Hotline // November 13, 2024
This week’s Hotline includes the following articles:
- President’s Column: Committed to Affordability and Attainment
- Viking Day of Giving on Nov. 14
- Fall instrumental concert this Friday
- Viking Pathway Fall 2024 Newsletter
- Kiecker attends National Science Teachers Association conference
- Kimberly Souba – Author and Thriver
- 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: Committed to Affordability and Attainment
Greetings from Valley City State University!
Here at VCSU, we believe the pursuit and dream of attaining a four-year degree should be affordable and attainable. The cost of higher education is a significant concern and barrier to attendance for many students and their families. As tuition prices rise, finding affordable options for earning a quality degree can seem like an impossible challenge. We believe that VCSU is the ideal location for students seeking a high-quality, affordable education. VCSU offers a range of initiatives – such as scholarships, the Viking Promise, and Stay and Save plans – that make a four-year degree more attainable for students from all backgrounds.
One of the cornerstones of VCSU’s commitment to affordability is its robust scholarship program. In fact, we award nearly $2 million in scholarships annually! We offer a wide range of merit-based and needs-based scholarships designed to help reduce the financial burden of college costs. Incoming students are automatically considered for many of these scholarships when they apply for admission, so there’s no need for additional paperwork or applications in most cases. I encourage you to visit our website for more information.
Some outstanding scholarship opportunities at VCSU include:
- President’s Scholarship: $4,000 per year for four years ($16,000); 4.0 GPA and 26+ ACT score.
- Leadership Scholarship: $2,500 per year for four years ($10,000); 3.65-3.99 GPA
- Clock Tower Scholarship: $1,500 per year for two years ($3,000); 3.05 – 3.64 GPA
- Footbridge Scholarship: $750 per year for two years ($1,500); 2.50 – 3.04 GPA
- Athletic Scholarships: For student-athletes across various sports. These scholarships help talented athletes pursue their passion for sports while getting a quality education.
- Music Scholarships: For talented instrumental and vocal students. These scholarships are awarded based upon talent and departmental need.
- Transfer and Departmental Scholarships: These scholarships are for transfer students and students pursuing specific degrees in areas like business, education, or STEM fields. These scholarships are often tailored to the specific needs of each department, making them an attractive option for students with a clear career path in mind.
One of the most innovative ways VCSU helps students access higher education is through the Viking Promise. The Viking Promise is a continuous effort from VCSU to alleviate the cost of tuition through financial aid and scholarship support. Approximately 95% of ND, MN, SD, WUE, and MSEP students who are Pell eligible have their tuition fully covered thanks to the combination of financial aid, scholarship dollars, and talent-based awards. Students from these states who are full Pell eligible have full-time tuition (12-13 credits) fully covered at VCSU for the ’24-’25 school year.
Our Stay and Save plan provides another way for students to save on the cost of their college education. This program locks in the freshman year room cost and guarantees that those rates will not increase if the student chooses to remain on campus in subsequent years. The savings associated with this program are significant and provide families with the assurance that those housing costs will not increase. Additionally, this program is ideal for students who are looking to minimize living expenses while also making the most of their college experience.
Earning a four-year degree is a dream for many students, but financial concerns can often make that dream seem out of reach. Valley City State University is committed to helping make higher education both affordable and attainable for a wide range of students. Through scholarships, the Viking Promise program, and the Stay and Save plan, VCSU ensures that students can focus on their studies and their future careers, not on how to pay for their education.
Go Vikings!
Viking Day of Giving on Nov. 14
The Valley City State University (VCSU) Foundation announced the 2024 Viking Day of Giving will be Thursday, Nov. 14.
The Viking Day of Giving is an opportunity for alumni and friends of VCSU to “Row With Us” and support scholarships for students at VCSU. Scholarship donations on the Day of Giving can be directed to specific athletic teams or programs on campus, allowing donors to make direct impacts in areas important to them.
“A single gift, no matter the size, can help turn dreams into reality for VCSU students striving to complete their education,” said Cory Anderson, VCSU Executive Director for University Advancement. “Join us for the Viking Day of Giving on November 14 for a chance to be part of something special and make a lasting impact at VCSU.”
The Viking Day of Giving began in 2020 and has continued to grow each year. More than 145 donors participated in the event last year.
Those who are interested in joining VCSU’s Day of Giving initiative can visit https://bit.ly/VikingDay24 or call the Foundation at (701) 845-7203.
Fall instrumental concert this Friday
The VCSU Music Department invites the public to attend the Fall Instrumental Concert this Friday, November 15. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts Performance Hall.
The audience will enjoy performances by the brass ensemble, woodwind ensemble and concert band.
Admission for this event is free.
Viking Pathway Fall 2024 Newsletter
Inaugural Student & Mentors at VCSU
Our Viking Pathway program continues to progress with purpose and dedication. Currently, we have one student enrolled, and we are excited about her growth and achievements as she advances through the program.
We’re also thrilled to have three exceptional student mentors who provide essential support. Their dedication is invaluable, and we greatly appreciate their commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive environment at VCSU.
Viking Pathway students engage in a holistic college experience, working across five key domains: academics, employment, independent living, social engagement, and health & wellness.
If you know of any students who might be a good fit for the program or are interested in becoming a mentor, please reach out to our Program Leaders. We look forward to expanding the program and welcoming more participants to the Viking Pathway community!

Help us Grow
Viking Pathway, a Transition and Postsecondary Program for Students with Intellectual Disabilities, aims to reach more students excited about college. Connect with us to make these dreams possible.
