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Hotline // April 20, 2022

Apr 20, 2022

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This week’s Hotline includes the following articles:

Community Invited to Ribbon Cutting for VCSU’s Center for the Arts

Valley City State University will have an official ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the new Center for the Arts.


The ribbon cutting event will begin at 2 p.m., Thursday, April 21, and will include a short program, musical performance and light refreshments. Following the performance students will be offering guided tours of the new building and the Art Gallery will be open. The Center for the Arts is located on the west side of campus at the intersection of 4th Ave. SW and Viking Drive.

At 7:30 p.m. there will be a full concert performance featuring the VCSU Percussion Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Concert Choir and Concert Band. The annual Juried Art Exhibition featuring pieces created by VCSU students will also be on display. The public is encouraged to visit the art gallery and attend both the ribbon cutting and evening concert.

An invitation to the ribbon cutting event at the Center for the Arts.

“This will be a historic day for our students, faculty, and the community,” VCSU President Alan LaFave said. “The Center for the Arts provides state-of-the-art classroom environments for our students. The performance hall and art gallery provide spaces for the arts to flourish. This facility brings our campus into the future.”

During the evening concert, VCSU Alumna Myron Sommerfeld will present the inaugural Peggy Lee scholarship to a student. Carol Houghlum, daughter of VCSU Music Hall of Fame member James Ployhar, will also speak. The final piece performed during the concert will be The Flickertail, composed by Ployhar. The Flickertail is the state march of North Dakota.

Construction of the Center for the Arts began in 2019 after funding was approved by the North Dakota Legislature. The building has more than eight acres of sheetrock, 242 tons of steel and more than 26 miles of wire. The building includes a 350-seat performance hall, recording and production studio, a ceramics lab, digital design lab and art gallery.

To arrange an interview, contact Tammy Jo Anderson Taft by emailing TammyJo.Taft@vcsu.edu, or call 701-845-7227.

VCSU Scholarship Auction to take place April 29

The 27th annual Valley City State University Scholarship Auction will be held April 29, at the Valley City Eagles Club. The theme is “Back to the 80’s” and attendees are encouraged to dress in 80’s fashion trends. Auction tickets are $60 each, which includes admission, two drink tickets and a buffet dinner. auction poster

“The scholarship auction is the single biggest event in terms of generating scholarship dollars that the VCSU Foundation office works on each year,” said Kim Hesch, Assistant Director for Advancement. “Scholarships are vital to VCSU’s success and all proceeds from the auction go directly to V-500 and Century Club scholarships.”

The social hour will begin at 5:00 p.m. Last year, the silent auction moved to a virtual format and will be made available on the Handbid app once again. The silent auction will start on Monday, April 25 at 10 a.m. and will end on Friday, April 29 at 8:30 p.m. The app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play Store. After downloading, participants can follow the prompts to create an account, then choose “VCSU Scholarship Auction 2022” from the list. Users can monitor their winning and losing bids from the dashboard, receive notifications when they have been outbid, and checkout within the app at the end of the night. Participants need not be present to win.

The evening will also feature popular raffle giveaways, the chance to purchase bottles of wine at the Mystery Wine Table and a new game, Spin the Prize Wheel, for a chance to win a variety of gift cards and other promotional items.

The buffet dinner will be served at 6 p.m. with live auction to follow at 7 p.m. This is an opportunity to bid on great items while contributing to scholarships, offering some financial relief for future and current VCSU students.

Auction items are currently being solicited for the event. Anyone wishing to donate an item can contact the VCSU Foundation office. As the event approaches, a list of silent and live auction items will be made available on the VCSU Foundation website at vcsualumni.org where you click on the ‘Auction’ banner.

For more information regarding the VCSU Scholarship Auction, to purchase tickets, or to donate an item, call the VCSU Foundation Office at 701-845-7203.

VCSU Surplus Sale today

VCSU Facilities Services will be hosting a surplus sale today, Wednesday, April 20 from 2 – 5 p.m. in Foss Hall. Foss Hall (the old music building) is located at 200 College St SW.

