Hotline 11.10.21
This week’s Hotline includes the following articles:
- VCSU and Bridges Art Council Partner for Afterschool Art
- Activated carbon plant update
- VCSU Art Gallery presents Comfort Zone
- Scott attends ITEC conference
- Boost before the holidays!
- Viking Sports Update
- What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…
The VCSU Hotline online newsletter is published weekly during the school year. The deadline to submit articles (photos encouraged) is 3 p.m. Friday. Please submit articles to jerilyn.beckman@vcsu.edu.
VCSU and Bridges Art Council Partner for Afterschool Art

Pairing art and students after school was one goal VCSU art professor, Gratia Brown, had in mind when she began developing the afterschool partnership program with the Bridges Art Council.
“I came to VCSU in 2019. I teach Art Methods and we wanted to work with students to do a workshop,” she explained. “We thought it could be valuable for our students to organize and lead a class like this.”
Many of Brown’s students will graduate with the intent to teach art in a school setting. Having VCSU students lead the afterschool classes gave them the opportunity to create a lesson plan, gather the supplies and help young students try a new form of art.
Read the full story at https://www.vcsu.edu/vcsu-and-bridges-art-council-partner-for-afterschool-art/.
Activated carbon plant update

Wesley Wintch, vice president for business affairs, gave an update on the activated carbon plant at the State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) meeting on Oct. 28.
Wintch first explained that, “Activated carbons are carbon char, usually created from coal but it can be from any carbon-based source.” An example of products created from activated carbons are the “black granules that you might see in a Brita water filter in your fridge.”
At this point, the architect, engineer and general construction company have completed a basic design and cost estimate for the plant. The financial advisor is now helping prepare the bond issue, with potential for the bond sale in spring 2022. The university is also looking for buyers for the activated carbon.
“We believe that what this can do for our students’ learning and research opportunities is highly impactful. We will use North Dakota lignite coal as feedstock, providing an environmentally friendly solution to power needs and ultimately be revenue-generating,” said Wintch.
VCSU Art Gallery presents Comfort Zone
Virginia Brower’s (they/them) art exhibition will be held Nov. 1- Nov. 12 in the McCarthy Gallery. A livestream artist talk will be held on Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. with a reception in McCarthy Gallery from 4:30-5:30 p.m. View the livestream at https://my.vcsu.edu/art/vcsu-gallery/.
Virginia Brower’s exhibition will focus on comfort items that help Virginia when dealing with mental health and chronic pain. These include a mix of drawings and paintings with mediums such as colored pencil, marker, acrylic paint and crayon.
Virginia Brower started at VCSU as an English education major and later adding on an art education major during their junior year after taking a few art classes. Virginia struggles from severe anxiety, AFRID (an eating disorder), and chronic pain. Virginia found a passion in 2D work portraying items, places and people of comfort to them during periods of difficult mental health and chronic pain.
After graduation, Virginia Brower plans to pursue a master’s degree in English. Virginia would like to thank the art department professors who helped them find a passion for art.
Scott attends ITEC conference
Matt Scott, adjunct professor for technology education, attended the ITEC 2021 conference in Normal, Illinois, Oct. 21-23. As part of the conference, he presented with April Zawlocki about the recruitment stipends to promote teacher education in the 3+1 articulation agreement with COD. Scott spoke as a representative of VCSU and promoted the technology education program. Additionally, he attended various other sessions and networked throughout the conference. Scott will be touring the classroom of a high school teacher at Naperville Central who has 20 years of experience teaching electronics in hopes that he can gather ideas to implement in TECH 416.
Boost before the holidays!
VCSU will be hosting a booster shot clinic (Moderna) for students, employees/family on Thursday, Nov. 18. The event will be held in the Student Center Skoal Room from 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Vaccinations are by appointment only. You can reserve your spot at https://www.ndvax.org//appointment/en/reg/0008621539.
Haven’t received your first or second dose yet?
Or need a Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson booster instead? Call CCHD at 701-845-8518
Questions about the clinic? Call VCSU Health Services at 701-845-7305.
Need to get tested? Community testing events are held at the Rec Center on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12:30 p.m.-2 p.m.
Viking Sports Update
Football
Nov. 6: VCSU 33, Dakota State 7
The Viking football team ended the season with an impressive 33-7 victory on Senior Day. VCSU finishes the year with an 8-2 overall record and a 6-2 mark in conference play.
Volleyball
Nov. 3: Mayville State 3, VCSU 2
Nov. 6: Presentation College 3, VCSU 2
The VCSU volleyball team dropped its final two matches of the regular season last week but will enter the NSAA Postseason Tournament as the No. 4 seed. The Vikings play Mayville State in the first round, Friday, Nov. 12, at 12 p.m. in Watertown, S.D.
Cross Country
Jasmine Barnes and Alex Benner both placed in the Top 20 on Friday as the VCSU cross country teams closed out their season at the NSAA Championships. Barnes placed 12th in the women’s 5K, and Benner was 19th in the men’s 8K. The VCSU men and women both placed 5th in the team competition.
Men’s Basketball
Nov. 3: VCSU 123, Minnesota-Morris 61
Nov. 6: VCSU 88, Dakota Wesleyan 86 (OT)
Nov. 7: VCSU 69, Mount Marty 67
VCSU’s men’s basketball team won all three of its games this week, improving its record to 3-2 overall. Jalen Addison made the game-winning basket with 0.4 seconds left on Saturday, and then Tate Hebrink made the game-winning free throws with 4.9 seconds left on Sunday.
Women’s Basketball
Nov. 3: VCSU 81, Minnesota-Morris 74
Nov. 6: Dakota Wesleyan 67, VCSU 51
Nov. 7: VCSU 75, Mount Marty 64
VCSU women’s basketball opened its season last week with a 2-1 record. The Vikings picked up wins over Minnesota-Morris and Mount Marty.
Upcoming Events
Nov. 12: Men’s Basketball vs. University of Jamestown, 7 p.m. (Valley City)
Nov. 12-13: Volleyball at NSAA Championships (Watertown, S.D.)
Nov. 12: vs. Mayville State, 12 p.m.
Nov. 12-13: Women’s Basketball at Northwestern College Classic (Orange City, Iowa)
Nov. 12: vs. Northwestern College, 6 p.m.
Nov. 13: vs. Dordt University, 12 p.m.
Nov. 16: Men’s Basketball vs. Yellowstone Christian College, 7 p.m.
What's happening at VCSU and around Valley City...
Ongoing
Nov. 1-12
VCSU Art Gallery presents Comfort Zone, senior artist exhibit by Virginia Brower
For more details: https://my.vcsu.edu/art/vcsu-gallery/
Wednesday, Nov. 10
- 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Cultural Foods Showcase: Native American Day, Student Center Cafeteria
- Noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town & Country Club
- 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. COVID Community Testing event, Rec Center
Thursday, Nov. 11
- Veteran’s Day, VCSU offices closed
Friday, Nov. 12
- 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. COVID Community Testing event, Rec Center
Monday, Nov. 15
- Payday
- All day ND Technology Student Association Fall Leadership Conference, Rhoades STEM lab
Tuesday, Nov. 16
- 11 a.m. General student recital, Froemke Auditorium
Wednesday, Nov. 19
- 7:30 p.m. Fall Instrumental Concert, Vangstad Auditorium
Go to https://www.valleycitynd.org/calendar.php to see more events happening in and around Valley City.