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Hotline

Hotline // December 24, 2024

Dec 24, 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: Reflections of gratitude for 2024 and looking forward to 2025

President LaFave and wife Kari stand with VCSU's Resident Assistants in front of McFarland Hall

The days between Christmas and the beginning of the New Year give us all an opportunity to look back, reflect with gratitude on our work together and continue plans for moving ahead.

I’d like to highlight just a few of the accomplishments and some reflections on the past semester.

Enrollment

For the first time in our history VCSU eclipsed 1800 students, reaching our third consecutive semester of record enrollment with 1806 students this fall. Headcount enrollment increased by 3% and FTE (full-time equivalents) increased by 6.4% reaching the highest level in university history. While several factors contributed to this growth, the graduate student enrollment experienced a 23% increase! Our residence halls are at an 81% occupancy rate and the University apartments are 100% filled. Our retention from Fall ‘23 to Fall ‘24 increased by 4%, and we saw significant growth in transfer students choosing to join our campus community. We celebrate this outstanding achievement with thanks for and recognition of the focused efforts of our entire faculty, staff and community. Through continued effort and adherence to goals set forth in our strategic plan, “Forward Together.”

Reputational Excellence

Student attainment and achievement is one of our first priorities. VCSU continues to be a great place for students to earn an affordable, high-quality degree. U.S. News and World Report ranks VCSU #2 among Midwest regional public institutions (12 states) and #1 among the regional public institutions in North Dakota. VCSU was also named a Best Value School and Veteran friendly institution. Our institution is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) with two of our academic programs also nationally accredited, including education by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and music by the National Association of Music (NASM). In addition, our business department recently underwent a thorough and successful self-study and site visit from the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) for our program in Business Administration, with anticipated accreditation coming this spring. Several other national accreditations for programs are in the works. I’m grateful and appreciative for the commitment of our faculty and staff in these efforts, as they confirm the quality of the academic experience at VCSU.

Facility enhancements

The press box replacement at Lokken Stadium was completed just in time for the Fall 2024 football season. The upgrades provide an improved, safe, and comfortable environment for coaches, officials, media, and other game day personnel. Upgrades to the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse (The Bubble) included a new paint scheme, branding, concession stand refresh and addition of a Viking apparel store.

Window and ceiling replacement was completed for 1st floor in McCoy Hall before the fall semester. Other residence hall upgrades included new mattresses, living room furniture, vertical blinds, ceiling tiles, and lights. Student Center improvements included renovation of the main floor student lounge, new ceiling tiles, lighting, VCSU branding, and refresh of the Viking I and Skoal room.

Finally, the McCarthy Hall renovation project began in late July and will continue through this academic year with an expected completion date of summer 2025. McCarthy is set to become the new home for our nationally recognized School of Education. We also completed the move and relocation of the Prairie Waters Educational Center from Kathryn School to the Valley City National Fish Hatchery, providing a convenient and outstanding location to continue the important work of delivering educational outreach to K-12 students through aquatic and other scientific research. We know the importance of having upgraded facilities to provide excellent experiences for our students in and outside the classroom. We are so very grateful to our donors, support from the state legislature and governor, and all who support the continued transformation of our physical campus.

Forward into 2025

As we look to the future, we are nearing the acceptance of the final design for our indoor turf practice and performance facility, which is an addition to the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse. Made possible through the generosity of donors to our capital campaign and a lead gift from the Gary Tharaldson Family, this facility will be game changing for our campus, student-athletes, athletic program and community.

The weeks and months ahead will include the important biannual legislative process to secure necessary funding for the continued success of Valley City State University. I will be providing updates as this process unfolds during the spring 2025 semester.

I hope these updates help illustrate the recognition of a VCSU degree as a smart academic investment. Our trusted degrees and generous scholarship programs combine to provide our students with quality education and experiences at an affordable price.

My hope is that you can spend some quality time with family and friends during this holiday season. From our VCSU family to yours – all the best wishes for a joyous holiday season!

Go Vikings!

 

VCSU Celebrates Graduates at Tenth Winter Commencement

2 VCSU graduates hold up their diplomas while smiling

Valley City State University (VCSU) celebrated the success of more than 100 graduates Thursday afternoon at the Tenth VCSU Winter Commencement Exercises.

VCSU president Alan LaFave presided over the ceremony in historic Vangstad Auditorium where 17 students were recognized for completion of master’s degrees and 103 students for undergraduate degrees.

“Our graduates have proven they are prepared to enter the workforce and make a difference,” said President Alan LaFave. “We value the contributions they made on campus, whether it’s through athletics, the arts, student organizations or student government. We are proud of our students graduating today.”

A recording of the entire ceremony is available at www.youtube.com/vcsuvikings. Photos from the ceremony will be available online at VCSU’s Flickr page.

Jazmine (Hill) Truax – an elementary education graduate – delivered the undergraduate reflection.

“In a world that’s increasingly fast-paced, we’ve had the rare opportunity here to slow down and build relationships that go beyond the surface,” said Truax, speaking to her fellow graduates in the audience. “At Valley City State, our professors knew us—not just as students in their classes, but as individuals with personalities and passions. We were never just a number. We were individuals with unique perspectives and stories. Our professors weren’t just lecturers—they were mentors, advisors, and often, friends.”