Items for sale include desks, chairs, shelving and other miscellaneous office items. All merchandise must be paid for and picked up by 5 p.m. Customers are responsible for moving and loading their own items.

For more information about this sale, contact Facilities Services at 701-845-7705.

VCSU Juried Art Exhibition now on display

The VCSU Juried Art Exhibition is now on display in the Center for the Arts Gallery. The public is invited to view this show through May 9 with a reception on May 2 from 3 – 5 p.m. juried art show graphic

 

 

Upcoming Safe Zone Ally training

Safe Zone Ally Training is a 2-day workshop for faculty, staff and student leadership led by Kelly LaFramboise, Ph.D., director for diversity and inclusion. The training sessions will take place April 22 and 29 from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. The sessions offered on April 25 and May 2 are full but those interested can inquire about a waitlist by contacting Kelly LaFramboise at kelly.laframboise@vcsu.edu.

Safe Zone logoDuring this workshop participants will learn professional terminologies for LGBTQIA+ identities, learn how to create and keep their workspaces, activities and curricula equitable and safe for LGBTQIA+ persons, gain a deep understanding of the “coming out” process for LGBTQIA+ people, and work through some real VCSU case studies to gain insight into what our LGBTQIA+ students and colleagues are experiencing on campus. At the completion of the workshop, participants have the opportunity to sign a Safe Zone Ally Pledge and receive a decal (as shown) to place on their door or laptop signifying that they have been trained in current higher education standards for LGBTQIA+ safe zones and have signed a pledge to be a vocal and active ally.

VCSU Opera Ensemble presents ‘Tenting Tonight: An Original One-Act Musical’

The VCSU Opera Ensemble presents Tenting Tonight: An Original One-Act Musical on April 23 and 24 at the Center for the Arts. opera graphic

The Saturday show features a five-course supper buffet beginning at 5 p.m. with a show to follow at 7 p.m. The cost is $20 per person for the supper and show and $5 per person for the show only.

The Sunday Matinee begins at 2:30 p.m. Doors will open at 2 p.m. and the cost is $5 per person.

 

 

Free public planetarium shows this Saturday

planetarium show posterThe VCSU Planetarium will host a free planetarium show this Saturday, April 23 at 1 p.m. The shows include The Norse Sky which explains some of the sky stories known to the Vikings. The second show is It’s About Time, which takes a lighthearted look at the various ways time has been calculated since early people first began observing the Sun, Moon and constellations.

The planetarium is in Rhoades Science Center Room 309. An elevator is available at the front entrance. There is no charge for the shows but donations are welcome.

Viking athletics to sponsor blood drive on April 26

VCSU Viking Athletics will sponsor a blood drive on Tuesday, April 26 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse Gym.

Sign up at https://donors.vitalant.org/dwp/portal/dwa/appointment/guest/phl/timeSlotsExtr?token=uoqdrRYL2wTb2RxR0Mu5jQqEFZiTh6eJhwZLckVCRoM%3D

Froemke receives Staff Member of the Quarter award

Deedra Froemke, accounting assistant, recently received the Staff Member of the Quarter award. Froemke receiving award from Cabinet members

One nomination read, “Deedra has been instrumental in planning and holding two Tech Wars youth events in the Computer Systems and Software Engineering Department this academic year. Each event included a competition using Scratch software for high school students. One of the events was held in Oct. 2021 at the North Dakota Farmers Union camp in Jamestown. The second event was held March 9 on VCSU’s campus. During the fall event, Deedra helped to coordinate with sponsors and others involved in holding the competition. Deedra‘s role has increased significantly this semester. She was the primary contact for teachers and schools and finalized registration, coordinated special activities for students during judging, and coordinated the day of the event. She regularly kept me updated on the status of the planning and we worked together to make sure all aspects of the event were being covered.”

A second nomination read, “I find Deedra‘s amazing work ethic and positive attitude on the March 2022 event especially significant because she is transitioning into an interim role in the business office and will have less involvement with CSSE. She is willing to work with the CSSE department on finalizing a few important tasks and also documenting work so that others can take over this role in the future. She has been extremely helpful in ensuring a smooth transition.”

