Hotline // February 26, 2025

30th Annual VCSU Scholarship Auction set for April 11

Adventure Awaits! A Night Full of Treasure

Ahoy Mateys! The 30th annual Valley City State University Scholarship Auction presents: “Adventure Awaits! A Night Full of Treasure” on April 11 at the Valley City Eagles Club. This year’s pirate-themed event will be full of treasure, swashbuckling adventurers, and a feast fit for a captain.

Auction tickets are on sale now for $70 each, which includes admission, two drink tickets and a buffet dinner. Purchase tickets online or by contacting the VCSU Foundation office at 701-845-7203.

“The scholarship auction has become the event of the season for many. We have been very fortunate in both the donations we have received in the past and for our generous bidders the night of the event,” said Kim Hesch, assistant director for advancement. “With record-breaking enrollment in both fall and spring semesters it is more important than ever to have a successful scholarship fundraiser.”

The night begins with a social hour at 5 p.m. The buffet dinner will be served at 6 p.m. with live auction to follow at 7 p.m. This is an opportunity to bid on great items while contributing to scholarships, offering some financial relief for future and current VCSU students.

Silent Auction

The silent auction will be set up in-person this year at the Eagles club, but bids will still be made exclusively in the Handbid app. Silent auction bidding begins Monday, April 7, at noon and concludes at 7:30 p.m. on the night of the auction. The Handbid app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play Store. After downloading, participants follow the prompts to create an account, then choose “VCSU Scholarship Auction 2025” from the list. Users can monitor their winning and losing bids from the dashboard, receive notifications when they have been outbid, and checkout within the app at the end of the night. Silent auction participants do not need to be present to win.

Games & Raffles

As in past auctions, the evening will also feature the popular Mystery Wine Table along with a variety of raffle giveaways. Games and contests throughout the night include raffle boards, a prize wheel and a Norwegian raffle.

Donate Auction Items

Auction items are currently being solicited for the event. Anyone wishing to donate an item can contact the VCSU Foundation office. As the event approaches, a list of silent and live auction items will be made available on the VCSU Foundation website at vcsualumni.org; click on the “Auction” banner.

For more information regarding the VCSU Scholarship Auction, to purchase tickets or to donate an item, call the VCSU Foundation Office at 701-845-7203 or visit the VCSU Auction website.

Dr. Katrina Clements performing faculty recital Feb. 28

The Valley City State University Music Department is proud to present Echoes & Elements, a solo faculty recital by Dr. Katrina Clements, assistant professor of woodwinds.

The recital features collaboration with Angela Mircsov, associate professor of art, and Dr. Ozzie Johnson, piano. This unique and immersive performance will take place at the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts Performance Hall on Friday, February 28, at 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public with a reception to follow.

Blending live clarinet performance with electronic soundscapes and striking visual elements, Echoes & Elements explores the connections between music, technology and imagery. The program features contemporary works that incorporate electronic effects, multimedia, and artistic collaborations, creating a dynamic sensory experience.

The recital begins with Heat it UP! by Kay He, a composition inspired by the heat and landscape of the Arizona desert. This is followed with Cacophony by Jenni Brandon, a solo clarinet piece using delay pedal effects, accompanied by original acrylic paintings by Mircsov that will be premiered during the performance and on display in the lobby afterwards.

The middle of the program includes Through Waters, by Mountains by Yao Chen, a work for clarinet and piano with video that evokes the movement of water and rugged mountain landscapes. I’d Known This Place by Dan Caputo will use live audio generative animations to explore memory through repeated recollections. The recital will close with an exciting new work for bass clarinet and electronics, Bridges by Spencer Brand, exploring the intersection of tangible and virtual connections. Dr. Ozzie Johnson, assistant professor of piano at VCSU, will join Dr. Clements in performance.

“This recital is an opportunity to showcase collaboration between the VCSU music and art departments pushing the boundaries of traditional performance by combining sound with striking visual elements and technology,” says Dr. Clements. “The audience will experience a fusion of music and art that highlights the beauty of both mediums.”

Join us for an evening of innovation, collaboration and artistic exploration at Echoes & Elements.

"Home" apparel sale supporting NSLS

The National Society for Leadership & Success is selling “Home” shirts to support the club. The sale runs through March 3. Shirts can be ordered at https://vcsu-ndus.nbsstore.net/nsls-home-clothing-preorder and can be picked up at VCSU or have it shipped.

Prices are as follows:
Crewneck sweatshirt – $28
Comfort Colors long sleeve – $29
Comfort Colors t-shirt – $22

Questions can be directed to Kari Stricklin at kari.stricklin@vcsu.edu or Brittany Nathan or brittany.nathan@vcsu.edu.

VCSU Arts Gallery hosting High School Art Exhibition

The Valley City State University Arts Gallery proudly presents the annual High School Student Art Exhibit, showcasing a diverse collection of artworks created by talented high school students across North Dakota.

