Hotline // October 21, 2026

President's Column: Working Together to Prepare Students for the Future Workforce

By Dr. Allen Burgad, VCSU Interim President

One of our main priorities at Valley City State University is preparing students for success beyond graduation. This includes providing a strong academic foundation, along with the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to succeed in their future careers.

To support this work, VCSU has established a Business & Industry Advisory Council made up of business and industry leaders from across our region, along with VCSU faculty, staff, and administrative leaders. The purpose of the Council is to strengthen our partnerships with regional employers and ensure our programs and student experiences continue to align with workforce needs.

One of our first accomplishments was identifying seven essential Career Readiness Competencies that employers believe are important for future career success. These include:

• Communication
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Teamwork
• Adaptability
• Technology
• Professionalism
• Self-Development

We have taken this work a step further by developing a common framework that will help students, faculty, and employers assess student growth through internships, practicum experiences, and other learning opportunities. This will provide students with a better understanding of the skills that employers value and opportunities to continue developing these skills throughout their college experience.

Another priority is to take a closer look at how we can expand experiential learning opportunities for our students. We want to strengthen internships, real-world learning, and other meaningful work experiences that let students apply what they learn in the classroom. These opportunities help students gain valuable experience, build professional relationships, and explore future career opportunities. They also provide our regional employers with opportunities to connect with students who may become future employees.

I appreciate the commitment of our business and industry partners, as well as the VCSU faculty, staff, and administrators who serve on this Council. Their willingness to work together is another example of the strong partnerships we have throughout our region. Our goal is to ensure VCSU graduates leave with the knowledge, skills, experiences, and confidence to be successful in their careers while making important contributions to the communities they serve.

VCSU Music Hosting Concerts October 23-24

The Valley City State University music department will host a pair of concerts this weekend at the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts.

The James D. Ployhar Honor Band Concert is Friday, Oct. 23, at 5 p.m., and VCSU senior Ela Day Child (pictured) will present her Senior Recital on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 2 p.m. Both performances are free and open to the public.

Ela Day Child – Senior Recital

Ela Day Child, a music education major from Fairmount, N.D., presents her senior capstone flute recital on Saturday. Ela will be accompanied by Dr. Ozzie Johnson on piano as she performs a selection of pieces.

The senior recital is the culmination of her work as she prepares to graduate from VCSU later this year.

Watch Ela’s Performance Online

23^rd Annual Ployhar Honor Band

The Ployhar Honor Band brings together more than 85 area high school students for two days of rehearsals and a culminating performance. Under the direction of guest conductor Mr. Dustin Moe – current band and choir director at Washburn High School (N.D.) – the students will perform their finalized selections inside the Performance Hall at the Center for the Arts.

The annual Ployhar Honor Band recognizes VCSU alumni James D. Ployhar – considered to be one of the most prolific writers in the field of music education and the first member of the VCSU Music Hall of Fame.

Watch Ployhar Honor Band Online

Mattilyn Nathan’s Senior Exhibit “Biophilia” opens Oct. 26

Valley City State University student Mattilyn Nathan presents her senior art exhibit Biophilia, featured in the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts Gallery from October 26 through November 6.

A native of West Fargo, N.D., Nathan is pursuing an Art Education degree at VCSU. Her upcoming senior exhibit explores the connection between humans and nature by using ceramic, acrylic and fiber pieces.

Nathan will be leading an artist talk about her senior exhibit on Thursday, November 5 at 3 p.m. The talk will be live streamed for those who choose to attend virtually on the VCSU Art Department YouTube channel.

While exploring the connections between humans and nature, Nathan’s pieces reinforce the sense of obligation to treat other forms of life with loving care. She focuses on nature’s life that is either looked down upon or, as she likes to say, “the funky parts of nature.” To explore more information about Nathan’s artwork, visit her digital portfolio.

Nathan will be student teaching within the Fargo school district in spring 2027. After graduation, she plans to move to Maine to pursue a job teaching art at a middle school. She would like to thank her family for supporting her throughout her five years at Valley City State University. She would also like to thank the Art Department professors who worked with and guided her.

Fisheries and Wildlife Students Restore North Country Trail

Students in the Fisheries and Wildlife program recently completed a community service project to restore a section of the North Country Trail near Kathryn, N.D. The group worked to repair an eroded portion of the popular recreational hiking trail, helping improve safety and accessibility for outdoor enthusiasts while supporting conservation efforts in the region. The project provided students with valuable hands-on experience and an opportunity to give back to the local community.