Heather Peschel | Project Director heather.peschel@vcsu.edu
Janna Kohler | Project Coordinator janna.kohler@vcsu.edu
Kindly remember Friends of Viking Pathway on our VCSU Day of Giving, November 14, 2024. You can make your gift at https://secure.givelively.org/teams/valley-city-state-university-foundation/viking-day-of-giving/friends-of-viking-pathway
Thank you for your support!
Kiecker attends National Science Teachers Association conference
Lindsey Kiecker, lecturer in the science department, recently attended the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) conference. The NSTA hosts two national conferences each year, bringing together roughly 30,000 science educators from across the globe. The fall conference took place in New Orleans, La. where jazz music played throughout the entire venue to celebrate NSTA’s 80th anniversary. Kiecker, a member of NSTA for three years, has always wanted to attend the national conference. Her focus was on learning more about integrating the use of artificial intelligence specifically in the science classroom. She spent time specifically in the chemistry domain, attending sessions focused on modeling wave-particle duality, quantum theory concepts and chemistry lab activities. Kiecker is excited and motivated to get hands-on at next year’s fall NSTA conference which will be closer to home in Minneapolis, Minn.
Kimberly Souba – Author and Thriver
Written by Sarah Monilaws, ’26
Writing has always been a large part of Kimberly Souba’s life. She began by writing journals to help process her emotions and later found success in penning stories and publishing her own novels.
Shortly into her high school career, Souba started writing for the school’s newspaper, The Teen Trib, to stay involved with different activities. “I only played one sport so in order to hang out with my friends I would cover the stories of the games and different activities around the school,” she explained.
By the time Souba reached the end of her freshman year, she was already the editor of the school paper, a job usually reserved for juniors and seniors. Similarly, entering her junior year, she was editor of the school yearbook.
Writing developed into a natural talent for Souba. Local newspapers noticed her talent as well, writing articles about her and publishing some of her work. This earned Souba writing awards like the VFW Writing Award and the Hall Writing Scholarship. She even landed herself a position as a youth editor for a Catholic newspaper, “The Catholic Post” covering stories about the Catholic schools in her area.
After graduating from LaMoille High School, Souba enrolled at VCSU to major in elementary education. Soon, she felt her writing was “hit or miss” and she was no longer writing as frequently as she used to. Besides a few articles for a local school’s paper or a poem for a friend, she started to fall away from something that had previously brought her joy.
It wasn’t until she came back to VCSU a second time and left the classroom after 15 years of teaching, that she found her passion for writing once again. “I came back to school again, part of it is just because I love learning, but part of it was wanting to help with my writing and getting better at it.” Souba told us, “I don’t want to write the way people want me to. I want to write the way I want to write.” With her fire burning once again, Souba got to work on publishing her first novel, “From Death to New Life, the Transformation of a Soul.”
Continue reading at https://www.vcsu.edu/kimberly-souba-author-and-thriver/
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
Football
VCSU football dropped a conference game to #17 Dickinson State on Saturday, 42-24. Jake Deutsch scored once and Exavian Westbrook scored twice, including a 77-yard touchdown pass from Noah Chambers. VCSU is now 3-6 overall and concludes its season at Jamestown on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Volleyball
The Viking volleyball team swept Dickinson State in the NSAA Quarterfinals Friday at home. VCSU advances to the NSAA Semifinals to play top-seed and tournament-host Bellevue University on Friday at 7 p.m. The winner will advance to the NSAA Championship game Saturday at 2 p.m. in Bellevue.
Cross Country
Karly Just and Jasmine Barnes each qualified for the NAIA National Cross Country Meet following Top 5 finishes Friday at the NSAA Championships hosted at the Valley City Town & Country Club. The Viking women placed third and the Viking men placed fifth at the conference meet. The season continues for Just and Barnes as they will compete at the 2024 NAIA Cross Country Championships on Friday, Nov. 22 in Columbia, Mo.
Men’s Basketball
The men’s basketball team is off to its best start in more than 20 seasons with a 5-0 undefeated record, including a pair of wins over Minnesota Morris and Dakota Wesleyan this week. Lamar Grayson (offense) and Tyrel Creger (defense) earned NSAA Player of the Week honors, announced Tuesday. VCSU’s men play an exhibition game at Bemidji State Wednesday night, and travel to play a pair of games at Viterbo University over the weekend.
Women’s Basketball
VCSU’s women are 4-2 overall after going 1-1 this week including a victory over Minnesota Morris, marking head coach Vanessa Johnson’s 500th career win. VCSU travels to Lawrence, Kan. for three games at the Haskell Indian Nations University Classic this Friday-Sunday.
Upcoming Events
Nov. 13: Men’s Basketball at Bemidji State (exhibition), 5:30 p.m. (Bemidji, Minn.)
Nov. 15-17: Women’s Basketball at Haskell Indian Nations University Classic (Lawrence, Kan.)
Nov. 15: Volleyball at No. 5 Bellevue, NSAA Semifinals, 7 p.m. (Bellevue, Neb.)
Nov. 15: Men’s Basketball at Viterbo University, 7 p.m. (La Crosse, Wis.)
Nov. 16: Men’s Basketball vs. University of St. Francis, 1 p.m. (La Crosse, Wis.)
Nov. 16: Football at Jamestown, 1 p.m. (Jamestown)
Nov. 19: Men’s Basketball at University of Mary, 7 p.m. (Bismarck)
What's happening at VCSU and around Valley City...
Sunday, Nov. 17
noon – 3 p.m. Holiday Market Craft & Vendor Show, The Reserve at Woodland
Saturday, Nov. 23
7:30 p.m. Elizabeth Gazeley Senior Recital, Center for the Arts
Nov. 25 – Jan. 10
Grand Entry by L. Whitney, Center for the Arts Gallery
Find out what’s happening at VCSU: https://www.vcsu.edu/news-events/