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Hotline

Hotline // November 27, 2024

Nov 27, 2024

A newspaper backdrop with a white chevron and the words Hotline, The weekly newsletter of Valley City State University

This week’s Hotline includes the following articles:


President's Column: Giving Thanks

VCSU banner behind frosty shrubs

By VCSU President Alan LaFave

Greetings from Valley City State University!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times and holidays of the year. Our beautiful campus takes on another level of beauty with the recent blanket of snow, signifying the ever-changing seasons. As we focus on our plans for continued growth and quality, Thanksgiving provides an important opportunity to pause and reflect on the many achievements and points of pride and success for which we are thankful.

Community support

We often speak of the important town-gown relationship between our campus, Valley City community and surrounding region. We are continually reminded of this important relationship that is so very impactful. With over $1.9 million in scholarship allocations this past year, there is a clear connection with enrollment growth and retention of our students. In fact, over the past five years, our donors have made it possible to provide over $9 million in scholarship assistance to our students! This is an amazing testament to the generosity and confidence our friends and alumni have in the quality and value of a VCSU experience.

A former colleague of mine – Mr. Bob Olson – would refer to retaining as “re-recruiting” and this is something that has always resonated with me. Our campus retention committee is focused on bringing forward initiatives that will help our students be successful and attain their goal of a college degree leading to a rewarding career.

Enrollment growth and quality indicators

The collective efforts of our entire campus – academic departments, athletics, faculty, staff, division of student affairs, enrollment services, registrar, financial aid, business office and foundation office – have all contributed to three consecutive semesters of record-breaking growth. With a Fall 2024 enrollment of 1,806 students and recognition by U.S. News and World Report as the second ranked regional college in the Midwest (12 states), we continue to provide an outstanding educational experience to a growing number of students.

McCarthy Hall renovation

We are grateful and excited to see progress on the northeast corner of campus. The collaborative work of architects, designers, contractors, sub-contractors, suppliers, and site workers is progressing in a project slated for completion in late summer 2025. This tangible and visible result of our successful capital campaign efforts will become the new home for our School of Education and Technical Education as we continue our important work of preparing future teachers. The $13.5 million project was made possible through the generous support of our legislature ($11.5 million) and matching gifts ($2 million) from private donors and other funds. The projected workforce needs in North Dakota for teachers continues to be significant. We pledge to do our part and continue leading the way in filling this important need for our state.

Intercollegiate athletics and the arts

We are grateful for the opportunities for our student-athletes to train in a safe environment, be a part of a team and participate in a competitive conference and non-conference schedule. Our athletes carry forward the Viking tradition of excellence and represent VCSU with pride in competition. We know that there are numerous positive mental health benefits to being involved in a team. As we move forward with the final design preparations for our new athletic practice facility, we are excited to see the impact this will have for our teams and current and future students.

Additionally, the growth and quality of our music ensembles is impressive. This fall has included several great performances by our music department at the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts. Both athletics and music participation provide numerous leadership and growth opportunities for our students and enhance the quality of life in Valley City. If you haven’t had an opportunity to take in one of the free performances by our students, gallery shows in the new art gallery, or athletic contests, we invite and encourage you to join us.

Beautiful campus in a beautiful city

Finally, we are grateful to come to work each day in one of the most picturesque campuses in the upper Midwest, nestled in the heart of our beautiful community. This is truly a beautiful and remarkable place.

On behalf of the students, staff, faculty and administration of Valley City State University, we wish you all a wonderful and enjoyable Thanksgiving! May this be a time of giving thanks for family, friends, community, and continued collaboration for years to come! Take a moment to reflect on all that you are thankful for at this special time of year and share those thanks with those who are close and important to you.

Go Vikings!

Grand Entry exhibit runs Dec. 8-Jan. 10 at CFA Gallery

Grand Entry by L Whitney The VCSU Art Department announces Grand Entry, a solo exhibition from L Whitney, noted North Dakota printmaker and VCSU Professor Emeritus of Art, open to the public Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, through Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 in the Larry J. Robinson Center for the Arts (CFA) Gallery.

