Hotline // February 5, 2025

Rosanne Olson to give artist talk this Thursday

Rosanne Olson will deliver a virtual artist talk this Thursday, Feb. 6, at noon, discussing her exhibit, “A Creative Life”, currently on show at the Larry J. Robionson Center for the Arts Gallery. The exhibit will be open to the public through Friday, Feb. 14. The gallery hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. 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.

VCSU wins reading challenge against UJ

The VCSU Allen Memorial Library is delighted to announce that VCSU students, faculty and staff are the winners of the VCSU vs. UJ Winter Reading Challenge! The challenge, which started on Dec. 1 and lasted through Jan. 31, simply encouraged participants to read books and record their points by submitting an online form.

VCSU ended the contest with 1,194 points, which was 280 points more than UJ at 914 points.
Total books read: 846
Total books read in the Libby app: 348
Total student participants: 56
Total staff and faculty participants: 61

To celebrate the literacy victory, the library is offering treats on Wednesday, Feb. 5 for the students. The top student readers will receive gift cards to the VCSU bookstore and bragging rights certificates.Faculty and staff will be presented with bragging rights certificates and invited to an exclusive pizza bash where they can discuss the books read.

Congratulations to the top readers!

Students
1st place: Savana Anderson, 59 books
2nd place: Aurora Bear, 26 books
3rd place: Kiana Harris and Krisdeanna Clapper both read 18 books

Staff
1st place: Clarissa Zander, 56 books
2nd place: Erica Buchholz, 29 books
3rd place: Amber Thompson, 27 books

Faculty
1st place: Katie Woehl, 39 books
2nd place: Tony Dutton, 37 books
3rd place: Kim Weismann, 36 books

"Reticulations" to premiere at VCSU Art Gallery

The Valley City State University Art Gallery at the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts is set to host the premiere of Reticulations by Eric Lemmon, a bold new composition for live electronics, no-input mixing, and a unique percussive set-up incorporating colored glass shards, stonework, and metal plates. The one-night-only event will take place on Feb. 9, at 7 p.m., and features the experimental percussion duo low pass.

Reticulations is a groundbreaking collaboration between sound artist Eric Lemmon and low pass, a duo comprised of VCSU faculty member Taylor Long and Minneapolis-based percussionist Rob Cosgrove. The piece is the result of a long-standing collaboration with the duo, where the artist worked closely with low pass to develop and refine this intricate, improvisational work. The work integrates the artist’s extensive background in digital signal processing and live electronics with experimental material fabrication.

Reticulations emphasizes unpredictability and organic feedback loops in a highly improvisational format. Using custom analog electronics and physical materials, the artist introduces a performative landscape where the slightest variation in material and microphone position, frequency response, or amplifier-supplied sound intensity produces entirely new sonic textures.

Reticulations promises an experience that challenges traditional boundaries of sound art and experimental music, contributing an innovative, hybrid approach to the field of electronic and material-based music.

This project received support from the Bridges Arts Council and North Dakota Council on the Arts.

Event Details:
What: Reticulations by Eric Lemmon, featuring low pass (Rob Cosgrove and Taylor Long)
Where: VCSU Art Gallery, Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts
When: Sunday, February 9, 7:00 p.m.
Cost: Free

Artist Info:
Eric Lemmon
Website: https://ericlemmon.net
Instagram: @ericcomposer
Facebook: @ericlemmon
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/eclemmon

low pass
Website: https://l0wpass.com
Instagram: @low___pass

VCSU seeking employers for Career & Internship Expo

Valley City State University is seeking employers for its annual Career & Internship Expo on Tuesday, February 25.

Students attending the expo will be looking for internships, summer jobs, part-time positions, and full-time opportunities. This is an excellent way for employers to meet soon-to-be graduates and make connections with underclassmen.

“This event is one of the best ways we can connect our student population with the business community in Valley City and North Dakota,” said Janna Kohler, Director for Career Services. “We love to bring opportunities like this to campus for our students to see what great career offerings are in our region.”

Employers interested in attending the fair can contact Kohler at janna.kohler@vcsu.edu or 701-845-7534.

The expo will be held February 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. inside the VCSU Memorial Student Union. Registration is open for employers until January 31 or until maximum capacity is reached.

VCSU students have been proven to be career ready. Over the last two years, 99 percent of VCSU graduates responding to a career survey said they were already employed or choosing to continue their education after graduation.

Valley City State University students can major in more than 65 programs. Some of the larger programs on campus include elementary and secondary education, health science, business administration, fisheries and wildlife, and exercise science.

Meet Karly Just

As an active soldier in the North Dakota National Guard, Karly Just is passionate about living an active lifestyle and helping those around her do the same. Now a student athlete, Just can’t wait to share her passions with the next generation of runners.

