Hotline // February 15, 2023

President's Column: Helping in time of need

The higher education community was saddened to recently learn of the planned closing of Presentation College in Aberdeen, S.D. at the end of the summer 2023 semester. Many students, faculty, and staff have been impacted by this closure. Additionally, as a member of the NAIA Collegiate Athletic Conference and North Star Athletic Association, VCSU and other NSAA schools will have one fewer partner for our athletic contests for the immediate future.

Presentation College has been a tremendous partner for the NSAA. They have served an important role in the delivery of higher education for the region. VCSU and Presentation College have entered into a formal teach-out agreement, approved by the Higher Learning Commission on February 6, 2023, to assist students with the completion of their degree requirements. Many of the VCSU courses and programs are available both in-person on the main campus and online. Teach-Out programs available at the undergraduate level include:

1. Bachelor of Science in Sport Management – on campus
2. Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Management concentration) – on campus or online
3. Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Rehabilitative Studies – on campus
4. Bachelor of Science in Psychology – on campus
5. Bachelor of Science in Human Services (Criminal Justice concentration) – on campus
6. Bachelor of Science in Communication – on campus or online
7. Bachelor of Science in Biology – on campus
8. Bachelor of Science in Health Science – on campus

The pathway to graduation for each student transitioning to Valley City State will allow the student to complete their program in the same timeframe as was possible at Presentation College (or sooner) if the student continues to maintain satisfactory progress and completes all requirements per the agreed upon plan.

Several of our staff and faculty have participated in teach-out and transfer fairs over the past two weeks for students. Presentation College faculty and staff  were encouraged to apply for openings at VCSU. I am grateful for the outstanding work of many faculty and staff, including:

• Mr. Larry Brooks, Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Dr. Katie Woehl, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Erin Heide, Director for Enrollment Services
• Dr. Nick Galt, Chair, Department of Science
• Brigitte Greywater, Head Volleyball Coach
• Casey Olney, Head Baseball Coach
• Matt Gable, Head Softball Coach

We extend our very best wishes to our friends and colleagues at Presentation College and stand ready to assist as needed.

Go Vikings!

Technology Education and First Floor McCarthy are Moving Up

Digital art students Bailey Nelson and Jared Grommesh, and their instructor/advisor Ekow Ephrim, recently revamped the technology education department hallway. The team created environmental graphic illustrations with a focus on designing for the real world. They then completed the production and implementation of their work.

According to Jason Dockter, chair for technology education, “Ekow and the students were very committed to a job well done which is evident in the display. We are exceedingly pleased and grateful for the professionalism and care put into this project as it has changed the aesthetics of our hallway. Thanks so much to these three individuals for their time and talent now on display on the first floor of McCarthy Hall.”

STEM Day at the Bismarck Career Academy

Clayton Mannie, assistant professor for technology education, presented an engineering design challenge to around 50 high school students from the Central Regional Area Career and Technical Center (CRACTC) on Jan. 31 at Bismarck State College in the Bismarck Career Academy facility.

This design challenge was guided by a design brief that specified criteria and constraints to ensure a fair and competitive environment. Students were challenged with creating a mousetrap vehicle that carried a launch mechanism. The vehicle was powered by the stored (potential) energy of a mousetrap after the lever arm and spring were wound tight. Upon release of the lever arm potential energy was transferred to kinetic energy as the mousetrap spring and arm unwind. Motion is created by the lever arm, which is attached to the axle with a string. Upon reaching a specified distance the vehicle must stop and use its catapult to launch a ping pong ball at a target. After start, all mechanical function must be autonomous (no human intervention).

Giving Hearts Day results

The Valley City State University Foundation & Alumni office is happy to announce that 234 generous donors contributed a total of $33,235 for Giving Hearts Day this year. Those dollars will be used to help VCSU students through scholarship support in addition to hosting alumni gatherings, award programs, Homecoming activities, and the alumni newsletter The Bulletin.

VCSU Department of Music presents instrumental concert

VCSU Department of Music invites you to attend the instrumental concert on Feb. 17. The concert will take place in the Performance Hall in the Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public.

Last day to register for VCSU Choral & Solo Song Festival

Choral and Solo Song Festival held at the brand-new Center for the Arts March 3 & 4, 2023

High school vocalists are invited to join the Music Department at VCSU for a festival designed to prepare students for Solo and Ensemble Contests. The festival will provide high school students with the opportunity to work on solo repertoire through lessons and masterclasses with three clinicians while developing their skills as a choral singer with VCSU’s Concert Choir. Five masterclass participants will be selected to perform their prepared solo for the final Festival Concert. Registration is $20 per student and the registration deadline is Feb. 15, 2023.

What will I get out of the experience? Improved vocal technique – both as a soloist and as a choral artist, individual feedback from vocal experts, collegiate-level choir experience.

Registration open until February 15, 2023: https://www.vcsu.edu/vcsu-to-host-choral-solo-song-festival/

Viking Sports Update

Men’s Basketball
Friday: VCSU 70, Bellevue University 60
Saturday: VCSU 93, Dakota State 74
VCSU men’s basketball continued its hot play as of late, sweeping a pair of games this past weekend against Bellevue and Dakota State. The Vikings are now 15-12 overall and 8-5 in conference play. VCSU is currently third in the NSAA standings with one conference game remaining. The Viking men have locked up a home playoff game on Tuesday, Feb. 21.

Women’s Basketball
Friday: Bellevue University 78, VCSU 68
Saturday: Dakota State 82, VCSU 52
VCSU women’s basketball has a 14-12 overall record and a 7-6 conference record with one game remaining. The Vikings play Thursday at Dickinson State. If VCSU wins on Thursday, the Vikings will host a playoff game on Tuesday, Feb. 21.

Softball
Friday: MSUM 9, VCSU 1; VCSU 10, Jamestown 6
Saturday: Morningside 9, VCSU 0; Northern State 12, VCSU 11 (9 innings)
VCSU softball posted a 1-3 record this past weekend during a tournament in Aberdeen, S.D. The Vikings are now 3-5 overall and go back to Aberdeen for four more games this weekend.

Track & Field
The VCSU track and field team competes at their conference championship meet on Sunday. The NSAA Indoor Track & Field Championships start at 9 a.m. Sunday in Brookings, S.D.

Upcoming Events
Feb. 16: WBB/MBB at Dickinson State, 6:30/8:30 p.m. CT (Dickinson, N.D.)
Feb. 17: Softball at Presentation College Dome Tourney, 10 a.m./12:30 p.m. (Aberdeen, S.D.)
Feb. 18: Softball at Presentation College Dome Tourney, 3/5:30 p.m. (Aberdeen, S.D.)
Feb. 19: Track & Field at NSAA Championships, 9 a.m. (Brookings, S.D.)

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

Find out what’s happening in the community on the Valley City Community Calendar: https://www.valleycitycalendar.com/

Find out what’s happening at the VCSU Center for the Arts: https://www.vcsu.edu/center-for-the-arts/fine-arts-calendar/

February 17
7:30 p.m. Instrumental Concert, CFA Performance Hall

February 21
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. VCSU Career Expo, Student Center