Hotline 2.23.22

Total headcount of 1,660 students for spring semester

Valley City State University has set a spring enrollment record for the seventh consecutive year with 1,660 total students enrolled. This includes 1,509 undergraduate students and 151 graduate students.

In the past 10 years, enrollment has increased by more than 350 students.  Last spring there were 1,632 students enrolled.

“We are happy to welcome the largest group of students in our history to spring semester,” said VCSU President Alan LaFave. “Growing enrollment is a testament to the hard work of our faculty and staff to provide high-quality experiences every day. We are grateful for the continued trust students and families place in VCSU.”

Over the past decade, VCSU’s total headcount in the spring semester has increased by 27 percent. Likewise, fall enrollment at VCSU has increased for the past nine years.

Valley City State University has been named a U.S. News and World Report “Best College” for 24 consecutive years. In the latest analysis, VCSU was ranked the top public regional college in North Dakota and #2 in the Midwest.

For more information contact Tammy Jo Anderson Taft by emailing TammyJo.Taft@vcsu.edu, or call 701-845-7227.

Wellness Fair to be held March 2

Valley City State University Health Services is excited to host its annual Wellness Fair on March 2, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the VCSU Student Center. The event is sponsored by CHI Mercy Health Valley City, Essentia Health, Family HealthCare and Sanford Health.

Open to members of the VCSU and greater Valley City communities free of charge, the event will feature health screenings, fitness testing, body-composition analysis ($10), demonstrations, activities, samples and information about campus, local and state health services and resources. Masks will be required at the event.

Participants may also register to win a variety of prizes, including smart watches, air pods and a variety of gift cards.

Service providers, vendors and exhibitors at the Wellness Fair will include:

• Abused Persons Outreach Center
• A Holistic Touch
• Barnes County on the Move
• Be Well Healing Arts
• Bismarck Cancer Center
• Central Valley Health District
• CHI Mercy Health/Cardiac Ready
• City County Health District
• Community Options
• Dakota Nursing Program
• Essentia Clinic
• Family Healthcare
• Fuel Up Play 60
• Gaukler Family Wellness Center
• Mobility Plus Rehab
• NDSU/Barnes County Extension Agency
• Prairie St. John’s
• Preventice
• Sanford Health
• Sanford Profile
• Valley City Green Dot
• VCSU Counseling Services
• VCSU Green Dot
• VCSU Health Services
• VCSU Exercise & Physiology Class
• VCSU Psychology & Human Services Club
• VCSU SHAPE Club

Planetarium show this Saturday

A free public planetarium show will take place in the VCSU Planetarium on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 1 p.m in Rhoades Science Center Room 309.

“The Zodiac” (2009) is a fun look at the stories of the twelve zodiacal constellations along the ecliptic plane – the path the planets, sun, and moon appear to travel across the sky. These ancient astrological signs are directly related to the development of astronomy as a science. This 30-minute program is suitable for all ages.

COVID testing updates

Starting March 2, COVID community testing events will take place Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. The testing events are currently taking place Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Reminder: All VCSU employees can also pick up free home COVID tests at facility services.

Jorgenson attends political science conference

Alex Jorgensen, assistant professor for political science, attended the 2022 Southern Political Science Association conference held virtually Jan. 13-15. As one of the largest sub-national conferences in the discipline, it provides opportunities for networking, roundtable discussions, professional development workshops, and discussion of the latest research. He presented research titled; “Dnt Txt n Drv: State Adoption of Distracted Driving Laws.” The project examined how laws banning texting while driving are adopted in different states. States were more likely to adopt these bans if other states in the region had already adopted them. Jorgensen also served as a discussant for a panel on policy preferences and decision-making. Topics included the use of computer algorithms in judicial sentencing; how medium-sized events influence the ability of water system operators to learn about problems and risks; and preferences for relief programs by educating voters on those living in poverty.

Fenster becomes certified Story Stitch facilitator

Emily Fenster, associate professor for sociology, completed the online training to become a certified Story Stitch facilitator in November. The Story Stitch conversation card game was created in 2018 by the Green Card Voices organization. The goal is to facilitate connections and build empathy between people of different backgrounds through storytelling. This training provided knowledge and guidance on conducting in-person and virtual Story Stich sessions. Fenster has been testing the game in some of her classes this year and aims to incorporate it into more classes and various groups in the future.

