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Hotline

Hotline // January 8, 2025

Jan 8, 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:

President’s Column: VCSU proud to play large role in local economy

Hundreds of VCSU students smile and walk to downtown Valley City for the annual Summer Vikes on Central event with the Valley City community.

By Dr. Alan LaFave

Greetings from VCSU and Happy New Year to all!

As we prepare for the upcoming legislative session, we know there are many items of importance that will be discussed and decided. The economic contribution of the North Dakota University System is reviewed and studied each biennium. The most recent study, released in 2023, provides data on the 2021 economic impacts of the 11 higher education institutions that make up the North Dakota University System. Today, I’d like to address the economic, cultural, and educational impact VCSU has in our community, state, and region.

The economic impact on the Valley City community is widespread and multifaceted. VCSU contributes to the local economy with direct spending, providing jobs, and attracting students and employees who purchase goods and services and in doing so support local businesses. Many of our students remain in North Dakota after graduation, creating a long-term impact through their contributions to the workforce. Some of the key economic contributions include:

  • Direct employment: VCSU is one of the largest employers in Valley City with 196 faculty and staff.
  • Student spending: The university attracts hundreds of students from outside the immediate Valley City area contributing to local businesses, restaurants, housing, and transportation.
  • Visitor impact: VCSU hosts events such as athletic competitions, conferences, and other community events that draw visitors to the region. The Barnes County basketball tournaments, summer athletic and STEM camps, the Medicine Wheel and Planetarium, guest speakers, concerts and performances, and other special events all bring visitors to Valley City who spend resources at hotels, restaurants, and other retail businesses.

According to the most recent study released in 2023, VCSU’s total economic impact from operations and student expenditures was $114 million. Our typical economic contribution is in the $85 – $95 million range, but the construction of the $32 million Center for the Arts in 2021 resulted in an increase of expenditures for that year.  Additionally, VCSU’s economic influence extends beyond Valley City to benefit the state of North Dakota as a whole. The university contributes to workforce development, research and innovation, and regional economic growth:

  • Workforce development: VCSU plays a significant role in producing graduates who go on to contribute to North Dakota’s economy. We offer a range of programs in education, business, science, technology, and the arts – all essential to the state’s workforce needs. In fact, more than 1,500 teachers in North Dakota alone are VCSU alumni. We awarded 134 teaching degrees to undergraduate students last year, which is the most among all NDUS institutions.
  • Research and innovation: Our research initiatives support industries such as education, technology, business, and agriculture. Collaborations between VCSU and businesses or government agencies contribute to economic growth and innovation.
  • Alumni impact: Many VCSU alumni work in North Dakota, and their careers and incomes generate state and local tax revenue. They also contribute to the state’s economy through their work in industries such as education, technology, healthcare, fisheries and wildlife, and government.

Beyond its direct economic contributions, VCSU is proud to play a role in the cultural and community development of Valley City and the broader region. The university’s engagement with local schools, businesses, and civic organizations helps foster community growth, social cohesion and access to higher education. We offer a wide range of cultural and educational programs including performances, athletic events, art exhibits and public lectures – all of which help enrich the community. We also collaborate with local businesses, government entities and nonprofits on projects such as economic development initiatives, STEM education programs and entrepreneurial support.

VCSU is a pillar of both local and state economies, helping to shape the future of North Dakota through education, innovation and community engagement. We are grateful to our community and state for the support of our mission, and pledge to continue our work of preparing the next generation of educated citizens and skilled workforce members for North Dakota.

Go Vikings!

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

VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – 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: Kenna Sorby

Photo of Kenna Sorby smiling at the cameraKenna Sorby, a senior majoring in elementary education, is already paving the way for young minds in her own classroom. Set to graduate this December, Sorby has never once thought twice about what she wanted her future career to look like.

Hometown: Fort Ransom, N.D.
Grad Year: Fall 2024
Major/Minor: Elementary Education

Why did you choose your specific major?
I chose elementary education because I’ve always had a passion for working with kids. Throughout high school, I had a job as an assistant preschool teacher. I knew right away that I was in the right field and decided to pursue a teaching degree! My first day teaching solidified that I had chosen the right career. I love my students and feel like I have the best job in the world!

What has been your favorite memory from VCSU so far?
My favorite memory from VCSU was taking Joan Klein’s classes. I met some of my best friends in her class and Joan helped me grow the most as a future educator. She truly cares for her students and is incredible at what she does! I would not be the teacher I am today without her.

What attracted you to VCSU?
I chose VCSU because I not only wanted to be a good teacher, I wanted to get my degree from a school with a strong elementary education program. Knowing that I wanted to pursue a career in education, I chose to attend a school that I knew would give me the tools I needed to be successful in this field.

Where is your favorite spot to be on campus and why?
My favorite spot on campus was the library. We had Methods of Reading in there, and my college friendships grew the most in that class. I will always be grateful for the people that VCSU brought me!

What is something you took away from your education at VCSU?
I have zero regrets choosing VCSU! Without the professors in the education program, I wouldn’t be teaching my own classroom as a student teacher. I will always be grateful for the professors that truly care about you and are cheering you on, even after you leave their classes!

Viking sports update

Men’s Basketball
The Viking men’s basketball team went 0-2 over the weekend, falling to Jamestown and Dickinson State. VCSU’s men are now 10-6 on the season and 1-3 in conference play.

Women’s Basketball
VCSU’s women picked up its first NSAA win of the season, defeating Dickinson State 79-52 at home. VCSU also fell to No. 24 Jamestown to go 1-1 on the weekend. The Vikings are now 9-7 on the season and 1-3 in the conference.

Barnes County Tournament
VCSU hosts the 106th Boys Barnes County Tournament Jan. 7-9-11 at the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse. Fans can follow the games with live coverage including a livestream, stats, radio coverage, and box scores at the BCT Tournament Page.

Upcoming Events:
Jan. 9: Barnes County Tournament, 3 p.m. (W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse)
Jan. 10: Basketball vs. Mayville State, 5:30/7:30 p.m. (W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse)
Jan. 11: Barnes County Tournament, 12 p.m. (W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse)

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

A backdrop featuring the HiLine bridge and a white chevron with the text Valley City Community

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/