncan and Matthew Denman

The VCSU Music Department announces a performance by DnD Duo: Matthew Denman and Emily Duncan on Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts.

This duo, featuring Emily Duncan and Matthew Denman, explores the intricate and expressive interplay between the guitar and harp, showcasing their unique textures and dynamic contrasts. Their concert program includes captivating works by Pereira, Hovhannes, Sydney, and more, offering a rich tapestry of musical artistry.

A Creative Life exhibit opens at VCSU Art Gallery on Jan. 13

Three people from a black and white photo, overlayed on a recent color photo of a wheat field with gray skies in the background
Walk With Me Memoirs by Rosanne Olson

The VCSU Art Department announces “A Creative Life”, a retrospective exhibit showcasing the unique vision of photographer Rosanne Olson through three distinct photographic series. The exhibit will be open to the public in the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts Gallery from Jan. 13 through Feb. 14 during regular gallery hours, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. A virtual exhibit will also be available on the VCSU Art Department’s YouTube channel.

Rosanne Olson grew up in Minot, N.D. and has worked as a fine artist, a commercial artist in the periodical and advertising world and an educator for over 40 years. Describing her work, Olson said, “With the right light and sensitive timing, a photograph can convey so much more than words ever could. It can move us to action, move us to tears, inspire us, and preserve our memories.” Olson’s images have garnered numerous awards and have been featured in the professional journals “Communication Arts”, “Photo District News”, “More Magazine”, “View Camera Magazine”, and more. Her work was recently featured in “Graphis Issue 362”, an international arts magazine. She is represented by the Robin Rice Gallery in New York City and the Iris Gallery in Boston. Olson has taught lighting and portraiture at organizations such as the Photographic Center Northwest in Seattle and the Santa Fe Workshops in N.M. as well as higher education institutions, secondary schools and professional conferences. She is also the author of three books, most recently the instructional books “The Art of the Portrait” and “The ABC’s of Beautiful Light”, as well as “This is Who I Am: Our Beauty in All Shapes and Sizes”, a book about women and body image featured on Good Morning America.

This exhibition is sponsored by the North Dakota Art Gallery Association (NDAGA), a statewide service organization for non-profit museums & galleries and supported in part by a grant from the North Dakota Council on the Arts, which receives funding from the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

 

Graduate Spotlight: Grant Inniger

Photo of Grant Inniger smiling at the camera

Grant Inniger, a 6th year transfer student, knew he wanted to be an educator after growing up in a household of teachers. Inniger, a winter graduate, reflects on the connections and memories he made at VCSU.

Name: Grant Inniger
Hometown: Barnesville, Minn.
Grad Year: 2024
Major/Minor: Physical Education
List any clubs, organizations, activities you are involved in on campus: Golf, SAAC Committee, and Women’s basketball student assistant.

Why did you choose your specific major?
I chose that major because I grew up in a family full of educators and teachers. I also got to experience so many amazing physical education teachers growing up who became role models for me and I just fell in love with it.

What has been your favorite memory from VCSU so far?
My favorite memory from VCSU is being around so many amazing people I now consider my closest friends. Being a transfer student and coming to VCSU was such as blessing and the people here made it all the more enjoyable.

What attracted you to VCSU?
I chose VCSU because my grandfather attended VCSU and he never forgot the amazing memories, people and professors he met. I also wanted to choose a place that was welcoming and had everything I needed to become a physical education teacher. Being a transfer student, I knew this was the place I needed to be to complete my education.

Where is your favorite spot to be on campus and why?
My favorite spot to be on campus is the Gaukler Family Wellness Center. I spent most of my time there with classes but it is also where I got to become physically active during my free time.

What advice do you have for someone who is thinking about coming to VCSU?
My advice for someone who is coming to VCSU is you are attending a university where you matter and you are going to meet the best people around the state of North Dakota. The leadership and professors you are going to have are going to make you feel welcome and important. Many of my professors, advisors and friends are actively involved in my life and career. I cannot recommend Valley City State University enough to anyone coming out of high school or a 2-year college.

Viking sports update

Women’s Basketball
The Viking women fell to No. 22 Mayville State Friday night 90-73 alongside a season-best performance by JayCee Richter who posted 21 points and 12 rebounds in the game. VCSU falls to 9-8 on the season and 1-4 in conference play.

Men’s Basketball
VCSU’s men saw impressive performances by Shaheed Muhammad and Lamar Grayson, but ultimately lost to Mayville State University Friday night at home, 93-82. VCSU is now 10-7 overall and 1-4 in the North Star.

Track and Field
VCSU Indoor Track and Field is back in action this Saturday, Jan. 18, competing at the Bison Team Cup. Events begin at 1 p.m. in Fargo.

Upcoming Events:
Jan. 17: Basketball at Dickinson State University, 6:30/8:30 p.m. CT (Dickinson, N.D.)
Jan. 18: Basketball at University of Jamestown, 3/5 p.m. CT (Jamestown, N.D)
Jan. 18: Track & Field at Bison Team Cup, 1 p.m. (Fargo, N.D.)

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

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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/