Hotline // October 30, 2024
This week’s Hotline includes the following articles:
- President’s Column: Dedication to teaching and learning
- Safe Zone Training for employees
- VCSU receives Infant Friendly Workplace designation
- Madi Klabo earns 4th place in national speech tournament
- Kappa Delta Pi initiates 9 new members
- VCSU hosting Tomorrow’s Teachers visit days
- Polymer Skies exhibit runs through Nov. 22 at CFA Gallery
- Viking sports update
- What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…
President's Column: Dedication to teaching and learning

Greetings from VCSU!
VCSU is widely known and recognized for quality student experiences in and outside the classroom. This recognition continues to grow as evidenced by external ratings, national accreditations, graduate placement rates, increasing enrollments, and improved retention results.
Providing professional development opportunities for our students, faculty, and staff is a priority on our campus. We recently addressed this priority by welcoming Dr. Todd Zakrajsek on October 22 to provide a series of workshop sessions focused on learning, teaching, and engagement. Dr. Zakrajsek is an Associate Professor and Associate Director of the Faculty Development Fellowship at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He currently directs five Lilly Conferences on College and University Teaching and sits on two educationally related boards and several editorial boards for journals in teaching and learning. Dr. Zakrajsek an international speaker who is requested regularly for keynote presentations and campus workshops, having published and presented widely on the topic of effective teaching and student learning.
His workshops focused on strategies to help students and teachers succeed. He discussed ways to create engaging and motivating classroom environments that promote the best learning environments. He’s written several influential books, including “The New Science of Learning,” which offers valuable advice on improving study habits and the overall educational experience. Dr. Zakrajsek also addressed the challenges of online learning and provided tips for thriving in a digital environment. We were glad to welcome Dr. Zakrajsek to our campus to share his knowledge on these topics.
As we continue to enjoy the later days of fall, I’m pleased to report that progress on the McCarthy Hall renovation project is moving ahead nicely. Repair work has been completed on the southeast parapet (roof area), the third-floor framing is nearly complete, footings have been poured for the enclosed foyer connection to McFarland Hall, and windows will begin to be installed soon.
This facility will be game-changing for our outstanding education and technology education programs. With an anticipated opening of fall 2025, this will help address the continued critical need for teachers in the workforce.
Finally, I’d like to encourage you to consider donating to VCSU on the annual Day of Giving on November 14. The theme for this year’s event is “Row With Us.” We are excited to have the opportunity to help make a positive impact for student affordability and completion of their degree at VCSU. We are very grateful for our many supporters!
Go Vikings!
Safe Zone Training for employees
VCSU Student Affairs invites faculty and staff to attend Safe Zone Training on Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. – noon in the Student Center Skoal Room.
Safe Zone training is an interactive workshop to help people better understand 2SLGBTQIA+ terminology and experiences. The session covers topics such as vocabulary, gender, sexual orientation, and coming out. Safe Zone training is a valuable resource for faculty and staff who want to be allies to their colleagues and students, as well as for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community who want to better understand other perspectives.
The training will be led by Hannah Beebe (they/them) who is in their second year as the Research and Instruction Librarian at VCSU. They were born and raised in Colorado and got their B.A. in English and Communication Studies from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. They fell in love with the Midwest while working on their MLIS (master’s in library and information science) at the University of Iowa. Hannah has been learning about the 2SLGBTQIA+ community for over a decade and is passionate about helping people understand each other.
VCSU receives Infant Friendly Workplace designation
City County Health District recently presented VCSU with an Infant Friendly Workplace designation certificate for 2024. The Infant Friendly Workplace designation was established in 2009 by the North Dakota state legislature and provides assistance and recognition for businesses who have breastfeeding support policies for mothers returning to work. VCSU has been designated since 2011.
Becoming an Infant Friendly Workplace provides multiple benefits for the employee including a dedicated, private space for pumping breast milk with access to a nearby sink and refrigerator as well as a flexible break/work scheduling. Benefits for the employer include reduced sick leave, lower healthcare insurance costs, higher employee productivity and retention of experienced employees.
Madi Klabo earns 4th place in national speech tournament
VCSU Speech Team leader Madi Klabo earned 4th place in Extemporaneous Speaking in the 2nd Online Asynchronous Tournament Series (OATS).
The tournament included competition from 49 different schools and 25 different students submitted entries in the Extemporaneous Speaking category.
“Extemp is one of the hardest events because it requires you to have an excellent background in current events, international and domestic news and be quick on your feet,” VCSU Speech Coach Tammy Jo A. Taft said. “Competitors receive three possible prompts, pick one and have 30 minutes to prepare a seven minute speech. It’s intense and Madi does a great job.”
VCSU speech members Tara Dahl, Grady Hornung and TJ Tegtmeier also competed in this round of OATS.
The VCSU Speech Team is slated to compete in upcoming tournaments in Fargo, Minnesota and at additional OATS events.
To learn more about VCSU Speech, email tammyjo.taft@vcsu.edu.
Kappa Delta Pi initiates 9 new members