Companion pop-up shows of Whitney’s small-scale prints will also be held in the CFA lobby from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8 and 5-9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13. A portion of pop-up show proceeds will go to benefit Community School for the Arts visual art programming and scholarships.


Grand Entry explores visual narratives that blend the traditions of the Indigenous people of Turtle Island, imagery from popular American culture, and celebrate the Powwow as a “public declaration of the strength and tenacity of the indigenous cultures of this content.” Whitney’s award winning hand-painted mezzotints have been exhibited globally and featured in galleries in the United States, throughout Europe and Eastern Europe, Nicaragua, Serbia, Russia, India, China, Australia, and New Zealand.

For more information about Whitney’s artwork and process, visit https://www.lwhitneystudio.com/.

Meet Alexis Busch

Alexis Busch holding flute while smiling

Alexis Busch is a senior whose love and passion for music has driven her to inspire young minds as an educator. She stays involved in the VCSU music department and even juggles school work and a full time job as a music teacher at St. Catherine’s School here in Valley City. 

Name: Alexis Busch

Hometown: Barney, N.D.

Grad Year: 2025

Major/Minor: Music education

List any clubs, organizations, activities you are involved in on campus:

Pep band/marching band, concert band, choir, CME, and percussion ensemble, as well as secondary instrument lessons: oboe, saxophone, brass, piano, and voice.

Why did you choose your specific major?

Music has always been a huge part of my life. It’s everywhere. I have always wanted to share music with others and I want to teach music to those who may need it most. There’s also so many health benefits to being involved in music that I’ve learned along the way and I want to be able to teach that to my students.

Tell us about your job as the music teacher at St. Catherine’s. What is it like to teach and go to school yourself?

Teaching at St. Catherine’s is truly an amazing opportunity. When I received the email from Principal Nick Lee offering the job, I was overjoyed. My fellow staff are all wonderful, kind, honest, helpful, and act as mentors to help me when I have questions. I will say that it’s a very busy schedule and there isn’t a lot of free time for myself but my Outlook calendar is my savior. With my detail-oriented mindset and time management skills, plus having one place to put all of my events, from classes to lunch to homework time, is extremely helpful. I wouldn’t be able to function without it.

What attracted you to VCSU?

Growing up in a small town, I was terrified of big cities and I still am. Coming to VCSU, I didn’t feel like a number and each and every person across campus made me feel welcome and made an effort to get to know me.

Have you had any internship or student work opportunities at VCSU? If so, please describe your experience.

Yes, I have been a student worker and a stage manager on campus for the music department for my whole college career. I have learned a lot from organizing a music library, how to log that music and I’ve learned how to set up for different kinds of concerts.

What advice do you have for someone who is thinking about coming to VCSU? 

One thing to think about before you come to VCSU is to get a good idea of where you want your major to take you. VCSU, although it is a teaching college, has so many career opportunities available; it makes it hard to choose!

Viking sports update

Cross Country
Valley City State junior Karly Just ran the second-fastest 6K time in school history during the NAIA Women’s Cross Country National Championships on Nov. 22. At the Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia, Mo., Just ran the 6K in 22:30.5 finishing in 76th place in a field of 327. Her 76th place finish is the highest nationals finish by a VCSU women’s cross-country runner in over 30 years.

Men’s Basketball
Men’s basketball fell to Dakota Wesleyan 72-56 Saturday afternoon at the Bubble. VCSU’s basketball teams will compete at the Dickinson State Thanksgiving Classic on Friday and Saturday.

Upcoming Events
Nov. 29: Basketball vs. Montana State University Northern, 2/4 p.m. CT (Dickinson, N.D.)
Nov. 30: Basketball vs. (RV) Rocky Mountain College, 2/4 p.m. (Dickinson, N.D.)
Dec. 3: Basketball vs. Trinity Bible College, 5/6 p.m. (The Bubble)
Dec. 4: Women’s Basketball vs. Crown College, 5 p.m. (The Bubble)

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

A backdrop featuring the HiLine bridge and a white chevron with the text Valley City Community

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/

Find out what’s happening in the community: https://www.valleycitycalendar.com/