Celebration of National Day on Writing on VCSU campus

The Department of Language and Literature, in collaboration with the Allen Memorial Library, celebrated the National Day on Writing on Tuesday, Oct. 20. With the support of the English and Spanish Clubs, over 100 creative and thoughtful responses were gathered to the National Council of Teachers of English prompt: Why I Write. Faculty, staff, and students shared meaningful insights on how and why writing is a vital part of human expression.

Participants engaged in creative surrealist writing games and Spanish translation exercises, and all were also invited to review a selection of literary and other books gathered for the event by the VCSU library staff, with special emphasis on literature in translation.

A selection of Why I Write responses will soon be on display in the 3rd floor hallway of McFarland.

Questions about the National Day on Writing can be sent to event coordinator Emily D. Wicktor, associate professor of English: emily.wicktor@vcsu.edu.

Viking Sports Update

Volleyball
Valley City State won two of three home matches at W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse last week, defeating Mayville State and Montana State-Northern around a four-set loss to Providence. The Vikings rallied past Mayville State on Oct. 14, winning 19-25, 25-14, 25-22, 26-24. VCSU fought off set point in the fourth before Madden Bogenreif set Madysen Geist for the winning kill. Kadie Kocka led the offense with 14 kills, Molly Bjorneby added 13, and Reece Cave collected a team-high 22 digs. Gracie Schumacher finished with 22 assists and 16 digs, while Bogenreif added 19 assists and 17 digs. Against Providence on Oct. 16, VCSU took the opening set before falling 25-22, 20-25, 16-25, 12-25. Bjorneby recorded 13 kills, Geist added 11, and Ellie Lucas hit .500 with 10 kills. Schumacher contributed 21 assists and 16 digs. VCSU closed the homestand with a five-set victory over Montana State-Northern on Oct. 17, winning 25-17, 25-21, 23-25, 18-25, 21-19. The Vikings erased a 14-11 fifth-set deficit before Kocka delivered the match-winning kill. Eden Carrier led with 17 kills, while Kocka and Geist added 14 each. Kocka also recorded 28 digs, Annika Pulju added 27, and Schumacher finished with 29 assists and 20 digs. VCSU totaled 128 digs and 10 service aces.

Football
Valley City State pulled within seven points early in the third quarter, but Dakota State scored the final 14 points to defeat the Vikings 42-21 on Oct. 17 at Lokken Stadium. Laggarius Marshell scored on a rushing touchdown, and Brayden Medeiros connected with Jonathan Hunter for a 53-yard touchdown as VCSU twice tied the game in the second quarter. A 19-yard touchdown pass from Medeiros to Marshell cut the deficit to 28-21 after halftime. Medeiros completed 20 of 30 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns. Hunter caught three passes for 91 yards, while Marshell rushed for 57 yards and finished with two total touchdowns. Khalil Toney, Anthony Madsen and Lorenzo Luchi led the defense with eight tackles apiece. Luchi added two tackles for loss, including a sack. Caleb Torke intercepted a pass, and Oliver Melin blocked a field goal.

Career Milestone
Exavian Westbrook has climbed to No. 2 all-time in VCSU football history with 1,323 career kickoff return yards. The Orlando, Fla., native continues to make his mark in the Viking record books, one return at a time.

Upcoming Events
Oct. 23: Men’s Cross Country at the Marauder Tune-up, 4 p.m. (McDowell Dam Recreation Area, Bismarck, N.D.)
Oct. 23: Women’s Cross Country at the Marauder Tune-up, 4:45 p.m. (McDowell Dam Recreation Area, Bismarck, N.D.)
Oct. 23: Volleyball at Carroll College, 7 p.m. (Helena, Mont.)
Oct. 24: Football at Dickinson State, 3 p.m. (Henry Biesiot Activities Center, Dickinson, N.D.)
Oct. 24: Volleyball at Rocky Mountain College, 7 p.m. (Billings, Mont.)
Oct. 27: Men’s Basketball vs. Oak Hills Christian College, 6 p.m. – Season opener (W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse, Valley City, N.D.)

Times are listed as in CST.

Live video and statistics links are available at vcsuvikings.com.

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

October 23
5 p.m. Ployhar Honor Band Concert, Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts

October 24
2 p.m. Ela Day Child Senior Recital, Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts

October 27
11 a.m. General Student Recital, Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts

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/