Hotline // February 21, 2024

President's Column: Spring Successes

Greetings from VCSU!

It has been a busy time on the VCSU campus these past two weeks! We’ve hosted more than 1,200 high school students for the EDC music contest and DECA emerging leaders workshop. Providing opportunities for students to experience the excitement of the campus, meet some of our amazing faculty, staff, and students, and see the plethora of opportunities that abound certainly plays a factor in our continued enrollment success.

Enrollment is an important driver of continued success and stability but is also an indicator of the trust students and families are placing in the educational opportunities, attention to affordability, and career attainment made possible with a degree from VCSU. Spring 2024 enrollment numbers recently released confirm this. We are pleased to report record spring enrollments with 1,747 total students. This includes 1,628 undergraduates and 119 graduate students. Additionally, we set a full-time equivalent (FTE) record of 1,148, a six percent increase from Spring 2023. The FTE number helps create opportunities for innovation, new initiatives, and moving our campus forward.

Another quality indicator was recently reinforced with the release of the 2024 US News and World Report Best Online Programs. VCSU was recognized for having one of the best online bachelor’s programs in the nation. Additionally, our online master’s in education program was the only regional public institution in North Dakota included in the rankings. Our continued success and growth depend on meeting students where they are. By providing high-quality, affordable programs to students when and where they need them is one of the advantages and conveniences of our online offerings.

You may ask, do these ratings matter? The answer is YES! Just as fall enrollments have continued to set records, our spring enrollment headcount has increased by 35% since 2015! This is a unique upward trend that many universities are simply not experiencing in today’s higher education landscape. We are so fortunate to have outstanding support from our community, friends and alumni who provide outstanding scholarship support.

In closing, I’d like to mention two of our seniors who were recognized at their last home basketball games on February 10. Adriana Torres, the lone senior on the women’s basketball team, was recognized at the doubleheader and totaled 11 points, six rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Adriana is from Pelican Rapids, MN. Cleveland Bedgood, the only senior on our men’s basketball team from Miami, FL, was recognized between games and went on to score 26 points in a decisive win over Waldorf. Both student athletes have amassed impressive resumes and the contributions they have made to VCSU are significant. We wish them both much success at the conclusion of this season and in their chosen career paths!

Go Vikings!

Faculty recital set for Feb. 26

The VCSU Department of Music presents a faculty recital on Monday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. in the Center for the Arts Performance Hall. The recital will feature Dr. Katrina Clements, clarinet and Dr. Ozzie Johnson, piano.

Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.

VCSU to host first annual math competition

Valley City State University Department of Mathematics will host the 1st Annual VCSU Math Competition for students in grades 7-12 on Wednesday, April 17.

The online registration form is available at https://vcsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cN2celJl4bBNBwq. Participants must register by Friday, March 22.

The event will run from 9:30 a.m – 2:00 p.m. Participants and teachers/coaches will receive a VCSU Math t-shirt. Prizes will be awarded for the winners including a $1,000 VCSU Math scholarship to the individual champion of the grade 10-12 division.

Questions? Contact VCSU math department chair, Dr. Jamie Wirth at 701-845-7734 or jamie.wirth@vcsu.edu

Wicktor and Woehl awarded AI professional development scholarships 

Emily Wicktor, Ph.D, associate professor for language and literature and Katie Woehl, Ph.D, professor for social science, were two of fifteen North Dakota University System (NDUS) faculty members to be awarded $1,000 scholarships through the Dakota Digital Academy to attend and participate in conferences or professional development experiences involving artificial intelligence (AI). The scholarships were established to encourage professional learning and AI implementation in college classrooms. 

To be eligible to receive the scholarships, faculty members had to submit the name of a conference or type of professional development event they would like to attend. They also had to explain how they would use that information to enhance classroom teaching. 

Woehl, who will be attending her conference this spring, said, “My conference is Learning and the Brain: Teaching students to think, create, innovate, learn, and adapt for an anxious, AI age. I plan to attend sessions that will apply to both my teaching and to developing AI-focused professional development opportunities for VCSU faculty.”

Wicktor said, “I will use the DDA scholarship to cover my presentation at the Minnesota Writing and English conference this spring. The conference theme focuses on questions of AI and LLM technologies as they connect to New Visions in College Writing. I will present my research project titled, ‘To ask is to break the spell’: Neil Postman, the Huxleyan Warning, and Old-New Visions for College Writing in the Age of AI and my project will inform writing and research practices in VCSU’s first-year and advanced writing course classrooms.”

Makenzee Stone recognized for SOAR grant

Makenzee Stone, social science and history education major, received a SOAR grant in the fall of 2022. One of the requirements for receiving a grant is for the recipient to present their research at a conference. Stone presented her SOAR research paper at the Dakota History Conference in Sioux Falls, S.D. in April of 2023. MaKenzee was the recipient of the Western Studies Student Award. This is the sixth time a student from Valley City State University has received recognition for presenting a paper at the Dakota History Conference.

The Title of her paper was “The Cadet Nurse Corps: Solving America’s Nursing Shortage at the Outbreak of WW II.”  Her paper focused on the history of the Nurse Cadet Corps established in Valley City to address the nursing shortage as a result of the War.