Truax is the ninth teacher in her family to graduate from VCSU and has already started a full-time job as a kindergarten teacher in West Fargo.

Dr. Heather (Metcalf) Kvilvang – associate professor in the School of Education and Graduate Studies – delivered the faculty reflection.

“All of us here are so proud of you,” she said, addressing the graduates directly. “You’ve all had challenges to overcome, but you overcame them. You stayed focused and kind… All of us here know you can achieve anything you set your mind to. And you can do that with kindness. After all, it’s the Viking Way.”

VCSU has now conferred 27,909 undergraduate degrees and 652 master’s degree in its proud history dating back to 1890.

Find the full list of graduates at https://www.vcsu.edu/vcsu-celebrates-graduates-at-tenth-winter-commencement/

 

Fenster accepted into Leadership North Dakota program

Emily FensterEmily Fenster, social science department chair and professor of sociology, has been accepted into cohort six for Leadership North Dakota, a program facilitated by the University of Mary Workforce Development. For the next 6 months, she will participate in sessions occurring in different locations within the state, creating opportunities to network with professionals in a wide range of industries while exploring challenges impacting leaders today.

Learn more about Leadership North Dakota at https://online.umary.edu/workforce-development/leadership-north-dakota

Senior Spotlight: Stacey Lilja

Stacey Lilja smiling at the cameraStacey Lilja, a student and working mom, decided to leave her job and come back to school to pursue a degree in education. With the help of professors, she was able to excel in the online program while still having quality family time.

Name: Stacey (Kunze) Lilja
Hometown: Oriska, N.D.
Grad Year: 2024
Major/Minor: Business Education

Why did you choose your specific major?
I was a banker for over 20 years. When I became a mom, my priorities changed. I accepted a job at my daughter’s school as a paraprofessional and decided education would be my second career. I wanted to use my professional knowledge from banking, so business education was a natural fit.

What has been your favorite memory from VCSU so far?
My favorite memory from VCSU has been the time spent in Intro to Education class. I really enjoyed the students and the instructor, Dave Bass. We had a “show and tell” about one of our favorite things and I brought my daughter to class. She loved it!

What attracted you to VCSU?
I chose VCSU because of the online education program and their stellar reputation for preparing future teachers.

Where is your favorite spot to be on campus and why?
I enjoy walking around campus during the warmer months because of all the beautiful flowers that are blooming.

What advice do you have for someone who is thinking about coming to VCSU?
Some advice I would give someone would be to come explore the campus and talk to people. You will find top-notch professors, a friendly student body and progressive programs in every field of study.

Langved receives ‘Staff Member of the Quarter’ award

Stephen Langved receiving award from colleaguesStephen Langved, technology support specialist, was recently chosen to receive the “Staff Member of the Quarter” award.

His nomination read, “Stephen is a full time employee, but also a current VCSU student and this contributes to his empathy and understanding for all VCSU users. I have received many compliments over the past year from people outside Technology Services regarding Stephen’s interactions and assistance to others.  Some of the words and phrases used include the following: patient, sincerely wants to help me, knowledgable and he provides explanations I can understand. Stephen manages VCSU laptop and mobile device repair depot and he has done this with minimal oversight or assistance. He is highly engaged with AI (Artificial Intelligence) and has contributed significantly to several related activities, including formal faculty and staff training; creation of the popular “Using AI Wisely” posters and guides for faculty, staff and students; publishing over 40 related One Stop articles on AI; and he has been doing significant AI application development on his own time outside of his regular work responsibilities and work time to gain additional AI expertise that will benefit VCSU in the future. Stephen’s execution of his responsibilities, Technology Service Desk customer relations, and willingness to go above and beyond the requirements of his job description to learn and grow his skillset bring great credit to VCSU.”

VCSU Athletics offering reserved seating for conference basketball games

Reserved seating at 24-25 conference basketball gamesValley City State athletics is offering reserved seating tickets for all conference basketball games for the 2024-25 season. Fans can purchase a reserved seatback in the north and middle sections on the east side of the gymnasium for $106 per seat. Those who already have season tickets including parents, VCSU employees, Booster Club members and the like can contact t.henningsgard@vcsu.edu for additional details. Tickets are available now at vcsuvikings.com/tickets. VCSU’s conference basketball season consists of seven home games and kicks off Jan. 3 when the Vikings host Jamestown.

Grand Entry exhibit runs Nov. 25-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.


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/.

Viking sports update

MEN’S BASKETBALL
Valley City State University men’s basketball beat Mount Marty 76-66 on Friday, Dec. 20 in Yankton, S.D. VCSU finishes 2024 with a record of 10-4 and 1-1 in the conference. They were led by Lamar Grayson with 19 points and Caden Grinde on defense with five steals and two blocks. Both Grayson and Grinde earn NSAA Player-of-the-Week honors.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Jan. 3: Women’s and Men’s Basketball vs. University of Jamestown (W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse)
Jan. 4: Women’s and Men’s Basketball vs. Dickinson State University (W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse)
Jan. 7, 9, and 11: Boys Barnes County Tournament (W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse)

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

Dec. 24
Christmas Eve – VCSU offices close at noon

Dec. 25
Christmas Day – VCSU offices closed

Jan. 1
New Years Day – VCSU offices closed

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/