Hotline // March 8, 2023
This week’s Hotline includes the following articles:
- President’s Column – Alumni in Arizona
- VCSU Department of Music presents Oda Voltersvik
- Lydia Watkins’ senior recital this Friday
- VCSU Art Department presents High School Student Art Exhibit
- VCSU Wellness Fair rescheduled for March 22
- Elementary education students publish ‘What Pre-Service Teachers Value in the K-12 Mathematics Classroom’
- Viking Sports Update
- What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…
President's Column - Alumni in Arizona
Greetings from VCSU!
As I write this week’s column from the warmth of my office, the temps outside are at the lowest of the season. It harkens me back to our early February alumni visits and events held in Arizona.
I joined Kim Svenningsen-Hesch and Cory Anderson from our Foundation and Alumni office and ventured south to host and meet several alumni over a three-day period from Feb. 2 to Feb. 4. We began our trip with a small event hosted by Bob and Deanne Horne in Mesa on the evening of Feb. 2. It was such a pleasure to have the chance to reconnect with longtime supporters and former VCSU staff. The hospitality was tremendous.
The next day we ventured to Peoria to host an alumni event for those living or wintering in the northwest part of the Valley of the Sun. We gathered at the Links Neighborhood Grill to enjoy conversation, campus updates and lunch. Later that evening we convened a group of “newer” alumni (graduates of the past decade) at a restaurant in Mesa.
On Saturday, Feb. 4 we had an alumni and friends social and luncheon at the Terrace Green in Mesa. This event brought more than 45 folks together to reminisce, share good conversations and stories and reconnect over the common bond of their shared VCSU experiences. There was lots of laughter and amazing stories were told, some perhaps “augmented” a bit from their original form. We were even treated to an impressive vocal duet featuring the talents of Don Lemnus and Al Dosch. It was a highlight of the day and an event that will live long in the hearts and minds of all in attendance.
We’ve hosted a similar schedule of events for several years, but this year’s traffic and airport congestion was noticeably more significant, perhaps due to two very large sporting events happening the next week; the Waste Management Phoenix Open and Super Bowl LVII. Despite the increased traffic, the events were well worth the time. I sincerely appreciate the efforts of our Foundation and Alumni office for their outstanding work in organizing and creating such an informative and enjoyable opportunity for our alumni and supporters to gather and reconnect. One common theme emerged the relationships made at VCSU are long-lasting and important to the lives of our students, faculty, staff, coaches, and alumni. We look forward to continuing this exciting tradition in 2024!
Go Vikings!
Mesa Gatherings
Back L to R: Terry Dunphy ‘68, Brad Rice ‘75, Dave Hodgson ‘73, Steve Rice ‘75, President Al and Kari LaFave, Judy Mathias, Jane Lemnus, Bob Horne ‘59, Bill Schaller ‘74, George Berger ‘74, and Al Dosch ‘55. Front L to R: Georgia (Vaughn) Rice ‘75, Marilyn (Orn) Hodgson ‘73, Rod Olin 74, Leorna and Curt ’62 Olson, Don Lemnus ‘58, Deanne (Roseth) Horne ‘60, and Carol Schaller.
Back L to R: Larry Hodgson ‘69, Dale Hillstrom ‘69, Tom Kinn ‘87, President Al and Kari LaFave, Jeff Bopp ‘99, Chad ’94 and Kelly (Olson) ’96 Anderson, Jim Egeberg and Cory Anderson ‘89. Front L to R: Dee (Isensee) Hillstrom ‘69, Mr. and Mrs. Joe ’67 Welder, Deb (Hill) Bopp ‘77, Gary and Lori Thompson, Pat Egeberg, and Krisit (Tait) Anderson ‘93.
Mesa Young Alumni Gathering
L to R: Cory Anderson ’89, Klay Donaldson (holding Kooper Donaldson), Erick and Barb (Ector) Dameron ’16, Kaitlyn (Langdon) Donaldson ‘16, Aurissa (Martens) Brinson ’15, Kim Svenningsen-Hesch ’91, Sierra (Even) ’15 & Thomas Cortez ’15 and Kristi (Tait) Anderson ’93.