The exhibition is open to the public February 24 through March 21 on the VCSU campus. This year’s exhibit highlights outstanding student artworks from students at Hillsboro High School, Maple Valley Public School, Northern Cass High School, and Rugby High School.

The VCSU Arts Gallery is located inside the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Awards will be presented at a public reception, announced at a later date. A virtual exhibit will also be available on the VCSU Art Department’s YouTube Channel.

VCSU Spring Intramural Volleyball

VCSU is hosting a spring season of indoor co-ed intramural volleyball. Teams of six or more are encouraged to register for the five-week season. The first game will be March 26, 2025 and games will take place weekly on Wednesday evenings.

Sign your team up today! https://forms.office.com/r/pA9qUrGrzc

Meet Brittany Foss ’17

Name: Brittany Foss, M.Ed ’17
Current Residence: Fargo, N.D.
Major/Minor: Education and Teaching, English Language Learners certificate

What is your current employment, education program, or passion project?

I have been teaching for West Fargo Public Schools for over 10 years. I work at Willow Park Elementary, specifically for a program called the Welcome Center. The Welcome Center is a specialized program at Willow Park Elementary designed to support students who have recently arrived in the United States and are still developing their English skills. In our program, students receive intensive, small group instruction that focuses on building language proficiency, whether it’s through speaking, listening, reading, or writing. But we don’t just teach language—our primary goal is to ensure that every student feels safe and accepted as they begin their new life in our school and community.

What first interested you in VCSU? How did you decide to come here?

As I reflect on my journey in the TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) program at VCSU, I can’t help but feel grateful for the decision I made to enroll. Many of my co-workers had raved about the program, speaking highly of the knowledgeable staff and the outstanding mentorship of Joan Aus, a faculty member who left a lasting impact on them. Now that I’ve had the opportunity to experience it myself, I can confidently say that VCSU lived up to the hype—and exceeded my expectations.

What are some of your accomplishments? 

This summer we welcomed our daughter, Parker Quinn Foss. Big brother Cooper loves playing and helping out with his little sister!

What are your interests outside of work (hobbies, volunteerism, interests, goals)? 

My family enjoys going to the lake in the summer and traveling as much as possible!

What is your fondest memory of your college years? 

Building new relationships with peers that turned into lasting friendships after college. All the late night study groups and working on group projects are the memories that still make me smile. College was also a time for personal growth and where I discovered new interests.

Any advice for current VCSU students?

Set achievable, short-term goals to maintain a sense of progress and stay organized with tasks.Reconnect with the reasons you started college in the first place. Keeping your purpose in mind can help you through the tough days. Allow yourself to explore new ideas, subjects, and experiences. Stay curious.

Viking sports update

Women’s Basketball
VCSU’s women defeated Mayville State 76-67 to round out its regular season schedule with a 14-13 record on the season and a 6-9 mark in conference play. JayCee Richter and Abby Aslesen each earned NSAA Player of the Week awards after their individual performances in the win. VCSU is the No. 5 seed for the NSAA Postseason Tournament and will travel to No. 4 Bellevue Wednesday for the opening round contest at 7 p.m.

Men’s Basketball
The Viking men dropped its regular season finale to Mayville State Friday night to finish with a 14-12 overall record and a 5-10 NSAA record. VCSU earned a No. 4 seed for the NSAA Postseason Tournament and will host No. 5 Bellevue University Wednesday night at the Bubble. Tip is slated for 7 p.m.

Softball
VCSU Softball went 1-3 at the Nelson Family Bubble on the University of Jamestown campus last weekend. VCSU defeated Jamestown 9-3 to highlight the weekend and is now 5-7 overall. The Vikings will have a break until its spring break trip to the Tucson Invitational Games March 7-13.

Baseball
The Vikings went 2-2 Monday and Tuesday after playing Dordt University and Kansas Christian College in Kansas City, Mo. The Vikings are now 5-5 on the season heading into the RussMatt Invitational March 1-15 in Orlando, Fla.

Track and Field
VCSU’s Tayshaun Robinson and Karly Just are slated to compete at the NAIA National Indoor Track and Field Championships in Gainsville, Fla. this weekend. Robinson will compete in the 60-meter hurdles while Karly Just will run the 3000-meter with preliminary competitions set to take place on Feb. 27.

Upcoming Events:
Feb. 26: Men’s Basketball vs. Bellevue, 7 p.m. (The Bubble)
Feb. 26: Women’s Basketball at Bellevue, 7 p.m. (Bellevue, Neb.)
Feb. 27-March 1: Track and Field at NAIA Championships (Gainsville, Fla.)
March 1: NSAA Basketball Semifinals, TBD (Higher seed hosts)
March 1-15: Baseball at RussMatt Invitational (Orlando, Fla.)

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

March 3
4 p.m. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

March 7
7:30 p.m. “Love & Loss” Choral Concert

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/