Congratulations, Deedra!

Pritchert receives ‘Difference Maker’ award

Marcia Pritchert, Director for Financial Aid, recently received the “Difference Maker” award. She was nominated by the VCSU Foundation and Alumni Office. Marcia Pritchert

Her nomination read, Marcia is a tremendous asset to Valley City State University! As a long-term employee, she is a Viking through and through. Her commitment to VCSU and in particular, our students, is without question. She, as a practice, goes above and beyond to deliver the very best in service to our students and the university community. It is common to see her here on weekends insuring that her work is complete and ready for the next day. Marcia cares and it shows. She is personable, outgoing, and focused on giving it her all for VCSU. We often refer to our community as a community where ‘We All Row.’ In my opinion, Marcia clearly leads the way in this area. VCSU is a better place because of her efforts. She sets the bar high and works tirelessly to deliver on that commitment. I am honored to nominate Marcia for the ‘Difference Maker’ award!” 

Congratulations, Marcia!

Viking Sports Update

Weather affects schedules
All of Valley City State’s athletic teams had their events last weekend canceled due to snow and cold temperatures in the region. Schedule changes continue to occur. You can always find the most up-to-date schedules at www.vcsuvikings.com

VCSU Hosting Track Meet
Valley City State University is set to host a home track meet on Wednesday, April 27, weather permitting. It would be VCSU’s first home track meet since the 2014 season. 

Upcoming Events
April 20: Softball against Mayville State, 2/4 p.m. (Casselton, N.D.)
April 21: Softball vs. Mayville State, 3/5 p.m. (Valley City)
April 21: Baseball at Dakota State, 2/5 p.m. (Madison, S.D.)
April 22: Baseball at Dakota State, 12/3 p.m. (Madison, S.D.)
April 22-23: Track & Field at Northern State (Aberdeen, S.D.)
April 23: Softball at Waldorf University, 1/3 p.m. (Forest City, Iowa)
April 24: Softball at Waldorf University, 12/2 p.m. (Forest City, Iowa)
April 25-26: Golf at NSAA Championships (Albert Lea, Minn.)

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

What's happening on campus - in town

Ongoing

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

This Week

April 20
2 – 5 p.m. VCSU Surplus Sale, Foss Hall

April 21
2 p.m. Center for the Arts Ribbon Cutting, Center for the Arts
7:30 p.m. Ribbon Cutting Concert, CFA Performance Hall

April 23
All day, 3 on 3 Bubble Bash, W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse
1 p.m. Public Planetarium Show, Rhoades Science Center
5 p.m. (dinner) & 7 p.m. (show) VCSU Opera Ensemble presents “Tenting Tonight, An Original One-Act musical”, CFA Lobby and Performance Hall

April 24
2:30 p.m. Opera Ensemble Matinee, CFA Performance Hall

Save the date

April 25
5 – 7 p.m. Valley City Kiwanis Pancakes & Sausage, VCHS Cafeteria ($8, preschool free) – meat raffle will be held at event

April 27
7:30 – 8:30 p.m.“Let’s Talk About It, Poetry and Music Highlighting the Black Experience”, CFA Performance Hall

April 29
27th Annual VCSU Scholarship Auction, Valley City Eagles Club
7:30 p.m. Spring Instrumental Concert, Center for the Arts

May 1
7 p.m. Valley Troubadours Spring Concert Series, Connect Church

May 2
6:30 p.m. Valley Troubadours Spring Concert Series, Maryvale Convent

May 3
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Green Dot training session, virtual
5 – 8 p.m. College Kid Carnival, Graichen Gym and McFarland Lawn

May 5
7 p.m. Valley Troubadours Spring Concert Series, Nome Schoolhouse

May 6
7:30 p.m. Spring Choral Showcase, Center for the Arts

May 17
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Green Dot Training Session, Student Center Skoal Room

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.