Peoria Event
Front L to R: Dan ‘65 & Pat (Sheldon) ’67 Parish, Glen Engle ‘61, Linda (Sander) ’70 and Bob ’68 McKenzie, Dan ‘72 & Marion Schlecht, Marie (Vining) ’74 and Jerry ‘74 Topp. Back row L to R: President Al and Kari LaFave, Cory ’89 and Krisit (Tait) ’93 Anderson and Dave ’71 & Linda (Olson) ’72 Koschney.
VCSU Department of Music presents Oda Voltersvik
VCSU Department of Music presents Oda Voltersvik performing Nordic Unrest today, March 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Center for the Arts. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.
Voltersvik has performed at important venues internationally including Carnegie Hall & Scandinavia House (NYC), Wigmore Hall & St Martin in the Fields (London), “Palermo Classica” International Festival, the Norwegian Opera House and every summer since 2014; artist in residence for a week at the Edvard Grieg museum in Bergen. As a solo and chamber musician she has held recitals for numerous important concert societies and in important concert halls in Norway, UK and the US.
In 2021 and 2022, she received the honorable Norwegian Arts Council’s work grant for younger and newly established artists. Oda is a 1st prize winner of the Bradshaw Buono International competition (2017) and finalist in the Jaques Samuels competition (2016). For solo and chamber music projects, she has been awarded grants from the Arts Council Norway, Fund for Performing Artists, Music Norway, Bergen Municipality and Fegerstens foundation among others.
Oda is also a member of an active piano duo; Volt & Potenza duo. In the fall of 2021, she started her own concert series, “Volt Classics” in Bergen. Her CD releases “NEO”, “Firebird” and her piano duo recording “Khoreia” have received great reviews internationally.
Oda holds a Master in Performance from the Royal College of Music London and an Artist Diploma from Trinity Laban Conservatoire (with distinction from the Intercollegiate Jury).
Lydia Watkins' senior recital this Friday
On Friday, March 10, Lydia Watkins will be performing her senior recital in the Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. Lydia is a talented pianist and will be performing Debussy, Bach, Chopin, Beethoven and Rachmaninoff. If you can’t make it in person, the livestream is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYnWzicunQA
VCSU Art Department presents High School Student Art Exhibit
The VCSU Art Department invites the public to attend the High School Student Art Exhibit starting March 13. The show will run through March 31 in the Center for the Arts Gallery from Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. with a reception on March 29. 
VCSU Wellness Fair rescheduled for March 22
VCSU invites you to attend the annual Wellness Fair on Wednesday, March 22 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Student Center. There will be hands on activities, wellness information and door prizes from 30 different campus, local and state entities! 
Participants can try a variety of screenings and testings such as Dermascan and InBody 270 and also have a chance at amazing door prizes such as workout gear, cooking appliances and gift cards.
VCSU employees who attend will also receive a voucher for 3000 points towards their wellness benefit.
Elementary education students publish ‘What Pre-Service Teachers Value in the K-12 Mathematics Classroom’
Samantha Nelson and Adriana Torres, elementary education students, recently published “What Pre-Service Teachers Value in the K-12 Mathematics Classroom” in the ND Council of Teachers of Mathematics February 2023 Newsletter. The article can be read at https://ndctm16.wildapricot.org/Newsletter
Viking Sports Update
Track & Field
Jaiden Peraza placed 12th in high jump and Taylor Sargent finished 29th in the 60-meter hurdles on Friday as they represented VCSU at the NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships on March 3. Read more: https://vcsuvikings.com/news/2023/3/3/mens-track-and-field-peraza-places-12th-sargent-takes-29th-at-naia-nationals.aspx
Men’s Basketball
Feb. 25: Mayville State 102, VCSU 82
The VCSU men’s basketball team had its season end in the semifinals of the NSAA Tournament, falling to eventual champion Mayville State. The Vikings finish the season with a 16-14 overall record.
Baseball
March 4: Briar Cliff 9, VCSU 3; Briar Cliff 5, VCSU 4
March 5: Briar Cliff 6, VCSU 3; Briar Cliff 10, VCSU 7
Viking Baseball has started its spring season with two long road trips to Nebraska. The Vikings are currently 2-12 overall and will continue play this weekend in Fremont, Neb.
Upcoming Events
March 10: Baseball at Midland University, 2/4 p.m. (Fremont, Neb.)
March 11: Baseball at Midland University, 2/4 p.m. (Fremont, Neb.)
March 11-15: Softball at Tucson Spring Invitational (Tucson, Ariz.)
What's happening at VCSU and around Valley City...