VCSU’s Zeta Sigma chapter of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), initiated 9 new members on Oct. 22 at the Historic 1916 Buffalo High School. Special guest and KDP alum, Abby Rogish Bodin ’20, shared some inspiring words with initiates, encouraging them as they prepare to step into the world and embark on their journey as educators.
Kappa Delta Pi is an international honor society in education, founded in 1911 to foster excellence in education and promote fellowship among those dedicated to teaching. Offering opportunities for leadership, camaraderie, academic development and professional resources, KDP supports and advances educators throughout their teaching careers. Consistently growing for over a century, KDP’s membership exceeds 1.2 million! The Zeta Sigma chapter of KDP at VCSU was founded in 1950 through 2002 and was reinstated in 2015.
VCSU hosting Tomorrow's Teachers visit days

Valley City State University’s award-winning education department is hosting a pair of day-long events for high school students considering a teaching career.
The first Tomorrow’s Teachers Visit Day happened Oct. 30 with more than 30 potential future educators visiting campus. The second event is set for Wednesday, Nov. 13.
High school students interested in elementary education or secondary education careers are invited to attend one of the visit days. They can attend education classes with current university students, take a campus tour, enjoy an on-campus lunch in the Student Center, and visit with students currently enrolled in VCSU’s education programs.
Students interested in attending the Tomorrow’s Teachers event on Nov. 13 are asked to pre-register at https://www.vcsu.edu/admissions/visit/tomorrows-teachers-education-visit-day/.
For questions about Tomorrow’s Teachers Visit Day, please contact Rachel Bopp in the School of Education at rachel.n.bopp@vcsu.edu.
Polymer Skies exhibit runs through Nov. 22 at CFA Gallery
The VCSU Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts Gallery announces Polymer Skies, a solo exhibition by North Dakota artist Debbie Kauffman, will be open to the public October 14 through November 22.
Polymer Skies features a collection of intricately crafted quilted pieces that reimagine traditional quilt block patterns using found and upcycled plastic materials. Each piece reflects Kauffman’s deep connection to the North Dakota landscape, allowing the artist “to give a voice to my thoughts, express my concern for the environment and illustrate the love I have for this place, I call home.”
Kauffman’s work explores the intersection of environmental issues, traditional craftsmanship, and visual storytelling. By using patchwork quilt blocks, she honors the history and tradition of quilting, while the use of repurposed post-consumer plastics highlights the overwhelming presence of plastic waste that has invaded the North Dakota landscape.
For more information about Kauffman’s artwork and process, visit www.debbiekauffman.com/polymer-skies-series.
Viking sports update
Volleyball
The Valley City State volleyball team went 1-1 on the week, including a sweep over Dickinson State and a loss to No. 2 Jamestown. The Vikings play at Mayville State Thursday night.
Football
VCSU Football was off last weekend and resume play at Dakota State this coming Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. with pregame coverage beginning at 3 p.m. on KOVC 1490 AM/96.3FM.
Upcoming Events
Oct. 24: Volleyball at Mayville, 7 p.m. (Mayville, N.D.)
Oct. 26: Women’s Basketball vs. Providence, 2 p.m. (W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse)
Oct. 26: Men’s Basketball vs. Brandon, 4 p.m. (W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse)
Oct. 26: Football at Dakota State, 4 p.m. (Madison, S.D.)
Oct. 27: Women’s Basketball vs. Providence, 12 p.m. (W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse)
Oct. 27: Men’s Basketball vs. Brandon, 2 p.m. (W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse)
Oct. 30: Volleyball vs. Dakota State, 6 p.m. (Graichen Gym)