Hotline 3.9.22

VCSU online programs ranked among best by U.S News and World Report

Valley City State University’s online master’s in education and bachelor’s degree programs have been recognized by U.S. News and World Report in its Best Online Programs rankings.

VCSU was ranked second in North Dakota in both master’s and bachelor’s online programs. Factors considered in the rankings include student engagement, services and technologies available to students, faculty credentials and training, as well as expert opinion on the academic quality of programs. Student excellence is also considered for schools offering online master’s degree programs.

“We continue to develop and offer a wide variety of degrees in dynamic ways that help students become future leaders,” President Alan LaFave said. “We are a technology-driven school, and this nationwide ranking reaffirms the high-quality educational experiences our students receive in the classroom and online.”

VCSU’s new Master of Science degree in Business Information Systems, launched in 2022, is intended to meet workforce needs in the community and statewide. This degree track is currently offered exclusively online.

The VCSU Master of Education (M.Ed.) program offers six concentrations: elementary education, English education, library and information technologies, teaching English language learners, teaching and technology, and technology education. The university also offers a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program, designed to help individuals with degrees in non-teaching fields earn teaching licenses.

Online bachelor’s programs at VCSU include business education, business process integration management, career and technical education, communication, elementary education, English, English education, history, history education, management, math education, music, social science, social science education, and technology education.

Face-to-Face STEM Day at the Bismarck Career Academy

Clayton Mannie, assistant professor for technology, and Christopher Church, student worker for technology education, presented two projects to 30 students from the Central Regional Area Career and Technical Center (CRACTC) at the Bismarck Career Academy on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. These students are all enrolled in an online STEM course provided by the CRACTC. They came to Bismarck for the day to complete two engineering challenges directed by VCSU.

Students reviewed the Engineering Design Process, along with key terms and tasks specific to each activity and worked in small teams to complete both activities. The students designed and built a prototype prosthetic that could launch a ball 20 feet into a target using wood pieces, foam, and rubber bands for one activity. In the second activity, students built and programmed Lego EV3 robots to perform three different tasks. This project allowed students to experience some F2F instruction and collaboration, a delivery method outside of their normal fully online course.

The role of wetlands and oceans in climate change

What in the World is Going on? will host “The role of wetlands and oceans in climate change” on Monday, March 21 at 7 p.m. This program will be presented by Olivia Johnson, biologist, and Michelle Abshire, Ph.D., VCSU assistant professor for science, in the Rhoades Science Center auditorium on the VCSU campus.

Check out these other programs in the Climate Change series:

Monday, April 4: Project Tundra – Can it reduce climate change?
Monday, April 25: Can ND be carbon neutral by 2030? Governor Burgum’s Plan

Contact What in the World is Going On? at 701-845-7321 for streaming or recording options.

Fenster completes Respecting Choices Facilitator certification

Emily Fenster, associate professor for sociology, completed the requirements for the Respecting Choices First Steps Advance Care Planning (ACP) Facilitator certification in a training organized by Sanford Health in September. The organization, Respecting Choices, has developed different certification tiers to help various professionals advocate for person-centered ACP and facilitate conversations by understanding individual goals, values, and preferences for healthcare and end-of-life options. The First Steps ACP Facilitator certification is intended for professionals and community volunteers serving in various roles (e.g., social workers, nurses, health educators, physicians, clergy).

Fenster intends to use the skills gained in her courses involving aging, the life course, health and long-term care, and death and dying. Beyond the classroom, she aims to be an advocate for anyone – including students, staff, and faculty – who wants to have a conversation on or begin the process of advance care planning, but may not know where to start. You are welcome to chat with her if you’d like more information.

Mid-winter choral concert livestream recap

In case you missed the first choral concert in the Center for the Arts, watch the replay here: https://www.facebook.com/VCSUMusic/videos/1213009965772903/

The Forge submissions due today

The deadline to submit entries to The Forge is today, 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 five 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 Friday

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

Baseball
March 3: Briar Cliff 12, VCSU 2
March 4: Briar Cliff 9, VCSU 8; Briar Cliff 4, VCSU 0
The Viking baseball team opened its spring season last weekend at Briar Cliff. VCSU now has a 6-5 overall record. The Vikings play this weekend at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis before flying to Tucson, Ariz., for seven games.

Softball
The VCSU softball team is in Tucson, Ariz., for 11 games over the next eight days. The Vikings have a 7-5 overall record.

Upcoming Events
March 9-16: Softball at Tucson, Ariz.
March 12-13: Baseball vs. Midland at U.S. Bank Stadium (Minneapolis, Minn.)
March 16-21: Baseball at Tucson, Ariz.

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

Ongoing

MWF: 1 – 2 p.m. COVID Community Testing event, Rec Center

This Week

March 9
8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Tech Wars High School Competition, VCSU Student Center

March 9-13
North Dakota Winter Show
Schedule of events: https://northdakotawintershow.com/wintershow-schedule

March 10
2 – 4 p.m. Employee CPR/AED/First Aid Training, Gaukler Family Wellness Center

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

Save the date

March 14
8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Region 2 Vocal Music Contest, VCSU Student Center
3:00 – 6:30 p.m. VCSU Foundation Board meeting and tour of CFA, VCSU Student Center and Center for the Arts

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

March 29
2 – 3 p.m. All about numbers by Joe Jangula the “MatheMagician”, VCSU Center for the Arts

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

April 23
All day, 3 on 3 Bubble Bash, W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse

April 29
27th Annual VCSU Scholarship Auction, Valley City Eagles Club

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.