The Forge deadline extended

The deadline to submit entries to The Forge has been extended to Wednesday, March 9 at 12 a.m. midnight.

Each writing entry must be submitted as a Word document. Any images must be attached in JPEG form (at least 300 dpi). Submit entries to theforge@vcsu.edu.

Participants can submit up to 5 entries total. Please include a title page with the following for each submissions: name, title of entry, category of entry. There should be no visible signatures on artworks so they can be judged anonymously.

Submissions have been in the following categories: short fiction, poetry, drama, academic/personal essay, drawing/painting, printmaking, ceramics/sculpture, photography/digital imaging.

William Egan senior recital set for March 11

The VCSU Music Department will host the senior recital of William Egan, baritone, on Friday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m. The program will consist of music by Georges Bizet, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, Frederick Loewe, Stephen Schwartz, and a nine-song set by Gustav Holst. Egan will be accompanied by Sarah Larsen, piano.

The Enderlin, North Dakota native is a senior music and elementary education major studying under Anthony Rohr, assistant professor for music. During his time at VCSU, he has participated in Concert Band, Athletic Band, Wind Ensemble, Concert Choir, Opera Ensemble, and University Singers. He has also performed as a soloist during the VCSU showcase recitals at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. William will student teach in the fall semester and graduate in December 2022.

A livestream will be available to view on the VCSU Music Department’s Facebook page. The recital will be held in the concert hall at the Center for the Arts with a reception afterwards.

Viking Sports Update

Men’s Basketball
Feb. 18: VCSU 79, Dickinson State 74
The VCSU men’s basketball team won its season finale Friday night over Dickinson State. VCSU earned a No. 3 seed for the NSAA Tournament and will host No. 6 Dickinson State for the opening round Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 7:30 p.m. at the Bubble.

Women’s Basketball
Feb. 18: VCSU 67, Dickinson State 61
The VCSU women’s basketball team defeated Dickinson State Friday to earn a No. 3 seed for the NSAA Tournament. VCSU will host No. 6 Bellevue University on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 5:30 p.m. at the Bubble.

Softball
Feb. 18: VCSU 5, Mount Marty 1; VCSU 10, Jamestown 6
Feb. 19: VCSU 13, Dakota Wesleyan 1 (5 innings); VCSU 5, MSU-Moorhead 1
The VCSU Softball team went 4-0 on the weekend at the Presentation College Dome. The Vikings now have a 7-5 overall record and will resume play at the Tuscon Invitational March 9-16.

Track & Field
The Valley City State track and field athletes won three conference championships, set or tied five school records, and had 13 All-Conference performances during the NSAA Indoor Track & Field Championships contested Sunday in Brookings, S.D. Both teams placed fourth out of seven teams at the meet. Zachary Co will compete at the NAIA Indoor Championships, March 3-5 in Brookings.

Read more: http://www.vcsuvikings.com/article/4322

Upcoming Events
Feb. 23: WBB vs. Bellevue University, 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 23: MBB vs. Dickinson State, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 26-27: NSAA Basketball Final Four, Watertown, S.D.

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

Ongoing

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

This Week

Tuesday, Feb. 22
11 a.m. General Student Recital, Center for the Arts Recital Hall

Sunday, Feb. 27
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Dazey Fire Department Pancake Feed

Save the date

Wednesday, March 2
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. VCSU Wellness Fair, VCSU Student Center

March 12
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Winter Show Hippology Contest, Student Center

March 14
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Region 2 Vocal Music Contest, Student Center

March 24
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Regional Science Olympiad, Rhoades Science Center, Graichen Gym, Vangstad Auditorium

March 31
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Region 2 Instrumental Music Contest, Student Center

Friday, April 29
27th Annual VCSU Scholarship Auction

Community Club meetings

• Kiwanis – Wednesdays at noon, Valley City Town & Country Club
• Optimist Club – Thursdays at 7 a.m., Vicky’s Viking Room
• Rotary Club – Tuesdays at noon, VCSU
• Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals – 2nd Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., Our Saviors Lutheran Church
• Barnes County Wildlife Federation – 2nd Wednesday of the month
• Grief Journeys for Adults Support Group – meet virtually, call Hospice at 701-845-1781 to take part

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