Hotline 12.15.21

President's Column: Commencement and Cheer

Greetings from Valley City State University!

The late fall semester weeks are among some of the most enjoyable and special on our campus. On Thursday, Dec. 16, we will celebrate commencement in Vangstad Auditorium. It is a great honor to award degrees, recognize the accomplishments of 127 students and shake their hands as they walk across stage. We are all very proud of the work they have completed to earn their degree. We are excited to see what these students will do beyond our campus. Our students are already making a big impact on the world as teachers, business professionals and leaders.

The walk across the stage in Vangstad is a defining moment on our campus.

We’re also pleased to note that we have 28 master’s degrees in education being awarded this week. This program continues to grow in numbers and strength and benefits school districts across our region and state by providing advanced pedagogical training for teachers. Additionally, the Master of Arts in Teaching program helps individuals who have not previously been teachers, become certified educators in their field of expertise. Nick Lee, our student speaker, is a graduate of the M.A.T. program.  He graduated with a Health Sciences undergraduate degree in 2016 and returned to our campus to become a teacher. He teaches science in North Sargent School District, using his degrees from VCSU.

Congratulations Nick, and all your fellow graduates. We are proud of you!

The event will be live streamed on VCSU’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/vcsuvikings. For more information visit VCSU’s commencement webpage.

Finally, on Saturday, Dec. 11, we had the pleasure to acknowledge and thank many of our V-500 donors, recognize student scholarship recipients, and meet with distinguished alumni. The V-500 banquet was followed by the 25^th annual EBC “We’re in the Christmas Mood” performance. This highly-attended event continues to be one of the most anticipated and attended events in our city. We wish to express our sincere thanks to VCSU music alumnus John Monilaws for coordinating and conducting, along with the many volunteer musicians, set crew, and lighting and sound personnel. The performance was repeated at the renovated Nome school house on Sunday, Dec. 12, with a large and appreciative audience in attendance.  Both events were wonderfully successful and certainly put all attendees in the Christmas mood!

Go Vikings!

Tranquil, Tenuous Vistas and Domiciles on display in McCarthy Gallery

Tranquil, Tenuous Vistas and Domiciles by Gratia Brown, assistant professor for art, is on display now through Dec. 23. This will be the last art exhibition in McCarthy Gallery before the opening of the Center for the Arts in January.

A virtual walk-through will be uploaded on the VCSU Vikings YouTube page. Watch the recorded livestream video here to learn more about Brown’s artistic practice.

The art department would like to thank those who have stopped by to see the art exhibitions in McCarthy! They look forward to seeing you all at the Center for Arts in spring 2022 for more exhibitions.

Call for VCSU faculty and staff art entries

VCSU faculty and staff are invited to submit artwork for the upcoming art show in Spring 2022. Submissions are due by Jan. 21 at 11:59 p.m. Sign up here and contact Angela Mircsov, director of the VCSU Gallery, with any questions.

Artwork drop off will take place Jan. 27-28 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Center for the Arts Gallery. Artwork should be ready to hang.

Green Dot apparel fundraiser

The Green Dot Student Organization is determined to help make an impact on VCSU and transform it to be the best it can be. To help with this goal they will be holding an apparel fundraiser. All of the money made will be used towards these efforts. The student organization would appreciate if you could show your support, and help them make a difference by placing an order before Dec. 22.

Place your order here: https://programs.rambowinc.com/login.php?UserID=vcsugd&ReturnURL=https://www.rambow.com

Mobile Food Pantry coming to area Dec. 21

The Great Plains Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry will be stopping in Nome, Litchville, Valley City and Wimbledon on Dec. 21.

Anyone in need of food assistance from any community is welcome to attend! We will ask clients to complete a short intake form onsite, then drive through the distribution line. We will ask clients to remain in their vehicles at all times and wear masks while interacting with staff and volunteers. We welcome those who cannot attend to designate someone to pick up for them. Volunteers will be asked to sanitize, wear masks, and follow social distancing guidelines.

View the website for all upcoming distribution information or to find out how you can help.

Vaccinate before the holidays

City County Health District has first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as well as booster shots available by appointment. There are no scheduled vaccine clinics on campus for the remainder of the semester so call City County Health today at 701-845-8518 to make an appointment.

Viking Sports Update

Men’s Basketball
Dec. 8: VCSU 107, Maine-Fort Kent 63
Dec. 12: VCSU 104, Oak Hills 52
The VCSU men’s basketball team rolled to a pair of big victories this week and enters the holiday break with a 10-4 overall record. The Vikings resume play Jan. 7 with a home game against Dakota State University. 

Track & Field
VCSU athletes won three events and had eight Top 3 finishes Saturday at the Marauder Indoor Track & Field Invite on Saturday in Bismarck. Zachary Co swept the throwing events and Clay Kummer won the men’s 60 meter hurdles at the meet. Read more: http://www.vcsuvikings.com/article/4251

Upcoming Events
Dec. 29: Women’s Basketball vs. University of Jamestown, 6 p.m. (Valley City)
Dec. 30: Women’s Basketball at University of Mary, 4 p.m. (Bismarck, N.D.)
Jan. 7: WBB/MBB vs. Dakota State University, 5:30/7:30 p.m. (Valley City)
Jan. 8: WBB/MBB vs. Bellevue University, 3/5 p.m. (Valley City)

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

Ongoing

‘Tis the season for holiday events and charitable causes all around the community! Be sure to check the Times Record, NewsDakota, the Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce calendar and more to find all event listings.

Tuesday, Dec. 14

• 11 a.m. Student Recital, Froemke Auditorium

Wednesday, Dec. 15

• 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. COVID Community Testing event, Rec Center

Thursday, Dec. 16

• FCCU Holiday Open House
• 3-7 p.m.Thunderbird Ranch Dakota Seasonings Christmas Open House, 129 3rd Ave NE
• 3:30 p.m. VCSU Winter Commencement, Vangstad Auditorium

Friday, Dec. 17

• 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. COVID Community Testing event, Rec Center

Saturday, Dec. 18

• 6:30 p.m. Greg Hager Christmas Concert, Connect Church

Monday, Dec. 20

• 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. COVID Community Testing event, Rec Center

Wednesday, Dec. 22

• 12:10 – 12:50 p.m. 15th Annual “Sounds of the Season” Brown Bagger Series, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church

Friday, Dec. 24

• VCSU Campus Closed

Community Club meetings

• Kiwanis – Wednesdays at noon, Valley City Town & Country Club
• Optimist Club – Thursdays at 7 a.m., Vicky’s Viking Room
• Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals – 2nd Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., Our Saviors Lutheran Church

Go to https://www.valleycitynd.org/calendar.php to see more events happening in and around Valley City.