Hotline // March 19, 2025

VCSU launches Unmanned Aerial Vehicle certificate

Valley City State University is launching a new certificate that prepares students to fly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).

Starting in the Fall 2025 semester, the VCSU Social Science Department is offering an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle/Unmanned Aerial Systems program. The 7-credit certificate of completion includes three classes and can be completed in one academic year. Students will learn about the use of UAVs in private and public sectors, safe operation of UAVs, as well as real flight experience with various UAVs.

The coursework prepares students to take the FAA Part 107 Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG) exam. Successful completion of the exam allows students to commercially fly UAVs and have the background for more specialized training in the field of their choosing.

The courses will be taught by VCSU assistant professor Jacob Clauson, who is a certified commercial UAV pilot with five years of flying experience.

“By maintaining a broad and adaptable curriculum, we ensure that participants gain relevant, real-world skills that align with current industry needs,” said Clauson. “This flexibility allows students to integrate UAV expertise seamlessly into their careers, whether in agriculture, construction, photography, or other emerging fields. Regardless of a student’s prior experience, this certificate program will enhance their confidence in operating various UAV systems and fully prepare them for the exam required to become a commercial UAV pilot.”

The certificate includes a 3-credit introductory course and a 1-credit flight experience course during the fall semester, and then a 3-credit course during the spring that directly prepares students to take the FAA Part 107 exam.

Emily Fenster, chair of VCSU’s social science department, envisions the certificate being useful for VCSU students and community members.

“We aspired to create a certificate that is responsive to rapidly evolving industry demands,” said Fenster. “The general approach taken is intentional, as it is open to any student or community member who wants this skillset to complement their existing academic and professional plans.”

VCSU SEGS partners on incubator for rural ND teachers

The Valley City State University School of Education and Graduate Studies has partnered with Darcy Bakkegard – co-founder of The Educators’ Lab – to help facilitate an incubator program that supports rural North Dakota teachers.

The Teacher Empowerment Incubator is a year-long program that focuses on reducing teacher burnout and increasing teacher retention in rural North Dakota teachers. Participants will gain recertification hours, test solutions to classroom frustrations, foster meaningful community collaborations and receive financial support to fund their ideas.

Applications for the incubator program are due April 1, 2025. Interested teachers can contact Darcy Bakkegard with any questions. Bakkegard was recently a guest on the North Dakota Today television show to talk about the Teacher Empowerment Incubator.

Watch the North Dakota Today Interview

Helpful Links:

Learn more about the Teacher Empowerment Incubator

Access the incubator application

Contact Darcy Bakkegard

SBHE Conducting Listening Sessions March 20 on campus

The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) is conducting listening sessions on the VCSU campus to gather feedback for President Alan LaFave’s comprehensive evaluation.

The listening sessions are Thursday, March 20, in the Student Center Norway Room. Faculty, staff, students and community members are invited to attend and participate in their respective sessions. DJ Campbell is the SBHE representative on site.

Thursday, March 20 – Student Center Norway Room
9:00-9:50 a.m. – Staff listening session
10:00-10:50 a.m. – Community listening session
11:00-11:50 a.m. – Faculty listening session
12:00-12:50 p.m. – President’s Cabinet listening session
1:00-1:50 p.m. – Student listening session

VCSU Multicultural Affairs Hosting March 24 Open House

The VCSU Office for Multicultural Affairs is hosting a campus open house March 24 for students and employees to visit the reimagined space in McFarland Hall 131.

The open house runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, March 24. Donuts and refreshments will be provided. Students and employees are invited to stop by to view the space updates and learn more about the services offered by the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Russi speaks on graduates returning to hometowns

Jenni Lou Russi, associate professor in the department of communication arts, spoke at Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D. on March 18. Russi’s speech, “Encourage Our Graduates to SOAR and Return to Their Rural Hometowns with Purpose”, was presented as part of a debate with Kerry Konda, Speech and Debate Coach at Aberdeen Central High School. Liz Sills, associate professor of communication studies at NSU, organized the event with the university’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

Additionally, Russi recently acted in a staged reading production of  “All the King’s Women”, a collection of scenes and monologues featuring the women in the life of Elvis Presley. The show was produced by Stage West in West Fargo on March 14 and 15.

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.

Alumni spotlight: Ned Clooten ’98

Name: Ned Clooten ’98
Current Residence: Devils Lake, N.D.
Major/Minor: Biology Education, minors in chemistry and coaching

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

I’m currently in my second year as the Superintendent of Schools for Devils Lake Public Schools (DLPS). I had previously been a high school principal for 16 years but decided it was time for a change so I jumped into superintendency. It has been a great challenge. Devils Lake has been a great move for myself and for my family. DLPS recently passed a bond referendum through a vote of the people for a $30 million dollar improvement project to our school facilities. That is first and foremost on my plate right now to improve some of the school facilities especially in the area of safety and security in the DLPS district.

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

What brought me to VCSU was its size and its people. I was recruited by Jim Dew to come and play football there but honestly it was the people I met on my campus tour that sold me.

What clubs or activities were you involved in during your time at VCSU? 

Football, student government, and resident assistant

What are some of your accomplishments? 

My son, Jackson, is working on his pilot’s license with a dream of flying for a career one day. My son, Noah, already runs his own business (Clooten Films) as a high school student and is very successful in doing so. My daughter, Ella, is a caring and loving freshman at DLHS that is active in leadership as well as volleyball and track.

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

I love spending time with my family as well as outdoor activities like hunting and fishing, especially when they involve time with family and friends. The activities are great but the memories with the people you cherish is the true treasure. I play bass guitar on the worship team at my church and volunteer with some service organizations and boards in the Devils Lake area as well.

What is your fondest memory of your college years? 

My fondest memory would have to be meeting the love of my life Valerie (Buchholz) Clooten and being featured on Dr. Stickler’s bulletin board with her on the 3rd floor of the science building. We just celebrated 25 years of marriage and look back on our time at VCSU very fondly!

Any advice for current VCSU students?

Enjoy your time there! Invest in the community, don’t just sit in your dorm room. Once I became more active in the Valley City community my college experience became so much richer!

Viking sports update

Baseball
The Viking baseball finished its spring break trip at the RussMatt Invitational with an 8-7 record including a walkoff win in its final game in Florida to improve to 13-12 on the season. VCSU competes in the NSAA Preseason Classic featuring four non-conference games against conference opponents March 22-23 at Dickinson State University.

Softball
VCSU finished the Tucson Invitational Games with a 6-5 record including a notable win over No. 4 Northwestern. The Vikings open conference play with a four-game series March 29-30 at Dakota State.

Track & Field
VCSU is set to kick off the outdoor season at the Marauders Outdoor Open on Saturday at the University of Mary.

Upcoming events:
March 22: Baseball vs. Mayville, 12 p.m. CT (Dickinson, N.D.)
March 22: Baseball vs. Jamestown, 2:30 p.m. CT (Dickinson, N.D.)
March 22: Track & Field at Marauders Outdoor Open
March 23: Baseball at Dickinson State (DH), 1 p.m. CT (Dickinson, N.D.)

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

March 18
11 a.m. General Student Recital, LJR Center for the Arts
4 p.m. Zumba Madness, Gaukler Family Wellness Center
7 p.m. Luther Enloe: Classical Guitarist, LJR Center for the Arts

March 24
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Multicultural Affairs Office Open House, McFarland 131
4 – 7 p.m. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, McFarland 122

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/