Hotline // December 20, 2023
This week’s Hotline includes the following articles:
- Happy Holidays from VCSU
- VCSU Celebrates Graduates During Winter Commencement Ceremony
- Bopp receives Staff Member of the Quarter award
- Esports club attends NAECAD conference
- Viking sports update
- What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…
Happy Holidays from VCSU
Sending warm wishes to you and yours for a safe, relaxing and enjoyable holiday season.
We celebrate the achievements of 2023, and look with excitement to what 2024 will bring.
May we all continue to pursue success for our students, community, and state as we move forward together.
Check out the holiday greeting video at https://www.vcsu.edu/holidaygreeting/.
VCSU Celebrates Graduates During Winter Commencement Ceremony
Valley City State University celebrated student achievement during the Winter Commencement ceremony Thursday, Dec. 14, in Vangstad Auditorium.
133 students earned their degrees this summer or fall, including 101 undergraduate recipients and 32 graduate students. A full list of graduates is available here.
“While the accomplishments you are recognized for today are significant, perhaps the most important aspect of today is what happens next,” President Alan LaFave said during the ceremony. “Whether your next plans are to be a teacher, software engineer, entrepreneur, business owner, nurse, wildlife biologist, writer, musician, artist, or pursue a degree in law or medicine or some other advanced education, the opportunities that lie before you are plentiful. No matter the next step on your path, you can all be proud to proclaim that you are a graduate of the VCSU Class of 2023.”
“We are confident that Valley City State University has prepared you for growth and achievement. I know those graduating today will take what they have learned and find future success, hopefully right here in North Dakota where opportunities abound and we are in need of your talents and abilities,” Curt Biller, member of the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) said.
“This summer, I decided to do this for myself,” student speaker and graduate Cora Potts said. “I returned to VCSU as a student once again to finish what I had started with continued support from so many people in the VCSU community.”
“Graduates, I hope you have done this for yourself and that you are finding your purpose,” Potts said. “Be proud of yourself, of the challenges you have faced and conquered, for your future and for your dreams. We did it. We will forever be Vikings.”
“Put in the work to truly fall in love with your career. You will know when you are in a job you are going to turn into your career,” faculty speaker Dr. Teather Sundstrom said. “Work hard to be the best that you can be. Commit to being a difference maker. Help drive the ship. Your teamwork, leadership and communication and even being a cheerleader are all part of that process.”
During the ceremony, 19 students were recognized for completing their bachelor’s degree in three years.
Photos of graduation are available online. A copy of the program can be found here. A livestream of the ceremony can be viewed below or on VCSU’s YouTube channel.
Bopp receives Staff Member of the Quarter award
Rachel Bopp, administrative and assessment assistant for education, recently received the Staff Member of the Quarter Award.
Bopp received several nominations, including the following:
“Rachel’s efforts are extremely valuable for teacher candidates, advisors, the assessment coordinator, the dean, and the School of Education. The scope of Rachel’s service extends beyond the School of Education. She is a valuable team player who strives for excellence in the work she does for VCSU.”
“The School of Education added new options for Teacher Education admission requirements in the Spring of 2023. Without Rachel’s skills and communication, the adjustment phase would have been far more complicated for teacher candidates and advisors.”
“In 2022-2023, Rachel helped the School of Education Assessment Coordinator with many accreditation reports for the university’s successful Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) visit. Rachel’s efforts helped VCSU present its evidence reports in a professional and high-quality manner.”
“Rachel completes high-quality work for the School of Education. Rachel’s efforts serve hundreds of VCSU students, faculty members, and advisors. This summer, Rachel communicated with faculty members and organized a plan to make one aspect of field experience data collection more efficient.”
“Rachel has attended mental health training, diversity/inclusion training, and Green Dot training. Rachel has kept up with School of Education changes in policy that result from legislation or accreditation influences.”
Esports club attends NAECAD conference
The VCSU Esports Club attended the NAECAD Coaches Clinic and Student Leadership & Recruiting event on Friday, Dec. 8 in Fargo, N.D. 
VCSU students, Keegan Schultz and Eyan Mehlhoff, along with their coach, Michael Baughman, had a chance to connect with students and other college coaches to discuss opportunities at the collegiate level. Attendees participated in a day full of activities geared towards improving leadership skills in 3 areas: Leading Self, Leading Team and Leading School. The day ended with an organized Rocket League tournament.
The National Association of Esports Coaches and Directors (NAECAD) was established in 2019, after an emergence of interest in collegiate esports programs across North America, to support the growth of esports at the collegiate level. NAECAD plays a pivotal role in fostering a community of coaches and directors dedicated to developing not just skilled players but well-rounded individuals.
Viking Sports Update
Men’s Basketball
VCSU Men’s Basketball suffered a pair of close road losses last week, dropping an 81-71 contest at University of Jamestown and an 81-74 exhibition game at the University of Mary. The Vikings are back home on Dec. 30, hosting Jamestown for a doubleheader at VCSU’s W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse
Women’s Basketball
The Viking women put together a strong upset bid Tuesday during an exhibition game at Bemidji State University. The Vikings were tied after the third quarter before Bemidji State held off the Vikings in a 67-57 game. VCSU’s women will be home on Dec. 30-31 with games against Jamestown and Dakota Wesleyan University.
Upcoming Events
Dec. 30: WBB/MBB vs. Jamestown, 2:00/4:00 p.m. (Valley City)
Dec. 31: WBB vs. Dakota Wesleyan, 3:00 p.m. (Valley City)
Jan. 3: MBB at Minnesota-Morris, 6:00 p.m. (Morris, Minn.)
What's happening at VCSU and around Valley City...
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/