Hometown: LaMoure, N.D.
Year: Senior
Major: Applied Kinesiology
Activities on campus: Track & field, cross country, marathon, tutor, and student project lead for a nutrition and fitness clinic run by the KHP department.

What made you choose to major in applied kinesiology?

I chose this degree because I am passionate about health and fitness and want to help others achieve their goals and become their best selves. The human body is a unique, complex machine capable of so much if taken care of and trained properly. I love running and plan to become a collegiate or professional running coach. My end goal is to work with athletes and continue to be a runner myself.

What has been your favorite memory so far?

My favorite memory has always been the Halloween costume contest Coach Rak holds in the strength and conditioning gym in the bubble. Last year, I dressed as the Grinch, and this year, I dressed as an 80s fitness instructor! We athletes love competing with each other and going all out on our costumes. Seeing the gym packed with costumes and everyone having a good time is super fun.

Favorite spot on campus?

My favorite spot on campus is the track and bubble. From placing 3rd in the conference for steeple chase my freshman year when Valley hosted the conference meet to having tons of hardcore workouts, I have made many good memories there. I love working with my coach, Taryn Brown, and I always look forward to learning from her, working hard with my teammates, and becoming stronger.

Why VCSU?

I chose VCSU for several reasons. My mom, Kelli Just, went here and enjoyed her experience. She is a proud Viking and recommended the college to me.  I wanted a college closer to home with a small-town atmosphere. I also chose Valley City because of its work with the military. As a North Dakota National Guard soldier, I support active military personnel and veterans. I enjoy the small class sizes and the staff’s willingness to work with me.

Any advice for those considering VCSU?

Valley City is the college where you can chase passion. You must chase your dreams and stop at nothing to achieve them. Valley City has made me realize how capable I am, both academically and athletically. Valley City has all the resources to be successful and will help you achieve your goals.

Viking sports update

Women’s Basketball
Valley City State’s women took down the No. 6 team in the nation Saturday, defeating Dakota State 75-61. VCSU finished the weekend with a 1-1 record after falling to Bellevue University on Friday night. VCSU is now 12-10 on the season and 4-6 in conference play. VCSU play its final home games of the regular season this weekend against Jamestown on Friday and Dickinson State on Saturday at the Bubble. The Viking women will recognize seniors Ashlyn Diemert and Elyse Hebrink before Saturday’s game.

Men’s Basketball
VCSU went 1-1 over the weekend in a pair of close conference matchups including a win over Bellevue University and a loss to Dakota State. Caden Grinde was named NSAA Defensive Player of the Week after his weekend performance for the Vikings. The Viking men are now 11-11 overall and 2-8 in conference play. VCSU hosts Jamestown on Friday and Dickinson State on Saturday for its final home games of the regular season. VCSU will recognize eight seniors before tipoff Saturday.

Track and Field
VCSU track & field competed at the UND Open on Saturday where Jasmine Barnes set a new school record in the 1000 meter. The Viking women earned four top eight finishes while VCSU’s men earned three top eight finishes at the UND Open. VCSU’s athletes also recorded 10 personal records at the meet. VCSU competes at the Bison Open and Multi on Feb. 7-8 hosted by NDSU.

Baseball
Viking baseball opened its season with a 2-0 record with a pair of wins over Dakota Wesleyan played Jan. 30 in Mitchell, S.D. VCSU took the first game 8-4 and the second game 9-4 with the help of two home runs on the day by Daegen Morcom. VCSU will travel to Kansas City, Kan. to face Graceland University this Friday and Saturday. Game times are TBD.

Softball
The Viking softball team is set to open the 2025 season on Friday and Saturday at the University of Jamestown Dome. VCSU faces Northern State University and Montana State University Billings on Friday and then face Dakota Wesleyan University and Northern State on Saturday in Jamestown. All games will have live video and stats available.

Upcoming Events:
Feb. 7: Softball at University of Jamestown Dome, 9 a.m./1:30 p.m. (Jamestown, N.D.)
Feb. 7: Basketball vs. University of Jamestown, 5:30/7:30 p.m. (The Bubble)
Feb. 7: Baseball vs. Graceland University (DH), TBD (Kansas City, Kan.)
Feb. 7-8: Track and Field at Bison Open and Multi (Fargo, N.D.)
Feb. 8: Softball at University of Jamestown Dome 2:30/6:30 p.m. (Jamestown, N.D.)
Feb. 8: Baseball vs. Graceland University (DH), TBD (Kansas City, Kan.)
Feb. 8: Basketball vs. Dickinson State University (Senior Day), 3/5 p.m. (The Bubble)

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

February 6
noon Rosanne Olson artist talk, CFA Gallery

February 7
Viking Visit Day

February 9
7 p.m. “Reticulations”, CFA Gallery

February 13
Giving Hearts Day

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/