Center for the Arts Gallery now showing H.S. Student Art Exhibit

The VCSU Art Department presents the High School Student Art Exhibit from February 16 – March 15 in the Center for the Arts Gallery.

A reception will take place on Wednesday, February 28 from 4 – 6 p.m. The show is open to the public and can be viewed during gallery hours, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

McCarthy Surplus Sale

VCSU will host a surplus sale on Tuesday, February 27. The sale will run from noon – 4 p.m. in McCarthy Hall on the VCSU campus (620 2nd Ave SE).

Items for sale include glassware, chairs, office supplies, Legos, tools and more. Photos of items will be posted to the VCSU Facilities Services Facebook page. All merchandise is to be paid for and picked up by 4 p.m. that day. Customers will be responsible for moving and loading their own items.

For more information contact Facilities Services at 701-845-7705.

VCSU Career and Internship Expo Planned for Feb. 27

Employers Encouraged to Register by Jan. 18

Valley City State University (VCSU) will host a Career and Internship Expo from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27, in the Memorial Student Union.

Employers interested in promoting career opportunities are encouraged to register for the event by Jan. 18 by emailing Janna Kohler at janna.kohler@vcsu.edu.

Students are encouraged to attend the event and discover employment and internship opportunities available with multiple local businesses and non-profit organizations.

“This event is one of the best ways we can connect our student population with the business community in Valley City and Barnes County,” 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.”

In 2021 to 2022, 99% of non-education major graduates responding to a career survey said they were already employed or were continuing their education after graduation. Of education graduates, 100% responding reported they were employed or continuing their education. 70% of those graduates were employed in North Dakota.

“Our graduates are career-ready and our placement data supports that fact,” Vice President for Academic Affairs Larry Brooks said. “A diploma from VCSU helps our students enter the career of their choosing, often prior to graduation.”

The event focuses on opportunities for internships, seasonal, part-time and full-time work in the area. Students will be able to take a professional headshot and offer their resume to potential employers.

For more information about this event contact Janna Kohler at janna.kohler@vcsu.edu or call 701-845-7534.

VCSU Offers Free Tax Preparation

Tax preparation dates begin Monday, Feb. 5

Valley City, ND – Valley City State University (VCSU) students will offer free tax return preparation clinics for low-to-moderate income taxpayers from Monday, Feb. 5 to Monday, April 15. This is a basic tax service for qualified taxpayers with income less than $64,000 per year. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is offered by VCSU’s Department of Business.

The clinics begin on Monday, Feb. 5, and will be located on VCSU’s campus in McFarland 122. Walk-ins and appointments are accepted. Appointments can be made online at www.vcsu.edu/vita.

The clinics include face-to-face meetings between students and the tax filer to complete their return. The returns are then reviewed by a faculty member. Filers should bring a government-issued photo identification such as a driver’s license to the appointment. A married couple filing jointly will need photo identification for both the husband and the wife.

“These clinics offer a service for our community and provide students and faculty the chance to work together as a team,” said Brenda Tyre, chair of the VCSU Department of Business. “We are happy to coordinate these clinics to give students the opportunity to develop strong leadership, tax law knowledge, and communication skills. Every student volunteer working in the clinic has passed a tax preparation and code of standards exam to ensure returns are prepared accurately, maintain privacy, and ensure all personal information is secure.”

Dates available on Monday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. include:

Dates available on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. include:

There will be no clinic hours on the following holidays:

• Monday, March 4
• Tuesday, March 5
• Monday, April 1

To schedule an appointment, visit www.vcsu.edu/vita/ or contact the Department of Business at (701) 845-7508.

Viking Sports Update

Postseason Basketball begins Wednesday
The NSAA Basketball Postseason Tournament starts Wednesday, Feb. 21. VCSU’s women are the No. 3 seed and host No. 6 Dickinson State on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

The Viking men are the No. 7 seed and will be on the road playing at No. 2 seed Mayville State at 7 p.m. The NSAA semifinals are Feb. 25 and the championship will be March 3.

Track & Field
The Valley City State track and field teams won three individual conference titles and racked up 11 All-Conference honors Sunday during the NSAA Indoor Track and Field Conference Championships. VCSU sophomore Jaiden Peraza won a pair of conference titles in the men’s high jump and long jump, and Viking sophomore Cameron Champagnie took home the title in the men’s triple jump during the conference meet in Brookings, S.D.

Read more: https://vcsuvikings.com/news/2024/2/18/mens-track-and-field-vikings-earn-11-all-conference-honors-at-nsaa-meet.aspx

Softball
The VCSU Softball team went 3-1 during a successful weekend at the Dordt University Dome Tournament. The Vikings earned wins against Dakota Wesleyan, Dordt and Briar Cliff over the weekend. VCSU (5-6 overall record) is now off until its spring trip to Tucson, Ariz., which begins March 2.

Upcoming Events
Feb. 21: Women’s Basketball vs. Dickinson State, 7 p.m. (Valley City)
Feb. 21: Men’s Basketball at Mayville State, 7 p.m. (Mayville)
Feb. 24: Baseball vs. Midland/Graceland, 3/5:30 p.m. (at Kansas City, Kan.)
Feb. 25: Baseball vs. Midland/Dakota Wesleyan, 10 a.m./12:30 p.m. (at Kansas City, Kan.)

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

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/